Sad, Hard Rock Cafe is now closing...
Nov 23, 2008, 7:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: Solitarie PPS, Marco Polo Gold, Mileage Plus Premier
Posts: 330
Sad, Hard Rock Cafe is now closing...
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_d...sear_year=2008
Hard times claim the Hard Rock
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Tsim Sha Tsui outlet of an iconic corporate rock 'n' roll sidekick played its last notes last night.
Fortunately it didn't stop the music for the rest of us.
The Hard Rock Cafe, which opened on November 13, 1994, shut its doors under reported pressure from the economic downturn.
The closure will affect about 60 workers. Hongkongers and tourists now searching for those Hard Rock Cafe Hong Kong T-shirts will now have to venture to Mong Kok. The only pressing question at this point is how much of the restaurant's knock-off memorabilia the government will buy with the Exchange Fund. *Underset by 6 lines.* *Underset by 6 lines.*
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Tsim Sha Tsui outlet of an iconic corporate rock 'n' roll sidekick played its last notes last night.
Fortunately it didn't stop the music for the rest of us.
The Hard Rock Cafe, which opened on November 13, 1994, shut its doors under reported pressure from the economic downturn.
The closure will affect about 60 workers. Hongkongers and tourists now searching for those Hard Rock Cafe Hong Kong T-shirts will now have to venture to Mong Kok. The only pressing question at this point is how much of the restaurant's knock-off memorabilia the government will buy with the Exchange Fund. *Underset by 6 lines.* *Underset by 6 lines.*
Nov 23, 2008, 9:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: CX Silver, QFF Bronze, Mabuhay Miles
Posts: 571
The Standard is not known for its great reporting. I think the high rents were more to blame than the "economic downturn". The SCMP reports that they are looking at opening in new premises next year.
Nov 24, 2008, 9:33 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I like the Flying Pan for brunch. I didn't try their other options so I don't know if they do a burger and fries decent (or at all, really).
Nov 24, 2008, 5:35 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: HKG
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,311
Not a lot of mid-range places, but TGI Friday's at 26 Nathan Road in Tsimshatsui.
Ruby Tuesday has 4 locations - Causeway Bay, Taikoo Shing, Kowloon Bay and Shatin.
And Fatburger (a chain that I only know about after moving to L.A. recently) just opened this month in Wan Chai.
Ruby Tuesday has 4 locations - Causeway Bay, Taikoo Shing, Kowloon Bay and Shatin.
And Fatburger (a chain that I only know about after moving to L.A. recently) just opened this month in Wan Chai.
Nov 24, 2008, 7:29 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: HKG
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,311
Thinking back through the years, I can also remember:
- White Castle in Wan Chai in the mid-70's. They actually gave out coupons at the primary school I was attending. My mom took me and my sister there. It was shut down as quickly as it was opened. I had totally forgotten about White Castle until 10+ years later after I moved here to the US.
- The "American Restaurant" in Admiralty when the Queensway Plaza first opened in the early 80's; and later in Causeway Bay. It was either a Denny's clone or was actually Denny's itself with a different name. Even the sign was red on yellow.
- Wendy's and Hardee's in the early- to mid-90's.
- The current Popeye's at the new HKG.
And I believe KFC tried unsuccessfully there in the 1970's, before coming back again in the early-80's, and became very successful.
What's interesting is that while McDonald's keep opening store after store, Burger King still only have a handful, even though they've been there for a long long time.
Who else remember the competition (and all the wasted food) at the single-trip salad bar when Pizza Hut first opened? I was in secondary school (i.e. high school) and getting the salad bar was pure entertainment to see who could build the tallest, biggest and most elaborate salad. Nobody cared to actually eat the food.
- White Castle in Wan Chai in the mid-70's. They actually gave out coupons at the primary school I was attending. My mom took me and my sister there. It was shut down as quickly as it was opened. I had totally forgotten about White Castle until 10+ years later after I moved here to the US.
- The "American Restaurant" in Admiralty when the Queensway Plaza first opened in the early 80's; and later in Causeway Bay. It was either a Denny's clone or was actually Denny's itself with a different name. Even the sign was red on yellow.
- Wendy's and Hardee's in the early- to mid-90's.
- The current Popeye's at the new HKG.
And I believe KFC tried unsuccessfully there in the 1970's, before coming back again in the early-80's, and became very successful.
What's interesting is that while McDonald's keep opening store after store, Burger King still only have a handful, even though they've been there for a long long time.
Who else remember the competition (and all the wasted food) at the single-trip salad bar when Pizza Hut first opened? I was in secondary school (i.e. high school) and getting the salad bar was pure entertainment to see who could build the tallest, biggest and most elaborate salad. Nobody cared to actually eat the food.
Nov 25, 2008, 6:53 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
Nov 26, 2008, 12:47 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
They will still have a retail store at the Peak.
The closing was due to a lease that expired. Apparently H&M outbid the group that runs Hard Rock Cafe and will be taking over the space.
The closing was due to a lease that expired. Apparently H&M outbid the group that runs Hard Rock Cafe and will be taking over the space.