posted on October 02, 2011 14:18
They always say that high profiles death’s comes in threes. That was the case this week in the Austin restaurant scene.
In one week, three of the city’s widely known culinary destinations — The Belmont at 305 W. Sixth St., El Abor at 3411 Glenview Ave. and Hickory Street at 800 Congress Ave. — all shuttered their doors. Could more closures be on the way?
A local attorney who works closely with the restaurant industry said yes, and speculated that four others may face the same fate soon.
Attorney Kareem Hajjar of Hajjar Sutherland Peters & Washmon LLP declined to name names, but he said Friday that restaurant landlords often review the receipts of restaurants and bars. They, of course, want to know that their tenants are doing well enough to comfortably pay rent. And based on what they’re seeing and telling Hajjar, we may be mourning the loss of more eateries soon.
Hajar said restaurant woes aren’t necessarily recession related, at least here in Austin. In some cases, they go under due to the stiff competition. On a per capita basis, Austin has more restaurants that most cities by far.
9/23/11, Cody Lyon, Austin Business Journal