New Trends in the Restaurant Business #WGDinesOut #restauranttrends #diningout

I love to cook...but I also love dining out at delicious restaurants at home and during our travels! It's interesting to note that dining out trends change from year to year. Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is discussing a recent restaurant trend: renovating older, historic buildings as modern restaurants. This feature may contain affiliate links.

Every year, many new restaurants open in the already very crowded world of cuisine and catering. However, one way that some restaurants are taking their trade to the next level is by opening new places in old -- sometimes heritage -- buildings. Let’s explore some of the reasons why restaurant owners take this approach, issues they may face, and what taking a similar approach could add to your business.

Restoring an Old Building

There are many buildings that can be given a new lease on life as a restaurant. The building may be tired, water damaged, or simply abandoned. However, they may also contain just the character necessary to add something new and/or special to a restaurant! Many buildings that get snatched up for new eateries have been dormant for quite some time...possibly even being readied for demolition. That means many of these buildings can be saved by restaurant renovation projects. When restoring these older buildings, the features and structures should be examined by specialists. This step is to ensure all restoration work is completed legally/according to building code -- while keeping the building's integrity and history in mind. 

Image Source, Pexels

Issues With This Trend

Although the idea of restoring an old building for new projects is appealing, the execution can sometimes be quite problematic. The main reason for this is the legal requirements necessary to use an old building as a food and drink establishment. Keep in mind the types of laws and regulations that must be adhered will depend on the exact type of building you plan to use. Because each building is unique, their specific requirements will vary -- depending partly on its age and the materials the building is comprised of. The building's condition also becomes one of the main issues you will face if you're an independent business looking to restore an old building. 

Examples of past restaurant launches have shown major setbacks when restoring. One such restaurant renovation is a tapas bar in Toronto named Taberna. They anticipated and planned for four months of renovations on an old former stables building. In reality, the build took 11 months to finish. The cause of this delay? During the renovation process, they discovered more and more surprises -- problems that they had not encountered before. This is a common problem when restoring older buildings. Another problem to consider is asbestos. If you've ever been exposed to asbestos, you need to talk to a skilled mesothelioma attorney. Keep in mind that removing abestos from an old building takes time and considerable financial resources. 

How Can This Approach Add Value?

Overall, renovating an old building and giving it a new lease on life in the form of a restaurant can give your eatery an edge over the rest of the market. A historical building can play a key role in your marketing: the heritage of the building that you use! Really use the building's unique history as a story to sell your brand...and people will come for both the history and the dining experience. The heritage and the bespoke nature of your eatery will provide the value. With the right marketing and menu, a unique locale will definitely help make your restaurant a roaring success!