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[UPDATE] ACME Bar & Grill Just Closed For Renovations?
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 16, 2011
Modified Mar 16, 2011
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 16, 2011
Modified Mar 16, 2011
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[UPDATE BELOW]
What is going on at ACME Bar & Grill? Yesterday, it was reported by many that after 25 years the cajun eatery would be closing, and one employee told us, "We're already done. We just couldn't afford it anymore. Thanks for your patronage. Thanks for your thoughts." It seems like pretty definitive evidence, but last night a reader sent us this photo, and owner Bob Pollock told Grub Street, “We are not closing for good we need to renovate this place after 25 years, the place was built on a shoestring 25 years ago and needs a major overhaul as the Board of Health would want me to do and the fans of Acme please be patient we'll be back after a few months.” It's Chinatown Fair all over again!
A plan to renovate the premises was approved on March 4th by the Department of Buildings for, "RENOVATION OF EXISTING RESTAURANT INCLUDING GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, NEW BATHROOMS AND PLUMBING FIXTURES IN THE CELLAR AND 1ST FLOOR. NO CHANGE TO OCCUPANCY, USE OR EGRESS." The restaurant also received a C grade on their last inspection, for violations like improperly stored sanitized utensils and holding cold-food items above 41-degrees. The 16 points they earned were actually the fewest they've gotten since 2008, peaking at 55 violation points in May 2009. No one answered when we called ACME this morning, but we will update when we know more.
[UPDATE] Well, so much for hoping that ACME would just be getting a cleaner bathroom and some new kitchen equipment. Owner Bob Pollock told Grub Street that they're working on a "lighter menu" with "nouvelle" Southern dishes, and that he wants it to be, “an eatery where you can eat once or twice a week, not a place to go gorge on fried chicken and mashed potatoes." But that's exactly what was so great about it! The name might also change to Acme Farms, to represent the new, sustainable outlook. He said, "It’s either very hip scenes where people don’t give a shit what they’re eating and they just want to be with a bunch of hipsters—you pay a lot of money to be seen in a place. Or you go somewhere where you feel like you’re doing the right thing for your body and the environment. I hope we can succeed in both ways. We’re going to try to jump on everyone’s bandwagon."
Though Pollock suggests that everything is gravy, commenter Spahn writes, "All B.S. Bob also owns the building and he signed a lease with new restauranteurs to change the entire place. ACME IS DEAD. They fired everyone, closed the club downstairs, and have proceeded to 'renovate' to another yuppie magnet complete with cocktail lounge. Beyond that, he screwed the staff and club by closing out of the blue. ZERO NOTICE." When we called, general manager Tony told us that they are indeed renovating, but that he couldn't answer any questions regarding the alleged staff "screwing."
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Jaya Saxena
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