Some might wonder if Saturday’s closing of Saint House Island Bistro and Rum Bar might mean there are too many new restaurants downtown. But the owners of the restaurant say it just had too narrow of a niche to appeal to the masses.
“We tried to do something new and different with Saint House,” said Nicole Flowers, co-owner of the restaurant. “But the focused concept just didn’t catch on the way we planned in the burgeoning downtown marketplace.”
Flowers’ business partner, Travis Reese, agreed.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with the amount of restaurants. I think it was too focused of a concept,” Reese said. “It was really ambitious, if you think about it. It was a rum bar and Caribbean-inspired food in the middle of the desert, and it seats 120 people.”
Saint House opened in August 2013 at 256 E. Congress St.
Having so many restaurants in a downtown area is a good thing, said Camila Martins-Bekat, an economic-development specialist for the city of Tucson.
“From an economic perspective, having many restaurants and businesses in a downtown creates a destination, making the area more appealing to visitors and residents alike,” Martins-Bekat said.
Saint House was one of several restaurants to have opened in downtown’s east end. Others are Hub, Pizzeria Bianco and Proper.
Flowers and Reese will focus on their two other businesses downtown — 47 Scott, which serves modern American comfort food, and Scott & Co., a speak-easy-style bar — which Reese said are still going strong.
“We’re excited to still be downtown,” Reese said. “The saddest part, honestly, was having to have so many people unemployed. That is truly the worst part.”
Saint House employed about 20 people, Reese said.
The owners have seen nothing but growth at 47 Scott, Reese said. “As far as downtown goes, it’s really busy on the weekends. And we’re busy at our restaurant (47 Scott). We just weren’t busy here, and I think that says a lot.
“We think it was the wrong concept at the wrong time in the right space. We love the space.”
Another restaurant is likely to find its home in the desirable downtown space Saint House occupied, which will become available later this year.
“Over the past two years, we have been approached by about two dozen restaurant operators who want a chance to open in one of the historic buildings,” said the property’s landlord, Scott Stiteler.
Consumers with Saint House gift cards can use them at 47 Scott, which is at 47 N. Scott Ave., and Scott & Co., next door at 49 N. Scott.
