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Belleville going Bye-bye? — Brooklynian

Belleville going Bye-bye?

Comments

  • veets
    veets

    If this closing turns out to be true doesn't seem surprising. Belleville was very good when it first opened and then there was a downward dive and a little up swing with a change in management. Maintaining a liquor license is an expensive deal and if a place just isn't covering expenses and in to the profit range when that bill comes due and can't be paid.. put up the Tombstone.

  • landlord
    landlord

    They are not closing. They signed a 30 year lease back in the 90's. They made a great deal with the landlord where they would pay to have the voilations removed from his basement in return for a 30 year below market rent (below market for 90's). They are paying something like $2500 per month fixed.

    If they will close its because of really poor business decisions. With their current rent as low as it is...they might as well be the owners of the building. I know the landlord is very pissed at the deal he made.

  • lemur11215
    lemur11215

    Belleville is the only restaurant that I've ever just got up and walked out of. I wouldn't miss it a bit if it closed. In fact, I wouldn't have to wonder each time I walk past how in the world that place stays open.

  • apophis36
    apophis36

    Depending on how the lease was written, it could be more profitable for them to sublet to someone else...

  • peanuts
    peanuts

    I passed Belleville on the way home....they are open offering a free glass of wine with dinner. I haven't been there since I waited 45 minutes and my food never came - nor was it acknowledged. I wasn't the only one in the restaurant who wasn't getting their food that night.

  • veets
    veets

    I agree that in some situations getting a sublet in on these long leases makes more sense than continuing a dead business. I know that when Ali started up on 9th Street they bought out the previous business lease. Unfortunately, they failed as well and there is nothing occupying that space now.

    Even "good" restaurants can experience a bad period of time due to a chef changing, or another "similar" place opening up in proximity or many other reasons. IMO Belleville has lost any customer base it did have because there have been just too many of these "down" times and then a tick upward but not enough of one to capture returning or new customers.

  • bcodsnpkslope
    bcodsnpkslope

    a coouple years back my wife and i went there in an effort to discover new local great eats. We asked for ice water with lemon and an adult beverage.. The waiter came back with a warm bottle of tap water and when we asked for ice and lemon he then wanted to offer us seltzer... we walked away too We figured if they couldnt get ice water right how could they get the food right?

  • drano
    drano

    Sad what's become of this place...I keep waiting for someone to say that it has turned around, but so far that day has not come.

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