This coming Sunday will be the last day of operation at Fountain (34105 Chagrin Blvd.) in Moreland Hills. The restaurant opened last summer.
Chef Brian Okin says that the restaurant’s demise is the result of bad timing.
“Simply stated, the owners’ divorce was just too much on the business,” he explains. “They need to liquidate everything so they can get through it.”
The well-off Wheelers always dreamed of opening a European-style café in Cleveland. Too bad that dream ended this way.
“They’re not restaurant people,” adds Okin. “We’ve seen it too many times – people who have no idea what goes into running a restaurant.”
Okin says that management most likely will offer cash refunds for unused gift certificates after the last of operation.
As for Okin: He says that he’s got a number of promising irons in the fire.
This article appears in May 2-8, 2012.
Always sorry to hear of a closing. Best wishes to all involved.
As a former employee of Fountain, I was surprised that the place stayed open as long as it did. The Wheelers really had no idea what they were doing, and they refused to let anyone help them. If anyone tried to offer advice or dared to disagree with them, they sent them out the door. They put their personal wants and needs ahead of the paying customers. When they came in to eat, we were told to stop what we were doing to take care of them first. The cooks had to stop what they were doing to make THEIR food first, and Iris used to cut in front of people in line at the cafe. They would pick one server every day and make them stand by the window to watch for them in the parking lot. They spent a lot of money ordering expensive wines and throwing parties for their friends, but they were very close-minded when it came to listening to the guests’ requests. Overall, it was a very toxic work environment. There was a great deal of sexual harassment taking place too, not by the other servers but by the management! We had to wear these short skirts and the managers would make nasty comments about wanting us to climb ladders or bend over, etc. I had to leave because it was so uncomfortable. They’re lucky they lasted as long as they did!
As a patron of Fountain, I never ever witnessed the kind of behaviors listed in the above comment. The service was always professional, the food always delicious and Iris was always most gracious and polite. This will be a great disappointment to many patrons as the concept and the overall atmosphere of Fountain was different and relaxing. As far as the chef’s comments on not being restaurant people – everyone has to start somewhere. I’ve been to restaurants owned and operated by well experienced restauranteurs that have also closed due to bad food, bad service and poor management only to have them re-open months later with yet another new place. Sounds like sour grapes to me…..employees should not be taking sides in a divorce where they are employed….be professional. I’m going to miss Fountain. Had many great meals with friends there. Sorry there is so much personal discourse.
Thank you, Iris, for some lovely moments in time…
There was so much to like here…