Back in October of 2011, we heard some rumors about Marble Slab Ice Creamery closing their doors. At the time we were unsure about the validity of this rumor, but as many suspected it appears to be true.
Upon a recent stroll down Michigan Avenue, we noticed the lights on at Marble Slab, but signs down and the place pretty much torn apart:
It's unfortunate to see. One of our Sloopin contributors has a theory about the "East side of the Street" being less than ideal because the lack of foot traffic over there. Obviously we don't have any quantitative data to back this up, but it definitely seems a little lighter over there.
Anyone have any thoughts on Marble Slab closing? or the East side of the street being less conducive to business?
(Hat tip: ND!)
27 comments:
The only reason there's more foot traffic on the west side of the street is because of people transferring from the L to the bus. The only business I see them visiting is Jewel.
Ice Cream parlor in a city that has cold weather for 8 months of the year ...what could possibly go wrong?
Last I checked, Panozzo's doesn't seem to be having any problems. People will find places serving great food.
Unfortunate news, but you could go a few doors down and buy a few tubs of ice cream and spoons for the same price.
Wasn't there a rumor about Jamba Juice coming to that bldg?
That's too bad. My husband and I liked walking there in the summmer, but I agree w/the comments about a ice cream place succeeding during our long winters.
Jamba juice would have equally difficult time operating there. People will travel out of the way to seek out good food. ice cream is mostly an impulse buy.. need foot traffic... or lots of little leagues.
Chipotle, baby
Yes chipotle!
This is a bummer, my family liked to stop there (or Baskin Robbins) on the way home from dinner or a walk for a sweet treat to share. An ice cream place with good ice cream and decent pricing, regardless of the weather, will do well anywhere. A nice addition would be a Soupbox/Icebox with soup in the winter and gelato in the summer.
chipotle
Yes, Chipotle or Qdoba
we joke about the chipotle thing all the time but in all seriousness it seems like a no brainer for them to move here
Hopefully another Subway goes in. I hate having to walk an extra 100 feet to find another Subway. I wish they'd go in every building.
Ice cream eating family, head over to Little Branch instead for gelato. Support the locally owned businesses!
Ice cream shops should be seasonal pop up stores like those halloween stores.
I have not looked inside but is everyone really so sure they closed up shop? I have lived in the neighborhood for 4 years and the shop has closed for several months each of the previous 3 winters. This year may be no different.
@ Anon 4:51
It's currently being marketed for commercial lease.
My wife is Japanese and she was not happy that they discontinued the green tea flavor ice cream. They never even had red bean ice cream. No wonder they closed.
I can get vanilla and chocolate at MacDonalds.
pfft...they were always out of vanilla.
Poorly run business (and this place epitomized poorly-run) don't survive in this ecomony, especially in a neighborhood with very scant pedestrian traffic. No matter which side of the street.
I'm guessing that it's location on the west side of Michigan Avenue is why that Italian joint in the old Grace O'Malley's location is always so busy.
Baskin Robbins has over 1000 stores in South Korea, and is brutally cold much of the year. Explain that?
Appeal of US goods?
Richard,
It's cause Basking Robbins in Seoul sells green tea, red bean and kimchee flavored ice cream.
South Koreans like to eat ice cream in the winter while sitting on ice blocks outside. I'm not sure why but I don't think the concept will work in the sloop.
Maybe you could rent the old marble slap location and test market a Korean style Baskin Robins. Maybe combine it with your rental car business?
Hope that helps....
Nowhere to park. Simple as that.
Hi all! New Sloop Lin reader here. My girlfriend lives a block north of here and I didn't even know this place existed. Also, I heard a fung shwea (sp?) thing about west facing doors being bad, so take that as you will.
@Brianbobcat: Your Feng Shui comment about west-facing doors could explain the several empty retail spaces in the State Place building, also. Or economic and demographic factors may be more likely.
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