08/05/2026
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We have decided to consolidate operations to a single location sooner than expected so we can get back to offering pop-ups.
We will be closed until August 29th when we'll hold our Grand Re-Re-Re-Opening with a BOGO special (buy one meal, get one free).
Once the shift is complete, we'll simply operate entirely from our 105 Cowing Street location (Canalside along the water, next door to Fall Street Brewing).
You'll see our 106 Fall Street location slowly empty, but we are NOT closing for good...only streamlining our operation so we can better meet demand.
We look forward to seeing you again starting August 29th!
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Inspired by Bob's Burgers, one of our favorite shows, I'm inviting you all to our Grand Re-Re-Re-Opening on Saturday, August 29th.
I was hoping to open this weekend, but once again, the lack of air conditioning repair by management makes it quite unbearable in there, especially when we flip on the warmers and steamers.
My BBQ adventure has been wrought with challenges from the very beginning, but I love it too much to pull the plug. All the incredible feedback on the food, all the kudos, all the support...y'all keep us going.
We first announced our Grand Opening back in 2024 after we completely rehabbed a large parcel in Liberty Plaza. Unfortunately, our Grand Opening was delayed due to building issues.
Once the building issues were resolved, and the remodeling was completed, we held our Grand Re-Opening in the summer of 2025.
And it was good.
While the location was not without its quirks, it was still our home, and we watched Riptide BBQ grow in popularity.
Unfortunately, not too long after we opened, the neighboring restaurant had to close due to recurring roof and sewer issues...issues that eventually oozed into our space as well.
Long story short, the issues went unresolved, and we faced a decision...walk away from what we built and reopen somewhere else, or walk away from what we built and close forever.
We chose to reopen.
Due to the amount of room we needed for prep, cooking, smoking, serving, and allowing for dine-in, we had to split our operation between two locations.
We would prep, cook, and smoke from 105 Cowing Street (along the water behind Fall Street) and then serve from 106 Fall Street, which was essentially right across the road.
Following weeks of repairs, repainting, replacements, and redecorating, we held our Grand Re-Re-Opening just before the "It's a Wonderful Life Festival" in late 2025.
And it was good.
Not only did we see an uptick in visitors, but we also saw a massive uptick in catering interest. So much so that we were unable to open very often for takeout or dine-in service.
Coupled with the surge in catering is a failed HVAC system at the 106 Fall Street location. We've now been without air conditioning for the past ten weeks due to management's decision to not make the repair.
We aren't wimps...we can handle a little heat...but it gets quite unbearable in the kitchen area once we power everything up, and I just can't ask that of Gabrielle.
Rather than continue to battle with the stuffy and stifling heat back there, I'm going to take the next few weeks to consolidate so we can operate entirely from our 105 Cowing Street location (Canalside, right along the water, next door to Fall Street Brewing).
I realize that this doesn't come without trade-offs and I was careful to consider both Pros and Cons before making the decision.
Some of the Pros...
- I never intended to operate like a "traditional restaurant" with consistent hours. My life is far too busy and chaotic for that. While I love the pop-up model, having a brick and mortar location carries certain expectations. Catering demand is making it impossible to meet those expectations, so consolidating to one space will make it possible for us to hold pop-ups even if we're also prepping for catering.
- Consolidating to one location will save more than $1,500 per month in wasted overhead.
- Consolidating to one location will save considerable time since we won't have to transport food, containers, bins, and supplies back and forth at the beginning and end of each service.
- At our 105 Cowing location, we have air conditioning, heat, adequate power needs, and a beautiful Canalside view right in the heart of downtown.
- The 106 Fall Street location will no longer be dark for most of the week...a lovely new bookstore will be opening in this location. More on this in a future post.
Now...let's not ignore some of the Cons...
- We will not have room for dine-in service, although I'm not sure this will have a huge impact since nearly everyone opted for takeout anyhow. For those who do want to stay downtown, there are plenty of scenic benches and areas for picnics. :)
- We will not be nearly as visible. Tucked away Canalside, the walk-by and drive-by traffic will pretty much be replaced with boat-by traffic. :) This is the biggest impact I wrestled with, but we do have a loyal following and I'm trusting that will continue. Being highly visible on the corner is great, but it's also pointless if we don't have the opportunity to be there.
- We will not be able to host people indoors, so our takeout procedure will shift a bit. You can either come to what will become our walk-up area (the location was an ice cream shoppe many years ago) or we will bring it right to your car when you arrive. We will also be looking into offering delivery.
I realize that this consolidation isn't without hiccups, but the 106 Fall Street location just isn't needed or necessary, and as we work to meet the seismic shift in catering demand, operating from a single location is the only way we can keep moving forward.
In short, we aren't closing, we're streamlining.
And we aren't moving, we're consolidating.
Here's what you can expect...
Our Grand Re-Re-Re-Opening will take place on Saturday, August 29th, and we'll be serving from our 105 Cowing Street location. You'll find us right along the canal next door to Fall Street Brewing. I'm working on signage, we'll be hard to miss.
At this Grand Re-Re-Re-Opening, we will hold a BOGO event...buy one meal and get one free. It's our way of thanking you for navigating this final change with us. :)
Finger Lakes Drone Solutions will be swinging by to grab some footage so I can show you exactly where we are and just how easy it will be for you when we hold pop-up events.
I'll continue to post as the consolidation process continues. You'll see our 106 Fall Street location slowly empty as we make the shift. Please help squash any ill-informed rumors or incorrect assumptions that we're closing. :)
The 'No Shelf Control' bookstore will take over the space and I'll post about this soon...they'll be a fantastic addition to downtown and it's been a pleasure to help guide them through the process via my role with the SFDC.
So remember...
We will remain closed (aside from catering) until our Grand Re-Re-Re-Opening event on Saturday, August 29th where we'll have a BOGO event to introduce our one and only location.
We are NOT closing for good, nor are we really moving, we're simply consolidating.
Oh! And if you see me out and about downtown, there's no need for sympathy. This is a good thing...a great thing...and I honestly couldn't be happier. It is 100% the right move for myself, my family, and this business if we're going to meet the increase in demand.
Thank you again for your ongoing support, and hang in there, I'll be making all this chaos up to you. ;)
