This Monday, Caffeine owners Kelly and Blackwell Smith announced that they’ll be moving the sandwich shop’s operations to sister-restaurant Blacksmith’s Bistro & Bar in St. Elmo. The news comes as a surprise for most: Blacksmith’s November 2008 opening followed three successful years from Caffeine, giving the owners a chance to try more experimental cuisine. Long lunch lines and loyal followings at the MLK location leave a lot of us wondering, what’s the deal?
10 Monkeys and a Camera reports that a rent increase at the MLK location is largely to blame. The blog posted a transcript from an email sent out by Kelly Smith on Monday:
I know that this comes as a great shock to all of you who have been loyal supporters of us down on MLK, but due to the current economic situation and the recent raise in our rent at that location, the decision really became inevitable.
Caffeine moves to St. Elmo on March 31, serving up its current menu from 11 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
say what? on March 26, 2009
Long lines, ha! That's because every time you go in there the service is horribly S-L-O-W and the line gets longer and longer. Decent food, but it lacks enthusiasm to make it a GREAT place.
stevaker on March 26, 2009
A reliable source told me Caffeine is moving because of rent increase AND the fact that the owners don't take care of the building. The JJ's Bohemia (next door to Caffeine) was closed for a couple of days because of a hole in the floor. That whole stretch of building is slowly falling apart. If you check out the Northeast corner of the building (the back side, next to Heinsman Law Firm) is crumbling because of a tree growing through the building!
I can't say that i blame them. As far as "say what's" complaint about the service. Good things come to those who wait.
Elizabeth on March 26, 2009
I am glad to see more investment in St. Elmo, though I will miss Caffine being so close -
fred on March 31, 2009
The building was falling down when its first 'trendy' tenant Chameleon made it what it is today 11-12-13 years ago. For a current tenant to be surprised by that shows complete ignorance. It was a shithold. It is a shithold. So that's not an argument for leaving.
Stev: OMG!!! A tree is growing in a wall! OMG! Stev, That tree is probably older than you and was there when Kelly and Blackie first leased the space. Id guess the *real* story is they signed a lease for Blackie's location, now Caffeine's old lease is up, Blackie's isn't doing too well, and they decided to focus on Blackie's. Nothing wrong with that. And, Caffeine never had a 'hood' so that severely limited their menu.
stevaker on March 31, 2009
Fred,
FIrst off, thanks for the history lesson!
Secondly, wow, you're so correct: a tree growing through the corner of a building really isn't THAT big of a deal. How naive of me! I'm sure structural engineers just laugh off that kind of thing.
Finally and seriously, for you to accuse the current tenant of ignorance is really ignorance on your part. The people to blame here are the owners who pocket tenant's rent money only to do anything BUT renovate and fix simple things like plumbing, holes in floors, etc. For you to argue that point leads me to believe that your brain suddenly fell out of your head onto the table before you. You then somehow mistook your brain for your Mom's meatloaf so you then consumed it with a glass of Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill. Satisfied and full, you then sat down and wrote your post.
As for Blackie "not doing too well," now that's a laugher. I guess people lined out the door for lunch is a *real sign* that a restaurant is in trouble.
Okay, Fred (or whatever your name is). You've wasted enough of my time. I have much Twittering to do with my other moronic Twitter friends.
Best wishes,
Steve Hamaker
pariah on April 3, 2009
Well actually Stevaker I don't know how you define success, but I know for a fact, from first hand experience, that restaurant is in serious trouble.
First off, all of the vendors that sold to them, save Cisco & Niedlov's refuse to do business with them after a string of bouncing checks. So their "green" business model they were trying to push is actually a trip to Bi Lo to buy materials. Oh and the liquor they're serving, well apparently they bounced a few checks to liquor reps as well cause now they're getting it from stores. So on top off screwing over reputable businesses they're also violating state law.
Secondly, when it comes time for employees to get paid, guess what? They often don't. There's no money in the account, so they sometimes have to wait two or three weeks to get what's owed to them. As for the ones not on the books? Well, I hope you don't get injured, cause they're likely to fire you.
What's odd to me, is that people continue to support them. They hate their customers, except for the wealthy ones, which who they opened Blacksmith's for. Just try not to listen to all the screaming coming from the kitchen. Look at their customer service responses, it's pretty ubiquitously negative.
As for a rent increase, it was measly, we're talking around $100. They were still paying less than JJ's. They people are morally disgusting and frankly the fact that they're leaving MLK means maybe the street can be cleaned up after all.
stevaker on April 3, 2009
Dear pariah,
I'm sorry you've had such an unsatisfactory experience with the Smith's. Honestly, my experience with them has been limited to lunches, Friday night dinner parties, and events they've catered. The only facts I can present to you are that they are always very polite to me and my wife (and we're not wealthy by any means) and that Blackie is a very talented chef, which is more my personal opinion than fact.
With that said, my wife and I will be enjoying the Caffeine menu at Blacksmith's in St. Elmo on a regular basis. I guess it's safe to say we won't be seeing you there, although I'll never know since I don't know your true identity being that you've chosen to be anonymous.
Frankly, I find it pretty cowardly to call a family "morally disgusting" from the safety of your computer. I have a feeling that you choose anonymity because you know the Smith's well and are too afraid to voice your opinion to them without dire consequences.
But then again, a pariah is an outcast that is generally despised.
Best wishes,
Steve Hamaker
pariah on April 3, 2009
As a matter of fact I do know them well, unfortunately too well. I helped them build the restaurant. I also watched as they disrespected individuals that were loyally dedicated to seeing them succeed by verbally abusing them and not remitting payment for said dedication. That's one of a handful of morally disgusting things I witnessed under their employment. They've got a long sordid history of issues with former employees who boycott their establishment and for good reason.
I'm glad your experiences have been pleasant. You're paying them to be pleasant, wealthy or not. I would hope as a consumer that you'd have the good sense not to frequent any establishment that treated you with disrespect; me, I prefer to do business as an informed consumer, which includes knowing how businesses treat their staff, customers, and vendors and how they impact their community.
As to the matter of my anonymity, I really don't see that as critique-able in any sense. You realize this is the internet, right? I'm guessing you do for the consistency in snark. FYI, People use aliases often and for good reason. Does that make everyone using the internet cowardly? Hardly, but I thank you for the definition of pariah. That was very thoughtful.
In closing, the Smiths are well aware of my feelings for them and their establishment and I hope they fail when all of the bad karma catches up to them. Good riddance to bad rubbish in a free market, eh?
Robert T. Nash on April 3, 2009
The one time I went to the St. Elmo location in question I was quite literally stunned by what I perceived to be exorbitant prices - in general, but especially for drinks - the small portions, cheap and rickety tables and chairs, overly warm indoor temprature and service that could be charitably described as indifferent. The experience was so lacking on so many fronts I could not imagine going back, but that's just me...
stevaker on April 3, 2009
Dear pariah,
Thanks for your response. I have nothing else to say about the Smith's. I still stand by my opinion on anonymity, though. I believe that giving your views on blogs, newspapers, radio shows, or even in a public "town hall" is all the same – you, a living breathing person are sharing your opinion with others. How can they take you seriously or even respect you if you're hiding behind anonymity? I find that very cowardly. Why would you even bother stating your opinions behind a mask of fear, embarrassment or shame?
You wouldn't want to stay anonymous unless you had something to hide. I have nothing to hide, do you?
mwillingham on April 3, 2009
I agree with Stevaker. I completely disregard any opinion by an anonymous poster. Come on, Pariah, don't be so scared. It'll be okay. :)
Connie Fernandez on April 3, 2009
Blacksmith's has several happy hour specials that includes $2 drafts of quality beers, $3 glasses of house wine (with good pours), 50 cent wings, and $1.50 Kobe sliders. So, a beverage and snack there does not have to break the bank. I'm sure all businesses have to iron out the kinks in the first few months, but I go there often and have found it to be a great place for St. Elmo resident or NW GA ones, like myself, to be able to grab a drink and dinner or a snack that's not far from home. I, for one, am thrilled that I can get Caffeine's B.L.A.S.T. sandwich on Saturdays a mere 10 min. from my house. As always, but specially in this economy, I wish all small business owners much success because they are the risk takers who have made this country – and our fair City – the great place that it is to live, work, play & EAT.
Barbara Walker, on Aug. 26, 2009
I agree with Connie. Went with a friend to Sundown in St. Elmo and
had such a wonderful experience. Sat in the courtyard and had the
best meal. We choose the layered pasta salad. Well, was I surprised!
I thought items layered in a bowl then I would mix them together.
What came was a masterpiece. It looked like something from Gourmet
Magazine! Plus it was absolutely delicious. Fresh pasta, asparagus,
olives, tomatoes, onion,cheese and a great reduction that was drizzled on and
around made for a wonderful layered or stacked pasta salad. The
server was very nice and we commented as we left what a nice experience
it was. I actually called Anne Braly from the newspaper to tell her about
this dish. When relatives come from Austin, Texas next week we are
taking them there. I already know I can order that dish for my sister and
she will love it. Thanks for offering a great place to enjoy really nice,
quality good.
Barbara Walker, on Aug. 26, 2009
I agree with Connie. Went with a friend to Sundown in St. Elmo and
had such a wonderful experience. Sat in the courtyard and had the
best meal. We choose the layered pasta salad. Well, was I surprised!
I thought items layered in a bowl then I would mix them together.
What came was a masterpiece. It looked like something from Gourmet
Magazine! Plus it was absolutely delicious. Fresh pasta, asparagus,
olives, tomatoes, onion,cheese and a great reduction that was drizzled on and
around made for a wonderful layered or stacked pasta salad. The
server was very nice and we commented as we left what a nice experience
it was. I actually called Anne Braly from the newspaper to tell her about
this dish. When relatives come from Austin, Texas next week we are
taking them there. I already know I can order that dish for my sister and
she will love it. Thanks for offering a great place to enjoy really nice,
quality good.