Disappearing eating establishments

[Pomai]

Re: Disappearing establishments

is that how much hawaii kai shack pays for rent alone (as in oriental buffet's case) or is that what it costs to operate on a monthly basis?

Yup. That's the monthly lease rent, not including utilities and, most importantly, OVERHEAD, according to Brendan. I'm not sure what the square footage figures are in comparison to this Waikiki location. But the Shack IS located on the waterfront, which is a HUGE factor. I'll check back with Bren' tomorrow to verify that claim.

Seriously, @ $30,000/month, I'd much rather be where Shack is, than at this Waikiki location, which is mostly just surrounded by automobile traffic and pedestrians on another mission (but to go there). Plus, in Hawaii Kai you have the regulars (like me), a sense of being part of a community and a much slower pace vs. being stuck in a hurried urban jungle.

Go check out the The Shack Hawaii Kai. It's such a cool place, and the burgers are great. They need to renovate the bathrooms though. Other than that, solid.

Imagine what Roy's pays for that huge upper-floor corner space in front of Hawaii Kai Towne Center overlooking Maunalua Bay. Ouch! And he's been there for years. Every night that place slams, so there ya' go.

[cynsaligia]

Re: Disappearing establishments

That's how much it costs to operate The Shack in Hawaii Kai. The only way to cut the cake here is to either stay open late hours like Jack in the Box used to do, and/or sell plenty of liquor and sex (visual eye candy). Or sell $12 hamburgers like they do across the street.

Shack does all of the above (except the burgers aren't that expensive), and the formula works.

is that how much hawaii kai shack pays for rent alone (as in oriental buffet's case) or is that what it costs to operate on a monthly basis?

[Pomai]

Re: Disappearing establishments

i just read in the PBN that oriental buffet was open only four months and that the monthly rent was a jaw-dropping $30,000. hadunno what the oriental buffet leadership was smoking when they thought they'd have a possibility of breaking even with their kind of restaurant in that expensive of a space.

That's how much it costs to operate The Shack in Hawaii Kai. The only way to cut the cake here is to either stay open late hours like Jack in the Box used to do, and/or sell plenty of liquor and sex (visual eye candy). Or sell $12 hamburgers like they do across the street.

Shack does all of the above (except the burgers aren't that expensive), and the formula works.

[cynsaligia]

Re: Disappearing establishments

The Oriental Buffet restaurant that recently opened in May at the former site of Jack in the Box at the corner of McCully and Kalakaua in Waikiki has already closed their doors...



It's been shut down the entire labor day weekend (perhaps even before that), and there's a sign out front looking for a new tenant.

That was quick. I wonder what happened? Not enough business? They were featured recently on the cover of Advertiser's Dining Out section, but apparently even that wasn't enough. The lease rent there must be ASTRONOMICAL.

i just read in the PBN that oriental buffet was open only four months and that the monthly rent was a jaw-dropping $30,000. hadunno what the oriental buffet leadership was smoking when they thought they'd have a possibility of breaking even with their kind of restaurant in that expensive of a space.

I ran into one of Magoo's old bouncers last night at Kelly O'Neals and he mentioned that "The Varsity" will be opening on Friday at the old Magoo's location.

Can anyone confirm this? I didn't see anything in the papers so I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it.

He described the renovations that went on since Magoo's closed and if he's right on, then I can't wait to check that place out.

eric, a couple of friends and i went to have dinner at the greek corner at puck's alley. whatever's in the former magoo's spot was still boarded up. but through the boards, we could see the myriad of bar taps, and that made us happy.

[Lei Liko]

Re: Disappearing establishments

I ran into one of Magoo's old bouncers last night at Kelly O'Neals and he mentioned that "The Varsity" will be opening on Friday at the old Magoo's location.

Can anyone confirm this? I didn't see anything in the papers so I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it.

He described the renovations that went on since Magoo's closed and if he's right on, then I can't wait to check that place out.