Statement Regarding Seldom Blues

Feb. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Effective immediately, Seldom Blues LLC has made the business decision to close Seldom Blues, located in the GM Renaissance Center.

Seldom Blues filed for bankruptcy protection in September of 2009.

The acclaimed restaurant overlooking the Detroit River opened in June 2004 and quickly became a downtown destination.  Tourists descended on the white tablecloth restaurant for nightly jazz and entrees like Lobster Pontchartrain, Sweet Chile Glazed Duck and Double Cut Lamb Rack.

Seldom Blues opened shortly after General Motors completed a $500 million renovation of its world headquarters in the Renaissance Center.  Often referred to as a “city within a city,” the Renaissance Center renovation was heralded as the catalyst for continued development within the building and along the Riverfront.  At the time, more than 10,000 people worked in the complex.

The restaurant closing resulted from two major factors – the financial distress brought on by Detroit’s automotive crisis, which hurt fine dining not only in downtown Detroit, but nationwide as well; and the downsizing of the shops, offices and employees in the GM Renaissance Center.

Restaurateur Frank Taylor regrets the necessity to reject the lease, based upon unacceptable monthly loses associated with operating a 17,000 square foot, 320-seat restaurant in Class A real estate.

Taylor points to curtailed dining entertainment budgets of GM executives, greatly reduced business-related entertainment and travel, the impact of two other fine-dining restaurants opening in the GM Renaissance Center after Seldom Blues opened, and the lack of valet parking – as other factors in the declining profitability of the restaurant.

Mr. Taylor will now focus his efforts on his Detroit Fish Market @ Paradise Valley and Detroit’s Breakfast House & Grill.

New positions for the 40-person staff at Seldom Blues are being scheduled at other restaurants operated by Frank Taylor.