When reached for comment, Chad Ellingboe, Director of Operations for parent company Galley Group, said, “We’re not prepared to make a statement yet. We are working right now to prepare a finalized statement. But you’re obviously hearing the talk.”
The non-denial essentially affirms what sources inside the Galley are saying about the future of the venue. Hailed in these pages and beyond as an innovative food hall and small-business incubator, the Ohio City Galley was to follow in the footsteps of the successful Smallman Galley in Pittsburgh, which is still going strong after nearly five years. That location is joined by another Pittsburgh-based Galley, as well as the newer Fort Street Galley in Detroit and North Loop Galley in Chicago. The Fulton Galley, also in Chicago, closed after only five months just as founding partner Benjamin Mantica exited the company.
Locally, Ohio City Galley appeared to have struggled finding a niche and retaining kitchens. Two of the four original tenant-concepts, Rice Shop and Poca, departed earlier than expected. A third, the Galley-operated Forest City Steaks, lasted just a few months. But the recent acquisition of Pie Squared and Grains and Greens, both operated by chefs Brett Sawyer and Vince Thomascik of the Plum and Good Co., appeared to signal good news for the concept.
As we await official word from the PR team, all we can do is speculate as to causes while considering possible future tenants for the historic space in one of Cleveland’s most desirable neighborhoods.
“We have no knowledge of what will happen to the space,” added Ellingboe. “That would be up to [developer] Snavely, I guess.”
In the meantime, go support the local vendors and employees while you still can to help provide them with a more comfortable transition.
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This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2020.
Move it to the west side market
Too many foodie joints, too few foodies, hence the weeding out process.
You need something like this with inner mixed retail or right next to the market. Secondly you go there and eat, listen to loud ass music in the bar and can’t talk because it’s annoying. Doesn’t gel together enough for a good food experience and bar experience. Think North Market Columbus.
$$ there was total bullshit! Don’t charge for full service price w/o the full service morons. The one in Pittsburgh is great. Restaurant quality entrees for 10-15 bucks. These clowns were charging upwards of $20 or more. Thought it was supposed to give up and coming chefs a venue, or for others trying a new concept. place deserves to close due to stupidity. went there 1 time, saw the prices and left immediately.
I imagine the galley could have been more successful if it had been more accessible to Hingetown businesses (Saucy, Jukebox, etc.). Unfortunately, after dark its not easily/safely walkable with the construction on the south side of the street. There is NO curb/shoulder, it is poorly lit, and no cars slow or stop for the marked crosswalk. So, they didnt benefit from the synergy of the nearby neighborhood or businesses. Not to mention public parking isnt well marked. Its easier just to go a few more blocks to the rest of W25th/Ohio City, Hingetown or Downtown.
I love the concept a lot, but I went to once in NYC last week called Dekalb market and the prices were cheaper than Ohio City Galley. That makes no sense, especially for this dining concept. It needs to be cheap enough to make people want to get food from more than one place
I ate there a few times for Sunday brunch, but I too was surprised at how expensive it was. The concept is definitely interesting and something Cleveland could use, but in the end the location was wrong and the prices too high.
I like the adult food court surrounding a central bar concept, and have enjoyed several around the world. However, OCG was poorly executed. First, no parking. Second, inaccessible after dark. Third, food prices were outrageous. Fourth, it was difficult to make a meal, and too complicated and time consuming to select items from several food vendors. Agree that something like this would likely work well in a revamped WSM (if that ever happens).
No Parking and too many questionable people hanging around.
funny that when it was Mossimo’s that space did just fine. What happened?
not enough money in dying brain drain cleveland to support this place
Sadly there was just not enough foot traffic to support it. Wentt here 3 separate times and enjoyed it every time, but I couldn’t help but notice that there was hardly anyone there and this was on a Saturday evening. Too bad. I think part of the problem is it’s kind of located in no man’s land. Once more townhomes/condos/apartments are built over in Hingetown whatever is located there on the corner stands more of a chance at succeeding.