Another one bites the dust

by **Mark R.** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 10:00 am

I just read on insider Louisville that the "Melting Pot" restaurant on Hurstbourne Parkway closed its doors last week. While certainly not a spectacular dining location it was a fun place to go for dinner occasionally. He was very different than the other with local restaurants and is no other place that I know of where you can have fondue served tableside. Few times we were there they always seem to be very busy so I wonder if the problem was a management issue rather than a lack of customer issue.

by **Robin Garr** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:45 am

We went once, when it first opened in 2004, to do a review. I thought it was bizarrely expensive and not very good. We never went back, and I hadn't even thought about it for years. Honestly didn't realize it was still around. I'm sorry for the folks who lost jobs, though.

by **Gary Guss** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:27 pm

I went once when I lived in Chicago, it was hideously expensive and we never went back again. Kind of wondering what their market demographic is, and why they chose to target that non growing segment.

by **Robin Garr** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 2:32 pm

They also had a bizarre wine program, with a big glass wine cellar with a list very much like Ruth's Chris: Dramatically marked up "trophy" bottles from bad vintages. "Chateau Margaux with your fondue, sir"? :lol:

by **Adam C** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 3:20 pm

I went once back in '07 it was fun but yes, expensive. I hate to hear it closed but surprised it lasted this long.

by **neal.johnson** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:13 pm

Robin summed it up perfectly. I'll leave it at that.

by **Jeff Cavanaugh** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:46 pm

Gary Guss wrote:I went once when I lived in Chicago, it was hideously expensive and we never went back again. Kind of wondering what their market demographic is, and why they chose to target that non growing segment.

It seemed to be popular with the prom crowd. Lots of teenagers rolling up in limousines and ugly formal clothes.

by **StaceyBreckel** » Tue Dec 27, 2016 6:15 pm

I just saw last night on my time line that The Melting Pot will be returning, effective today.

by **Andrew Mellman** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 11:36 am

StaceyBreckel wrote:I just saw last night on my time line that The Melting Pot will be returning, effective today.

Their web site says, "reopening today (yesterday), now taking reservations" . . . you'd think if it were remodeling or change of ownership/franchisee they'd have said so back in November! Terrible marketing . . .

by **Mark R.** » Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:23 pm

Andrew Mellman wrote:
StaceyBreckel wrote:I just saw last night on my time line that The Melting Pot will be returning, effective today.

Their web site says, "reopening today (yesterday), now taking reservations" . . . you'd think if it were remodeling or change of ownership/franchisee they'd have said so back in November! Terrible marketing . . .

From what I saw elsewhere when they closed there was no plan to reopen or remodel. After they closed a local person who love to restaurant stepped up and bought the franchise. There was a story about on the news last night too in the interview the guy who was a new franchisee! I do agree however that the website ought to state that is under new ownership, that would certainly be good PR. The sign on the building however does say that it's under new ownership.