Review of the 42nd St. Eatery tonight.

Bruce from Takaro

- Remember, I posted a message here, welcoming the whole town to go there 6.30pm, anyone in the mood for company and a meal?
- Two of us arrived about 6.30pm, the 42nd Street Eatery was closing down for the night, food kiosks no food, just finishing up. (The hours are normally to 8pm).
- I asked a security guy. He said to us it was lack of customers, and to save costs. So did one of the vendors, sitting having a meal alone at a table in the gloomily lit, iron-mesh gate closed place.
- Apparently they get their main business during the day. There was no signboard apologizing or explaining to disappointed customers.
- Someone else outside said the Regent had just had a matinee that ended 6pm, one might guess there'd be people from that. They also said there was another matinee due at same time next week. I went back and mentioned it to the guy eating the meal, saying he might ensure the management knew.
- From three months' past encounters, I've experienced nice, cheerful service from the kiosks, but gained a feeling there's little or no staff-management communication or team spirit. Nor have I seen any public communication, despite the place being a really snazzy, smart setup with huge effort and investment put into establishing it.
- I used to work a bit in Canada with hospitality industry trainers, caterers, chefs, managers, waiters, etc. They had magnificent discipline towards delivery of excellent service and courtesy, and competitive public image. My ex-wife was a catering staff in Montreal, and over here in. Wellington. I'd guess UCOL fosters that in their hospitality courses.
- Weeks ago I'd heard that there was a marketing person going to try to enliven the Eatery. Since then, some of the food stalls have closed down. That 'look' is dreadful it's like when I counted along Broadway, 17 vacant shops (now almost all occupied though, I was delighted to notice yesterday after doing busking there). The Eatery does still have a good array of others though. It's just that vacant shops are like missing teeth.
- Next door, at the (packed) Flavours cafe, there had just been a jazz band playing special-night for all their friends and to attract paying gigs. I spoke with them. They were in snazzy, formal dress, had glistening saxophones, a keyboard, etc. I wished I'd known. (They are 'Moxy', 021 027 23102 See amateur vid of them playing, at bit.ly... )
- For now, I'll keep attending at 42nd Street, to see what happens. 'Just saying I can't run the social get-together or recommend going if the place is closed on arrival. I love the place's potential, 'want it to thrive, am keen to bring people to it. If anyone knows useful info about the situation, I'd be glad to hear it, preferably here where others can see it.