Kalico Kitchen in Douglas, Michigan, which was on season 6 of Restaurant Impossible has closed. A few readers notified me last week about the restaurant closing saying there was a for sale sign outside, and that the bank took the property due to it being in foreclosure.The restaurant recently posted a message on their Facebook page stating:
"Please be advised it is with a heavy heart that we want to let you know we are closed. Thank you all for 37 wonderful years in business. Keep sending positive thoughts this way!"
An article yesterday in the Holland Sentinel confirmed that the restaurant closed and that it closed for multiple reasons. The Allegan County Health inspector shut the restaurant down due to violations on a re-inspection last week. The owner Catherine Wilt aka "Big Mama" admitted that the restaurant was $10,000 behind on the electric bill and had also been foreclosed on.
Recently, the business had only 4 employees and was doing only $100 to $120 in sales per day. Catherine's home is tied to the restaurant, which is currently listed for $465,000, so she is hoping the property sells.
A cook at the restaurant (according to Facebook and Holland Sentienl comments) actually called the health department on the restaurant. He claimed they were serving foul chicken to customers that was washed off in the dishwasher to remove the smell, had a leaking roof in the kitchen, and left food out all night, among other things (link to a post with more info).
You may remember Catherine for her foul mouth and the way she treated employees on the episode. She also went on a rant after the show aired because the way she was portrayed and said that the show was set up. The reviews for the restaurant have been bad both before and after Restaurant Impossible came to visit.
This is the 2nd restaurant from season 6 (2013) of Restaurant Impossible to close, and the Restaurant Impossible Update Page has been updated to show this closing.
You need to update the "body count" at the top of the season 6 listings.
ReplyDeleteGood Call... Done.. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNot a problem. Noticing nitpicky stuff is what I do for a living.
ReplyDeleteAnother Irvine Success Story!
ReplyDeleteIf the cook is calling the health department on you, you probably shouldn't be in the restaurant business.
ReplyDelete"they were serving foul chicken to customers that was washed off in the dishwasher to remove the smell"
ReplyDeletehttp://img.pandawhale.com/77775-I-just-threw-up-in-my-mouth-a-r4R3.gif
While I'm glad he finally called the Health Department, you wish he'd been in a situation to prevent it from happening at all. I can't say that this place closing is a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can blame Robert for this one. His only fault on this one was not turning around and walking right back out again :p
ReplyDeleteHe addressed the problems. He can't control what happens after he leaves.
ReplyDeleteIntentionally serving spoiled chicken should be a criminal violation... can kill someone. I hate to see businesses go under but in this case, it was a community service. They learned nothing that Robert taught them.
ReplyDeleteShe was way behind on rent and electric bill. The kitchen was so foul the chef called the Health Department. How is any of this Chef Irvine's fault? His big mistake was not refusing to take the job in the first place. Catherine was one of the most completely distasteful owners he's dealt with.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he has any say on that. Do you think he gets to pick the restaurants? (honest question, not snarking). I used to think he did, but maybe he doesn't. Maybe it's all done by the powers at FN that review the requests (applications) and decide which restaurant has the most potential for drama and RI has no say in it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think of that but it's a possibility.
ReplyDeleteNo they are pretty clear that he shows up with absolutely 0 knowledge of what he is walking into. Much like his previous show, actually.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have happened to a nicer owner -- NOT!!!
ReplyDeleteMr. Penguin's mother-in-law should have no business whatsoever in the restaurant industry. Saying that their food, service, management, and treatment of staff is disgusting would be a mere understatement.
ReplyDeleteThis lady struck me from the very start as one of those women who are really mean and nasty. I know some of them. You DO NOT cross them. When I saw this episode, I thought, she is a b*tch on wheels and won't change her stripes. Not surprised it is closed. Hope no one got sick!
ReplyDeleteIf any boss talked to me the way that fowl mouthed owner talked to her employees and family, I would have thrown a drink in her face and walked out. Right. On. The. Spot.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as she started talking I'd have turned around "newwwp nooope neewpp"
ReplyDeleteIn line with that, he even said in his final comments, "But when I leave, it's really up to them to make the changes..." He usually gives these places a cheerful send-off, as though their success is a done deal. It's almost as though this time he expected them to fail. Sometimes on this show, you can't help but think the problem is not with the restaurant, but with people who may never change, and certainly won't change after two days. That was on my mind all through this episode, and it seemed to be on Irvine's mind, too.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDelete