Returning to Bloomington has let me catch up on the town’s restaurant scene, something I was once the web-expert on; based on the number of hits I got on the subject. Of course those days are past, but that doesn’t stop me from being interested in the subject.
Sadly I am more aware of the closures than I am of the openings—because it is the closings that remind me of places I used to hang out.
Take the closing of Bullwinkle’s, the gay bar located at 4th and College. I can’t really say that I miss the place—my most vivid memory of disgust was the wet floor in the men’s room—a floor that was wet, even when the bar opened for the night. I’m sure that some say that the smoking ordinance closed the bar, but I think the fact that it had a low ceiling, ugly décor, and miserable events probably had a greater effect.
Another joint that is about to close is the Encore Café, located on West Sixth Street. I had a number of meals at Encore that were memorable—always for the company, never for the food. That said, I can’t say that I really miss the place: the food was unwavering in its irregularity. Some of what they prepared was really good, some of it was really bad. I think that in its next incarnation, as a Bloomingfoods Coop grocery store, it will do much better.
One potential closing that worries me is the potential closure of Ladyman’s Café, downtown on Kirkwood. It seems that Ladyman’s building has been sold and it’s going to be torn down and replaced. Ladyman’s is a loser in this scenario, and according to a letter on their front counter, the owners are still not certain whether they’ll close or move. I’m voting for move: Ladyman’s fills an essential role in the community and losing it will probably damage the fabric of downtown far more than anybody could possibly expect. I imagine any of the storefronts on the square would be too pricey, so I hope something nearby is available.
There are three other closures around town that I’m aware of. Sonic, over on the Westside has not just closed, but been flattened: the concrete pad is all that remains and I never once ate from their car-hop service. Ponderosa Steakhouse is also closing—a steakhouse chain that never fits in anywhere, I never ate at the Bloomington version. Apparently the cheap steakhouse in the middle of town concept just didn’t work. Finally the diner that was just south of Bloomington Ford on Walnut closed—unfortunately I don’t recall its name, but it was like Ladyman’s, but with a parking lot conveniently located near Bloomington South High Schol.
Unfortunately I’m less aware of the openings around town. There’s a new chain steakhouse near College Mall, in addition to a TGI Friday’s. In fact, as far as I’ve noticed, all of the new restaurants are part of chains—something that is completely different from Germany. In Germany there are few chains like Chili’s, Applebee’s, or TGI Fridays. I have to say, this is a point where Germany beats America.
Yes, I will miss Ladymans and Ponderosa. You would think that losing the 35 ponderosa jobs would cause the city to take notice and try to help. They looked for property on the west side but couldn’t find anything affordable. The city should have stepped in and offered tax abatements like they do for some other businesses. The restaurant on the south side that closed was Gib and Denzils.
1. I’m not sure how I feel about Bulls as I’ve never been there…
2. Hooray for Encore…that place had the most awful food for about a million dollars.
3. I don’t particularly like Ladymans…thought it was mediocre at best and horribly dirty.
4. Never been to sonic
5. Ha, my dad LOOVED Ponderosa…I never really liked it but I guess that’s due to my veghead nature and my inability to like cafeteria type foods.
6. Don’t like TGI…prefab with no variety or any options for vegheads besides their horrid veggie burger which tastes like poo on a bun.
I used to eat at Gib Denzils eons ago and liked it but ate there a few years ago and wish I hadn’t. It’s not surprising they closed because the owners closed their other place years ago (Village Inn in Ellettsville). I think it could have done better if it were located in a better place or if they didn’t let their food slip…
It makes it seem like I don’t like much of anything–which isn’t true, I just like food that tastes GOOD but those closings were good decisions. I feel like those places had nothing to offer to Bloomington nor was it strikingly appealing.
As for the loss of the 35 jobs…Not to be rude, but seems like a majority of the employees are high school aged and why would that matter? When you’re in HS jobs come and go. Yeah it’s kinda a bummer for the full-timers but ultimately at least they gave them warning. Don’t get me started on the lack of benefits for full time food service people–I feel no matter the job they should be at least offered some sort of health benefit and treated well, it’s just not fair the lack of respect for people. They could have been treated like the folks at Donatos where they boarded it up one night leaving everyone unaware, jobless, and shocked…left scrambling for jobs the next day. Ultimately food service jobs are a dime a dozen, so those who lost their jobs are very likely to find another job especially with the opening of new chains and the high turn-over rate of the food service industry…all while probably getting paid the same if not more (I don’t see a failing business paying more than a thriving business). I’m not trying to be heartless but it’s how that industry operates,I’ve been there and done that. It’s a lot harder on the community when a factory closes because while they can go to another factory–they lose a lot more in pay and benefits than people in the food service…not to mention that’s usually on the magnitude of 1,000s of jobs lost. Perhaps I’m ignorant on the situation, but seems like 35 jobs isn’t all that much consdering the industry it’s in and what not.
Sorry if that’s ignorant and heartless—please let me know if I’ve misunderstood something.
xo
Bullwinkle’s opened in the 1970s, so it had a very long run. Old timers in Bloomington told me that Frank McCloskey came to Bullwinkle’s to celebrate when he was first elected to Congress. But I wonder if another gay bar will open in the near future?
Ladyman’s was open even longer, but I only visited after the restaurant stubbed out smoking sometime after my IU graduation in 1999. I was fond of their chicken fingers and cream gravy, “comfort” food that’s perilously hard to find in most urban centres.
I’ll miss the Encore Cafe’s desserts and atmosphere more than I’ll miss their food.
Finally, I’d say that Bloomington still does better than Indianapolis in supporting independent restaurants; so many areas of Indy are dominated by chains. I estimate that 90% of Vancouver restaurants are independent.
“I estimate that 90% of Vancouver restaurants are independent.”
Aw. That would be so nice.
Sadly it is far from true.
We have our fair share of chains – McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, White Spot, Subway, and yes, the ubiquitous Tim Horton’s. Most of my favourite independent restaurant are closing or have already closed. We still have some great ones, but 90% is definitely a very hopeful estimate. Maybe 20 years ago…sigh.
Nome, I’m only counting “full service” (i.e. sit-down places with waitstaff- not fast food) restaurants and I’ve excluded the suburbs. Based on visits to the major arterial streets- west 4th, dunbar, main, commercial, denman, davie, west 41st in Kerrisdale- it seems that most of the full-service places are independent. Even adding up the White Spots, Cactus Clubs, Earl’s, Moxie’s, Milestones, etc. within the city limits, I think the number of independents is much higher. Also, “ethnic enclaves” like Punjabi Market, Marpole, and Chinatown are almost entirely chain-free.
It’s true that some independent places close each year but new ones open up all the time, and one of my favourites is the India Bistro on Davie. 🙂
Jerry: Congratulations, you just made comment number 2000 on this blog!! Wooooot!
It’s interesting to see that Canada is more like Germany more than like the US, although there are more chain restaurants in Vancouver than you might admit.
1) Bullwinkles closed? I agree with A that it was a dump, but still, I feel a certain sadness at that news.
2) When I think about Encore, I think about a colleague who, upon finding an entire lock of hair in his food, was refused a refund.
3) Never went to Ladyman’s, but I heard they have the best pie in Bloomington…seems a shame to lose it.
5) My first meal in Bloomington was at that Ponderosa (I’m not an adventurous eater when I’m traveling). I never went back.
Faust, do I need to go to City Hall and ask them for some percentages? Cause you’d better believe I’d do it. Haha. 90% is way, WAY too high. Maybe we have a higher proportion than some other North American cities, but 90% is WAY too optimistic.
encore is closing? this is news to me. i swear i live in a cave. where will rabbi mira have her monthly ‘lunch with the rabbi’ series, at red lobster?
the closing of gib n’ denzils broke my heart. it is the essential bloomington townie experience. where else can you get fried pig brains and a waitress that addresses you as “youenz”? vin thinks that the closing was inevitable, esp. after the smoking ban. if the ban hadn’t taken place all the customers would have eventually died from lung cancer.
now ladymans…that’s a shocker. i liked eating there. looks like we’re all gonna have to eat at the village deli and have the substandard bagel n’ lox.