Restaurant Comings and Goings--Gold Cash Gold and Savannah to Close

**Lowell** · January-13-20, 09:40 AM

"Want to make a million in the restaurant business?", my late friend Tony Pieroni once quipped, "Invest three million".

Today I notice that Corktown's Gold Cash Gold and downriver's Savannah are shuttering.

Meanwhile Plum Market has opened in the new Piston's Performance Center in New Center.
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**Richard** · January-13-20, 10:32 AM

Restaurants have always had a high closure rate,I deal with opening and closing them every day,I sell them equipment and a year later am buying it back 30c on the dollar.

I think the biggest problem is lack of innovation and fad hopping.

Craft breweries were all the rage now a year later 60% are closed,then it was tacos,they last about 6 months before shutting down.

Now they are not called diners or sports bars,they are called social clubs.

I am invested in a few restaurants,no way I would want to work them,it is like a 24/7 job and a lot of hard work,but they have been ongoing for 5 to 10 years,but they are just simple little restaurants were you can go get a nice lunch for under $10,you do not need fancy,consistency with good food at a fair price.

**401don** · January-13-20, 10:35 AM

Gold Cash Gold was a couple years too early. Maybe he'll hang onto the space until Ford moves into MCD.

**iheartthed** · January-13-20, 11:02 AM

Restaurants are a tough business everywhere. With all of the work that was put into Gold Cash Gold to convert it into a restaurant space, it's hard to imagine that it won't be replaced soon by another restaurant.

**p1acebo** · January-13-20, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

Restaurants are a tough business everywhere. With all of the work that was put into Gold Cash Gold to convert it into a restaurant space, it's hard to imagine that it won't be replaced soon by another restaurant.

When they first opened the food was great. I know they changed the menu a few times... while I know they cite the low foot traffic on week days I am sure the change in menu had something to do with it as well.

**Meddle** · January-13-20, 11:37 AM

Sounds more like a pawn shop.

**DetBill** · January-13-20, 11:55 AM

Sorry to see it closed, the Chef mentioned the effect of no auto show hurting them for January business. We were just discussing this on the weekend as we were walking around downtown yesterday, and how quiet downtown is now with no auto show and media week, restaurants and hotels must be hurting.. always questioning the move to June...in June people have lots of other things to do and vacations, outdoor activity..wont be so concerned about a car show no matter how spread out it is... In January it was something many looked forward to , to occupy the month and many people drove to Detroit to stay.. a good winter event..we shall see.., not so sure how wise this was.

**Atticus** · January-13-20, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by DetBill

Sorry to see it closed, the Chef mentioned the effect of no auto show hurting them for January business. We were just discussing this on the weekend as we were walking around downtown yesterday, and how quiet downtown is now with no auto show and media week, restaurants and hotels must be hurting.. always questioning the move to June...in June people have lots of other things to do and vacations, outdoor activity..wont be so concerned about a car show no matter how spread out it is... In January it was something many looked forward to , to occupy the month and many people drove to Detroit to stay.. a good winter event..we shall see.., not so sure how wise this was.

Anytime businesses close, you often hear the blame placed on sometimes else. I cant count how many times I have read about a business closing and the owner blames it on a nearby road construction project, a sports bar closing because the local team had a bad year, etc. Now it is no January auto show. Dont get me wrong, I am sure those issues didnt help the situation, but it is easier to blame something else than admitting the business concept didn’t work financially.

**Zacha341** · January-13-20, 02:46 PM

Re. Gold Cash Gold seemed to be holding pretty, well, OK up thru very recent per yelp reviews [[aside from a note of accusations of racial comments, the chef leaving and over-pricing).

A bit trendy here and there and small portions, and long waits but well... I wish I'd tried them. The decor sounds really cool!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/gold-cash-g...t_by=date_desc

**iheartthed** · January-13-20, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by DetBill

Sorry to see it closed, the Chef mentioned the effect of no auto show hurting them for January business. We were just discussing this on the weekend as we were walking around downtown yesterday, and how quiet downtown is now with no auto show and media week, restaurants and hotels must be hurting.. always questioning the move to June...in June people have lots of other things to do and vacations, outdoor activity..wont be so concerned about a car show no matter how spread out it is... In January it was something many looked forward to , to occupy the month and many people drove to Detroit to stay.. a good winter event..we shall see.., not so sure how wise this was.

The restaurant said it was the corporate bookings that they looked forward to in January, not residual traffic from auto show general public attendees. The corporate bookings will happen in June this time.

**Maof** · January-13-20, 02:59 PM

I had been wanting to go there for several years and finally went last summer. We walked in early afternoon, no tables were taken and two people sitting at the bar. We told the hostess there would be three of us and her response was, "will you be done eating in an hour"

. I asked why and we were told, "we have reservations". We were seated across from the grill and several others were seated. Food was good, trendy for sure. By the time we were done, there was plenty of open seating. I don't buy the auto show excuse.

**Zacha341** · January-13-20, 03:02 PM

Yes some of the GCG reviews cite very specific issues including the 'hurry up and eat' vibe, tiny portions, and their missing the mark on basics like customer greeting, burgers, chicken and waffles.

Yet attempting to reach into the higher, more distinct realms [[rilette's and buratta) of culinary arts without success.

The bad google reviews are really detailed re. poor service and food!

**bailey** · January-13-20, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Yes some of the GCG reviews cite very specific issues including the 'hurry up and eat' vibe, tiny portions, and their missing the mark on basics like customer greeting, burgers, chicken and waffles.

Yet attempting to reach into the higher, so called, more distinct realms [[rilette's and buratta) of culinary arts without success.

The bad google reviews are really detailed re. poor service and food!

Detroit has a serious hospitality/customer service issue. From what passes for high end restaurants, to stores, to fast food...anything customer facing. Generally just atrocious. I travel a lot. I've lived in different cities and a handful of countries. it is amazing how consistently bad we are here at the easy stuff like just having basically pleasant front line service people. Just moved back here after about 5 years and it's like genuinely hostile here. No sure it's a new thing or something I just never noticed before.

My personal favorite was calling San Morello for reservations earlier this summer. It was a Friday night and I was calling last minute-ish...which I prefaced when calling.. I literally said I was taking a shot at a cancellation or last minute opening because we were nearby and wanted to check. The hostess laughed and hung up. That was a first. I don't know if its an arrogance thing, or just a detroit thing...but damn people get over yourselves. no one is polishing their Michelin stars around here. let's take the pretension down a notch or twelve.

**mtburb** · January-13-20, 04:02 PM

On top of that...Taylor's Wahlburgers is leaving there for Woodhaven. Honestly, they set themselves up for failure by delaying their grand opening several times and opening it during the partial shutdown of I-75 in the Downriver area.

http://www.thenewsherald.com/news/co...630e705fe.html

**Zacha341** · January-13-20, 04:32 PM

Grand hearing from you Bailey! Happy New Year!

You're absolutely right, it's notable if not singularly problem to this area. And almost a worn as a badge! Like can you withstand the treatment, pay to play and still eat here! Damnit!

I'm the type that says NOPE, and wont. And I write detailed reviews.

Front of the house [[beyond the food served for example) is so bad at some of the so-called fancy-snancy places. Horrid disinterested, indolent staff abound!

Only makes some of the more, sane, not so dandy restaurants thrive. I'll patronize these places over the jerks.

Not interested in paying grand for the privilege of being insulted! And served pretentious, expensive food along with all the attitude to boot!

Originally Posted by bailey

Detroit has a serious hospitality/customer service issue. From what passes for high end restaurants, to stores, to fast food...anything customer facing. Generally just atrocious. I travel a lot. I've lived in different cities and a handful of countries. it is amazing how consistently bad we are here at the easy stuff like just having basically pleasant front line service people. Just moved back here after about 5 years and it's like genuinely hostile here. No sure it's a new thing or something I just never noticed before....

**Danny** · January-14-20, 06:15 AM

Oh well.

**jcole** · January-14-20, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Danny

Oh well.

Yep....

**ct_alum** · January-14-20, 08:38 AM

I also have lived all over North America and have noticed the same attitude here. My favorite was at Motor City Casino, went to the buffet and the hostess obviously had a problem with us [[I'm a WASP and Mrs. Alum is AA). Took forever for her to acknowledge we were waiting, had a sour, disgusted look on her face, practically ran in front of us and tried to seat us in the most remote, out of the way place. Thought casinos were supposed to be all about customer service - Maybe in Vegas, but not here. Never went back.

**Lowell** · January-14-20, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by ct_alum

... Took forever for her to acknowledge we were waiting, had a sour, disgusted look on her face, practically ran in front of us and tried to seat us in the most remote, out of the way place.

Brings to mind a snarky snobby NYC restaurant lingo term. They call what happened to you as “being seated in Siberia”.

**bartocktoo** · January-14-20, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by ct_alum

I also have lived all over North America and have noticed the same attitude here. My favorite was at Motor City Casino, went to the buffet and the hostess obviously had a problem with us [[I'm a WASP and Mrs. Alum is AA). Took forever for her to acknowledge we were waiting, had a sour, disgusted look on her face, practically ran in front of us and tried to seat us in the most remote, out of the way place. Thought casinos were supposed to be all about customer service - Maybe in Vegas, but not here. Never went back.

Couldn't disagree more. Treatment like that just comes from attitudes, not prejudice. Like Vegas, the person that treated you bad probably wasn't from this area.

**DetBill** · January-14-20, 11:22 AM

You see this in many places, not only here but in several cities all over . In Chicago recently, we ran into to terrible service at one downtown location but great service at others, However, on the other side of the coin, one place that always makes me smile, is good old Mudgies in Corktown, where the owner , despite having good waitstaff, constantly goes from table to table asking if everyone is doing OK and enjoying their lunch. Gosh I like that guy, he not only provides a really fun restaurant to eat at, but he shows he cares about his customers too. Now that’s a guy that gets it.

**Richard** · January-14-20, 12:57 PM

And they demand $15 per hour,I have watched our counter help playing on thier phone with a customer standing right in front of them,they will not acknowledge the customer until they are finished with their personal business.

It seems like 1 out of 15 employees actually comprehend that without the customer they have no job.

It used to be when compared to the US,Germany was considered a zero customer oriented country,I think they surpassed us years ago.

**Maof** · January-14-20, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by DetBill

You see this in many places, not only here but in several cities all over . In Chicago recently, we ran into to terrible service at one downtown location but great service at others, However, on the other side of the coin, one place that always makes me smile, is good old Mudgies in Corktown, where the owner , despite having good waitstaff, constantly goes from table to table asking if everyone is doing OK and enjoying their lunch. Gosh I like that guy, he not only provides a really fun restaurant to eat at, but he shows he cares about his customers too. Now that’s a guy that gets it.

I'd have to agree. Very personable and you just don't see that too often. Food is really good and fresh. My husband preferred when it was McNally's, more of a simple taste guy and doesn't want sprigs of basil on his food. LOL. He still breaks down and takes me every once and while though.

**preserve** · January-15-20, 11:29 AM

The staff at Cork & Gable are super, so are the folks at Ottava Via and
The Lady - that's about as high end as I would go - places like Checker, Greenwich Time, Louie's Downtown, always are welcoming and friendly.
Sorry to hear about bad service at other venues. I think the food, pricing and parking play a bigger part of lack of business.

**Kathleen** · January-15-20, 04:22 PM

Never made it to Gold Cash Gold. Their menu [[which I checked online) did not appeal to me. So never made the effort to go there. Especially since there are so many other restaurants around. We try a new one every once in a while, and definitely after the newness has worn off. But few have impressed us enough to go back again. We are not foodies and we like good service and ambience so we would rather return to restaurants that treat us well and have delicious food at a good value.