Blue Olive on NE Alberta street has closed for good. Here is their Facebook post:
We would like to announce to our valued customers that the Blue Olive Cafe will be closing down on 3/1/15. We loved serving you through the years but now we need to focus on family and on other ventures. Please stay connected with our Facebook page as well as our website www.blueolivepdx.com for any upcoming news.Thank you greatly for all of your support, we will miss you.
This follows the closing of their other restaurant on Northwest 23rd earlier this year. From Eater, “According to OLCC records, Neko Asian Grill is taking over the spot. Watch this space for details on what Neko has in store.”
Ross Pullen says
And the trend continues, month after month, her in Stump Town. Three restaurants open a month and two close. Those numbers are no accurate but that is how it seems. In years past one did whatever it took to stay open. Providing income and jobs was important. Maybe it is not that way any longer ? If so……why not ? When I sit down with a potential food service client for the first time I ask them “What two main elements of your new business are of prime importance ?” I have yet to have anyone answer with the right 2. Instead there is the food; or the location; or even the decor. All wrong. NUMBER ONE is the customer and NUMBER TWO is THE EMPLOYEE. Without intense attention aimed at these two you have no reason to open a business.
What are the core issues ? Many would assume.Inexperience at dealing with the bottom line; ( the hell with food cost let’s just make it look pretty and we will worry about that later ) Having a business plan and a pro forma that makes best use of the money available: ( “I like this room. It’s OK that there are only 35 seats. We don’t need 70. ) I need to have 5 cooks to do my food the way I want it to be: ( OK….. so it will all work out when my labor is 40% ). And so on and so on. Find a void and fill it. Know your customer. Those two sentences are basic foundation and tools needed of whether there is any chance to make it in such a tough, dog-eat-dog business. The restaurant business is not rocket science. “Concept SIMPLE. Application DIFFICULT.” Perhaps what is needed is to issue 700 more food cart/truck licenses in Multnomah County and the problem would be easily solved. I don’t think so. Look for more of the same month after month. Food service jobs that last for 1-2 years and disappear because of one of these reasons mentioned. Or…….maybe just because these incredibly creative and talented people are, in truth, lazy and don’t care for anyone but themselves. I hate to think those statements are true but may be more than we would like.