Soul Daddy closes NYC location

[goodhealthgourmet]

well now, that didn't take long!
http://ny.eater.com/archives/2011/06/...

[Withnail42]

Read somewhere that their LA location just closed as well.

[John E.]

Not to mention the Minnesota location closed yesterday.

[Withnail42]

I feel for the guy. He put his faith in that 'panel of experts' and in less time that the show was on he's out of business.

I sure if the show had been given a second season they would not have abandoned him. He would have been looked at as the success story from the first season.

[jhopp217]

I remember watching the finale and saying to myself "that isn't a real restaurant, it's a fast food counter." I think the winner was duped into thinking he was getting three places that were exactly the way he had envisioned them on the show. Even the opening menu was different than what he had cooked on the show.

[mcf]

Not a surprise... didn't see any post show promotions in metro NY. Cheapass chefs better not leave Jamawn high and dry.

[coney with everything]

This just seems wrong. Any new business is expected to lose money for the first two years, isn't that the rule of thumb?

So they take his concept, and based on the reviews execute it poorly, then instead of trying to refine or improve the product they just shut it down?

"Investment" implies a long term approach, not a "make money in the next twenty minutes or else" mindset.

Sadly I think that Jamawn believed them. He probably wishes he'd stayed at Chrysler.

What a farce. It's not funny when you are screwing with people's lives.

[Cathy]

http://www.zagat.com/buzz/soul-daddys...

Chrysler is a good company.

[LurkerDan]

That is nice of them, but I'd rather hear about a food company that is hiring/financing him.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i agree - too bad Chrysler didn't hire him to cook chicken & waffles for the other employees who work at the plant!

[Withnail42]

Odd timing. They were located in a high tourist area closed it just as tourist season starts.

[Joanie]

That's what I was thinking. I'd be some combination of depressed, pissed and bitter if I were Soul Daddy. Unless it really was that bad. But still, give it a couple weeks to rethink things if needed.

[Withnail42]

So much for that so called panel of experts and their know how.

[NellyNel]

To be clear, Withnail -The storefront was located in such a weird spot; on a small side street off the South Street Seaport. Right across from my office building. If you didnt know about it, you would never venture over to it.
They didnt even have a sign up; No name on the place. The whole thing seemed "temporary" to begin with.
People that stand right in front of it on their cigarette breaks didnt even realize it was there!

The food was really ordinary, so no loss!

[John E.]

No sign? A sign is the single most important advertising a business does but it's more than advertising because it's not an option if you wish to be in business longer than 2 months. Wait....nevermind.

[NellyNel]

I think after a few weeks they did put a chalkboard outside that said Soul Daddy.

I really have to think it wasnt meant to be permanant

[John E.]

The MOA Soul Daddy did not get particularly good reviews locally. I hope they are able to adjust and make it a success. I had to make a run to the airport last week. Instead of stopping in at Sould Daddy and trying Jamawn's ribs I went to the equally nearby Ikea and tried their Wednesday ribs, fries and cornbread meal. The fries were fine. The cornbread was actually a piece of cake. The ribs tasted like I would expect them to if made by a Swede instead of just about anyone else. I should have gone to Soul Daddy.

[jgg13]

and the LA location:
http://eater.com/archives/2011/06/15/...

[charmedgirl]

What a shame. The guy who won seemed like a really good, stand up kind of person who was just trying to build a career and support his family. He frequently won the most tokens from the customers too, so it seemed like he knew how to cook as well. I hope he experiences some success from his time on that show.

[Joanie]

This is really sad. How long was it open? Could things have been *that* bad?

[babette feasts]

I don't know....open three, keep the best two? Could be strategy.

[ferret]

Yes, great strategy. Spend money on 3 leases, 3 build-outs and staffing 3 locations just to close the one that loses the most money.

[babette feasts]

Oh yeah.

They were just pop-ups? A month is barely even giving it a chance, doesn't make sense.

[dmjordan]

Wow. I'm shocked.