Taste of Belgium, a popular restaurant chain based in Cincinnati, has decided to shut down its Over-The-Rhine (OTR) bistro at 1135 Vine Street after a 14-year tenure in the neighborhood. The closure, which took effect this past Sunday, marks the end of the chain's first full-service restaurant and an era for the OTR dining scene. Jean-François Flechet, the founder of Taste of Belgium, expressed his sorrow over the decision, stating, "Closing our Over-the-Rhine bistro is heartbreaking," in a statement mentioned by Cincinnati's The Cincinnati Enquirer. Flechet's establishment has been recognized as a significant contributor to the revitalization and energy of the OTR area.
Since opening its original location in 2011, Taste of Belgium has experienced growth, expanding to multiple bistros across Ohio. However, the chain has faced difficult headwinds stemming from the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant industry. Declining downtown foot traffic as a result of the work-from-home shift, competition from third-party food delivery services, and general inflation have all been identified as contributing factors to the closure. A further hit to the city's downtown dining establishments came from a violent incident this summer, sensationalized via social media, which has negatively impacted Cincinnati's public image. According to a report from The Cincinnati Enquirer, these challenges have led to most of the chain's bistro closures.
The company's founder also took to social media to share his perspective on the shifting dynamics of the city's downtown area. Flechet pointed to several changes, including GE's departure from The Banks and the increased number of people working from home, which have contributed to lower traffic and the untenable operations of both the OTR and The Banks locations. The latter, however, is expected to harbor greater long-term potential and will remain open, alongside the Rookwood Exchange location. Despite the OTR bistro's closure, the company maintains its original stand at Findlay Market. This information was detailed in WCPO.
The Over-the-Rhine district has come a long way from its days known for its challenges, with Taste of Belgium being one of the first investors in the Vine Street corridor that helped spur this transformation. Christy Samad of 3CDC, the development company spearheading OTR's revitalization, credited Flechet and Taste of Belgium with playing a significant part in turning the area into a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood. "He, along with other trailblazers in the industry, laid the foundation for what OTR has become," Samad remarked in an interview with FOX19. Samad expressed both gratitude for Flechet's role in the community and regret over the closure of the restaurant.
Flechet, in his public statements, urged the community to continue supporting local businesses, especially as the industry navigates difficult times. "We hope that people will continue to frequent our bistros ... as well as their other favorite locally-owned restaurants since so many continue to struggle," Flechet told The Cincinnati Enquirer. As another chapter closes in Cincinnati's evolving culinary scene, the legacy of Taste of Belgium in OTR will be remembered for its contribution to the neighborhood's rebirth.
