After a career in manufacturing, a New Yorker-turned-Richmonder is trying his luck in the restaurant business.
Mike Farley opened his first restaurant, Mainstream, in November on West Main Street in the Fan. And although business isn’t yet booming, Farley hopes the eatery can live up to its name.
“It’s wintertime, so it’s been a little slow, but I’m optimistic,” Farley said. ??Farley, 55, came to Richmond via Long Island in the summer of 1994, after being laid off from aircraft maker Grumman, one of the predecessors to defense giant Northrop Grumman.
“They were bought out by Northrop and laid everyone off,” Farley said. “I was one of thousands that lost his job.”
Once in Richmond, he spent his time working for JW Fergusson Son’s, a commercial printing services company, Dominion Windows Company and other local manufacturers before deciding to try something new. ??“I had the planning and purchasing experience, and that’s basically what I do here except with food,” Farley said. “So I figured I’d give it a try.”
After seeing an ad in the newspaper for a vacant restaurant space, Farley jumped at the chance. Within six or seven weeks, he had Mainstream up and running in the spot previously occupied by Plaza Mexico, which closed in March.
He invested about $98,000 to spruce the place up, and after barely two months in business he’s focused on getting Mainstream to stand out in the competitive Fan restaurant scene.
On the weekends – his busiest times – he brings in musicians and does karaoke.
“I’m hoping to get more of the neighborhood in this place,” said Farley. “I want to serve them good food, good music and cold beer.”
Mainstream serves appetizers, salads, wraps and sandwiches for under $10 and has a dinner menu for under $15. Farley added a brunch menu for Saturdays and Sundays.
“During the week, we have music pumping and the football games on,” he said. “I think with adding more live music things should pick back up soon.”
To help spread the word, he advertised in Style Weekly and recently made a Facebook page. ??He’s working on having a website put together by the end of the month.
As for leaving the Big Apple: ?“I don’t regret it all. I’m happy where I am.”
After a career in manufacturing, a New Yorker-turned-Richmonder is trying his luck in the restaurant business.
Mike Farley opened his first restaurant, Mainstream, in November on West Main Street in the Fan. And although business isn’t yet booming, Farley hopes the eatery can live up to its name.
“It’s wintertime, so it’s been a little slow, but I’m optimistic,” Farley said. ??Farley, 55, came to Richmond via Long Island in the summer of 1994, after being laid off from aircraft maker Grumman, one of the predecessors to defense giant Northrop Grumman.
“They were bought out by Northrop and laid everyone off,” Farley said. “I was one of thousands that lost his job.”
Once in Richmond, he spent his time working for JW Fergusson Son’s, a commercial printing services company, Dominion Windows Company and other local manufacturers before deciding to try something new. ??“I had the planning and purchasing experience, and that’s basically what I do here except with food,” Farley said. “So I figured I’d give it a try.”
After seeing an ad in the newspaper for a vacant restaurant space, Farley jumped at the chance. Within six or seven weeks, he had Mainstream up and running in the spot previously occupied by Plaza Mexico, which closed in March.
He invested about $98,000 to spruce the place up, and after barely two months in business he’s focused on getting Mainstream to stand out in the competitive Fan restaurant scene.
On the weekends – his busiest times – he brings in musicians and does karaoke.
“I’m hoping to get more of the neighborhood in this place,” said Farley. “I want to serve them good food, good music and cold beer.”
Mainstream serves appetizers, salads, wraps and sandwiches for under $10 and has a dinner menu for under $15. Farley added a brunch menu for Saturdays and Sundays.
“During the week, we have music pumping and the football games on,” he said. “I think with adding more live music things should pick back up soon.”
To help spread the word, he advertised in Style Weekly and recently made a Facebook page. ??He’s working on having a website put together by the end of the month.
As for leaving the Big Apple: ?“I don’t regret it all. I’m happy where I am.”
Spruce it up for $98k?….
Looks IDENTICAL to Plaza Mexico except the flat panel TVs, not sure exactly where the money went. Bathrooms, bar, tables, chairs, floors, walls, etc… all the same as Plaza.
Food is mediocre at best, and the first night they served alcohol I couldn’t get out the front door because a friend of a worker had been clocked over the head with a beer bottle out front and was passed out blocking the exit…
There is no such thing as a New Yorker-turned-Richmonder.
Great atmosphere and Great Brunch!!!!!!
Nice, quiet spot. Brunch is excellent and the staff view you as a person not a dollar sign. O and if your going to tell a story the most important part are the facts, TRAVIS. Drunk guy gets beer muscles and can’t back them up….No beer bottle over the head. Seen the same thing happen a thousand times!!!
I have been in the food industry for over 35 years and as with any new establishment their are growing pains. The ownership is first class and the staff is very freindly.Seafood Night here was one of the best meals we have ever eaten. Give them a chance and express your opinions while there, positive or negative. They will learn from the negative and appreciate the positive!