Seldom Blues files for bankruptcy

[kraig]

September 15, 2009


Seldom Blues files for bankruptcy

By JOHN GALLAGHER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER Two of Detroit’s most prominent downtown restaurants, Seldom Blues and the Detroit Breakfast House & Cafe, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

Both restaurants remain open for business today. Under federal bankruptcy law, a Chapter 11 filing allows companies to continue to operate while reorganizing its debts.

Two partnerships that own the restaurants filed the bankruptcy petitions on Friday. Seldom Blues LLC, which owns the popular restaurant located in the Renaissance Center, listed as its top creditors Northern Lakes Seafood & Meats, which it owed $274,098.60; Marx-Layne, a public relations firm, which it owed $35,767.21; and Sysco Food Service, which it owed $30,946.54.

Detroit Breakfast House & Grill LLC, which operates a popular breakfast-themed restaurant on Woodward Avenue, listed among its main creditor the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., which it owed $200,000, and the City of Detroit, which it owed $90,000.

Frank Taylor, the chief owner and operator of the restaurants as head of the Southern Hospitality Restaurant Group, issued a statement about the bankruptcies through his spokesman Michael Layne of the Marx Layne public relations firm in Farmington Hills.

“Both restaurants will continue to forge ahead and stay open,� Taylor’s statement read. “Seldom Blues and Detroit’s Breakfast House will continue to offer wonderful food, service, and atmosphere. Management will continue to run the day to day business operations. The filing was the only option in light of the current economic situation in Detroit and nationwide.�

Seldom Blues opened in the Renaissance Center in June 2004 just as General Motors was completing its $500-million renovations of the Ren Cen as its world headquarters. GM’s presence seemed to guarantee a strong lunch and weeknight dinner business for Seldom Blues, which operates in a 15,000-square-foot space overlooking the Detroit River with a seating capacity of 300.

But the collapse of the auto industry over the past couple of years and GM’s bankruptcy filing led to severe cuts in the number of people working at the Ren Cen, cutting deeply into the restaurant’s business. The poor economy also hurt traffic at the Detroit’s Breakfast House.

In his statement, Taylor said he continues to believe in the viability of both restaurants and predicted both will regain profitability through the Chapter 11 process.
“Frank Taylor greatly appreciates the support that patrons have shown his restaurants over the past five and a half years and greatly appreciates their support going forward as we all make it through this economic downtown,� Taylor’s statement read. “He is proud to provide an enhanced dining experience and remains committed to offering wonderful dining in downtown Detroit.�
Contact JOHN GALLAGHER: 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com.




We all saw this coming.

[bailey]

has Frank Taylor NOT had a restaurant go into bankruptcy or otherwise fail?

275K owed to Northern lakes!?! who let's their bill with this guy get above 10k with his track record? I would think it'd be COD or nothing.

[scottishlad]

Can't say that I was surprised to read this.

I went there on a Saturday night last month, and the place was nearly empty. It was disappointing to see.

The food was above average and the band playing was excellent. The thing that soured me on my experience, however, was the service. I've never been to a restaurant and had such poor service. It was horrible. I'm not usually one to complain to a manager, but it was so bad that I ended up doing it. The manager did her best to make it right, but I know we weren't the only table treated poorly that night.

I realize they are still operating, but I don't know for how long. You can't stay in business if you can't keep your customers happy.

[kraig]

has Frank Taylor NOT had a restaurant go into bankruptcy or otherwise fail?

275K owed to Northern lakes!?! who let's their bill with this guy get above 10k with his track record? I would think it'd be COD or nothing.

This guy needs to hire someone to handle the paperwork. I think there's a general consensus from those that have been to his restaurants that it is an enjoyable experience. He's just horrible at paperwork.

[1KielsonDrive]

He opens a joint seating 300? A bad sign to begin with. You can always expand if needed. I worked with Taylor and saw nothing in his attitude, demeanor, expertise or otherwise that convinced me he was special or talented in any way. He was a poor communicator, unengaging and, in fact surly, and too busy hanging with patrons [[at that time it was KK, LaVan and their posses) to be involved in operations. Nothing about this surprises me either. And, as Bailey said, who in the hell lets their You Owe Me's get to 275K? That's a COD moment about a nano-sec it gets past 10K, or much less. Did his purveyors read the papers?

[Boo Stinking Boo]

I thought it was ironic how my dentist sent me a $25 gift card for my b-day to have dinner there, after the news I'm wondering if its still good?

[exdetroiter]

Alexander Zonjic is also a part owner there, so why is everyone only mention Mr. Taylor.

I must admit the last time I was there for Sunday brunch, the selection had downgraded from an A to a C. I don't think its straight forward to blame the decline in business on GM because with the prices on their menu, there just isn't room in peoples budgets for $30 lunches.

[kraig]

Alexander Zonjic is also a part owner there, so why is everyone only mention Mr. Taylor.

I must admit the last time I was there for Sunday brunch, the selection had downgraded from an A to a C. I don't think its straight forward to blame the decline in business on GM because with the prices on their menu, there just isn't room in peoples budgets for $30 lunches.

He put himself out for the Lion's share of the credit, so it's only right that he gets the Lion's share of the blame.

For any of you with a gift card. Use it fast. There won't be any announcements before they close the doors. There may be a silver lining for all of my Lafayette Building huggers out there. The DDA/DEGC already gave them [[Taylor & Company) a break on their loan payments. Taylor is connected enough to squeeze enough of the demolition money out of the DDA to halt the demo plans.

[exdetroiter]

Its confusing to me that he opened the Fish Market Resturant on Randolph a month or two ago, but could not pay the bills at the locations referenced in the bankruptcy.

[kraig]

Its confusing to me that he opened the Fish Market Resturant on Randolph a month or two ago, but could not pay the bills at the locations referenced in the bankruptcy.

He's using the same foolproof system that Joe Pesci's character used in the movie Casino. If he wins, pay up. If he loses Fuck you.

Of course, I'm not saying that to anyone here, I'm just quoting the movie.

[Gary]

I've been there once and I enjoyed the place, but nothing about the food, the service or the atmosphere stands out or makes me want to hurry back again. I'm not saying I would never go back, but I definitely wouldn't make a special trip downtown just to eat at Seldom Blues.

There are many lesser priced restaurants with good food and better service all over town.

[401don]

Sorry to threadjack a bit, but I've eaten at Saltwater, Wolfgang Puck, Andiamo and Roast in the past 6 months. I've never been one for fine dining [[ I'm too cheap) but was in town for my anniversary and visiting with friends and decided to splurge a few times. I must say I much prefer Fishbone's to any of these places. I like a little noise, a few tv's in the place and a wait staff that greets you with a smile.
There's no atmosphere when you're eating in a secluded corner of a mostly empty restaurant. The service is usually slow and a little pretentious.
Last weekend we stayed at the Book Cadillac for our first and probably only time. We were so appalled by the prices in the Boulevard Room for breakfast we ordered white toast, 2 coffees and 1 orange juice. Price: $28.50. This is a Westin, not a Ritz Carlton folks. [[not to mention 15 bucks drycleaning charge because I tried on the complementary bathrob in the room)
Good economy or not, Detroit is never going to support most of these places until 20,000 people making 75K plus move downtown.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Alexander Zonjic is also a part owner there, so why is everyone only mention Mr. Taylor.

I must admit the last time I was there for Sunday brunch, the selection had downgraded from an A to a C. I don't think its straight forward to blame the decline in business on GM because with the prices on their menu, there just isn't room in peoples budgets for $30 lunches.

Not only Alexander Zonjic, isn't Robert Porcher former Detroit Lion also an investor??

[jonesy]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the product ordered for Seldom Blues and the Breakfast House ended up at the Detroit Fish Market.

[JBMcB]

We were so appalled by the prices in the Boulevard Room for breakfast we ordered white toast, 2 coffees and 1 orange juice. Price: $28.50. This is a Westin, not a Ritz Carlton folks.

That's not unusual for any hotel, they *always* soak you for breakfast, unless you go to an economy business-oriented place with complementary breakfast. Westin is a pretty nice hotel chain, not Ritz level but maybe a notch below.

[[not to mention 15 bucks drycleaning charge because I tried on the complementary bathrob in the room)

Now *that* is lame, a hotel should never charge for anything used in the bathroom. The minibar and TV are fair game, but bathrobes?

[REL]

I have never seen a bathrobe in my life that had to be dry-cleaned. Explain?

[pkbroch]

Relatives stayed at the Book Cadillac last week and they used the Terry cloth robes and were not charged. This is comman in a starwood property.