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American Flatbread is closing

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by sds, Jun 2, 2011.

  1. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Like santinis in reston, big ny style deli.its exactly what we need in ashburn.
     
  2. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    we will miss them. one of our faves.
     
  3. broken skull

    broken skull New Member

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    I bet a Doctor or Dentist moves in to the space where American Flatbread used to be.

    We loved that place and enjoyed their food and beers. As to the question posed by the OP. The reason that big chains and places with big tv's stay in business is because people go there. They are "cheaper" and the food is not as "scary" and different.

    People like cheap and boring.
     
  4. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    well there already is an orthodontist there next door.. and a family doctor going in down the block. so I think they already have that covered :)
     
  5. broken skull

    broken skull New Member

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    When has an abundance of similar businesses ever stopped anyone from opening another in this neighborhood?
     
  6. hberg

    hberg give me some of your tots

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    Honestly, I haven't gotten an edible meal yet at GD. While I loved American Flatbread, I couldn't afford to eat there with the fam that often.
     
  7. We Love Disney

    We Love Disney New Member

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    We loved the gluten free med bread and spinach bacon salad. So very sad to see AF go!
     
  8. Ellie

    Ellie New Member

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    I totally agree with AnothaiBroadland!!! I am a business owner in this tough economy and I agree that spreading false rumors can only hurt the businesses trying to stay afloat. Stop spreading rumors!!!!!!!
     
  9. rich351854

    rich351854 New Member

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    That is exactly what we need.....it would do well (I know I would go)
     
  10. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    I would definitely give them business, especially if they carry scotch eggs - yummy!
     
  11. LMT

    LMT New Member

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    I admit I never tried AF...not because of their menu (it looked great!) but because of their prices. I couldn't justify spending that $$$ on a meal that was essentially pizza (a very high-quality one, though it seems).

    I think it's obvious by now that for a restaurant to survive here long-term, they need to be inexpensive and family-friendly. The only non-chain restaurants that seem to fit that bill are the chinese places (for takeout) and the thai places (even they can get pricey).

    I know, I know, you need to pay for quality. But my impression from fellow Ashburnites (or is it Ashburners, or Ashburnians?) is that they either cook for themselves most every night, or mostly do cheap takeout.

    Maybe a real "New Jersey style" diner could work...
     
  12. joy

    joy New Member

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    I will really miss American Flatbread. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great service. Great owners. :-(
     
  13. wolf685cln

    wolf685cln New Member

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    :2thumbs::2thumbs::2thumbs::2thumbs:

    Santini's is awesome. I fear that my cardiovascular system might end up taking a beating if we had a real deli sitting 1/2 mile down the street from our house... mile high pastrami on rye ... genoa, cappacola, salami with LTO and lotsa hots with a splash of oil/vinegar on a toasted italian roll....:love: divine.
     
  14. ChrisL

    ChrisL Member

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    It's interesting to me because I've eaten at flatbread since they opened and truly loved the food. The product was there. Unfortunately that product came with the problem of being tied up by franchise rules. They were not allowed to expand their menu as such people here are right. They were to pricey for families and in addition kids don't want wood fired pizza they want Mac and cheese and nuggets and hot dogs. I miss them already and wish the owners luck in the future!
     
  15. terelli

    terelli New Member

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    How about a Great American Restaurant in Ashburn? Coastal Flats, Sweetwater, etc?
     
  16. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    there's already a glory days- not gonna happen. more duplication would just fail.

    non chain, small franchise ok, but needs to be A DELI. we need great sandwiches, potato and pasta salads, jewish style delishish pickles, knishes and all those desserts I never get around to trying!!

    :2thumbs:
     
  17. mamatothree

    mamatothree New Member

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    KNISHES!!! One of the few things I miss about living in NY...Sorry redon, but I can't imagine the proprietor of an honest to goodness NY deli finding happiness here in Ashburn...
     
  18. wahoogeek

    wahoogeek New Member

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    any restaurant there needs to be able to generate a thriving dinner customer base and not rely on lunch. While we think a deli would be great, I don't see one surviving either -- sandwiches would not be a huge draw for surburbian families determining how to spend their money for dinners out. How long did the deli last in Broadlands center?

    Regarding Flatbread -- a very good restaurant -- food, drinks, and service were always great and we always found it be very family friendly (one of our kids favorite places). But their price point was too high for the market and product offered (while it was unique and "gourmet" pizza, it was afterall, pizza). For the total bill there for our family of five, we could go to any number of restaurants for equally or better dining experiences.
     
  19. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Exactly...I thought their prices were...well...too pricey for my family and I. Just for a pizza..although it was a gourmet one. The menu selections were not enough for me as well. My family and I frequent the Manhattan pizza place in Ashburn as they often have a family special that is extremely affordable and we often have to take leftovers home so yes, price does matter to many families here.

    Delis to me are just more for lunches so many of us work outside of Loudoun so I can't see them surviving just on weekends alone. Store location rents are high enough as is in this area.
     
  20. Sasquatch519

    Sasquatch519 Member

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    This is sound analysis. There aren't enough office buildings in Ashburn to support a lunch place. I went to American Flatbread twice with my wife. A pizza, 2 drinks, and tip is $40 - about double the price of the national pizza chains. I understand this pizza uses unique ingredients, but to me it wasn't worth the extra cost.

    A broader point here is this whole "locally grown" thing. It's great to save the environment by reducing transportation distance of goods, but you lose economies of scale and logistics cost savings can't make it up. "Locally grown" often means paying higher prices. It sounds nice to everyone, but it looks like we've spoken with our wallets.


     

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