Pier 45 at the Port of Rochester will not re-open, and the city instead will cancel the lease for the club and restaurant early.

From the beginning, the upscale city-backed restaurant was meant to be an experiment of sorts, to determine whether a restaurant was viable, build a market and possibly sell the business to a private enterprise.

I just felt with the construction happening down there and everything else, that it was just too much to take on, said Joe Floreano, executive director for the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, which the city hired to operate the restaurant.

The city broke ground in November on the first phase of construction, which will create an 85-slip deep-draft marina basin just west of the Terminal Building. The marina should open in 2015. As that is wrapping up, work could be getting underway on the first development parcel along Lake Avenue high-density, preferably owner-occupied housing, possibly a hotel and a mix of retail and office space.

Public investment, to be a mix of federal, state and city funds, is set at $20 million. Private investment should drive the project going forward, with a possible marina expansion to 157 slips and a total construction filling out what today is an expansive parking lot with between 280 and 430 housing units.

During the construction, lunch no longer made sense: The main customers were seniors who would have too far to walk. There would no longer be valet parking. Floreano also cited increased competition from Crescent Beach and restaurants at The Mall at Greece Ridge.

We cant handle the construction. We cant control the weather and, when everything is said and done, it was a weather-related restaurant, he said. But can a restaurant work? He said yes. I think it could, and maybe our concept wasnt right. Somebody else might have a better idea.

The city-owned terminal runs an annual deficit of more than $370,000. That does not include the nearly $80,000 loss anticipated this budget year at Pier 45.

(Page 2 of 2)

Other leases at the building are not affected, according to the city, with California Rollin expected to remain open all winter and others to open in the spring. The first report on Pier 45s closing came from WHAM (Channel 13), which also stated that other leases were not being renewed.

The rest is here:
City pulls the plug on Pier 45

Updated: Thursday, January 30 2014, 07:08 PM EST

byPatrice Walsh

Rochester, N.Y. -- Its a popular place in the summer time, but Pier 45 served its final meal in September.

The operator of the restaurant in the Ferry Terminal said he has ended his contract with the city and will no longer run the restaurant.

Joe Floreano is Executive Director of the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Floreano said he has enjoyed running the restaurant for the past five years but said it became too challenging to keep it going.

He said construction of the 17 million dollar marina project, closed the front entrance to the ferry terminal and took away valet parking for the restaurant. He said this makes it hard for customers to find their way into the restaurant. He also said competition from other restaurants was just too difficult. That marina project is in its first phase. It includes not only a public marina, but also a promenade, and eventually condominiums, restaurants and possibly a hotel. The first 85 marina slips are expected to open next spring.

Floreano told 13 WHAM News: It just wasnt worthwhile to open it for the season.

Floreano said he is proud of the restaurant, which has won many top honors, and will miss interacting with customers there, but will focus on running the Convention Center. He doesnt know what will happen with the ferry terminal or if the city will bring in someone else to operate the restaurant.

This isnt the only big change at the Port of Rochester. Other businesses at the port said they have heard their leases will not be renewed.

Tom Beaman said he is looking at other options and may re-locate his California Rollin sushi restaurant. It is one of the original businesses in the terminal and has survived many ups and downs over the years. Beaman could have bailed when the ferry sailed out of Rochester, but he said devoted customers kept him in business. He also held sushi classes to help pay his rent when business was down.

Read the original:
Pier 45 restaurant will not open for the season

Updated: Thursday, January 30 2014, 07:08 PM EST

byPatrice Walsh

Rochester, N.Y. -- Its a popular place in the summer time, but Pier 45 served its final meal in September.

The operator of the restaurant in the Ferry Terminal said he has ended his contract with the city and will no longer run the restaurant.

Joe Floreano is Executive Director of the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Floreano said he has enjoyed running the restaurant for the past five years but said it became too challenging to keep it going.

He said construction of the 17 million dollar marina project, closed the front entrance to the ferry terminal and took away valet parking for the restaurant. He said this makes it hard for customers to find their way into the restaurant. He also said competition from other restaurants was just too difficult. That marina project is in its first phase. It includes not only a public marina, but also a promenade, and eventually condominiums, restaurants and possibly a hotel. The first 85 marina slips are expected to open next spring.

Floreano told 13 WHAM News: It just wasnt worthwhile to open it for the season.

Floreano said he is proud of the restaurant, which has won many top honors, and will miss interacting with customers there, but will focus on running the Convention Center. He doesnt know what will happen with the ferry terminal or if the city will bring in someone else to operate the restaurant.

This isnt the only big change at the Port of Rochester. Other businesses at the port said they have heard their leases will not be renewed.

Tom Beaman said he is looking at other options and may re-locate his California Rollin sushi restaurant. It is one of the original businesses in the terminal and has survived many ups and downs over the years. Beaman could have bailed when the ferry sailed out of Rochester, but he said devoted customers kept him in business. He also held sushi classes to help pay his rent when business was down.

Original post:
Pier 45 restaurant wont open for the season

Blacksburgs new combination IMAX theater, bowling alley and restaurant has reached its final stage of construction, after Frank Theatres recently secured a general contractor responsible for completing the First & Main development.

The Birmingham, Alabama-based construction company Stewart Perry plans to resume the project and build Frank Theatres CineBowl & Grille on top of the foundation pad laid by the Blacksburg APF Partners, the First & Main proprietors.

The owners of First & Mains contractual obligation was to prepare the site pad for construction. We delivered that back in October (2013), said attorney and representative of APF Partners Jeff Mitchell.

Once the pad was completed, construction on the site stopped as Frank Theatres searched for a construction company. Mitchell cited construction costs of the theater as cause for Frank Theatres delay in finding a contractor, but anticipates a lot of progress at the center this year.

The contract between Frank Theatres and Stewart Perry was officially signed following financial negotiations, according to Mitchell, just after the first of the year.

Construction is set to resume within the next few weeks, says Mitchell.

Stewart Perrys first meeting with the Town of Blacksburg is scheduled for Feb. 5.

We anticipate construction beginning soon after that meeting. A considerable amount of planning is going on right now to mobilize the construction equipment and complete the design of the building, Mitchell said.

Project manager Bruce Adams will travel from Birmingham to Blacksburg to attend planning meetings as a representative of Stewart Perry.

The commercial construction company has previously completed projects in Virginia, including the Grundy Town Center in Grundy, Va., and the Highlands shopping center in Bristol, Va.

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IMAX site hires general contractor, construction underway

HAMMOND | This summer, watch for more than $25 million in new construction off an interstate exit in Hammond.

A popular sit-down restaurant and sports bar that specializes in chicken wings will join a microbrewery and a four-story hotel at the development at the southeast corner of Kennedy Avenue and Interstate 80/94.

All three projects may end up under construction at the same time this year, said Phil Taillon, executive director of Hammond planning and development.

Buffalo Wild Wings wants to build a 7,000-square-foot restaurant on the southeast corner of the site where the River Park Apartments used to be. The restaurant would be located on a 1.5-acre site south of Carlson Drive, and the chain hopes to include an outdoor patio with views overlooking the Little Calumet River.

The fast-growing restaurant chain plans to invest $2.4 million in the new restaurant, which will employ 60 workers. Hammond is offering $800,000 in special tax district money as incentives, including for work on the building facade, parking lot and landscaping.

Buffalo Wild Wings currently has more than 950 locations nationwide, including in Calumet City, Lansing, Homewood, Schererville, Merrillville, Crown Point, Portage, Valapraiso, Michigan City and LaPorte.

But after Cracker Barrel, it would be only the second national sit-down chain in Hammond, the state's fifth largest city, Tallion said.

"In the entire city of Hammond, we only have one mid-level chain as of right now," he said. The rest are fast-food restaurants or family-owned restaurants. But we don't really have a lot of the Applebee's, T.G.I. Friday's, and Chili's. Now residents won't have to go driving to another city to enjoy that type of restaurant. They can stay in Hammond and enjoy it here, and that's what we want."

Buffalo Wild Wings should be able to draw visitors into town too, by pulling highway traffic off the Borman, Tallion said.

"It's a nationally known restaurant that known for having a lot of TVs and showing the game." he said. "Drivers will see the sign, and it will pull people into the development. It will work as an anchor."

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Buffalo Wild Wings, Hampton Inn coming to Hammond's Oxbow Landing

The U.S. restaurant industry was a little under the weather in the latter half of 2013. The downbeat mood was accentuated by Fed's "taper talk," the temporary government shutdown in October and concerns regarding consumer spending trends. The consumer confidence index was under pressure, declining from September to November straight due to the government shutdown and concerns regarding consumer spending over the next six months. But sentiment had started steadily improving, though the recent stock market weakness could potentially reverse that.

The industry is dependent on broad macroeconomic factors, with dining out being a largely discretionary activity. The economic climate largely influences restaurant choices for customers. We believe issues related to "Obamacare," volatility in housing data and fuel prices and excess supply may continue to cast shadows on the long-term picture. Additionally, an extensive focus on value proposition along with moderate pricing power could prove unfavorable for margins if exercised on a long-term basis.

However, we expect the outlook for the restaurant industry to get better driven by innate fundamental strengths, reflecting an improving economic backdrop. Statistics bear out this relatively favorable environment. Restaurant-and-foodservice sales are anticipated to be $683.4 billion in 2014, up 3.6% year over year, as per the National Restaurant Association. In real terms, this will mark the fifth consecutive year of growth in restaurant sales. The strength in the U.S. restaurant industry is backed by pent-up demand from consumers to live and eat well.

A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association revealed that the Restaurant Performance Index (RPI), measuring the present condition and outlook on the U.S. restaurant industry, was 101.2 in November, up 0.3% sequentially and the highest since Jun 2013. The Current Situation Index, which measures comparable store sales, traffic count, labor costs and capital expenditures in the industry was 101.2 in November, also up 0.3% sequentially and the highest in the last six months. The latest index is indicative of the underlying strength in the industry.

Moreover, yearly hikes in dividends on a regular basis by some restaurateurs like The Cheesecake Factory Inc. ( CAKE ), Brinker International, Inc. ( EAT ) and McDonald's Corp. ( MCD ) underscore their efforts to consistently return shareholder and franchisee value irrespective of the economic peaks and valleys.

OPPORTUNITIES

Domestic and International Unit Expansion

After emerging from a lackluster economy that lasted for three years, most of the companies had stepped up their pace of restaurant openings.

Not content with domestic expansion alone, the companies were looking to test waters as well as developing taste buds in foreign shores. Restaurateurs are primarily concentrating on the emerging markets that provide ample opportunities for expansion. The burgeoning middle income population in emerging countries encourages these companies to shift their spotlight from the somewhat saturated domestic market. DineEquity, Inc. ( DIN ), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. ( RRGB ) and The Cheesecake Factory have been quite active on this front.

Refranchising, Revamping & Innovating Menus - a Common Trend

Visit link:
Restaurant Stock Outlook - Jan 2014 - Zacks Analyst Interviews

The U.S. restaurant industry was a little under the weather in the latter half of 2013. The downbeat mood was accentuated by Fed's "taper talk," the temporary government shutdown in October and concerns regarding consumer spending trends. The consumer confidence index was under pressure, declining from September to November straight due to the government shutdown and concerns regarding consumer spending over the next six months. But sentiment had started steadily improving, though the recent stock market weakness could potentially reverse that.

The industry is dependent on broad macroeconomic factors, with dining out being a largely discretionary activity. The economic climate largely influences restaurant choices for customers. We believe issues related to "Obamacare," volatility in housing data and fuel prices and excess supply may continue to cast shadows on the long-term picture. Additionally, an extensive focus on value proposition along with moderate pricing power could prove unfavorable for margins if exercised on a long-term basis.

However, we expect the outlook for the restaurant industry to get better driven by innate fundamental strengths, reflecting an improving economic backdrop. Statistics bear out this relatively favorable environment. Restaurant-and-foodservice sales are anticipated to be $683.4 billion in 2014, up 3.6% year over year, as per the National Restaurant Association. In real terms, this will mark the fifth consecutive year of growth in restaurant sales. The strength in the U.S. restaurant industry is backed by pent-up demand from consumers to live and eat well.

A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association revealed that the Restaurant Performance Index (RPI), measuring the present condition and outlook on the U.S. restaurant industry, was 101.2 in November, up 0.3% sequentially and the highest since Jun 2013. The Current Situation Index, which measures comparable store sales, traffic count, labor costs and capital expenditures in the industry was 101.2 in November, also up 0.3% sequentially and the highest in the last six months. The latest index is indicative of the underlying strength in the industry.

Moreover, yearly hikes in dividends on a regular basis by some restaurateurs like The Cheesecake Factory Inc. ( CAKE ), Brinker International, Inc. ( EAT ) and McDonald's Corp. ( MCD ) underscore their efforts to consistently return shareholder and franchisee value irrespective of the economic peaks and valleys.

OPPORTUNITIES

Domestic and International Unit Expansion

After emerging from a lackluster economy that lasted for three years, most of the companies had stepped up their pace of restaurant openings.

Not content with domestic expansion alone, the companies were looking to test waters as well as developing taste buds in foreign shores. Restaurateurs are primarily concentrating on the emerging markets that provide ample opportunities for expansion. The burgeoning middle income population in emerging countries encourages these companies to shift their spotlight from the somewhat saturated domestic market. DineEquity, Inc. ( DIN ), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. ( RRGB ) and The Cheesecake Factory have been quite active on this front.

Refranchising, Revamping & Innovating Menus - a Common Trend

Continued here:
Restaurant Stock Outlook - Jan 2014 - Industry Outlook

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -

A landmark restaurant in Allentown is being reborn.

The Shanty in the 600 block of North 19th Street has sat vacant for years. Now, workers are busy, hopeful its doors will open in time for the west end's St Patrick's Day festivities.

The Shanty's new owners said they wanted to give the landmark an updated look while keeping some of the things that made it memorable.

The Shanty many people remember before the restaurant closed in 2005 featured a green and tan awning with a sea horse.

The building has since changed hands a few times. Workers are now bringing the landmark restaurant back to life.

"We are going to have exhibition cooking. We are going to have the salad bar. The vibe is going to be very similar," said Ron Pickering

Pickering and Joe Tatasciore, owners of the Sunset Grille in Upper Macungie Twp., Lehigh Co., leased the space and are partners in the culinary adventure, although for the last few months, they said it's been nothing but new plumbing, electrical and tile work.

It's a feast of construction, using a lot of the restaurant's original mahogany and replicating its trademark mirrors over the bar.

"This is going to be back where our dish area is, and instead of taking our dishes and glasses out through the kitchen entrance, this is going to be a pass-through," said Tatsciore.

Here is the original post:
Work underway to reopen landmark restaurant in Allentown

Jury finds Rapid City man guilty of brutal assault Jury deliberates Rapid City kidnapping, beating case

Updated: Friday, January 24 2014 1:07 PM EST2014-01-24 18:07:48 GMT

A Pennington County jury is deliberating the fate of 29-year-old Luke Elk Nation. He's charged with aggravated kidnapping, assault, drug possession and witness tampering.In opening statements Thursday,

29-year-old Luke Elk Nation is charged with aggravated kidnapping, assault, drug possession and witness tampering.

A Montana man charged with the first degree rape of a 12-year-old girl changed his plea to guilty. Edward Mcintosh, 30, told the court Wednesday morning that in August, 2012, he was in Rapid City to

A Montana man charged with the first degree rape of a 12-year-old girl changed his plea to guilty. Edward Mcintosh, 30, told the court Wednesday morning that in August, 2012, he was in Rapid City to

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) _ The Spearfish City Council has hired a local contractor to demolish a call center that collapsed under the weight of snow from an early October blizzard. TMone's 225

The demolition work is to cost about $50,000 and be completed by mid-May. The city has set up a committee to recommend a contractor to construct a new building.

A new restaurant coming to Rapid City will soon spice up East North Street with some Louisiana style chicken. Owners of the Platinum Restaurant Group say construction will begin soon on a Popeyes Louisiana

Owners of the Platinum Restaurant Group say construction will begin soon on a Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen. It will be located next to "On The Border."

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New restaurant set to spice up Rapid City

Leak in fire supply line to El Torito Mexican Restaurant the latest in county repairs needed to bring aging Dana Point Harbor infrastructure up-to-date

Construction crews are working to repair a fire line leak at the Dana Point Harbor. Similar repairs have cost an estimated $2 million since 2005, county officials said. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

By Andrea Papagianis

Heavy machinery and signage reading All businesses open during construction have recently provided a greeting for visitors of the Dana Point Harbor.

With concrete walkways torn up and deep trenches dug, construction crews are working to replace a leaky pipe leading to El Torito Mexican Restaurant.

A large trench was dug near El Torito Mexican Restaurant and the Dana Point Harbor so a fire supply pipeline could be replaced. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Similar repairs and maintenance to aging infrastructure throughout the port have cost an estimated $2 million since 2005, said OC Dana Point Harbor Director Brad Gross. In addition to that, the current repairs are likely to cost another $100,000, he said.

The leak started in a fire supply line to El Torito. Crews repaired the line, but a required fire inspection and subsequent pressure test turned up problems with original materials. An increase in pressure requirements proved too much for the original pipes, and caused additional failures in the line, Gross said.

A larger portion of the pipeline is now being replaced with a material able to withstand current water pressure requirements, he said. Pipe replacement could be wrapped up in the next few days, Gross said, followed by the replacement of a concrete walkway and steps to the restaurant.

Aside from messy walkways and bulky machinery, Gross said businesses are operating as usual.

Original post:
Dated Infrastructure Costs Rise to $2 Million Since 2005, Harbor Director Says