Makeda closed

[Jonny S]

I don't know what's going on here - raising rents? But there are far, far too many vacancies on George Street right now. It's become an epidemic.

http://newbrunswicktoday.com/article/makeda-ethiopian-restaurant-closes-after-many-years-success-george-street

 

[Korbermeister]

chicken little was good at hyperbole too

there's a restaurant opening up where the yogurt place was on george st. so think of it as evening out

 

[NotInRHouse]

This is awful. Are there even any other Ethiopian places in NJ? Have a place like Makeda made NB a true college town with a unique vibe apart from the rest of the state. I hope they can reopen.

What are the other current vacancies?

 

[ElmiraExpress]

very bad news. Other than Due Mari and Evelyn's, Makeda was my favorite restaurant in New Brunswick

 

[MidwestKnights]

Ada's in Long Branch.

 

[retired711]

Google lists three other Ethiopian restaurants in New Jersey: one in Montclair and two in South Orange.

 

[NotInRHouse]

Not a surprise I guess, considering that those towns not only have colleges, but also an affluent local populace. The towns surrounding NB, like HP, EB, and parts of Edison, are pretty well off- but perhaps not as supportive of NB businesses.

 

[Korbermeister]

It was supported for almost 20 years (not by me). That's pretty long in the life of a restaurant.

 

[LadyRU09]

When I think of Ethiopian restaurants, I think of DC. That's a 4-hour drive from Central Jersey. (how many are in NYC?)

 

[retired711]

Originally posted by LadyRU09:
When I think of Ethiopian restaurants, I think of DC. That's a 4-hour drive from Central Jersey. (how many are in NYC?)

A google search shows plenty of Ethiopian restaurants in D.C. and NYC. BTW, Korbermeister is certainly right in suggesting that a restaurant that has lived close to twenty years has done well. The reason for closing may be owner burnout as much as profitability.

 

[scarlet night]

There are signs up where Daryl was, new restaurant coming in. Saw it driving past this week.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[lawmatt78]

Originally posted by scarlet night:
There are signs up where Daryl was, new restaurant coming in. Saw it driving past this week.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

My take was always that Daryl had the wrong approach. It should have been a more casual and convivial wine bar. Instead, you either sat at the actual bar or felt like you were committing to a more formal diner experience. I would just walk in there, but I'm sure it seemed aloof to some.

 

[scarlet night]

I liked Daryl but was only there once or twice. Do you think the location is an issue there?
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[lawmatt78]

Originally posted by scarlet night:
I liked Daryl but was only there once or twice. Do you think the location is an issue there?
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Perhaps. But a good place should be able to overcome that issue.

 

[retired711]

Hmmm... the combination of a bar and a restaurant is effective for lots of establishments. But maybe a college town is different. There students may not necessarily want to spring for a fancy dinner, but want to be able to sit down and munch something with their drinks. Is that a possibility?