Usher’s Inman Park Wine Bar Closes
From Access Atlanta:
The Inman Park franchise of The Grape that pop star Usher opened to widespread publicity in late 2006 has closed, according to its parent company. The shop — a wine bar, bistro and wine retailer rolled into one — did not reopen in the New Year and did not renew its liquor license with the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Currently, three local branches of the Grape remain: in the Vinings Jubilee shopping center, Phipps Plaza and Atlantic Station. The Atlanta-based Grape Enterprise Group Inc., which both owns and franchises shops mostly throughout the Southeast, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November. Its franchise locations, such as the one in Inman Park, were not party to the filing.
When Raymond Usher IV first met with reporters at the opening of the Inman Park branch wearing a cabernet-purple blazer, he spoke of opening franchises in locales as far flung as Shanghai and South America. Those plans never came to fruition.
A request for comment from Usher’s publicist was not returned by the time of publication. (link)
This entry was posted on Monday, January 12th, 2009 at 9:44 pm and filed under Business, Celeb news, Fan Mail . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed or Trackback from your own site. This site is Gravatar enabled. Sign up to upload your own avatar.
9 Responses to “Usher’s Inman Park Wine Bar Closes”
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i went to the location in atl station while visiting a yr ago…i enjoyed my wine flight and visit…
i need to plan another trip to atl…i always enjoy myself and i never get tired of looking at those beautiful houses…
file this under
WHO CARES!
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I didn’t even know he owned that grape. He honestly din’t use his celebrity to market his business, which is silly because that could have brought a steady stream of patrons until it found its footing.
Who are these people’s business managers? Can’t make no money.
..tough economic times are hitting everyone..
Personally, I’ve reunited with Asti Spumante. Plus I can always get that at my local Kroger down the street.
@toi you took the words outta my mouf. i go to the local “total wines”. might stop by a local wine festival if its in town. when traveling, i find a local winery. if i am real crunched about it every grocery store has a decent enough selection of wine and you can get a glass at every rest. these days.
i just do not see a market for wine bars. locally or anywhere else. we have had 2-3 here that went under. he got some bad biz advice.
LMAO.
Usher and his wife are in heat and breeding - they’re too busy to take on any other business ventures, right now…