FOR HIS NAME TO BE KEPT PRIVATE. AFTER 14 YEARS IN THE HEART OF OVER THE RHINE, THE FLAGSHIP LOCATION FOR TASTE OF BELGIUM HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS. A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. IT WAS A SURPRISE TO BOTH WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS. TONIGHT, WLWT NEWS FIVE’S RACHEL WHELAN TALKED WITH THE RESTAURANT’S FOUNDER, WHO EXPLAINS WHY THEY DECIDED TO CLOSE. HI, RACHEL. THAT’S RIGHT. HI, SHEREE AND MIKE. YEAH. MANY RESTAURANTS OVER THE YEARS HAVE COME AND GONE. HERE AND OVER THE RHINE. BUT TASTE OF BELGIUM HAS BEEN A MAINSTAY. THE FOUNDER TELLS US IT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE, BUT WHEN IT CAME BETWEEN HERE OR THE BANKS, THE NUMBERS MADE THE DECISION FOR HIM. THIS SPECIFIC LOCATION, I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN. FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, THE TASTE OF BELGIUM ON VINE AND 12TH HAS BEEN A FIXTURE IN OVER-THE-RHINE. BUT AFTER 14 YEARS, THE FLAGSHIP IS CLOSING. WHEN I GOT THE PHONE CALL, MY HEART LITERALLY SANK TO MY STOMACH. BARTENDER JALEN SO SAYS SHE JUST LEARNED THE NEWS THIS MORNING. I HAD A LOT OF ANXIETY ABOUT MY JOB, BUT LIKE IT’S ALMOST LIKE MY FEARS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED. THE FEARS SLOWER BUSINESS AND RISING COSTS. AS LONG AS WE COULD AND PROBABLY TOO LONG. FOUNDER JEAN FRANCOIS SAYS IT’S NO LONGER SUSTAINABLE TO RUN THIS LOCATION, AS WELL AS THE ONE JUST A MILE AWAY AT THE BANKS. UNFORTUNATELY, SINCE COVID, THINGS HAVE CHANGED. GE IS GONE. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORKING FROM HOME. THE CONVENTION CENTER IS CLOSED, SO HOTEL OCCUPANCY IS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY AND IT’S JUST NOT SUSTAINABLE TO HAVE TWO LOCATIONS THAT CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. HE EMPHASIZED THE MOVE WAS ABOUT ECONOMICS, NOT SAFETY. OVER-THE-RHINE IS AS SAFE NOW THAN IT WAS A FEW YEARS AGO. IT’S AN URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD, SO OF COURSE THERE WILL BE CRIME JUST LIKE THERE IS IN ANY OTHER CITY. THIS IS THE SIXTH TASTE OF BELGIUM TO CLOSE IN GREATER CINCINNATI, BUT THE BANK’S FINDLAY MARKET AND ROOKWOOD LOCATIONS WILL STAY OPEN TO SERVE UP THOSE WAFFLES, CREPES AND FRUITS. AND THE POUTINE, THE POUTINE IS AMAZING. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IF ANYONE GOES TO ANY OTHER LOCATION. AND I’M SORRY, I WANT TO MAKE A CORRECTION. THIS IS ACTUALLY THE EIGHTH TASTE OF BELGIUM TO CLOSE IN GREATER CINCINNATI. I ASKED THE FOUNDER IF THE OTHER RESTAURANTS ARE IN JEOPARDY. HE SAYS NO. HE ALSO KNOWS THAT MONEY IS TIGHT RIGHT NOW, AND BELIEVES THAT THAT COULD BE A REASON, TOO, FOR SLOWER BUSINESS. SO HE IS OFFERING FREE MEALS FOR KIDS THAT COME IN WITH THEIR FAMILIES EVERY WEEKDAY AFTER 3 P.M., I’M REPORTING I
Taste of Belgium files for bankruptcy in effort to ‘restructure the business’
Taste of Belgium, a local restaurant chain known for its brunch and dinners, has announced it’s filing for bankruptcy.The company says the financial move is a proactive step to “stabilize the business and ensure long-term sustainability.”Over the past few years, the company has announced closures of eight of its locations, including its original full-service restaurant location in Over-the-Rhine. The restaurant says it will continue to operate at its locations in The Banks, Rookwood and Findlay Market.“This is not about closing restaurants. It is about keeping them open. Filing for Chapter 11 gives us the protection we need to adapt, stay in business, and continue serving our guests. From a customer standpoint, nothing changes. Our doors are OPEN, and our team is here,” said Jean-François Flechet, founder of Taste of Belgium.Flechet cited longstanding impacts from the pandemic: shifts in dining habits, changes in downtown foot traffic, inflation and delivery commissions. “We’re in the hospitality business,” Flechet added. “And hospitality is better in person. We encourage guests, especially those who have not been in a while, to come see us, dine with us, and support local restaurants the way they were meant to be experienced.”
Taste of Belgium, a local restaurant chain known for its brunch and dinners, has announced it’s filing for bankruptcy.
The company says the financial moves is a proactive effort to “stabilize the business and ensure long-term sustainability.”
Over the past few years, the company has announced closures of eight of its locations, including its original full-service restaurant location in Over-the-Rhine.
The restaurant says it will continue to operate at its locations in The Banks, Rookwood and Findlay Market.
“This is not about closing restaurants. It is about keeping them open. Filing for Chapter 11 gives us the protection we need to adapt, stay in business, and continue serving our guests. From a customer standpoint, nothing changes. Our doors are OPEN, and our team is here,” said Jean-François Flechet, founder of Taste of Belgium.
Flechet cited longstanding impacts from the pandemic: shifts in dining habits, changes in downtown foot traffic, inflation and delivery commissions.
“We’re in the hospitality business,” Flechet added. “And hospitality is better in person. We encourage guests, especially those who have not been in a while, to come see us, dine with us, and support local restaurants the way they were meant to be experienced.”