Bucharest Grill forced out of downtown Detroit location

**SyGolden48236** · January-01-16, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

You would think that a billionaire that seems to have an "inflated sense of entitlement" to tear down buildings [[with public money) such as the Madison-Lenox farther away [[for paid parking), as well as public money for tearing down buildings in this area near the Bucharest [[such as the Vermont Hotel)... would have some decency in allowing people who chipped in to pay for his "entitlement" to demolish for parking... and give them some slack and let them park there even if they have to pay!

It sounds to me like Ilitch is trying to kill the Park Ave. district... even though he claims to want to have a huge development district from the Arena down to Bagley Ave... a 45 block stretch. Ilitch seems to be better at killing the growth of an entertainment district... than trying to promote it. And since he already got his 2nd helping of feeding at the public trough [[his first helping was Comerica Park and the land around it that he cleared of any buildings)... and now history repeats itself. I'm already doubtful he will ever come thru on anything more than just the Arena.... his deeds speak louder than his promises.

While I do think that he should have used his own money to tear down those buildings, nevertheless, it was the city that gave him the money. It was their choice to do so.

The fact remains that if he does not want to open his private property [[the parking lots) on non-game days and assume the risks that go along with doing so it is his prerogative.

**Dbest** · January-01-16, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by SyGolden48236

Downtown business owners are not paying for the arena. Your hatred/jealousy of successful business people is clouding your judgement.

"Detroit's DDA, via its property tax capture ability, will pay back $250 million of the bonds."

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...re-are-answers

**dtowncitylover** · January-01-16, 04:27 PM

According to Sy, any critique of private business or of the self-made man is hatred and jealousy of successful people. You're all just a bunch of entitled jealous socialists!

**CrashDummy** · January-01-16, 04:44 PM

I have no problem at all with a landlord not renewing a lease for whatever reason they wish, but Jerry's load of crap about parking makes no sense at all. Nothing has changed with the parking since those two businesses have opened except for the rise in fines for metered parking. The lots have been the same way for years. The Bucharest owner doesn't seem too concerned with it:

FOX 2 spoke with the owner Bogdan Tarasov by phone who says quote "We're not leaving by choice." He said he loves the area and the location.

So, they're so successful that there's a lack of parking and now they have to move, but they don't really want to? If parking's the reason they're moving and Tarasov says so then fine. But that's not what he's saying thus far. I think Jerry's been successful in deflecting criticism with rants about "big-time developers" and "owners of downtown parking lots" which tends to get people around here all fired up.

**ABetterDetroit** · January-01-16, 04:49 PM

Is this not a big win for Rivertown? More jobs the owner says. A majority of us have been hoping that the resurgence would start to spread to nearby areas and now that it is happening in this case a proven formula moving into a space that has had failed restaurants before, some are still complaining. Restaurants close, open or move often. All that really matters is there are more coming than going and that answer is obvious in Detroit.

**archfan** · January-02-16, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by SyGolden48236

That is a fallacy. If you want to be sure you can keep your location you must own the location. When you lease you are at the mercy of the landlord. Buy property and be your own landlord. Leasing/renting is throwing your money away.

True, although in a downtown, the only spaces that make sense may be part of a much larger building.

**softailrider** · January-02-16, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Downtown will truly be revived when closure of a fast food rest. like this or Bagger Dave's isn't a headline article on the papers' websites. I'm trying to imagine these stories on the front of the Chicago Tribune, Toronto Star, etc.

Makes sense to me. On the other hand, I remember when that 7-11 opened on East Jefferson a couple years ago, everybody was so happy they practically had an orgasm.

**EastsideAl** · January-02-16, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by SyGolden48236

That is a fallacy. If you want to be sure you can keep your location you must own the location. When you lease you are at the mercy of the landlord. Buy property and be your own landlord. Leasing/renting is throwing your money away.

That's a very odd perspective. In the centers of large cities most businesses, even businesses that have been in operation for several decades, are leasing from owners of larger buildings. Mostly because their traffic is dependent upon the office tenants of the same building or other nearby buildings or entertainment venues. Even in Detroit, very few downtown businesses own their own premises. Hell, even in the suburbs most businesses find it a better business model to lease space in shopping centers, malls, or suburban town centers.

Landlords certainly do have the right to not renew leases. However, not renewing the lease of profit-making, traffic-generating, consistently rent-paying, loyal tenants is the kind of thing that often bites greed-addled landlords in the ass, and hurts cities by leaving vacant spaces [[asking unrealistic rents) where going businesses once were.

**corktownyuppie** · January-02-16, 05:30 PM

I finally had a taste of why tenants get pissed. Today I toured around with a friend at a few loft buildings that are on the edges of greater downtown. Several of them were only offering month-to-month leases.

I asked each of the managers, "Is there anything protecting the tenant from a change in the rent in 30 days?" Here were the responses:

[[1) "We've been managing this building for 3 years and we haven't increased the rent." [[but, of course, there's nothing stopping them from doing so)

[[2) "You don't want a long-term lease because this way allows you the flexibility to move with only 30-days notice". [[It also allows you the flexibility to increase the rent with 30-days notice).

[[3) "Our owner is committed to keep the rents the same for any good tenant that stays." [[Great, then put it in writing. And, by the way, if the owner sells, does anything prevent the new owner from raising rents?"

=========

I think tenants are generally uninformed. I think [[some) landlords don't necessarily go out of their way to inform them. And I think some people refuse to become informed. In the long term, relationships and trust work when all parties make an agreement with full understanding of the consequences.

A lease is a two-way partnership contract with an expiration date. At the end of that contract, either party can exit the partnership for any reason or even for no reason.

Owning a building downtown is pretty unreasonable for most businesses, though, that is the surest way of being protected from "eviction" [[though, I still protest the usage of that word). But it's also unnecessary. Working with a good attorney, you can write a lease that protects your interests as a tenant [[and as a landlord).

I manage a business that rents from a commercial building owner. We've been their anchor tenant for 15 years. Our lease length is five years with options to renew in 5-year increments. Our lease comes up in 3 years, and we are already starting to work on Plan B or negotiating an extension.

There are no oral agreements in real estate. Get it in writing. Hire an attorney. Otherwise you can presume anything promised orally is something that is subject to change.

**belleislerunner** · January-04-16, 01:28 PM

Will be interesting to see how Park Bar responds.

I popped in over the weekend and was met with a very disgruntled pregnant bartender and another bartender who mentioned the plan was for Park Bar to take over the kitchen and sell authentic Hawaiian dishes.

**Hypestyles** · January-04-16, 04:49 PM

meanwhile, the Piquette location recently opened. Countdown to the Chene/Jefferson location grand opening. Yum.

**Wesley Mouch** · January-05-16, 03:29 PM

Nobody was forced. Sounds like lease expired. That's not forced. That's what leases do.

**Zacha341** · January-05-16, 03:55 PM

I think I'll stop by the Piquette location TODAY!

Originally Posted by Hypestyles

meanwhile, the Piquette location recently opened. Countdown to the Chene/Jefferson location grand opening. Yum.

**Honky Tonk** · January-05-16, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

I think I'll stop by the Piquette location TODAY!

Think I'll stop @ SuperGreenland on the way home.

**dtowncitylover** · January-05-16, 05:11 PM

"Just business", they both say.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/lif...roit/78282562/

**MSUguy** · January-05-16, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Downtown will truly be revived when closure of a fast food rest. like this or Bagger Dave's isn't a headline article on the papers' websites. I'm trying to imagine these stories on the front of the Chicago Tribune, Toronto Star, etc.

And isn't a news story a week later. The controversy over this over this shows just far we have to go.

**Zacha341** · January-16-16, 07:08 AM

Update! I went to the new Bucharest on Piquette yesterday evening after calling in my order! The place was on jam! Parking lot was great -- no worries about a parking ticket.

I hit the jackpot of sorts as someone had not picked up a big order of shawarmas and I was offered one for free in addition to my existing order!! YUMMY leftovers for today. The garlic paste was devine. Fatoosh salad very good.

**Zacha341** · January-16-16, 07:11 AM

I'm going there today for those grand produce deals that never quit!

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Think I'll stop @ SuperGreenland on the way home.

**Hypestyles** · January-16-16, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Update! I went to the new Bucharest on Piquette yesterday evening after calling in my order! The place was on jam! Parking lot was great -- no worries about a parking ticket.

I hit the jackpot of sorts as someone had not picked up a big order of shawarmas and I was offered one for free in addition to my existing order!! YUMMY leftovers for today. The garlic paste was devine. Fatoosh salad very good.

Is mayonnaise incorporated into the garlic paste? That's a dealbreaker for me as I have a bad allergy to eggs.

**Zacha341** · January-16-16, 06:41 PM

^^^ Could be, but mostly yogurt @ the B! I prefer the more yogurt based for the consistency. Otherwise it's like salad dressing. And some folks make it that way.

**Honky Tonk** · January-17-16, 10:05 AM

Can't wait for them to move into the Un-Lucky Bar location. [[like I don't have enough Middle-Eastern choices)

**Honky Tonk** · January-17-16, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

I'm going there today for those grand produce deals that never quit!

Sure beats Eastern Mark-Up.

**Zacha341** · January-17-16, 10:15 AM

Uh-yeah. Bucharest does not have Tabouleh as you can find elsewhere, but then their Fatoosh salad was just ok, IMO, so maybe salads will not be their flagship item!

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Can't wait for them to move into the Un-Lucky Bar location. [[like I don't have enough Middle-Eastern choices)

**Honky Tonk** · January-17-16, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Uh-yeah. Bucharest does not have Tabouleh as you can find elsewhere, but then their Fatoosh salad was just ok, IMO, so maybe salads will not be their flagship item!

You really know how to mess up a guy's Sunday.

**DetroitSoldier** · March-27-18, 11:02 AM

While picking up dinner at the Corktown location last night I was told that Bucharest will again have a downtown presence, but I could not coax a location out of the person. This would be great news for the downtown lunch scene!