New: Gospel Uptown
We first heard word about a new gospel theme restaurant last week when we posted an article about businesses that are opening and shuttering. One perplexed reader queried, ‘what the hell is a gospel theme restaurant?’
Well, it seems that we will all find out on June 12th when Gospel Uptown will be having its soft opening in the space formerly occupied by the short-lived Pier 2110. I actually got ‘the scoop’ about this spot last night, but was too tired to write about it until today.
Here is what I heard: gospel choirs will be coming in to perform for diners and the space will also double as a proferssional sound stage. One of the forces behind this new venue is none other than Joe Holland himself.
I can see this new venture giving Sylvia a run for her money with the tourist crowd and the holy rollers. As far as a destination for the average Harlemite? Well, we’ll just have to keep an eye on that for now.
Gospel Uptown
2110 Seventh Avenue @ 125th Street
New York, New York 10027
(212) 280-2110 <
www.GospelUptown.com
Stumble It!
Looking out for lightning because you asked what the hell is a gospel themed restaurant. LOLOL.
TJ, I thought about that but I was just repeating what the commenter said. LOL Maybe I will get amnesty.
Some new efforts are destined to failure before they even open, this is one of them. (1) Sylvia’s has a financial agreement with the operators of tour buses that secures and locks those operators to bring those tours to Sylvia’s. Gospel will not break those agreements or eat into Sylvia’s tour business. (2) The biggest profit center (and needed to survive) for a restaurant is the alcohol. Does “Gospel” have a liquor license? Can one order alcohol @ “Gospel”? (3) Too much overhead, too much space. All retail (including restaurants) ultimately breaks down and boils down to “profit per square foot”. That is a very very large space and it will be expensive to keep the doors open (A/C, lights, cleaning, etc.) it all adds up. Most all successful restaurants start of very small, and with time and proven demand, expand and get larger. Sylvia’s was a fraction of it’s current size when it opened it ‘63. You see Harlem’s Patti D’oro was a tiny spot and with proven success and demand expanded tremendously. Restaurants don’t start off large and grand on day one (and survive). It takes years and years to build up regular and consistent foot traffic & demand to justify the expansion and the large space. It’s pretty much impossible to start off huge on day one and survive, you just can’t accrue the necessary foot traffic to stay in business even 3 years, much less 5. (4) This restaurant is not a solution to any problem. I don’t know any Harlemites who go to Sylvia’s for crissakes, this is Harlem 2009, same ‘ol Soul Food with a Gospel theme IS NOT something exciting or even interesting for old or new Harlem. What’s exciting and or appreciated for old and new Harlem are the places we never had had before, the Italian restaurants, the new French spot on 125th & Lenox, The Sushi spot (Charlie’s), etc. and so forth.
Anyone know how much if any UMEZ money is bank rolling this thing? I can’t see people putting up their own money, this has gotta be a “nothiing to lose” thing heavily driven by people who got free money (more or less) from UMEZ. Look, a restaurant needs locals, regulars, to stay in business….you can’t build a restaurant hoping old Harlem Church goers make it their spot after Church on Sunday’s.
How long did Pier 2110 last? 9 months? I give this place 16 months – tops. This location needs a large Chain restaurant, even though ihop is down the street 10 blocks, a ihop or Appleby’s would do major major business here. Why? The price is right for the market to fill the space. And if an ihop or Appleby’s was indeed there….I would never approach within 100′ of the place.
Location, location, location.
This place is the ideal location for a great restaurant. I like the idea of having a stage for performances and other events.
I’d say scrap the Gospel idea and just make it a reasonable sit down restaurant available for special events and local performancers.
I also agree with the comment above. They definitely got some UMEZ money. It just may be one of those “nothing to lose” deals.
Sorry folks, all of you are wrong. No UMEZ money. And it may work because it will not just be function as a restaurant but as a performance venue. They will expand to have other styles of music besides gospel. And about the gospel theme, if the gospel industry picks it up, it’s a wrap. That’s the only kind of music really making money nowadays.
to all the haters who aren’t given the place a chance and comparing to Slyvia’s how much haterade did you drink. the fact of the matter is that they are there in Jesus name.
Gospel Uptown is pretty nice people. I’ll send in some pictures later. They’re still working out a lot of the usual last minute details though. Food was very appetizing
don’t let the name fool you,it’s not to say only church goers are visting the restaurant. I’ve been there the food is wonderful and not expensive as you may think. we finally want a place we can go to without the drama or it finally turning into a disco/club. Come on people get it together and learn to accept the finer things and stop throwing money into the ihop and applebee. You get tasty healthy way of cooking food. The atmosphere is wonderful,lets stop being doubtful and negative and learn to just be happy for people. It’s just the beginning. Lets make more of Harlem than the black named businesses with the wht owners behind scene. And no it is not about black and white but like i said if you can look at the applebees,ihop and mcdonalds, surely you can look at the healthy restaurants. Lets be happy for folks so we can let positive vibes in our lives.
people don’t always think it has to be umez money, there are some of us who has a business mind that can get their finances together for what they want. come on we’re all not in debt. HELLO!!!!!
I wish GU all the best and with all the folks that are working or visiting the business bring in the good vibes with them.
Since when is a food indigenous to the people as in Soul Food the “same old thing.” I glad there is Sushi and Italian, but every now and then I like a chicken wing made by a hand that reminds me of my mother.
Yeah to DOCS on 116th
Now about Gospel Uptown the cotton club has been having Gospel Cabarets for years and yes they SELL OUT every week.
Good Luck and God Bless