The cleanup of River City continues.
A strong rumor floating around the downtown core states that this upcoming weekend will be the last for the infamous Greek Cusina. The hit squad has apparently won. The ongoing battles between the city and owner Ted Papas are well documented (read this or that for more background). But whether you love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Ted brought color and excitement to downtown.
The Greek has had its issues. It’s not faultless. But those who work nearby and know the staff will miss them. The Greek Cusina brought more than trouble to the neighborhood. On any given night you would see dozens of tourists dining with a sidewalk view. It wasn’t all Zach Randolph parties and hip-hop shootouts. And it’s sad that a once-thriving business has been killed off by bureaucracy.
What’s next on the city’s list? Sixteen-ounce cans of beer. Not Olde English, Camo, Four Locos and all the stuff “bums” drink. No, the Hit Squad now wants your pounder cans of Budweiser, Coors and Miller Genuine Draft. Yup, sixteen ounces of beer, that’s where we should draw the line.
What about the tourist who wants to try Rogue Dead Guy? It’s about six bucks for a 22 oz bottle. And do you really think a guy who panhandles for a living is going to mind buying good beer? Whether bum, tourist or alcoholic, if a person wants to drink, they will find a way, cost be damned.
Limiting the options of what stores can sell only makes the game more interesting for the street drinker, harder for the guy who just wants one beer at home after work, and difficult if not impossible for the merchant trying to keep up with all the restrictions and limitations imposed. Not to mention the fact that bartenders and store clerks have to be the psychic beer police. They have to guess whether you’re taking it home, or drinking it while walking to the club.
Remember the good old days, when the police busted you for street drinking? I believe the term I’m looking for is personal responsibility. If the city wants to make money, they should loosen restrictions on merchants and start handing out $300 tickets to street drinkers.
Now it’s one step away from prohibition. The funny thing is, cops will harass a guy drinking a can of Camo on a bus stop bench, while hipsters across the street sit at sidewalk cafe tables; drinking, pointing and laughing. How is that right? As much as I love order downtown, the place has become a ghost town after dark, and businesses are dying because of it.
Sadly, the families sitting outside the Greek won’t have the street theater (or the calamari) after this week. But I could be wrong — this an unofficial rumor, after all.
Ted Papas has risen from the ashes before. I wish him and his son Theo all the best.
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Do you REALLY need this explained to you?
“Now it’s one step away from prohibition. The funny thing is, cops will harass a guy drinking a can of Camo on a bus stop bench, while hipsters across the street sit at sidewalk cafe tables; drinking, pointing and laughing. How is that right? As much as I love order downtown, the place has become a ghost town after dark, and businesses are dying because of it.”
Heard a confirmation (via Twitter, from Portland Food & Drink’s Food Dude) that he’d heard they’ll be closing January 3rd.
Good riddance. That octopus is a blight upon downtown.
Potential date rapists will be upset one of their favorite venues has closed.
I am going to have to agree with the Carnivore. This place is awful on many levels, starting with the food.
brewcaster wtf ru talking about? the only good thing there WAS the food.
I was talking about my opinion of the food at this place. Sounds like it differs from your opinion. How is that possible?
I’m not going to miss it. The bigger question though is what will go in its place? Another mattress store? Maybe a Walgreens? More than likely, it will sit empty and decay. I don’t like the Greek Cuisina, but it is a local business that employs people. Oh, and without the Cuisina, what will the police and paramedics do on a random Saturday night? Hang out at Voodoo?
I watched them carry stuff out of there all weekend.
There are so many places open in downtown right now. And if that building needs extensive code work, then it will sit empty. Bummer.
But maybe the city has a plan for it already. I’d like to see an open-air trattoria, with lots of pasta.
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