Two restaurants in Short Pump have closed their doors over the past week. The first, That’s BS: Burgers & Sports, which opened just a few months ago in the old Ham’s location at Broad and Springfield, couldn’t survive the recession. A sign posted on the front door this past weekend says it all:
“That’s BS: Burgers & Sports is closing its’ doors due to the economic climate. We truly appreciate your patronage and wish you the best. Thanks.”
The second to close is Paradise Pizza. Although not an entirely new restaurant, it was originally the West End Bottoms Up Pizza location, situated next to Bruster’s Ice Cream in the Town Center at Twin Hickory shopping center but still run by the same owners and management.
Owner James Jones recently broke ties as a franchise of the Shockoe Bottom location after repeated customer comments that the Short Pump location’s pizza wasn’t held in the same regard as the original restaurant, despite the fact that, according to Jones, all pizza ingredients used were identical. There’s no official word on the reason for Paradise Pizza’s closing, but the restaurant didn’t ever seem to draw a crowd since the name and food change.
There’s no word on if or when any new businesses will occupy the space in either building.
This story orginally ran on Downtown Short Pump, a partner of Richmond BizSense.
Two restaurants in Short Pump have closed their doors over the past week. The first, That’s BS: Burgers & Sports, which opened just a few months ago in the old Ham’s location at Broad and Springfield, couldn’t survive the recession. A sign posted on the front door this past weekend says it all:
“That’s BS: Burgers & Sports is closing its’ doors due to the economic climate. We truly appreciate your patronage and wish you the best. Thanks.”
The second to close is Paradise Pizza. Although not an entirely new restaurant, it was originally the West End Bottoms Up Pizza location, situated next to Bruster’s Ice Cream in the Town Center at Twin Hickory shopping center but still run by the same owners and management.
Owner James Jones recently broke ties as a franchise of the Shockoe Bottom location after repeated customer comments that the Short Pump location’s pizza wasn’t held in the same regard as the original restaurant, despite the fact that, according to Jones, all pizza ingredients used were identical. There’s no official word on the reason for Paradise Pizza’s closing, but the restaurant didn’t ever seem to draw a crowd since the name and food change.
There’s no word on if or when any new businesses will occupy the space in either building.
This story orginally ran on Downtown Short Pump, a partner of Richmond BizSense.
I had the Bottoms Up Pizza once, thinking it would be like the original. It wasn’t. It sucked. I never did get to the sports place. I don’t think it was open three months. If you’re thinking about it and you don’t have a national franchise behind you, don’t open a restaurant right now.
I ate at the now closed Bottom’s location in Twin Hickory twice. The pizza was definitely not the same as the one on Canal St. and the mood and general feel of the restaurant was horrible. I gave it two chances and they both disappointed, so I’m not surprised it closed.
Also, from my understanding, quite a few difference restaurants have opened in the old Ham’s spot which used to be something else as well I can’t remember off the top of my head. The economy of course isn’t helping but I wonder too if it’s the location…?
B.S. was originally Hops and it was terrible, then came Hams, which was damn near the same restaurant. I don’t think it’s the location, just a lot of bad ideas and bad food. When B.S. put those cheap signs on the building, I knew it was only a matter of time. If you don’t have enough money to put up a proper sign, then that may be a red flag. If someone comes up with a good idea I think the location is fine. Not everyone wants to go to the Mall. I don’t know if it is a fact… Read more »
Paradise / Bottoms Up…was a dump with chain smoking statues drinking draft beer all day long…Who in the h*** wants to eat around that type of atmosphere…
And as for the old Hams…I went 1 time; and walked out of the smoky h*llhole full of adolescents…
Bottoms up was terriable we went 3 different times spaced out over 1 year. Terrible service and so-so food.
BS I too never tried. I liked Hops before the menu change then it went to hell and it has been downhill ever since.
I suspect, as others have indicated, that poor service did BS in. I went to Ham’s once and service was terrible: all the superficial things were there — chirpy fake friendliness, etc. — but nothing that counted — waited forever to get seated, to get food, no drink refill, etc.
For Know Iit All- I would appear that you are probably the type of Nag that people who frequented Paradise/ The BUP, was trying to avoid by going there. As one of the “so-called statues” it was a place that people could go to and enjoy a drink or twleve and escape people who bitch about everything that they cannot control. Of cousre, the operative word for you is “eat”. You probably go to alot of places where all you wish to do is gorge yourself… I have to go now in order that I can chain smoke and lift… Read more »
I wouldn’t call either one of these locations Short Pump.
James Jones was not the owner of Paradise / Bottoms Up- claims he owns lots of things around town but owns nothing. The only thing he knows how to do is run businesses into the ground. James Jones = low class
Hey Da Playa’s Club,
Do us all a favor and let us know which bar/restaurant you’re going to now so that way we can avoid all nearby roads just in case you attempt to drive after having 12 lagers!
Hey Glen Jean…or should I say “Know It All”:
I will keep that in mind; however, I do not believe there is a chance of running into you, figuratively or literally. You are probably the type that like to frequent trendy wine bars or coffee houses and pontificate how important you think you are, when probably all you do is set around with several other “house fraus” and gab about how pitiful your lives are while you’re out on the daily “Doughnut Circuit.”