The restaurant casualties continue in downtown where longtime operator Peggy Falcaro announced on Monday that she has sold Giuseppe’s after a 20-plus-year run on Bond Street.
Longtime locals remember Giuseppe’s as one of the places to enjoy a good meal and a glass of wine before the boom. However, like many downtown establishments Giuseppe’s struggled to find its niche in the new downtown scene where customers have rewarded novelty, innovation, and, well, newness—none of which Giuseppe had in any great quantity. With this week’s closure, Giuseppe’s joins, Ernesto’s and Bella Cucina on the list of locally owned Italian eateries that haven’t survived the recession shake-out. Meantime, chains and franchises like Portland’s Pastini Pastaria, Carino’s and Olive Garden have moved in, creating additional competition.
Falcaro encouraged her friends and regular customers to stop in before Tuesday when Giuseppe’s staff will serve their last dinner. According to Falcaro, the new ownership will take over immediately and plan to open as the Bond Street Bar and Grill as soon as next week. It’s not yet clear what type of menu or format, that the new business will offer, however, the offerings will include, at least initially, a Giuseppe’s Classics sections on the menu that may help encourage longtime patrons to at least check out the new establishment.
While Falcaro was initially mum on the identity of the new owners, she mentioned that a pair of the restaurants’ popular front of house staff, Nancy and Hydie, will likely be on board for the launch of Bond Street Bar and Grill.
No word, either, on the fate of Giuseppe’s popular lounge, the somewhat underground, Goomba’s. Here’s hoping the new owners find a way to incorporate the well loved alley accessible lounge that’s faithfully watered this thirsty customer’s palate over the years. Salud, Giuseppes, and thanks for the memories.
This article appears in Nov 25 – Dec 1, 2010.
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This is a total bummer. Bend is definitely changing big time, and not for the better in my opinion. I look all around and it’s sad to see what is there now instead of what used to be. I guess it has to happen, but it’s just another shame to me.
I admit I haven’t been back there in a couple of years but Giuseppe’s while having cozy atmosphere served OK food at not overly cheap prices. The last time we went with another family and the bill was over 20 bucks per person average (including kids). We decided to cross that off our list after that evening. If they had modeled themselves as an affordable family place downtown they might still be in business. Italian cooking can be done very reasonably. They just didn’t see the opportunity.
Good for Peggy, I hope the bon-bons and free time go down well. thanks for all the good eats N drinks over the years….
Counterpoint: I don’t know what you and your party ate and drank, but $20 per person is not particularly expensive for dinner at a nice restaurant. In fact I’d call it pretty cheap. Of course if you want to compare it with someplace like the Olive Garden that’s another story.
First, good luck, Peggy. But am I confused? The Decoy is now the Bond Street Grill and what was Giuseppe’s will be the Bond Street Bar and Grill? Or have the stories been confused and intertwined?