Old timer Calgarians; what's up with Southland/Mac (restaurant)

[big A]

Originally posted by Darkane
Tramps was a wicked store there.

Thanks, just the other day my wife and I were trying to remember the name of that store.

We were telling my son how we went there on weekends is similar to how he goes to Heritage Music

[ryder_23]

Originally posted by ercchry
i miss fuddruckers

So much

[dino_martini]

funny, I was over at My Donair in the same plaza last week and then I saw Ceili's had closed. Took a picture of the building. Its one of those Black Holes of Retail.

[BigMass]

there are tons of great locations all over this city sitting empty. Bad luck? Black hole? Bad businesses? I'm leaning towards greedy owners overpricing rentals in good locations thinking they're in central Tokyo. More "Calgary Syndrome" in effect and a good healthy recession is needed to kick these people in the teeth.

[D88]

I don't think the location has to be a black hole unless the reason for closing was more so to do with rent increases but I don't have a way of knowing that. What I do know is that the food and service quality at Ceilis went to total shit in the last year it was open.

[Lex350]

Ceili's had gone under. They had such a shitty business model. Bad food, bad service and overpriced drinks. I'm glad they are gone.

[KrisYYC]

I live near that location (Haysboro) and I've always wondered why nothing seems to work in that spot. Same with the studio 82 location. I remember when studio 82 was a movie theatre lol.

I'm not surprised Ceili's finally went under though. The Irish pub thing is so played out.

[TomcoPDR]

Wonder how long PZA can hold this spot

[klumsy_tumbler]

Bump (ish?)

Just found out that PZA is owned by the same family as my absolute favourite restaraunt, and therefore carried over a lot of their awesome recipes. Definitely looking forward to trying this out

[TYMSMNY]

^ which would be...

[revelations]

I can tell you that many businesses are suffering from, not only the economy, but also landlords, who would rather have their building empty than reduce prices at lease expiry.

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by big A


Thanks, just the other day my wife and I were trying to remember the name of that store.

We were telling my son how we went there on weekends is similar to how he goes to Heritage Music

That store was a serious memory from my childhood. Great times looking around at Magic Cards, CD's, Video Games.

[cet]

Originally posted by TYMSMNY
^ which would be...

Same family as Pulcinella, Villa Firenze, Mercato, etc.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by cet


Same family as Pulcinella, Villa Firenze, Mercato, etc.

Whooaaaaa. That sounds pretty good, especially Mercato.

I might stop by there.

[klumsy_tumbler]

Originally posted by flipstah


Whooaaaaa. That sounds pretty good, especially Mercato.

I might stop by there.

Do it. To highlight just how AWESOME the food is: my parents and I have been going to Villa Firenze for over twenty years (since I was a toddler). I have NEVER gotten anything other than the lasagna... I just can't bring myself to try something else when that dish is utter perfection.

Also, get the portabello mushroom to start. The sauce is unreal, and I have legitimately witnessed people licking their plates to finish every last little bit.

[you&me]

Originally posted by cet


Same family as Pulcinella, Villa Firenze, Mercato, etc.

Are you sure all of those are associated? Never knew DT / Pulcinella had anything to do with Mercato

[Dave P]

What I find crazy is that Jack Astors is 100ft away any been there forever. Yet that specific location cant hold anyone down.

[quick_scar]

GF and I ate at PZA a couple weeks back. Wont be going back. Looks good decor wise, but the chairs are horribly uncomfortable (maybe to encourage turnover, but you wont be staying longer then needed), food was downtown 17th ave pricing without the taste. We both really enjoy Una pizza and PZA was priced similar but not nearly as good. I would argue the pizza at Jack Astors across the parking lot is on par for less money. I will be shocked if it survives there. We went around dinner on a weekend and well over half the tables were empty. Nothing special about the service. Nothing stood out on the menu. All in all we were not impressed and won't be going back.

BRING BACK RED ROBIN!!!!

[quick_scar]

Originally posted by Dave P
What I find crazy is that Jack Astors is 100ft away any been there forever. Yet that specific location cant hold anyone down.

That's because it is unique, but awesome! Our group of friends usually end up there at least a couple times a month. Its good food, great servers that are engaging and entertaining, and over the years has never let us down or had a bad experience. It is just consistently good which is what I think makes it. Other restaurants can be hit and miss, JA is just solid every time.

[dirtsniffer]

Originally posted by Dave P
What I find crazy is that Jack Astors is 100ft away any been there forever. Yet that specific location cant hold anyone down.

From previous threads here I believe the owner of the complex owns jack astors and anytime a business is successful in the adjacent complex and the owner feels threatened over jack astors business he jacks up the lease rates.