Comments on: Richbrau is closed for business

By: Hugh

Hugh — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:09:40 +0000

I really liked the place…good food and great beer…sorry to see them go.

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:19:48 +0000

Also a former employee from many years ago. Sad to hear but this is not from the recession. It had been happening back when I worked there. Lunch was still full back then but dinners were mostly empty unless there was something going on in town.
I think Byrne spread himself too thin by trying to get involved in other projects and not concentrating on the restaurant…
Byrne should have seen this coming years ago…

By: Bugsy

Bugsy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:45:55 +0000

the toolbag owner of Richbrau was a proponent of increasing the meal tax back in 2002 just so all of us restauranteurs would foot the bill for the new Carpenter Center. what a douche! Good riddance.

By: john m

john m — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:52:59 +0000

Richmond Biz Sense has a follow-up, Richbrau files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection:

“I’ve been through three recessions,” Byrne said. “This is a completely different animal. Everyone is freaked out.” He said fewer people are working downtown because of job cuts and companies closing or leaving the area. Many who do have jobs are fearful and eat out less, he said. “You can only go down that road of not making money for so long,” Byrne said. He said lunch business was down more than 30 percent and the biggest reason is there aren’t as many people on the streets downtown as there used to be.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:05:13 +0000

Having worked there several years ago, I’m not at all surprised at Richbrau’s closing. In fact, I wonder how it didn’t happen sooner. Yes, there were some terrific people working there and I know it’s tough to lose a job in the current market. I think Mike Byrne can hold himself entirely responsible for the downfall of his business and letting those people down. I can’t recall a single instance of him responding to a criticism with anything other than arrogance. He didn’t listen to his guests’ or his staff’s needs. And that was essentially his only job.

By: David Saenz

David Saenz — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:28:51 +0000

I can’t say enough good things about both Mike’s, Audry and A.J. I have been enjoying the beer and staff there almost since the beginning. When I have family in from out of town it was the place for all us us to go for the evening. They would treat us like royalty. Who is going to fill our growlers now? Not those guys across the river with the overly carbonated beer.

By: John

John — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:54:45 +0000

Sure if want to work at a fast food chain, there’s plenty of work. Those that built up a skill are now forced to get in the back of the line again if they wish to continue the restaurant work. Channel 6 news quoted the owner saying he personally called each and every employee to break the news whereas channel 8 showed/interviewed several employees who showed up for work dumbfounded. Hmmm. Great place, bad executive decisions. RIP Richbrau

By: Bev

Bev — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:23:16 +0000

They’ll be fine. If there’s one thing Richmond has a lot of it’s restaurant work.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:53:29 +0000

That’s too bad. And just a month ago Mike Burne was in the news paper talking about how healthy his business was financially. I hope everyone finds jobs fast.

By: Martin

Martin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:56:34 +0000

Difficult times – and on top of that the smoking ban. I’m not surprised that some places are going out of business. The cost of installing extra ventilation / a divider can be quite hefty. I enjoyed going – but not since Dec. 1, 09.

By: bopst

bopst — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:39:42 +0000

Sorry for your Audrey. That sucks….

By: Audrey

Audrey — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:35:29 +0000

it’s true. i was the day time supervisor/ bartender. :( i got the call at 730am friday morning. we are officially out of business and out of jobs. we are all great people and have become a tight family. i have faith that we will all survive and quickly find employment. i’m sure richbrau beer can still be found at your local kroger and such. rip rbc. :)

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:25:18 +0000

Post number 11: Sorry you are bitter because they wouldn’t let you in and if you’re as ignorant as your post shows you are I’m not surprised they didn’t.

Anyway. Richbrau was such an awesome place. Lots of good memories. I feel sorry for the 50+ employees that are now jobless. Very sad.

By: PoorBrau

PoorBrau — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:11:27 +0000

All those times when Richbrau made my friends and I wait in line to get in, even when maximum occupancy wasent reached, all becuase you thought you had the hottest spot on the block… Now whos got the last laugh? I think its safe to say i wont have to wait in a line outside of richbrau anymore.

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:43:32 +0000

The food wasn’t good there. So, they went out of business. What would anyone expect?

By: Fred

Fred — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:59:51 +0000

Please check out locally owned richmond on facebook, and support you LOCAL businesses, folks, we cannot let our local scene die, and the local businesses are the backbone of our scene, sorry to hear this, Richbrau, we’re gonna miss you.

By: Ellie Basch

Ellie Basch — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:02:20 +0000

Oh no, not another one bit the dust! It’s a tough time, esp. for food biz, for sure. Keep supporting local businesses as best we can.

By: Ry

Ry — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:02:03 +0000

Bummer.

By: christo

christo — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:48:40 +0000

Very sad indeed. How long had they been around? I seem to remember going there at least 15 years ago. I’ll drink a beer for my old friends at Richbrau tonight. Good bye Richbrau!

By: Douglas

Douglas — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:55:38 +0000

That sux, was a good place to go an just hang out. This means less choices too. Tough times.

By: bopst

bopst — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:32:50 +0000

sad…

By: Valerie

Valerie — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:11:09 +0000

This is the message currently posted on their Facebook page: We would like to thank all of you for being our friends and family. As of today we have closed our doors. It has been a fun ride, we have lots of memories and hope you do too.

By: joss

joss — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:54:53 +0000

American beer evolved. Richbrau became extinct in the process. The age of swill is behind us, (and the future’s so bright because I’m hungover).

By: JLlo

JLlo — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:02:00 +0000

Just checked the brewmaster’s facebook. He’s now looking for employment if you know anyone hiring.