Even as Tallahassee loses some of its existing eateries, some new ones are opening. That includes a bar and restaurant at a remodeled and renamed hotel property on Capital Circle Northeast.
The new restaurants include a Cook Out on North Monroe and a Small's Sliders on West Pensacola. Then there's the eating and drinking space at the Alluxsuites at 1876 on Capital Circle Northeast.
"We wanted to set ourselves apart, so we started the first full service, extended stay, upscale hotel in Tallahassee."
Those are the words of Bob Brier, the founding partner of the Edgewater Group that bought and revamped the property. He hopes the new food and beverage service will attract locals as well as registered guests. As for the business travel market, Brier acknowledged a current downturn, but he believes Tallahassee is well-positioned to take advantage of an eventual rebound.
"I think business travel has declined in a softer economy. But we see it very positive as coming back in this area. I think when you have a nice hotel in a nice market, all of those things add to people getting away and going someplace where they can be comfortable. With food and beverage on-site and entertainment on site, we're positive about the future."
He said state government, along with the community's strong higher education presence, continues to bring visitors to the city. Many of these, he added, will need the kind of extended stay accommodations that his property provides.
