Today is Valentines Day and Cape Europa would be a great place to take a loved one to dinner downtown. It has been a local favorite since it opened in 2000 and Wednesdays have traditionally been a busy night for them. Cafe Europa, located at 200 Davie Street, has been much in the news lately. The issues is related to the amount of rent that the restaurant pays and the fact that it is about 1/3 a of what the location could rent for now. Ironically, Cafe Europa is precisely one of the reasons that that part of downtown is so successful at attracting customers.
Now that Tanger Center for Performing Arts is under construction downtown and LeBauer Park is a popular neighbor, Cafe Europa is at risk of losing its lease. On the one hand, the city is responsible to the Greensboro community and should generate as much revenue as possible. On the other hand, Cafe Europa has been a community service, of sorts, for nearly two decades. As seen in the above photo, the restaurant exudes the feel of Old Europe, full of wood and plenty of outdoor seating, perfect for people watching. What do you think should happen to the restaurant?
Any extra money generated will not go to the city but to a private third party, Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. This whole thing stinks to high heaven, esp. since the Assistant City Manager who penned that deal is romantically involved with the person at GDPI who will benefit financially!
Cafe Europa should stay... anything that goes into that space will have a tough time surviving as the masses will boycott.
Cafe Europa is the best thing in Downtown Greensboro!
Posted by: Alex | Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 08:55 AM
It looks like a wonderful place. I hope it survives.
Posted by: Lois | Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 11:03 AM
Hopefully it remains open.
Posted by: William Kendall | Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 11:25 AM