Rainforest Cafe in Kansas City Area -CLOSED

[Robo]

http://www.kctv5.com/news/18419402/detail.html?rss=kan&psp=news

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- An area restaurant has closed its doors for the last time.
Crews have taken down the sign outside the Rainforest Cafe at Oak Park Mall.
The restaurant's lease had run out, and the owners decided to expand the restaurant in Houston.

The same group opened the first TRex Cafe in the country... in The Legends, a shopping area in Kansas City, Kansas.

That restaurant is still in operation.

 

[fultons96]

Went there once when it opened, but it was no way near as fun as at WDW.

 

[JessR]

las vegas has a cafe in ceasers. Its nice.

 

[Sir Robin Hood]

The closest Rainforest Cafe to me is at Opry Mills mall in Nashville. Not the same as being at Disney, but still fun. Only about 3 hrs from where I live.

 

[frisco]

We have a Rainforest about 45 minutes from us in Burlington, MA. Granted, we only go there on the weekends, but it's always crowded. I don't get how a restaurant like that goes out of business. They do much better business than other local chains.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Moving to the Rumors and News Board.

 

[Robo]

We have a Rainforest about 45 minutes from us in Burlington, MA. Granted, we only go there on the weekends, but it's always crowded. I don't get how a restaurant like that goes out of business. They do much better business than other local chains.

Rainforest prices put them in the category of "special occasion" restaurants.
(prices make it prohibitive for frequent visits.)

They are also loud and frenetic.

That means adults w/o kids likely don't choose to go there often.

In the Kansas City area there are well-over 3000 restaurants.
As times get tougher, the higher-end venues may have to cut back or close.

Morton's Steak House, in Kansas City's Hallmark Card's Crown Center for over 10 years, recently closed, too.

http://economy.kansascity.com/?q=node/204

 

[hitthebids]

Most of these "theme" restaurants have a limited shelf life. Generally a mall will pay to have the restaurant move in and will only keep them if they bring in customers to the mall. Sort of the mall subsidizing to keep the place open. The overhead on a Rain Forest Cafe must be tremendous. Without the mall kickback, the food would be out of reach.

 

[KYMickey]

The overhead on a Rain Forest Cafe must be tremendous. Without the mall kickback, the food would be out of reach.

how do you figure that? I agree that the upfront cost is very high of the theming but I don't see where the operating costs are much different than any other restaurant and their prices are higher on equivalent items.

Another quick point, why is the closing of a restaurant being posted on the Disney boards? Other than the fact the same restaurant exists at WDW I've really don't see a lot of correlation. Do we have that little about Disney to discuss that we're getting bored?

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I hate to hear this. Whenever we drive up to KC (about 3 hours from us) we usually go there.

 

[jfinke]

They are also loud and frenetic.

That means adults w/o kids likely don't choose to go there often.

One visit to the one in OP Mall and I was done. I have never stepped near the ones in WDW nor the Trex here.

If I am going to pay $15 for a hamburger, or whatever it is, I am going to enjoy it.

 

[doconeill]

We have a Rainforest about 45 minutes from us in Burlington, MA. Granted, we only go there on the weekends, but it's always crowded. I don't get how a restaurant like that goes out of business. They do much better business than other local chains.

The Burlington location isn't nearly as busy as it was for a few months after opening - I think the novelty wore off, and it gets increased competition from Cheesecake Factory, where the costs are comparable but the servings are WAY larger - to the point of being difficult to finish, and then you STILL have to have the obligatory cheesecake slice...

 

[CoP Luv]

I personally can't stand them. We have a few Rainforests in Chicago and I only went to one once. I haven't seen it crowded in 10 years.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) If you don't do at least a little BBQ in Kansas City, you will close.
2) I guess I am relegated to WDW and Piccadilly Circus RFC's.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Huh. I work in the Oak Park Mall and this is news to me.

 

[KYMickey]

Huh. I work in the Oak Park Mall and this is news to me.

Have you been by the Rainforest Cafe recently and see that it was open? If so your local media is sure screwed up with the story that started this thread.