I actually think this is a smart concept.
However, they have done some creative things such as a “one-night takeover” with the original Cerealholic Cafe concept. So far, it’s kept the new name that Jon Taffer gave the bar and is doing business as The Loft. Let’s get into it… Is The Loft from Bar Rescue still open?Īs of 2022, The Loft Elevated Bar + Food is still open and serving customers in Ybor City / Tampa, FL. I’ll also share some reviews from real customers that happened after Taffer’s changes were put into effect. Now that we’ve recapped the The Loft Bar Rescue episode, let’s talk about how the bar is doing after Jon Taffer and his crew left Tampa, FL.
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The Loft Elevated Bar + Food Update - What Happened Next? So were the changes from the Cerealholic Bar Rescue episode successful? Keep reading to learn how the bar is doing in 2022. For example, you can see the new menu here – it’s much more standard fare: He completely ditched the quirky cereal focus, which I think is a good call. Brandon is more focused on the nuts and bolts while Lisa likes the creative part.Īs part of the renovations, Jon Taffer rebranded it to a more traditional bar named The Loft Elevated Bar + Food. The issues with the bar are also causing stress between Lisa and Brandon. While I respect them for doing that to avoid stiffing their staff (which a lot of other Bar Rescue owners have done), it’s definitely not a long-term solution. Unfortunately, Cerealholic Cafe never really caught on and it’s been floundering since the initial opening.Īt the time of the Cerealholic Cafe Bar Rescue visit, the bar is reportedly losing a massive $9,000 per month.ĭarrell and Lisa are also having to take out loans just to make payroll. However, Lisa and Darrell invested their life savings to open it, so they have a lot riding on the success of Cerealholic Cafe. Brandon also previously worked as a general manager at another establishment and has a Masters in finance.
They all have experience in the hospitality industry. While Darrell and Lisa Lawson opened they bar, they brought in their son Brandon to manage it. However, a lot of the Cerealholic Cafe agree with me that it’s more of an odd touristy gimmick than a place that would have a bunch of regulars. I guess it does kind of fit with the unique and quirky nature of Ybor City. Like – why would you want Cinnamon Toast Crunch on top of your meatballs? Personally, I don’t think it sounds very tasty, either, though reviews for the original Cerealholic Cafe spot seemed decent. That could work well for a brunch spot, but it’s a bit odd for a bar. Beyond the cereal focus, it also has a very 80s/90s theme. That means they’ve only owned it for around a year at the time of the Cerealholic Bar Rescue episode.Īs the name suggests, the restaurant had a very…unique concept, with a focus on breakfast cereals.įor example, there were chicken wings with cereal sprinkled on top, cereal crepes, french fries with cereal sprinkled on top, and so on. The restaurant is located in an historic old church, which is a very unique space.Ĭerealholic Cafe is owned by Lisa and Darrell Lawson, who opened it in early 2021. More specifically, the restaurant/bar is located in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa, which is a hip historic area known for boutiques and vintage shops. In this episode, Jon Taffer visits Cerealholic Cafe in Tampa, FL. It was Season 8 Episode 20 and the episode name was “Magically Atrocious”. Though the The Loft Bar Rescue episode aired in May 2022, the actual filming and visit from Jon Taffer took place before that. Cerealholic Cafe, later renamed to The Loft Elevated Bar + Food, was an Ybor City / Tampa, Florida bar that was featured on Season 8 of Bar Rescue.