We just received a bulletin from Circa’s pr agency that the downtown restaurant is eliminating public lunch service. According to the press release, executive chef and owner John Bragg decided to concentrate on Circa’s growing executive catering and private party business, much of which focuses on the lunch hour. The restaurant will continue full nightly service. New hours for the kitchen are 5 to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Bars hours are 4 to 11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 4 to midnight, Friday and Saturday. Circa is at 119 S. Main. Call 522-1488 or visit circamemphis.com
Restaurant business
Responses to “Circa Closes for Lunch”
September 10th, 2007 at 8:55 am
I understand that a number of Downtown restaurants have elected to concentrate on catering and private party business instead of lunch service, but it’s a shame to see Circa throw in the towel on lunch after just three months. Stella, Encore and Circa have all terminated their lunch services in recent months and I’m sure McEwens, Lolo’s Table and Majestic are reaping the benefits of the additional diners at their tables with less lunch competition Downtown. Nonetheless, I find it troubling that these businesses are no longer catering to the Downtown employees who have long supported the area. I question what role mounting labor costs played in the decisions focus solely on dinner services. Lets hope that tourism and the residential boom in 38103 can fill the tables at these restaurants while hungry professionals search out white tablecloth lunch options in the city center.
September 10th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Very interesting…how about John Bragg and co. work on getting the dinner thing right before they concentrate on private party business. Otherwise, why not just be a caterer?
September 13th, 2007 at 8:38 am
The lack of businesses downtown also contribute to the stagnation of lunchtime options. Look at the companies leaving downtown (SunTrust) or deciding not to locate DT (Comcast consolidating in Southwind). Could you imagine the lunchtime business if FedEx, IP, and ServiceMaster all located downtown?
September 15th, 2007 at 3:46 am
It’s a shame that more businesses don’t move downtown. It’s a great environment to work in. Where else in the city can you walk out the door and have your choice of a great lunch? Where else can you walk from the office to a Redbirds or Grizzlies game? I grew up in Germantown, but downtown is now the place to be. It’s the only place I’d live in Memphis.
4 comment.