As of today, Dragonfly and Garage Bar (1865 W. 25th St.) are closed.
Marlin Kaplan, chef and owner, says that landlord Adam Waldbaum decided to shutter the businesses without warning.
“I found out he slammed the doors just like everybody else,” Kaplan told me. “The business was really doing well.”
Waldbaum offers a different explanation, stating that Kaplan left him high and dry.
“He came in, sold me a bill of goods, none of it came true, and then he left,” states Waldbaum. “Rent wasn’t being paid.”
Kaplan adds “I’m still a little in shock.”
This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2012.
Knowing Kaplin, I’d go with Waldbaum on this one.
Sad
Wow that sucks..
I’m sorry to hear about this. We at ABC the Tavern wish everyone the best.
If we started to put two and two together in Cleveland we would see that things all come together in time-space…Did you know that ‘time and space can not be separated?’ ‘No you can’t have one, you can’t have one, you can’t have one without the other…
Where is the ego? Find the ego, find the problem. Separation and confussion and the ego walk hand in hand. Out of control ego tries to force its ill-conceived ideas on a world who just hopes the ego will antee-up and put a tiny bit of its tremendous accumulation,,but now the ego screams…’I need more! Much more and in larger slices. Greed in America today is out of control. I thought it was bad in my day. Greed takes monitary territory and works toward a stake in the political and money controled opportunities. Cherry-Picking or if done underhandedly–then it is bottom-feeding…working the weakest link into a corner and cleaning the carcass for all that can be canibalized, converted to assets in the form of money or political influence. Win–loose relationships…Having a man by his balls and asking him nasty questions. I am happy that the world is now run by a bunch of rich pricks who think they are smart but their snot.
Adam,you’re the man. At last the truth be told!
“like everybody else..? shall we talk Marlin, Lira, Pig Heaven?
Landlords don’t lock doors on paying tenants…
Not necessarily true, James. The owner of the strip at Westbay in Westlake kicked out Brendan O’Neils for a hibachi restaurant without even bothering to inform the owner of BON. They found out when a newspaper was writing a story on the new place moving in. And Brendan O’Neils seemed to be doing well. Unlike that Japanese one which was eventually taken over by another Hibachi place, the people who owned Sakura in Lakewood.
Need more detail on this story! Want to heat what is really going on! Facts not speculation. Look into it for us CleveScene.
Just more re-shuffling the old deck — they’re all living on the ruins of a former civilization. Parasites eating more parasites…
Garage was the place to be back in the day, haven’t been there in a couple of years but was planning on hitting it soon….Guess not…
Damn that was a nice contrast to all the more upscale places down there, too bad.
I thought Jeff and Ursala Allison owned these spots. When did they sell to Kaplan, and did they also sell the Garage Bar location in Columbus too?
I have a few things to say. This is an extremely sad and difficult time for everyone involved with Dragonfly and Garage Bar. I want to thank all of our supporters, past, present, and future. Without you, we would not have been as good as we were. And we were good. Really good. I send my love and gratitude to our staff, past, present, and future. We had our moments. But we pulled together as a team, because we believed so very strongly in what we were doing. How many of you in this business can get staff together at 9 AM on a Sunday morning to drive out to Red Hawk Farm in Newbury, Ohio, to work a 2 acre garden, rush back to open, and love every minute, voluntarily? We did. Every week during growing and harvesting season. We were all so very excited about the new menu coming out this week. We would have been the very first 100% sustainable Sushi restaurant in Ohio. Something we were all so very proud of. Garage had the most amazing team! Each and every one of you should be so very proud of everything you’ve accomplished. I am honored to call you “friend.” I will not point fingers. It’s a useless waste of energy. What’s done is done. I just want the staff to know that you have done an amazing job. And I thank you from the depths of my heart for your loyalty, dedication, and very hard work. I wish you all nothing but the best. Please remember us with fond memories.
It truely is sad. Dragonfly is an amazing place. Marlin is a master of his craft, always creating new, exciting dishes that always left a lasting impression. The restaurant had an atmosphere like no other and with the addition of the elevated patio, he was definately heading in the right direction . The staff was great. Michael, the bartender, would prepare cocktails that you could not find anywhere else, even if you tried. The servers were always professional and attentative. They had the reviews prove it. Dragonfly will be missed by many. It truely was an amazing place with an atmosphere that only Marlin could make come to life
I always thought the “garage bar” was the bar I have in my garage. I guess I should have trademarked the name.
few basics- if the business was making money Adam would have left it open.
Ursula and Jeff transition out of the business over 6 months ago.
There were significant improvements made to Dragonfly as a result of Marlin entering the picture – overall Marlin can be a great professional.
Some staffers created a bad environment for both co workers and customers because of their addictions
Hopefully someone will buy the location and make the best of of it
“Some staffers created a bad environment for both co workers and customers because of their addictions”
Holy crap…Fire these junkies and get people in there that know how to make a drink and sell show…Maybe the original owners will set up another great place like the Garage was back in the day when people had a bit of money to go out with…
I liked the Garage quite a bit….
Too bad…
@L.P., I’m sorry for you and your staff but lets be real about this. Way before you and Marlin teamed up this city has been filled with restauranteurs and employees that volunteer their time, support local farmers and businesses, and give back to their communities. This has been going on a long, long, time. The difference is that successful restauranteurs keep their heads down, take care of their businesses and stay out of the drama. Not to be a naysayer at an unfortunate time but come on! A day doesn’t go by when the words drama and Marlin don’t collide! Somehow Marlin and sustainibility just don’t seem to go together.
Anytime a restaurant closes in Cleveland it is a sad day for everyone, especially the city itself. Maybe its time that everyone become better partners in the restaurant community itself instead of claiming he personally created it.
May I just add….the restaurant community IS an amazing partnership, and I certainly wouldn’t judge them by “this.”