Caribe Bistro is the latest casualty of light rail construction and the disruption it’s foisted on University Avenue.
They’re hoping to re-open – in a neighborhood not marked for being “blessed” with light rail.
Best of luck to the Panellis, two of the nicest restauranteurs you’ll ever meet. Check out the page; if you’re looking to invest in a new restaurant, they’d love to talk…
http://www.twincities.com/stpaul/ci_20285498/greyhound-pulls-out-st-paul-union-depot-before
“Hot Grub Friday”?
What ever happened to Hot Gear Friday?
I’m sure the Panelli’s are nice people, but theirs is the third well-received bistro to die in that location in less than a decade. I don’t think either had much experience in the restaurant business before they took a flier on opening a small cafe knowing light rail was going to happen a block away as they entered the phase when most new ventures fail.
I wish them the best, but I can’t buy the story that light rail is to blame.
Maybe the construction project was not the sole reason the bistro closed, but I can’t imagine that the construction project “helped.” Back in 1974 I opened an electronics retail operation. About two years later, the city (Winona) decided to rebuild the street passing in front of my store. I survived, but that street project certainly slowed my progress to sustainability. Thank heaven, the mini-mall I was in had access to an intersection!
I get up on University Avenue quite often on my way to/from the Department of Education (I like to detour to Axeman.) That has been quite a disruptive project for local businesses.