Park Place and Browning's Closing Tonight

I just received a press release for Consuming Louisville indicating that Park Place and Browning's are shutting down after dinner service tonight. I thought it would be of interest so I hope it's ok if I just post it.

Park Place and Browning's Restaurant to Close This Weekend
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (October 11, 2008) - - Park Place Restaurant and Browning's Restaurant and Brewery will officially close their doors this Saturday, Oct. 11 after dinner service.

"We have had many years of success," said Susan Friedrich, general manager for both restaurants. "Although we have seen a steady increase in business, we feel the current state of our national economy will prove to prohibit the sustainability of our success. We are extremely grateful to all of our supporters and will miss them at our tables."

Park Place Restaurant received rave reviews after opening in 2004. This fine dining restaurant established itself as one of the city's top tables with farm fresh local ingredients and inventive dishes. Park Place has enjoyed many accolades including awards from AAA, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast.

Browning's Restaurant and Brewery is an upscale gastropub with a similar philosophy of using fresh local ingredients. The brewing facility, housed within the restaurant, produces several brews including She Devil IPA and Bourbon Barrel Stout.

Park Place on Main and Browning's are located at 401 E. Main Street.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I WAS WAITING FOR HUBBY TO COME BACK FROM EUROPE TO GET TO PP!

AAAGGHHH! NOW THAT MAKES ME SO ILL TO SEE THIS HAPPENING. WOW. WOW WOW.

I AM SO SORRY. NOT TO MENTION BUMMED!

Is the Brewery shutting down as well as the dining room at Brownings???

Great-freaking-Scott, the economy is taking us out faster and faster. This is very very sad.

Damn, another East Main Market business bites the dust...
Damn shame loved the Imperial Bourbon Stout.
Losing a restaurant is bad but losing a brewery is worse.
They're dropping like flies down here downtown.

Wow, I'm speechless. What a blow to the Louisville brewing scene.

Don't buy beer from strangers, support your local brewery!

I'm........stunned.......and I'm heading out the door right now to support one of our favorite locals. (sigh)

"Although we have seen a steady increase in business, we feel the current state of our national economy will prove to prohibit the sustainability of our success.

What? Making a decision based on what might happen in the future.

My husband worked there.

A lot of amazing talent out on the street now. My thoughts are with all of chef Denham's team.

[Robin Garr]

That is very sad news, but I'm afraid it wasn't terribly unexpected. I think Anoosh saw the handwriting on the wall when he bailed out last year, and for all Jay is an outstanding cook with a good team, nothing has really happened there to kick it up the necessary notch. And of course the economy is rough and getting rougher.

We didn't get the press release. I wonder who wrote it. It's not exactly the way I would have put together an announcement like that.

Guess I'm going to have to find a replacement for "She Devil" as one of my trusty go-to beer options.

What? Making a decision based on what might happen in the future.

Not everyone is able to take the UofL approach which eliminates most of the financial risk by guaranteeing profit up front. Sorry, it was too easy.

On a serious note, the restaurant business is one of the biggest financial gambles investors can make. I wouldn't expect all investors to be interested in wading into what sure appears to be murky water. Why not just cut your losses and invest elsewhere (or save for a less rainy day)?

We at Ray's Monkey House Coffeeshop express our deepest sympathies to the employees and owners of these establishments.

Both bad news, and surprising, but of course my perspective is distant.

We will also be saddened if the fine She Devil Imperial Pale Ale ceases to be. It has been a mainstay on our limited draft selection (one of five), and a controversial discussion in our joint has been how long the Sara Palin face would stay pasted on the She Devil Tap Handle (thanks to April, our fine Barista for that innovation).

Cheers, and best of luck to everyone associated with the organization.

-Nimbus

Stunned. (Heavy sigh) It's like economic influenza.

That is super sad news...Jay is a great guy and great Chef and had the pleasure of working with him a few years ago at Blu. Had a few friends who worked at both of those places and hope they find work very soon!

I'll call Jay and see if he wouldn't mind posting something here to shed some light on the news. And as I agree, the economy is really going to expose a lot of our favorite places, we should keep the faith. It will get better. Yes, our lives are going to change from the state of our union. But try to look at as a time to reorganize and reinvent. The strong independents in this city will introduce new concepts, and we will fall in love with them as we always do. And in that, hopefully Jay will finally get out on his own. The best thing we can do, is to keep it local. And keep supporting the people who give Louisville it's identity.