Cunningham's downtown has closed

[Robin Garr]

Workers were told yesterday that it was the restaurant's last day, reports WDRB-41. Owner Brent George had taken over the restaurant recently after the death of his father, Donald George, the long-time owner. Cunningham's in Harrods Creek remains open.

Cunningham's closes S. 4th Street restaurant Sunday
By Chris Otts, WDRB

Cunningham's restaurant, a staple of S. 4th Street in downtown Louisville for more than a decade, closed on Sunday, owner Brent George said.

George said he told about 30 full- and part-time employees on Sunday that it would be the restaurant's last night.

In a written statement and brief interview, George said he wants to "take a breath" and determine what to do with the space at 630 S. Fourth Street, where the restaurant has a long-term lease.

Read the full report on WDRB.com:
http://www.wdrb.com/story/27757817/cunn ... ant-sunday

Because it was across the street from Louisville Public Media I had a lunch and takeout dinner at Cunningham's within the last couple of months. I have to say - if they are going to reopen, they need to reimagine what they might be. It was just not good ... but I liked the folks that worked there very much.

[Robin Garr]

I liked the folks that worked there very much.

I really admired them for bringing Mr Poole back when they moved to the new location. I'd like to imagine that he's still around, although I guess he must be about 90 by now.

[Robin Garr]

I liked the folks that worked there very much.

I really admired them for bringing Mr Poole back when they moved to the new location. I'd like to imagine that he's still around, although I guess he must be about 90 by now.

Agreed - staff has always been pretty nice but food quality has dropped since they were over on York. (So what else is new huh?)

Having worked at Kindred, and their rear entry was right off the office's rear entry, it was a once a weeker for my 7 years in residence....always loved the staff, and the food was OK, but not remarkable. Now, the Sunday buffet was another matter...things were always 'spiffed up' on Sunday....

I admire them for hanging in there as long as they did!

I do seem to remember a stack of LEOs and their rack being pitched into the middle of Fourth Street after an unfavorable review from someone...(tapping my chin) ...who was that? Ummmmm...

[Robin Garr]

I do seem to remember a stack of LEOs and their rack being pitched into the middle of Fourth Street after an unfavorable review from someone...(tapping my chin) ...who was that? Ummmmm...

I think that was a J Gumbo's franchisee who is no longer with J Gumbo's.

The Brown Hotel did something similar, but more discreetly.

Maybe, but Cunninghams did as well. We opted to cancel the 5:15 bloody Marys we usually enjoyed there.

[Robin Garr]

Maybe, but Cunninghams did as well. We opted to cancel the 5:15 bloody Marys we usually enjoyed there.

I didn't know that! And I don't remember being particularly mean to Cunningham's, although maybe they were thin-skinned about my occasionally repeated opinion that both Cunningham's and Linnig's have slid well downhill from their past glory.

(If I am remembering right...)
The review was not just about Cunninghams. It was a general review about fried fish sandwiches in the area. The actual comment was pretty mild along the line of "not as great as they once were." One of the LEO sales reps got a call from a family member that worked at Cunninghams. " you might want to peek out the door and down the street at your rack." And there it was!

[Robin Garr]

The actual comment was pretty mild along the line of "not as great as they once were."

Yeah, I sort of remember that. I had no idea it yielded such a thin-skinned reaction, though. Gotta love LEO ... I'm pretty sure the Gannett CJ would have words with the critic if an advertiser (or potential advertiser) was offended.

[Robin Garr]

Well, yeah. Looking back on that February 2008 column, I can sort of see why they were miffed.

http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/somet ... -way-comes

Surprised he didn't make it into the river!

[Robin Garr]

:shock:
Surprised he didn't make it into the river!

A generation or two ago, I might have made it into the river. In concrete boots ...