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Ronda’s Courthouse Cafe
A new lunch business is in town.
Moving into the space exited by Fat Wally’s shortly after the new year, Ronda’s Courthouse Cafe is now prepared to start feeding the downtown crowd.
I’ll sit down with Ronda later this afternoon to talk about her hopes for the new restaurant. For now, it looks like it’s going to pick up where Fat Wally’s left off.
Keep reading if you’re curious why Fat Wally’s left downtown.
Popular spot to grab a bite to eat closes doors
By Joshua Rinaldi Staff Writer
HAMILTON - Fat Wally’s, a popular downtown restaurant opened in 1999, has succumbed to lean times and has closed its doors. Co-owners Scott Shepherd and John Curtis placed the blame on the five-month delay in opening their West Side location that “ate up” all their working capital. When the West Side store opened in August, there was Scott Shepherd co-owner, Fat Wally’s no money left to market it and it never really took off, they said. Shepherd said the West Side location was supposed to be the store’s savior. The last two years’ revenues decreased between 20 and 30 percent for the Third Street restaurant, Shepherd said. “I never thought it would be worse downtown now than in the year we opened,” Shepherd said. Shepherd said they couldn’t close one store and still operate the other because the assets are tied together and now being claimed by the bank. Now, Shepherd and Curtis are declaring bankruptcy and, consequently, they said they’d likely both lose their houses. Fourteen employees, four from the downtown store and 10 on the West Side, have lost their jobs as a result of the closure. Shepherd also said that because of the bankruptcy any unhonored gift certificates could not be refunded. Tony Traub, president of the Downtown Special Improvement District, said it was unfortunate that Fat Wally’s was closing while new businesses, such as the Cincinnati Bead Co., were coming to downtown. “It’s disappointing to see any business close,” he said. Gary Richards, executive director for ReDiscover Hamilton, said Fat Wally’s had been a mainstay for downtown Hamilton and its closure was a big loss for the city. “I feel bad for downtown. A lot of people depended on Fat Wally’s,” Richards said.
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Comments
By Fat Wally's Fan
April 29, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
I have visited Ronda’s Courthouse Cafe, and I must say there is a lot left to be desired. The first thing I noticed as we entered is that the prices were significantly higher- you could not purchase a sandwich and a drink for less than seven dollars. The line was… slow, to be nice. To the left of the line there were roughly 8 people waiting on there food. Now, I really can appreciate a good deli sandwich, my food was good- but not seven dollars good, and quite honestly not worth a 25 minute wait. I suppose the most humorous part of the story, is as I walked in a gentleman was standing in front of me- after about five minutes he left. On my way back to work, he was returning to his building, Wendy’s in hand. I guess I should have followed his que, I would have saved a few bucks.By Fat Wally's Fan
April 29, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
I have visited Ronda’s Courthouse Cafe, and I must say there is a lot left to be desired. The first thing I noticed as we entered is that the prices were significantly higher- you could not purchase a sandwich and a drink for less than seven dollars. The line was… slow, to be nice. To the left of the line there were roughly 8 people waiting on there food. Now, I really can appreciate a good deli sandwich, my food was good- but not seven dollars good, and quite honestly not worth a 25 minute wait. I suppose the most humorous part of the story, is as I walked in a gentleman was standing in front of me- after about five minutes he left. On my way back to work, he was returning to his building, Wendy’s in hand. I guess I should have followed his que, I would have saved a few bucks.By annoyed
April 29, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
I went to the new Rhonda’s Courthouse Cafe today because I was limited on time and it is right next door to my place of employment. I was not impressed and late back to work. The menu is over priced and the service is beyond slow. I ate at Fat Wallys frequently and always was impressed with their food, service and prices. I never waited longer than ten mins and that was at noon during the lunch rush. I waited 25 mins today for my sandwich and soup and watched 2 people leave while I was waiting. The employees do not know what they are doing and not one of them apologized for the long wait. There were more customers standing, waiting on their order than there were sitting at the tables eating. I do not recommend this cafe. The food is not worth the price. Hamilton needs to bring back Fat Wally’s and support small business owners that care about their customers and not ones that try to cheat them out with high over priced deli meat. Good Luck Rhonda!