What do the former owners of Taste, Four Doors Down, and Side Street Grill have in common? They all thought 265 Tate Avenue in Buchanan would be a primo location for a restaurant. They were wrong. You see, the spot is jinxed, plain and simple—or at least some would claim.
There are plenty more places around Westchester whose signs and management change faster than Ray Rice’s approval rating. But not everyone buys the jinx-a-tion of locations. “Places fail as much because of location as they do because of management, quality food, service, et cetera,” says Tony DeCamillo from Coldwell Banker Commercial.
Still, wouldn’t you think the repeated failures would keep entrepreneurs from starting up in these jinxed locations? See what the owners have to say below.
425 White Plains Rd, Eastchester
Previously: Martinis & Chocolate, and Eastchester Tavern
Currently: Burrata
Has been for: three years
Jinxed?: “I’ve been true to myself and believe in my product. Locations arent jinxed. It’s the people who create and run the business in the location that make or break the ‘jinx.’”—Chas Anderson, owner
19 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson
Previously: Rainwater Grill, Blue Moon Mexican, and Bloom
Currently: The Prime
Has been for: almost two years
Jinxed?: Owner John DiMiceli likes the current location’s (was formerly in NYC) “small community” feel, and thinks their “quality, service, and reasonable prices” will keep them around.
156 Central Ave, Hartsdale
Previously: Jade Garden and Global Gatherings
Currently: Rudy’s
Has been for: three years
Jinxed?: “We weren’t scared to open. We knew there was a need for our kind of place. This spot was perfect for what we wanted to do.” —Keith Anstett, co-owner
265 Tate Ave, Buchanan
Previously: Taste, Four Doors Down, and Side Street Grill
Currently: Fat Sal’s
Has been for: one year
Jinxed?: “Our concept made sense. I think the other concepts here were overpriced and far-fetched.”—Frank Cenname, manager
