Monday, October 19, 2009
Restaurant openings / Restaurants / Tombstones "Hermit Crab" Expansion Tactics
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 12:39 PM
We here at Bites are always trying to keep our readers abreast of the latest news in restaurant openings and expansions. There have been several notable examples of visionary owners taking failed restaurant spaces and transforming them into new success stories.
Max and Ben Goldberg completely reconfigured the Midtown building that previously housed Patrick's and Edisto, transforming it into the Über-hip Patterson House. Virago and Lime owner Chris Hyndman has opened Whiskey Kitchen in the old Agave space and is developing Kayne Prime steak house where Radius 10 opened and closed as part of a new restuarant district on McGavock between 11th and 12th to be known as M Street. Arnold Myint has reimagined restaurants at the previous locations of PM and Suzy Wong's House of Yum, reinvigorating everything from the decor to the flatware to the menu.
These efforts have proven to be wildly successful so far as the result of hard work, innovative thinking and huge financial investments. But what about the other end of the spectrum? What about the small business owners who see the husk of a failed restaurant, usually a fast food joint, and like a hermit crab simply back into the new shell, plug in a fryer and start selling food?
These entrepreneurs often find great success on their own scale. Having avoided the overhead of constructing a building or buying a franchise, they are free to open the doors relatively unencumbered by the usual debt that weighs down new restaurant owners.
If you look around town, you can see examples of this everywhere. I've been collecting pictures over the last few months so that I can share them with you periodically. See if you can identify where they are and what they used to be in their former lives.
First up, Gyro Huts:
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6.
7.
Give your guesses in the comments for the chance to win absolutely nothing.
Comments (25)
Showing 1-25 of 25
1. wendy's
2. checker's?
3. long john silver's
4. ???
5. bonanza/ponderosa
6. ???
7. ???
like
dislike
You're 2/7 Doug. But even I'm not sure about #2. Perhaps one of our East Nashville readers could give us the definitive answer on that one and you could earn full credit.
Also, don't forget to posit where these gyroterias are currently located.
1. Wendy's
2. Beefy's or Central Park?? (I think that's what it was called...there was one on Gallatin Rd.)
3. Long John Silver's
4. Taco Bell
5. A church?
6. No clue
7. Kentucky Fried Chicken
I can't figure out what some of those are NOW -- especially the white former taco bell. Also, don't forget Athens, which used to be a Mrs. Winners!
1. Wendys
2. Central Park
3. Long John Silvers
4. Taco Bell
5. Red Barn
6. NO IDEA! (that facade is making it difficult)
7. KFC
I have no idea about the locations except maybe number 3. I think this is on Harding Pl, near I-24
I think you all are most of the way there.
I still don't think #4 is quite right. Anybody want to hazard a more local guess at a defunct chain? Or does anybody know where it is or what's there now?
#6 is tough because they tore down the back of the building. I'll give you a hint-"Whisperin' Bill"
I used to love the Red Barn. I can't believe more folks don't remember it.
1. Wendys -- Hillwood
2. Central Park -- Richards Rd.
3. Long John Silvers -- I24 & Harding Place
4. This was a fast food restaurant (don't remember what kind) that was converted into a generic non-chain Mexican Restaurant which died -- Murfreesboro Road
5. Red Barn -- Murfreesboro Rd
6. Po Folks -- White Bridge Rd
7. KFC -- Donelson
1. Wendys -- Hillwood
2. Central Park -- Richards Rd.
3. Long John Silvers -- I24 & Harding Place
4. This was a fast food restaurant (don't remember what kind) that was converted into a generic non-chain Mexican Restaurant which died -- Murfreesboro Road
5. Red Barn -- Murfreesboro Rd
6. Po Folks -- White Bridge Rd
7. KFC -- Donelson
re-posted cause I wasn't logged in...
Pogo,
So close on #6! It's the shell of the old Po' Folks about 1/4 mile from #4 (Fat Mo's)closer to downtown on Murfreesboro Rd.
My hazy memory says that #4 was a Taco Tico. Am I wrong?
It wouldn't surprise me. A few brain cells have gone under the bridge since then...
Trisha,
Good call on Athens Family Restaurant/Mrs. Winner's. I meant to get a shot of that one.
Does anyone remember what Mama Mia's was before it was Mama Mia's?
Kind of a move in the opposite direction of these....
ceeelcee,
I don't remember a Taco Tico in the area, but may well have been. I also did not remember that there had been a Po Folks on Murfreesboro Road. Like you said, dead brain cells.
Sportsman's in Belle Meade was Burger Chef, then a game room, then an overstock bookstore, then TN BBQ.
Yeah, I lived in that neighborhood.
BW seems to be affirming my memory. I'll always take affirmation.
I don't know about Mama Mia's. Any help from the Tusculumites?
Are you sure #4 was not a Taco Bell?
If you look at: http://www.thatusedtobe.com/?tag=taco-bell they have an example of an old Taco Bell converted into another restaurant. It looks nearly identical to that building.
You may be on to something, AE. I'm counting on someone who actually remembers what it was rather than my vague recollections and the few folks I asked.
Anyone? Anyone?? Bueller? Bueller?
Number 4 was a Taco Tico until the mid-1990s. My friend (and Jim Ridley's) Kath lived around the corner.
Mama Mia's use to be a Waffle House! Take a godd look at it next time you're there. An improvement, for sure.
