Gloria Jean's Loses Shirt in Budapest; Hasta La Vista for Nádor Utca Costa
Barely a year ago, it looked like Budapest would soon be awash with high-end take-out coffee places, including many international chains. But now, well, not so much. Various tipsters have alerted us to the news that Gloria Jean's Coffees has decided to close their three Budapest locations by the end of the month (warning: link will probably go dead after a while). According to the official company announcement, the closures - which include one big outlet on Teréz körút that had barely been open for six months - are not just a result of the ongoing economic crisis, but also "high inflexible rents." The firm says their aim is to reopen in Hungary "in due" time, whatever that means.
Meanwhile, you may recall that back in January we published a picture of a Costa Coffee shop that looked set to open in the premises of a shuttered restaurant on Nádor utca in District V. Well, as the above shots indicate, it is now looking like they are choking on the same bitter brew of low demand and high fixed costs that led Gloria Jean's to pull the plug. Nescafé three-in-one, anyone?
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One lone salty tear just rolled down my cheek after reading this.
Funny, didn't they know the rent price before they opened half a year ago? Anyway, their coffee was expesive compared to the competition, they only had paper cups and their staff was surly, so nothing lost there, to be honest. Maybe they just had problems with the competition doing a better job
Totally overpriced coffee, and as an independent café owner, that is one chain down, just a couple more to go. I had one of my best night's sleep after reading this for the first time.
They were a good coffee shop. As far as the comment left by the
person calling the staff "surly"...Have you ever found a decent staff
anywhere in Budapest in the coffee shop venue? Whether large
chain or mom and pop store? The answer is 99% No!
I agree with rent however. They should have known. Then again
some eastern europeans will try and screw you out of anything.
@ Sands: I am or have been a regular at Csendes, Praga Cafe, and Kis Kőleves - never had a bad experience at one. Also highly recommended are Pertu on Dob and August kávéház. Eckermann is usually reliable as well. I am sure other readers can extend the list of fine cafes around town.
Al, the guy who runs the Gloria Jeans franchise in Hungary, was very helpful (a friend of a friend) with advice when I was starting out. What kind of machines and grinders are best, what grinding settings to use, how many cups can you get out of 1kg, etc. So I am sorry to hear this.
For excellent coffee you can still go to Treehugger Dan's Bookstore Cafe. We offer 100% arabica Fair Trade Organic coffee that just won the gold medal in international competition in December. We make a great cuppa, whole bean and pre-ground also available.
I don't drink Coffee, so wouldn't much miss any Coffee shop...
However the reasons for the closures are once again proof that Hungarians really have little idea about business in the 'Real World'.
Sooner or later (my money is firmly on later!)the penny will drop that foriegn businesses do not respond to cobay rental tactics and general corrupt/fraudulent behaviour..
It seems the love affair is over yet again..
And this is acountry where 50% of all collected taxation id from Foriegn Businesses and individuals.......
Wake up call number 1001 Hungary..........
Costa seems to be opening near Astoria instead - those exact signs seem to have been brought over to Rakoczi Ut!
Dan,
This is Al here. I have resigned from Gloria Jean's Coffees back in December 2007 and since then relocated to NY and moved on to other things. I am glad to see that you are still around. Good luck to you mate.
Sniff, sniff. But were are all those CEU jackasses going to sip their one cup of coffee throughout the day taking up all the good seats, sucking off the wifi tit? Oh, I guess there is always CaliCoffee.
Come on. Another employer in Budapest has closed and you want to celebrate.
"as an independent café owner, that is one chain down, just a couple more to go. I had one of my best night's sleep after reading this for the first time".
I hope you slept well. Just because you are an "independent café owner" doesen't mean you are providing much better. Sleep well and dream about those who have lost their jobs.
@mc
Totally overpriced coffee, and as an independent café owner, that is one chain down, just a couple more to go. I had one of my best night's sleep after reading this for the first time.
mc at March 20, 2009 12:42 PM
you really are a slime bag! for a start people have been laid off! yes human beings with feelings, with dependants and responsibilities!! that is not good having been in the unfortunate position of laying staff off due to the financial crisis it is not a good feeling for anyone to have to lay staff off , never mind close down a whole business! show a little empathy for them at least. . .
You disgust me!
Have never understood why some on this site want to hide behind intials (mc) or worse (anonymous).
Patrick, I totally agree with you. It's disgusting, and should stop immediately.
Hi
Have been a few times, but honestly, with their coffees and pastries at about twice the price that you might pay in other "regular" places, what do you expect?
J.