All good things come to an end, even in New Orleans. The Palace Cafe announced on social media yesterday:
Friends, it is with heavy hearts that we share that Palace Café will close its doors on July 7th.For 34 years, Palace Café has stood proudly on Canal Street as a vibrant reflection of New Orleans — our music, our food, our people, our joy. Since opening in 1991 in the iconic Werlein’s music building, we’ve had the extraordinary privilege of serving millions of guests from around the world and right here at home.We’ve witnessed weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, business deals, adoptions, Mardi Gras Magic, and even a few presidential visits. We’ve seen proposals (they all said yes!) and quiet moments that turned into lasting memories. Being a part of your lives has been the greatest gift of all.None of it would have been possible without the remarkable people who brought Palace Café to life each day. Our team – past and present – poured their talent, heart, and hospitality into every moment. They are the soul of Palace Café and the reason that so many guests felt at home here. We are forever grateful for the joy, grace, and resilience they’ve shown over the years.This moment comes not by choice, but by circumstance. A recent court ruling tied to our 35-year lease has made it impossible to continue operations at 605 Canal. We are appealing the decision and holding onto hope, but for now, we must say goodbye to this beloved corner of the French Quarter.We’re not ready to say Palace Café is gone forever. Should the right opportunity arise, we will welcome it with open arms. In the meantime, you can still find us doing what we love at our sister restaurants across the city.Thank you, New Orleans, for 34 unforgettable years. You’ll always be part of our story.With Gratitude,Lauren, Dickie & Steve
The Brennan family owns the restaurant. Palace Cafe lost its lease. The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate reported yesterday:
The move comes as Palace Café nears the end of a 35-year lease. A purchase agreement was included in that lease, and the restaurant’s operators were working toward a deal to purchase the property from its owners, Philip Werlein, Ltd., a company from members of the Werlein family. A dispute on the fair market value brought both sides into Civil District Court. It centered on the value of improvements made to the property by the restaurant group, and whether these should be included in the purchase price. In June, Judge Ellen Hazeur ruled in favor of the Werlein family, court records show. A representative for the Werlein family was not immediately able to comment. Rest of article. The ruling is being appealed. In the meantime, Steve Pettus, managing partner of Dickie Brennan & Co., said it was no longer "fiscally responsible" to continue to operate the restaurant. The disparity between the assessed values for the property is too great to purchase it, and terms offered for a new lease to continue operating were five times higher than the previous lease, Pettus said. Depending on the appeal, Pettus said reopening Palace Café at its original location was a possibility. The company is also “interested in reimagining and reopening Palace Café” elsewhere should the right location arise.... Palace Café was first conceived by the city’s leading restaurant family, the Brennans, as the next generation’s read on the Creole dining experience. Initially, it was a more casual offshoot of the family’s Garden District landmark Commander’s Palace. The chef Dickie Brennan, his sister Lauren Brower and Pettus, their business partner, would soon take on the operation as the first location for their Dickie Brennan & Co. group. Dishes like crabmeat cheesecake, catfish pecan meuniere and white chocolate bread pudding are among its signatures. The debut of Palace Café also marked a rebirth of a historic building, with its Beaux Arts façade and intricate architectural details. It was the flagship for the Werlein’s music store brand from 1905 to 1990. Generations of New Orleans residents came here to buy their instruments and sheet music, including some of the city’s most famous musicians, including Dr. John and Fats Domino.
Well that's a bummer. The restaurant was very convenient if going to a show at the Saenger or Joy theatres. It was a beautiful restaurant as seen below and great for people watching on Canal Street.
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| Credit: Times-Picayune |
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| Credit: Times-Picayune |
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| Credit: Times-Picayune |
22 comments:
Sad to see this. There’s a ton of great restaurants in New Orleans obviously but few in the heart of the touristy hotel area on Canal. They did a great job and I’m sure some landlord will welcome them. The current building owner must be holding out for a Wendy’s or a vape shop. Really sad. Tujague’s had to call a similar bluff, and they are in a better, newer, more convenient locale.
LaToya the Destroya
Great memory of lunching there with a group of Nola biz guys including a customer of mine and his now covid deceased brother in law....all the best to the Brennens!
Kicking out a landmark tenant probably for some hip new place that will most likely struggle. If I had a prime real estate location, with a tenant that had been there 35 years like the Brennan’s, concessions could have been made on both sides I believe. Like most rental property, sure you can always get more, but that doesn’t mean the new tenant will be successful or that you won’t be fighting for your rent each month.
Too many schizophrenics mulling around on C-anal
Go down there now and take a look.....the third world "multiculturalism" turns off the moneyed folks.
At 8:51
You seem like a real winner and one that’s of high intelligence and just full of life experiences. Perhaps, you should stay in your trailer park rather than go on canal street anyway. It’s likely much too rich for your blood anyway
@8:31 and 8:39: did y’all read the article?
Latoya had nothing to do with this. There was a 35 year lease with an option to buy at fair market value. They could not agree on a purchase price based on value. They were apparently fighting about improvements made by the Brennans and if those improvements should have been included in the deal. They went to court and lost. If you want to blame somebody, blame the lawyers that drew up the lease for not clarifying the terms of what constitutes fair market value.
There is speculation the Brennan's called their bluff as the Werleins didn't think they would walk away. Some real dealing might take place now.
8:39 It simply doesn’t work that way. Your thought process is full of sentiment, nostalgia, and kindness, but that doesn’t pay the bills.
Concessions are thoughtful, but if a property doesn’t cashflow, the only winner is an attorney and the future owner.
Lots of people with lots of money running around so maybe they wanna try a shot at running a giant restaurant/ bar. That’d scare me to death. Good luck
At least the Marriott didn't take away the parking lot.
@7:25 Yep that is a huge problem in modern society. people thinking that “name on paper” means money should flow to them. Thankfully new revolutionary AI, evilutions in automation, and massive disruption by technology, will strip that away very soon.
no you shouldnt get to be rich just because your grandpa bought a building 150 years ago.
Cherokee's landlord on N State Street said hold my beer
Agree with 7:57. The owner is probably holding out for something trashy that will fit right in in that area. What a shame...it was a nice place. However, I'm sure the Brennans will be fine...
The restaurant was closed for quite some time during the expensive renovations 10 years ago. They did what they are doing now, farming the most important staff out to their other properties. If this is just a negotiation tactic they can weather being closed for quite some time. Perhaps that will give the Werlein heirs time to figure out they aren’t going to get what they are asking from any other tenant.
That was a horrible decision ….makes me mad to this day.
never heard of it
Ate there once. Superb place. Big loss for area. Hope they can work it out. 35 years in the restaurant industry and made it work. Smart dedicated people.
We spend about one weekend a month in New Orleans and have eaten at most of the restaurants that make the "best of" lists. The last time we ate at the Palace, the food wasn't great and our server had a real attitude. Haven't been back and haven't missed it. Too many better options.
I bought my 1964 Gibson J-50 at that building, in the second floor guitar section in the back left corner. I still have it, and the sound just gets warmer the older the guitar gets.
Sorry to hear this. My wife and I ate there often when we drive to the city from Jackson. They had some of our true favorites.
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