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Urban Farmhouse closing in a week
02/14/2016 7:58 AM by John M
After having been open just over 2 years, the Church Hill location of the Urban Farmhouse at 310 North 33rd Street will be closing on February 21.
Given all the expansion of UF elsewhere around town I didn’t see this one coming… I guess there are no major employers in proximity to generate lunchtime business like the other locations. So my guess is either the landlord needs to reflect the modest daytime demand into the rent expectations if it wants to attract another cafe or perhaps a business geared towards the attracting the dinner crowd would be a better fit?
Take heart: it’s great space that will be snatched up by a more attractive tenant in no time. Clearly that model wasnt working there.
I don’t know what they did better than anyone else in the neighborhood except be farther east.
This is so sad. I visited often as I like their food and coffee. That said, the space was an odd one – not extremely warm and inviting but I looked beyond that. I hope whoever comes in next will do great things!
Bad location and, quite frankly, the food wasn’t worth it.
The Church Hill Farmhouse was one of the laziest, annoying and uninspiring businesses I’ve ever encountered when I lived in the neighborhood. Once Union Market started delivering, for me it was Game Over for the Farmhouse. And I lived on the 500 block of 33rd!
Will miss the friendly staff.
It really is too bad, but that place was ALWAYS empty. There was no way they were even close to being profitable.
The real tragedy is that block — Urban Farmhouse was a ray of sunshine in an otherwise drab block of CH.
Now if only Blue Wheeler would fold as well…
Wasn’t a fan of the menu and coffee wasn’t prepared consistently well, but the space was surprisingly warm and appealing. I love blue wheeler.
The food was always *okay* (good ideas, but not always the best execution) and the coffee was good, but nothing remarkable. But I actually really liked that space / thought it was a great place to sit and work or to meet people. Hopefully something similarly casual / cozy will come along? (Though I also can’t help but wonder if the place would make a good yoga or fitness studio)
It’s a great spot. I’d love to see something that takes advantage of the multi-room layout. I like how UF had that room with the chalkboard and toys/games for kids. HERE’s AN IDEA: what if someone took that game room concept a bit further. with all of the young families, wouldn’t it be cool if there was a coffee shop/ wine shop / restaurant that catered to families by having a dedicated kid room? Maybe something like Cartwheels n coffee except different ? Romantic couples dining in one room . Chaotic mac-n-cheese mayhem in another. Thoughts ?
CAPTAIN BUZZY’S ain’t far away and they were here long before the area was considered cool. but their espresso shots are crap as well. But on a positive, Buzzy’s does roast their own beans, if only they could sell adult beverages.
Bummer. I ordered a sandwich when they opened and I’m still waiting for them to finish making it. Will I ever get my sandwich? #TurtleChefs
Church Hill’s Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe to Close
http://www.styleweekly.com/ShortOrderBlog/archives/2016/02/15/church-hills-urban-farmhouse-market-and-cafe-to-close
It’s a shame that anyplace has to close, but it seems that some places open and it’s obvious that they put a lot of thought into the design and set-up or whatever, but then they forget the day-to-day emphasis on consistency and quality of what they serve. I love places where you know who owns/runs them, and they are there in the place on a regular basis. Hope something good takes it’s place. Good quality, good price, good vibe.
Urban Farmhouse Market & Café closing Church Hill location
http://www.richmond.com/food-drink/restaurant-news/article_0de5b9e3-385e-5616-9d61-7c843fa81b29.html
Went there a few times, but as others have said the prices were high, the quality wasn’t consistent nor where it should be at the price. A little too far down the hipster spectrum. UM has it just right.
These places close because the business owners don’t look at the income of the residents that will frequent them.
With 26% of the area below the poverty limit, its no wonder the businesses close when they charge what they do. As much as people want to sell Church Hill as a great place to live, it is a long way from being able to support West End pricing.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51760.html
@Neighbor, those residents who can’t afford it most likely weren’t interested in what they were selling to begin with.
Apparently they are considering another east end location. What about where MBargo was in Rocketts Landing?
the coffee was terrible and the prices were way too high.
Yep…Rocketts Landing it is. It will be great to have a cafe/lunch/third place option nearby.