Business, consumer and economic tidbits from DNT reporter Candace Renalls. Click here to view previous posts or additional resources.
Railway-themed eatery coming to Athletic Club
The fliers announcing the new restaurant are plastered on the windows of the Duluth Athletic Club in downtown Duluth. Work is underway inside. And it's probably just a matter of weeks before R Bar, a railway pizzeria, opens its doors.
Fliers promise the new restaurant will open in August in space formerly occupied by the Duluth Athletic Club Bar & Grill. The menu -- for both sit-down eating and take-out -- will include pizza, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, baked appetizers, soups and salads.
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And -- pay attention downtown workers -- they say they'll deliver.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to at least 1 a.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Happy hour will be 4 to 7 p.m. daily and drink specials are promised each day.
Don't know what they're prices will be yet, but the flier says: "Relax in our casual atmosphere and enjoy our excellent and reasonably-priced food, great drink prices, live entertainment and more."
We hope they make it. Many have tried and failed in that troublesome spot at 21 N. Fourth Ave. W.
We won't say the Duluth Athletic Club is cursed when it comes to restaurants with staying power. But since the Chinese Lantern -- a legend of a restaurant -- burnt to a crisp in 1994, no restaurant has been able to make it long-term in the reconditioned building.
There was the Blue Water Bar & Grill, then Bella Vita Ristorante, then Champps Americana. All failed. The Duluth Athletic Club Bar & Grill, which opened in 2002 lasted the longest, about six years.
Maybe that means the next venture will last even longer.
