A shaky economy and a problematic location

Customers Try to Save Boise Restaurant

By Jill Kuraitis, 8-17-08

Just two buildings away from the busiest pedestrian walkway in downtown Boise, Satchel’s Grill has been a fixture in the breakfast, lunch and weekend-night date scene for five years.

With its fresh, healthy food and good wine and beer, Satchel’s has nevertheless had a minor struggle all its life to be noticed, because it is set so far back from the street that it’s easy to miss.  You could work downtown for months and not realize it’s there.

However, owner Dominic DeLaquil has come up with creative solutions to attract new customers and keep the regulars.

“We’ve always tried to bring the community together, to be a meeting place and a place to hang out,” said DeLaquil.  “We have events for community organizations, we have live music on weekends, and there is Movie Night.”

Satchel’s large, shady outdoor patio is perfect for dancing to live local bands, and classic movies are projected onto the wall of an adjacent building on weekend nights.

About the street-setback location, DeLaquil said “We’ve always tried to make the best use we can of this unique space. But it is just off the beaten path, and sometimes, just off the path makes a huge difference.”

During January, February and March, legislators and staff are a good customer base.  But this year, DeLaquil said he and other downtown restauranteurs saw a slow downturn in business, and by spring, it was more than noticeable.

“People are more careful about what they spend – including on gas to get here from the west side of town – and the growth of good businesses in suburbs has also contributed,” he said.

Two weeks ago, DeLaquil reluctantly told his staff of 13 that Satchel’s would close. There has been “general grieving” as one server said, but as soon as word got out, a group of customers stepped in to try to do something.

Noreen Brisson-Capp is the organizer. She and her family have spent evenings at Satchel’s for more than four years. “One of the things we love about it is that we can go as a family, but run into grown-up friends too,” she said.  “And you never know what you’re going to find – a book club, a poetry reading, an interesting fundraiser…Dom has given so much to the community, and it’s time to give back.”

Brisson-Capp said fans and friends of Satchel’s are invited to a Tuesday night meeting at the restaurant to brainstorm about how they might help.  “We’re looking to see how much interest there is in saving Satchel’s and gather ideas about how to do it,” she said.

“I was resigned,” said DeLaquil, “I said we’re out of options, we’re done – but this group said they were so sad and upset by the news that they’ve put this together. It’s a long shot, but maybe there is something to it.”

The meeting is Tuesday night, August 19, at 7:30 on Satchel’s patio.  You can email Brisson-Capp at .

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