Comments on: Ciao, Bello Vino

By: Emily Eisbruch

Emily Eisbruch — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:58:57 +0000

We will miss Bello Vino.

By: Judy Steeh

Judy Steeh — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:31:56 +0000

It’s sad to see so many “old friends” leaving town. But Imjustsayin is right on the money – what on earth possessed Wilkersons and Kitchenport to leave downtown? Could they really not afford the high rents any more? If so, are those rents going to drive more places out of town and ultimately out of business?

By: Fred Zimmerman

Fred Zimmerman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:26:43 +0000

It’s nice to see this substantive article near the top on a day (Dec. 31) when the Ann Arbor news saw fit to give an above the fold spread on the first business page to a local psychic and her lLC.

By: imjustsayin

imjustsayin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:05:01 +0000

RE: Kitchen Port

When they were in Kerrytown I used to go in two or three times a month. Usually leaving with something I didn’t need. When they moved out of town they might as well have moved to the moon. Same with Wilkinson. I shopped for luggage there and had repairs done there. Stopped in about once a quarter. They moved and I only went back once…too far out of town. Is it a coincidence they shared a wall in their new digs?

It’s too bad but I suppose I will pack a lunch, compass, and GPS and head out there to bargain shop.

By: Stew Nelson

Stew Nelson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:15:12 +0000

I think the closing is really poor timing and short sighted. With the announcement that the University is buying the Pfizer property across the street, there will be a demand for ready cooked-healthy meals like they sell at Whole Foods, Busch’s and Hiller’s.

Imagine 1000 of the 2000 time constrained researchers at Michigan’s newly opened “Proteus Laboratory”??? (I took the liberty to rename the property for Michigan) Its 5:30 and you have just finished analyzing an “illusive protein” all day. You have nothing in the refrigerator! Why not grab a roasted chicken and some vegetable and a vintage bottle of “cheap wine” in a “drive by” at Bella Vino on your way home? Some entrepreneur will certainly figure that business model out. Who know they may even buy “Say Cheese” and move it in also?

We live in a great City with infinite possibilities if you look for them.

Stew

By: jack sprague

jack sprague — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:08:35 +0000

Wow – Kitchen Port, too ! Horrible news ! I’m going to have to make a close-out run. Sad… I liked them so much better than the mass-market kitchen offerings.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:20:49 +0000

Apparently the Bello’s shelves have been very lean for a couple months now.

By: Ingrid Ault

Ingrid Ault — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:46:27 +0000

This is indeed bad news. Folks, it is imperative that you support your local businesses with the dollars that you do have to spend. Unless we all do our part to support our local economy more and more small businesses will also close. You can make a difference. Check out http://www.thinklocalfirst.net for listings of local businesses and further information about supporting your friends, neighbors and family. Go local! Save your community!

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:21:43 +0000

No, I hadn’t heard about Kitchen Port – thanks for passing that along. I just went to their website (http://www.kitchenportinc.net) and saw this posting:

“To all our friends and customers—

Kitchen Port is for sale.

These economic times have been hard on all of us, especially small business. Kitchen Port’s sales were down 40% during the holidays when we traditionally do 60% of our year’s business. We are unable to secure the amount of financing required to keep us open.

Thank you to all of our loyal customers for the last 40 years.”

The notice says they’re having a clearance sale through Jan. 2.

I fear we’ll hear more sad stories like this in the coming year. I sincerely hope I’m wrong.

By: TeacherPatti

TeacherPatti — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:10:11 +0000

Holy cow–thanks for using me in the story! That is SO cool :)
Jeff (my husband) went on Saturday and said it was like an end of the world, nuclear bombs are falling movie where everyone crams their carts with whatever they can find. I have since heard that most of the “good beer” is gone (up to each to define that, of course!!)
And you probably heard, but Kitchen Port is closing, too :( What’s next?? :(