Richtree - Time for Change?

So I just found out two days ago that the flagship Richtree location at Yonge and Wellington in downtown Toronto would be closing for the next six months. In fact not only are they closing down but the original Movenpick group is returning to the location with their Marche brand. This is an interesting development in a saga that stretches back as far as 1996 when Jorg and Mariann Reichert formed Richtree Inc. in essence splitting their partnership with Movenpick.

I worked for Richtree for over a year as team leader of the Rosti department and consider that year an important stepping stone in my career development. Now while I never had the opportunity to work at the flagship location (I was at Square One in Mississauga), it truly was magnificent. However when looking at the food quality from a customer perspective I find it interesting that Richtree was just never able to maintain the same level of quality as Movenpick Marche had managed to in their 12 years of operation. Even now working down the street as a concierge at One King West, when guests come to me looking for the restaurant, they refer to it as "Marche" and less so as Richtree.

According to a news report by the Toronto Star in March 2009, Movenpick plans to open 10 locations along a variety of brands including their flagship location which will still be at Yonge and Wellington. Other brand varieties include Bistro, Natural Bakery and Marchelino and will each offer a different experience for diners. They are expecting to make up to $30 million dollars a year in sales and are convinced they can lure patrons back to what was a highly successful venture.

The closing of the locations at Brookfield Place will however not affect any of the other Richtree locations currently in place including Square One and the Eaton Center amongst others. This means that Richtree will be in direct competition with Marche for business in Toronto making for a highly interesting situation later this summer. The link for the full article from Taste T.O is pasted below. Stay tuned!!!

Taste T.O. Article