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Louisa

By Louisa
in The Lounge

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LondonMix

LondonMix

Posted
Posted

I think the issue people (including myself) sometimes have with chains are three things:


1. A lot of chains end up being quite bland as part of the success of a mega chain is appealing to a really broad audience

2. Knowing the proprietors in a world that is generally full of large faceless corporations feels quaint in a way that people crave as its missing from so much of everyday life. A lot of our lives aren't on a human scale anymore (even at the GP how often can you see the same doctor!) and given human beings lived in a totally different way for much of human history, there is an odd psychological craving for that closeness.

3. Its nice to feel that everywhere has its own character. Its why people like travelling etc. When you feel like you see the same thing everywhere you go and there is nothing new to discover or unique it can feel oppressively monotonous. These days, retail is much more about experiences and this plays into it as well.


For all these reasons I do tend to support my local small businesses and why I do love ED's retail character. Nevertheless, I flat out love some chains. I'd love a Nando's to open nearby! We all know Louisa wants a Space NK. And I certainly wouldn't begrudge any small business owner (and let's get real, 10 small outlets is still peanuts) their growing success if their product is good.


Some business owners get point number 3 well- ToastED, The Flying Pig, and Yamma Mommo are all part of restaurant groups but each restaurant in the group has its own name and a different menu (for the Flying Pig its owned by the same people who run the 3 Locale restaurants in London). I prefer that approach though it obviously doesn't allow you to capitalize off of your previous success as easily.

Sue

Sue

Posted
Posted

LondonMix Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

I'd love a Nando's to open nearby!



There's one in Denmark Hill! Not that far .....




> (for the Flying Pig its owned by the same people

> who run the 3 Locale restaurants in London). I

> prefer that approach though it obviously doesn't

> allow you to capitalize off of your previous

> success as easily.



Wasn't the Flying Pig called Locale previously? I didn't realise it was owned by the same people, or possibly I've forgotten.


I imagine they changed their name because the local Locale ( :) ) was not exactly successful if memory serves, so they didn't want to continue to be associated with that name, which is the other side of the coin I suppose .....

LondonMix

LondonMix

Posted
Posted

Yes, it is 100% true. You can ask the people who work there, they are very open about it Jeremy.


Sue, I think they changed the name because it was a totally different concept from the 3 other Locale's they run. They have always been super open about the situation. I remember when I asked about when they took over and my server said it was the same people but as Locale wasn't working well in the ED branch they wanted to experiment with something new. I think they tested it out at first as a pop up type thing at one of the local Dulwich festivals (maybe Goose Green). Some of the history of this is definitely on the forum.


I have been going senile lately but I'm pretty sure I'm remembering this correctly.

Seabag

Seabag

Posted
Posted

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> LondonMix Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Our own Blue Mountain cafe have a branch in

> Penge

> > and in Gypsy Hill.

>

>

>

> And Sydenham. Unless that closed.


Sydenham BMC is alive and 'haloumi sandwich' kicking


It's great


Where's the Penge one tho?

Bovine Juice

Bovine Juice

Posted
Posted

Penge's Blue Mountain Cafe is on Maple Road, Otta. Been there a few years, though originally it was called Loaf for some reason.


I agree Penge is an ideal location for any restaurant owner wanting to expand or relocate. The area has changd a heck of a lot with lots of younger 20/30 somethings with young families now here and the two really good places (both Italians - Friends of Flavour and Sicilian Art Pizza) are mobbed every night. The only other options are curry places and loads of takeaways.

Sue

Sue

Posted
Posted

dc Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The first Blue Mountain Cafe was on Peckham Rye

> (the road, not the big open space) - opposite the

> end of Nigel Road. Very near where lots of new

> food places have opened recently.



Really?


I always thought the one in North Cross Road was the first one, in the early nineties?

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