Krieger, 6/11/08

MEATPACKING DISTRICT— Though the MePa institution Florent will shut that Sunday night, landlord Joanne Lucas has confirmed that she will reopen the space as R & L Restaurant, the restaurant that preceded Florent, just two days later. Lucas tells us that she initially shopped around the lease to a couple of retailers and eventually changed her intellect: “We thought about having someone lease it but thereupon I decided to just take it by myself. It used to be my father’s diner before it was Florent.”

And get that: she will be keeping pretty much the same menu as Florent and will keep on all the staff members that still work there. When asked why Florent isn’t involved in the new evolution she responded, “Florent from what I understand is moving on to a new chapter in his life.” Many will see that as a happy ending for the Florent saga. He may be

gone, but the space will remain unchanged. Yet you still have to confess that was a intelligent move on Lucas’ part, a way to rake in the revenue from an established restaurant at a day when even retailers aren’t willing to pay the rent she was reportedly asking. that could be a temporary solution while she waits for a tenant.
· All Florent Coverage [~E~]

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