The Return of Guys and Dolls

[Birdsfan]

A property that has seen multiple owners -- and multiple failures -- over the last few years, may be re-born once again. The property, an old stable building in Cold Spring, has had many incarnations over the years. Several different restaurant concepts (including Buckskin Bev's, The Cold Spring Roadhouse, The Stables and Dark Horse Saloon) have been tried. All have failed.

 

Now, local entertainer (and former Bird dad), Steve Chuke is in the process of buying the property. He hopes to open a concert hall/dance club on the site. It would be named after the club that once occupied the building. Guys and Dolls was a popular nightspot back in the 50's. It was there that Steve made his first stage appearance.

 

Chuke hopes to bring back the successful concept that once attracted popular entertainers and huge crowds. He wants to bring in a variety of acts in order to attract both older patrons and the college crowd from nearby NKU. Steve has lots of contacts in the entertainment industry, and could very well make this work. He seems to understand how much we value our history, and the need for something new and different in that part of the county.

 

I'm excited about this. It sounds like a great concept, and the perfect person to make it happen. I wish Steve all the best and hope the new Guys and Dolls becomes a huge success!

 

 

Link to news article about the new Guys and Dolls

[Beechwoodfan]

I remember Guys and Dolls from when I was younger. How long has it been?

 

I would say it closed down in the early 70's. Correct?

[Clyde]

I saw this yesterday. I love the entreprenurial spirit and the risk-taking that some people are willing to take.

 

I hope he hasn't invested his entire fortune. This concept will not work if he's counting on people in their 40s/50s/60s to be regulars.

 

There is no "college crowd" at nearby NKU. 90% of them live off campus and most are not 21 which is going to be necessary to sell liquor/beer.

 

I hope I'm wrong. I love business successes.

[Birdsfan]

Still trying to find out when it closed.

 

Actually, I think I was wrong about one thing. It was The Plantation Inn in the 50's. It was Guys and Dolls in the 60's and 70's.

[Birdsfan]

This concept will not work if he's counting on people in their 40s/50s/60s to be regulars.

 

There is no "college crowd" at nearby NKU. 90% of them live off campus and most are not 21 which is going to be necessary to sell liquor/beer.

 

I hope I'm wrong. I love business successes.

There is a college crowd of thousands at NKU. That includes both on and off campus population. As for the 40's-60's crowd, they are an under-served demographic in this area. Just judging by some I've talked to, there's a lot of excitemtnt about the idea.

 

It's a good business model. If he plays it right, it should be a big success.

[Clyde]

There is a college crowd of thousands at NKU. That includes both on and off campus population. As for the 40's-60's crowd, they are an under-served demographic in this area. Just judging by some I've talked to, there's a lot of excitemtnt about the idea.

 

It's a good business model. If he plays it right, it should be a big success.

 

There are thousand there during the day. They then head home.

 

The 40s/60s is underserved because there is no support for a business that would cater to them. We (I'm on the younger end of that group) are not looking for that type of entertainment on a regular basis. That's the problem. We won't support it. We're busy and we are picky. Are they going to allow smoking? Many will not go if they do. Many will not go if they don't. We certainly aren't going to support acts we don't know about. Are they bringing in big-name acts? Kenny Chesney/Kid Rock/Eagles? We're not going if its not a well-known act. That market is already being adequately served in Newport.

 

We'll go check it out -maybe - but history says we won't come back very often.

 

So you've got these college kids you speak about. How many college kids who live in Boone and Kenton County or , heck, Ft Thomas are going to go to Alexandria/Cold Spring? Not many. Have you noticed that clubs that cater to them close every other month? Those kids already go to the current hot club and that club is either going to be in Newport/OTR/Covington/Mt. Adams.

 

Businesses that try to win off of nostalgia are successful sometimes in the short term. I can't think of any that are successful long-term.

[Birdsfan]

Clyde, your assumptions are once again, quite skewed. I'm not going to bother picking you apart again point by point, but I will tell you a few things.

 

The population at NKU is there both day and night. There would not be the development boom out there if this were not the case.

 

To say there is no demand to serve the over 40 crowd is nothing more than laughable. The baby boomer generation is the largest demographic in the country. This is where it's at now. And since this market is not being served in Newport or anywhere else, the opportunity is a good one.

 

If you had read the attached article first, you'd see that he plans to bring in well known acts. It doesn't have to be a Kenny Chesney or Eagles. Obviously, those kind of acts play to arena venues. No one in their right mind would expect that kind of act there. But quality performers will attract the crowds. To just dismiss the concept before it even starts is ridiculous.

 

Good luck to Steve and Guys and Dolls. :thumb:

[GaViking]

I remember Guys and Dolls from when I was younger. How long has it been?

 

I would say it closed down in the early 70's. Correct?

 

I do believe you are correct. It closed sometime in early/mid 70's

[katbird]

I remember Guys and Dolls from when I was a young boy. We would drive by there to go to Recca Roller Rink on the weekends. I hope it works out. I for sure would check it out every once in a while..:thumb:

[TAC]

best wishes to Steve Chuke, but it will be a tough road to hoe. Many of the past failures in that building were due to lack of figuring out who the customer is. I think it will be a struggle tyring to cater to groups from 21-60. people need to have a place they feel comfortable with every day.

heard the property did not come cheap, drain the lake and develop the property may help.

[Clyde]

Clyde, your assumptions are once again, quite skewed. I'm not going to bother picking you apart again point by point,

 

That would require you to actually respond to the real question.

[Birdsfan]

Best wishes to Steve Chuke, but it will be a tough road to hoe. Many of the past failures in that building were due to lack of figuring out who the customer is. I think it will be a struggle tyring to cater to groups from 21-60. People need to have a place they feel comfortable with every day. Heard the property did not come cheap. Drain the lake and develop the property may help.

It sounds like he has a good concept though. And it may be that they end up becoming more focused in their demographic. Even though that location has been something of a curse, I think it has a reasonably good chance of succeeding.

[Habib]

Doesn't the Southgate House already meet a lot of this demand? They have some pretty good music there.

[TAC]

It sounds like he has a good concept though. And it may be that they end up becoming more focused in their demographic. Even though that location has been something of a curse, I think it has a reasonably good chance of succeeding.

 

I hope so. I live in LA (lower Alexandria) I'd love options for entertainment and a cold beer. I personally know the Jewel King and will try to frequent his place as much as possible.

[Birdsfan]

Doesn't the Southgate House already meet a lot of this demand? They have some pretty good music there.

Do they have a dance floor?