"The market was slower to develop than anticipated," said Reske, who handles the real estate side of Robinia. "Combine that with being overly optimistic and there’s an increased chance of failure."

Also at Robinia, owners Laura Jones and Sarah Kinser run Julep. Maduro owner Brian Haltinner and his nephew, Lucas Balamuth, own and run the wine bar Barolo.

"Julep and Barolo are great stand-alone concepts," Reske said. "They could thrive in another, maybe better, location. I know they’d kick butt downtown."

Reske and Brandon Brieske own and run Black Locust Cafe, and Reske has been working there as a barista. This summer Black Locust took the place of A-OK Sunshine & Spirits, run by Johnson Public House co-owners Gwen and Kyle Johnson.

One kitchen handled all three spaces. Chef Aaron Mooney developed the menu and when he left, Nick Johnson, formerly of 1847 at the Stamm House, took over.

The owners have floated several ideas about what to do with the building. There's talk of renting out one or more of the spaces, turnkey style, and of new restaurants coming in.