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Geoffrey's flees Roslindale
By adamg on Mon, 10/18/2010 - 5:29pm
UPDATE: The Roslindale Geoffrey's, in fact, is re-opening Wednesday under new management.
The sign in the window and the recording on the voice mail both say the Washington Street cafe is closed "for vacation," but Boston Restaurant Talk reports Geoffrey's is closed forever now that it's moved to Berkeley Street in the Back Bay. I just called the Back Bay number and when I asked if the Roslindale cafe was closed, the guy who answered replied "yes it is." And when I asked "closed forever?" he said, "Yes."
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Comments
Sux
Shame. Your loss is my gain!
correction
Our gain :-). LUVVV Geoffrey's!
His potatoes sucked.
But it is sad to see them go. It seemed like they were doing good business. I wonder why the sudden closure. Maybe he just couldn't handle both locations. Or had last-minute financial difficulty.
Kinda weird to run off on a bunch of regulars like that, false pretenses and whatnot.
Lame. Good luck in the South
Lame. Good luck in the South End. The competition is quite fierce over there, and the slightly above average food on Geoffrey's menu won't quite cut it. As a Rozzie neighborhood joint it was fine enough, but it will be tough going in the South End.
Geoffrey's was a South End neighborhood joint
Until it moved out.
good point, but that doesn't
good point, but that doesn't negate the fact that it had become the most popular hangout in Rozzie. Anyway, I'm glad to hear the silent owner is taking control back since the Geoffrey's team took off for the South End. I always enjoyed the ambiance of the place. Hopefully that won't change too much.
wrong
Unfortunately, this is where ignorange is bliss. Shamus, if you claim to be a Boston resident, you should do your homework. Geoffreys Cafe was one of the original restaurant before the gentrification of the South End--as we know it now. There are a lot of loyal people in the area--and it should be known that Geoffrey's has a stamp....and has been approved by locals for years.
sorry for any confusion on your part
lame, yourself
Shamus wrote:
"Lame. Good luck in the South End. The competition is quite fierce over there, and the slightly above average food on Geoffrey's menu won't quite cut it. As a Rozzie neighborhood joint it was fine enough, but it will be tough going in the South End."
You do realize, that Geoffrey's started in the Back Bay, and was a staple there for YEARS before it moved to Roslindale, right? And guess what, 97% of the menu is the same as it was in the early 90's.
And judging by the business from word of mouth this weekend alone, I think Geoffrey's (and its staff) have nothing to worry about.
Unfortunate for Roslindale
This is a real blow to our village. Any chance we can change his mind? I'm afraid Geoffrey's will be replaced with yet another generic sports bar/bistro, or, worse yet, remain vacant. It seemed like the restaurant was quite popular; are there any insiders who can offer insight into why it closed (other than, obviously, the new location in Back Bay)?
Next up...
Bring on Sugar!
Are they re-opening this week(??)
Okay, - going to work yesterday, I saw the "on vacation" sign in the window, that Adam mentioned.
But then coming home last night, the sign had changed to "Re-opening Wednesday night, see you there!"
(or something like that.)
Wonder if it will be the same restaurant? Guess we'll know tomorrow...
It's curious about the signs.
It's curious about the signs. I was told by the man who makes their sausage that they were gone for good (he still makes the sausage, though). The story I've put together from a few sources is that the landlord decided to spike the rent and they decided to close shop. Ironic that the rent would be too high in Rozzie, but not on Berkeley St. Given the signage change, perhaps "closing" was just a negotiation ploy. I hope they re-open, it has been a great thing for the Square.
Such a shame. I agree that
Such a shame. I agree that the quality of the food is not strong enough for them to survive in the South End. They are going to need to improve.
Whit
I say all the WR / Ros/JP
I say all the WR / Ros/JP residents boycott the back bay location. This is very upsetting
The word I heard was that the
The word I heard was that the previous business Salute? will be taking over the spot and reopening on Wednesday
Close!
Thanks for the tip. I just got off the phone with the owner of the old Salute, who says that a) she never actually gave up ownership of the restaurant and b) she's re-opening tomorrow - as Geoffrey's!
So we'll have two Geoffrey's: The "original" one in the Back Bay, owned by the guy who took over Salute and re-named it and the Roslindale Geoffrey's, which will have the same owner, but not be run by the original Geoffrey's. I better lie down, I'm getting dizzy.
I loved the people that
I loved the people that worked there but their food wasn't good. I hope it's better in the Back Bay. They had lovely drinks, desserts & breakfast was good but their dinner menu was sorely lacking in taste.
Geoffrey's is NOT re-opening in Roslindale
I want to apologize for closing the Roslindale location, it was never our intention but we could not come to an agreement to keep it operating. The purchase price to aquire the Liscense and FFE was out of pace with the economy and location, it also needs (badly) a new roof and the landlord is unwilling to repair it so we had to make the hard decsion and close the location. I would like to personally apologize, as a Roslindale resident it hurt me the most to make this decision.
The Original owner of Salut may be re-opening a restaurant this Wednesday BUT it wont be a Geoffrey's. I founded this restaurant 19 years ago and I alone own the name and its menu, The sign will be coming down, she will serve up the same quality of food that Salute was "known" for.
Michael A. Aplin, Founder
Geoffrey's Cafe
Meow!
Meow!
Sad, sad, sad
Despite what some other people said, I enjoyed every dish I had and the cocktails were awesome! On top of that, the wait staff and the ambiance were so chill and warm (no, that's not a contradiction). I will miss you Geoffrey's. Many great memories! Rozzie needs another place like this.
OK, I get it. The
OK, I get it. The relationship with your landlord wasn't good. Still., some warning to your loyal customers would have been nice. I always loved going to your restaurant. Great atmosphere, great drinks, great brunch. Dinner was OK, good enough for me to keep coming back because I loved the experience of your restaurant and the warm professionalism of your staff. You will be missed. Good luck in the South End.
Geoffreys
Just know that about 50% of the posts on this subject are probably the work of the original owner of G's. Its his MO... rather than focus on the next stage of the business he feebly spends his time spinning his version of nasty and attempts to make everyone else the bad guy.
If you as a former regular feels used, just imagine how his vendors and employees have felt in the past. He leaves a rather large path of hard feelings wherever he goes. Honestly, this guy is not worth ANY energy. Eat where you like and never mistake salesmanship for friendship.
Nothing Personal
As much as anyone might take the departure of Geoffrey's Cafe from Roslindale Village as a personal blow, it can't be fully understood as such. Business isn't personal. Business is business. You may have been and I may have been a loyal patron of their establishment, but when it comes right down to it, there IS necessary secrecy when it comes to business and real estate deals.
To everyone who isn't well wishing one of their favorite neighborhood establishments I simply ask "Why?".
Geoffrey's Cafe has been a staple in the Boston restaurant and comfort community since '91 with several other locations around town.
These slow nomads deserve any success they may find. Know your target before you throw knives!
After actually speaking to folks associated with the operation of G's I found that their leaving Rosi wasn't a spiteful move and the hush-hush surrounding the unwanted departure was in fact needed.
Life is complicated. Enjoy the food and company.
Jump on the orange line you lazy sacks! :) Viva la Back Bay G's!!!
Why is the truth always a secret
HMM If Geoffrey's was such an outstanding place and the owners were above board why did they disappear at night with no notice?
No loyality to their patrons... no notice... good luck in the South End.. you say rent was to high here?? Like its going to be cheaper in the South End.... But hey maybe you can sell all the stuff you took with you when you left Rozzie.... even the salt and pepper shakers... REALLY????
Since I am sure Michael owned
Since I am sure Michael owned the salt and pepper shakers, why wouldn't he take them? When you move out of an apartment, do you leave your silverware behind? What an idiotic statement.
Since the new location is so much bigger than the Rosi one, and they can serve lunch now, I am sure they will have no problem making the rent.
I second the motion, come to the Back Bay!
I went for lunch on Friday and had a lovely time. The place was packed and the service lively. I was pleased to find they still got their hamburger and sausage from Tony's Market (I checked before I ordered).
Boycotting South End Geoffrey's
As a regular of the Geoffrey's in Roslindale - I am very disappointed the way this was handled. We asked several times if the rumors were true that the Rosi location would close when the South End location at the old Laurel's would open. We were told no - both locations will be open, more than once. Yet my friends in the South End heard the story correctly while we were given false info by the owners.
Business may be business, but loyalty should count for something and it didn't in this case. Even a bad roof could would be understandable if you only told us the truth!
I will not be going to the South End location period! If I want to dine in the City, there are far better places to eat that changes its menu more frequently than Geoffrey's ever did. I mean come on - create some new specials why don't you?!? Geoffrey's is no Laurel's!
To those in the SE who say take the Orange Line up - how many of you made the trip down to Rosi? Heck, you all think anything beyond Mass Ave is ghetto or far distant suburbs. All we want is a neighborhood bar/restaurant that welcomed the diversity that exisits in Roslindale, West Roxbury, and JP. Not every 'diverse community' expreience should require a trip to the South End. At least you had fair warning that Laurel's was closing. And at least you have many other options regardless.
I do hope someone steps up to the plate and takes advantage of what Geoffrey's had going in OUR neighborhood - and mixes up the menu once in a while.
So good luck in the SE. Hope you SE's enjoy it (let me know if the menu changes after a year). But you won't see me there.
"Oh look at those clothes!
"Oh look at those clothes! Now look at that face, it's so old...."
Work to make it work for us
I know Geoffrey's attracted a "diverse" customer, something that was missing from the Square/Village since Gusto left its location across from Dunkin. Gusto had quite the menu, something brand new to Roslindale. And they sold out, moved on to Dorchester to entertain the "diverse" customer there instead under a different name. This was a blow to the Roslindale restaurant scene as the new owners could never replicate what Gusto offered.
Geoffrey's quiet exit from Roslindale is having the same effect, going back to the South End/Back Bay to reestablish itself in its comfortable "diverse" neighborhood. And Roslindale suffers once more. But Roslindale will survive without Geoffrey's. Have you been up to the courtyard and visited Sophia's Grotto or the beautiful Birch Street Bistro? Delfino or Roslindale Sushi?
C'mon guys! Get with it! You don't want to jump on the Orange Line to patronize a business deal. There is plenty in Roslindale to keep us here. Support the local business. And let them know what you expect, or even better, what we can all suggest. The owner of Salute can keep the ambience and the customer but also has to react to the needs and desires of the patrons. The more we suggest and work with the owner, we could together establish an even better place to hang Friday nights or any night than what Geoffrey's offered us. So don't give up on Roslindale like Gusto and Geoffrey's did. We are better than them.
Sad to see you go
I am a resident of Rosi and have been for 15 years, Geoffry's was our Friday night establishment and we were "regulars" I am very sad they left Rosi.
I was there on Friday night and incredibly disappointed with the food and service. I was also disappointed that the "new/old/original" owner who was cold and aloof and did not speak to any of the patrons. We stopped going to spring street cafe for these 3 main reasons, bad food, bad service and an owner who doesn't speak to the patrons. We live in this neighborhood and expect more from our establishments.
I do agree with previous posters, there should have been some kind of acknowledgement of the closing, not just by the Geoffrys clan but also by the new owner. I was put off by her aloofness. What flys in West Roxbury will not fly in Rosi. Bad service, bad food, unfriendly owners will not fly in Rosi especially in this economy.
So good luck and I will try it again but if they don't get their act together it wont be there long...
Geoffrey's versus Adam's Park
I'm surprised so many people feel personally hurt that Geoffrey's has left without much notice. The owner of the building is to blame. This happens all the time. A successful bar or restaurant opens up in a developing neighborhood. They do great business and make more and more money. Eventually the landowners feel like they should get a bigger slice of the pie, and they scare off local businesses by being completely unfair.
I'm sure that the rent at Geoffreys was not "too high" but it was probably TOO HIGH FOR ROSLINDALE. I mean, would you pay $2200/month for a condo on Washington Street in Rozzi? I wouldnt. But I would in the South End on Berkeley St.
A note about the "new" place that is being run by the person who actually owns the building...
I went by last night at 9pm. Their signage says they're open til midnight, so where the hell was everyone? And no, there was no mention of "vacation" or "closed due to the storm." Sucks.
Classic Douchebag Landlord Maneuver
I've known several people this has happened to. Built a good business, landlord jacks the rent or refuses to renew the lease, landlord then starts running an identical business from the location.
Ball Square Cafe even tried to steal the whole goddamn menu from Sound Bites. Same deal with the ice cream store in Winchester Center.
It's in the Masshole Landlord's Handbook.