Say Goodbye to Samira
The riverfront restaurant closed its doors Monday due to a lack of business.
Due to a steadily diminishing customer base, Samira on the riverfront was forced to close its doors this week.
The bad news came Monday morning when the restaurant's management texted employees and asked them not to come in, according to a former server who asked not to be identified.
On Wednesday, owner Nick Dadich offered a farewell message on Samira's Facebook page, saying: "We regret to announce that we have permanently closed the doors of Samira. We want to thank...every customer we’ve had the pleasure to serve, as well as the great bands we’ve hosted here. We appreciate your support, and we’ll miss you all. Thanks for the great memories!"
The casual, fine dining restaurant opened its doors in December of 2010 at 2291 Riverfront Pkwy., and focused on affordability after its predecessor, The River Brasserie and Bar, floundered from high prices and a somewhat stuffy atmosphere, said Dadich when Samira first opened.
Cuyahoga Falls Deputy Director of Development Jennifer Syx is optmistic that another business will come along and take advantage of the spacious riverfront property, which originally served as a power plant decades ago.
"...They had great food and a very pleasant atmosphere; and the beautiful riverfront view was spectacular," said Syx. "We will be sorry to see them go. Having said that, we will work with the property owner, as we do with all our businesses, to locate a new establishment there as quickly as possible."
Now that Samira is shuttered, what business should replace it? Tell us in the Comments!
joe
7:11 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I am sorry for the closure but folks in CF do not have the kind of money that was charged for an entree at Samira, hopefully we will get a more affordable replacement
Jack Kelly
10:49 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
You don't get it. The purpose of a business is to bring people in from ALL over -- not to simply cater to you cheap skates in Cuyahoga Falls.
Patty Hardwick
8:28 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Samira failed because of mediocre food, lack of positive energy, and disrespect to customers. It's a beautiful venue, and I look forward to trying its successor.
Darla DeNiro
8:46 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The food was no good and too expensive. Why would anyone think a restaurant like this could make it here? I wonder the same thing about the Michael Simon restaurant that is going in at the new State Road area.
Jack Kelly
10:49 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
You're not very bright either. It speaks volumes that the only thing the Falls should have is places to cater to your dollar-store mentality.
Obviously the word "destination" is oblivious to you.
Frank Guernsey
2:13 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Michael Symon's - B Spot Burgers is whats opening. The most expensive thing on their menu is 9-10 dollars. He should do just fine.
Darla DeNiro
9:43 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
My dollar store mentality? Who do you think you are? LeBron James? Money is tight everywhere for everyone except Mitt Romney & his minions. How dare you diss me for not being wealthy!
Andy H
8:56 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Great place for a Sports Bar - open up the spaces inside and provide some nice decks over the River and you'd have it - River Rock Cafe!! or something with some draw power!! Live Bands on the weekends - of course and great service and good old dynamite burgers and bistro fare... Any takers?
Geoffrey Watson
9:02 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
We need a good popular restaurant to go in there. One that people beat down the door to get to. Something like Panera or Applebees. The problem is, it would not fit their corporate style. Even something like a Molly Browns would be good with their great down to earth food.
Kate Bigam
10:55 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Oh, God, no. This is such a small-town thing to say. "PUT IN ANOTHER APPLEBEE'S!" It's a shame that Cuyahoga Falls residents can't appreciate good independent restaurants when they're presented to them. I'm not saying Samira was the perfect fit - I ate there twice & had average experiences both times - but there's so much beyond corporate that's tastier, healthier, & that, if successful, could benefit small business owners instead of big-name boxed store big-wigs.
Earl Elevant
12:13 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Each one of those restaurants has a location within a couple miles of Samira. It would make absolutely no sense to put another one there.
Why not Hooters? Heh.
Walt Dailey
10:13 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Bad location. How many Restaurants have been there? I was never there and had no plans on going. I heard the prices were high and food was mediocre. Now Mels is different, good food, good service and extremely friendly.
Thomas Sullivan
10:22 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Layoff notice via txt message , real classy !
A micro brew would be nice and it would fit within the decor rather well
Greg Chapman
11:21 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I would love to see a Micro Brew in there as well. The Building would be perfect for one.
Kate Bigam
10:57 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
A microbrewery would be amazing here! I bet something like that could actually do pretty well... If Rockin' on the River has taught us anything, it's that Fallsites like to drink.
I agree about the layoff text. I really feel for those employees; what a crappy way to get the news that you need to find new employment.
Jeff
10:50 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I ate there with a friend in 2011. Food was mediocre, so we never went back. Pricing would not have made a difference. Something like Lockview (a unique place) here would be great.
Jack Kelly
10:51 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
What promotion does the city give to the Riverfront establishments? They spent a lot of time and energy to make it look nice. How about PROMOTING IT?!
Amanda Harnocz
4:59 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I think lack of signage and accessibility are the most difficult things about the riverfront.
Jack Kelly
7:36 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
That, too!
Adam C. Miller
12:40 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Heard a lot of bad things about that place... never went!
Chelsea
1:44 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
They charged too much for food that wasn't very good. You can't do that when you have Moe's right around the corner.
Adam C. Miller
10:53 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Moe's is AWESOME!
Melissa Bysura
2:55 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Doesn't matter what goes in there, until they address the parking issues I will steer clear. I ate at Samira a few times and the food was fine, prices were ok, the part that I remember most though was fighting and waiting for a tiny parking spot. No thanks
Kate Bigam
10:57 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
There's an entire parking deck RIGHT across the street. It's, like, an extra 20 steps.
Shawn
8:52 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I love the idea of a micro brewery that serves food.
Kate Bigam
10:59 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I went to Samira twice & had average to above-average experiences. The food was basic but not at all bad, the service a little spotty, the prices fine, the view beautiful. I'm sorry to see it go, but I'm hopeful that something with staying power will move in soon. As others have said, a microbrewery would be great - & any support the city can provide in actually spreading the word about independent restaurants & businesses in the area would be even better.
Lesley
5:46 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I think the location could be very successful with the right advertising, sufficient signage, and a menu for everybody. Also, opening the place up a bit and adding some lightening and more windows overlooking the river would be really nice. My vote is for a sports bar or a micro brew.
joe ponikarovsky
7:40 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
gotta say...lightening would indeed make it VERY exciting! not sure how many people would come back after the first visit though!
Ed Fisher
8:23 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I must agree with those who suggest that a micro brewery may succeed there. The building has the "feel" for it. And, people will make it a destination spot.
Susan
8:39 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Only went to Samira once - it was pretty empty so I'm not all that surprised that it's closing, though the bar/lounge seemed pretty full. Thought it was pretty pricey, just for flatbread and salad (salad was great! - flatbread not so much).
I agree - a micro brewery would be a good candidate for the location
Rob Myers
8:44 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Is this the old LaFever's building? The old powerhouse?
Geoffrey Watson
9:17 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Rob, Yes it is.
Rob Myers
10:24 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Well then I have to assume this location is going to be alot less appealing now that the falls aren't going to exist, eh? It's sad to see that they have to take them out, but that's another discussion.
Geoffrey Watson
11:11 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I agree the view will be less appealing, but at least the people into white water rafting will enjoy the rapids.
email
8:17 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
I went there for my big birthday celebration dinner, I was so disappointed, it is hard to sum up the ridiculous experience; I'll try to keep it brief. The "soup" I think was supposed to be diluted, I got the concentrate..gross. We asked about bacon on the spinach salad, they said there was none, but it was served with bacon; at this point my son didn't want to bother trying something else, it was taking way too long. My pizza by chef "mike" was pasty and cold. They forgot the french fries two different times, but still brought them way after the entrees....COLD!!!!! Then, as if it wasn't bad enough, we all had stale desserts. The staff was rude, we were the only ones there and they couldn't get it right, and it cost us 96 dollars. UGH, good riddance.