Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Jam in a Jar .. customers come back.
Here I am in Jam in a Jar Green Lanes after a 9 month absence... it'll never be the same without Quto (the previous lovely owner) we've all said.
No it's not the same, but I actually think it's become comfortable and attractive again plenty of couches and armchairs and soft padded chairs at the plain wooden tables. Actually I like it again...pleasant back tape music, comfy chairs and GREAT coffee at reasonable prices.
But it's EMPTY! Come back Green Lanes and The Ladder and HARRINGAY. I like the atmosphere again...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by adamvietnam on
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I went a couple of times after the transition but the staff were so unwelcoming (despite it being empty) and the music was awful.
It's also interesting that whilst the real Jam In The Jar struggled to make ends meet when they were often packed to the rafters , the new owners tick along quite comfortably with hardly any trade.
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Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on
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To quote Darth Vader, I felt something I haven’t felt in a long time… but no desire to go back. There was a cool barista in Gazelle’s… and I thought maybe the creative spirit might return. There were some nights run by a Jam musician that were great, but I know if they payed him, so that past by. I think the rest of Green Lanes from the retailers seem to suggest something is not 100% there.
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Permalink Reply by David on
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Hmmm… there was a very weird vibe when I went in last week - a few unshaven men in those ridiculous shiny jackets, with massively expensive cars parked outside. The business doesn’t seem to be there to make money, so better spend my cash in one of the many excellent places nearby.
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Permalink Reply by Sapphireblue on
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- While I agree with those comments from before, I must say, I had a very big welcome from landlord and staff and there were no intimidating bunches of swarthy men in sight .. Good space for bringing my laptop and working, plus nice background music, mixed soft pop...
- All I'm saying is maybe things are improving there. Seating is plain, comfortable and well spaced. Give it a try!
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Permalink Reply by Sophie on
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I feel like this thread could be so useful to the owners. And interesting that it's had over 600 views.
For me, what happened to Jam in a Jar shows the overriding importance and impact of good interior design, and understanding who you're trying to attract.
The place used to be more colorful, a bit alternative and approachable with a great atmosphere. It was visited be people like me who want somewhere to go that is brunchy, lunchy and also has a bar and music/ things going on. The Salisbury and Brouhaha aren't open in the day so there's a captive audience. Essentially it had character and a soul and a good vibe by how it looked and felt which made it a local destination.
But now I find it to appear souless, sparce, and a little intimidating. It lost customers because it completely changed what it looked like and felt like to the people who used to go. I feel terrible for the owners because it's kind of like they ruined the place...Having read this post I might consider walking by and taking another look but it's just not somewhere I feel I relate to. I have also seen a few random people there - because no one knows what it's about and who the target demographic is.
It would be great if they did a launch or an event to show what is it all about now, and invited the locals. Maybe they have. Would be great if they hosted some open mic nights, spoken word, book launches, creative workshop space, a halloween party - things that are fun and communicate what, if anything, it's about.
It's lovely to have a post candidly asking people to go back. I hope others share their views and we can feed back what could change to make it more appealing again.
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Update -
I went in today to see what's what and to try the coffee. It was one of those coffees that comes way too hot to drink. I realise now that the chairs and furniture are the same as next door so maybe they bought it. They're dirty pink velvet chairs. The whole place is going for something completely different which is their perogative. Not for me.
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Permalink Reply by Gee Kay on
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I ab-so-lu-te-ly loved Jam In A Jar. I had been a regular for many years and met so many amazing people there. As I'm a DJ and a live music promoter, I approached the current owners earlier this year about putting on gigs but they subtly told me to do one. They simply don't get what made Jam In A Jar such a special place. They can make it as comfortable and as attractive as they want. With that kind of attitude however, they will never be able to replicate the spirit, warmth and hospitality of the 'old' Jam In A Jar. If anyone is interested, I'm currently booking bands that performed at Jam In A Jar directly across the road at The Langham Club. John Motors (a vocal-led funk quartet) will be performing there on Friday 29 November. Entry will be free and you'll be surprised how cheap the pints are at The Langham Club.
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Permalink Reply by adhamzaki on
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Whatever people think of new Jam in a Jar, there is no reason to bring people's skin colour into this conversation. I'm a man with brown skin and a beard, and it's very disappointing to come on here and find that people are frightened and intimidated by people who look like me. I hope that this online community will remember that Harringay and HoL are for everyone, regardless of ethnicity and appearance.
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One comment made me laugh - about the tables being old. Everything was old with the previous owners, that's what gave JnJ it's charm - that and the personalities of managers like Quto and Alberto. The tables and chairs in there now are old wood, perfectly clean - unless of course you all want white IKEA furniture? I certainly don't.
Another comment was about skin colour. I do apologise if ' groups of swarthy men' sounded racist. Not intended to be so. I'll be more careful with my adjectives in future.
What I was referring to Is when the local male population goes and sits in groups at a venue and there are no females present ... hardly ever. It puts all of us women off. JnJ was always completely gender mixed and multicultural - comfortable for a very diverse population and a good spread of age groups. The current owners do not seem to have achieved that..
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Hi Adam
I’m pretty certain that the comment was not intended to be racist, but I can completely understand why you found it troubling.
My comment about ‘unshaven men in shiny jackets’ was a nod to the fact that it’s become a hangout exclusively used by 20-something Albanian men. Amazing that they can all afford high-end Mercedes and 3 phones apiece, despite not apparently having jobs.
We now have a bunch of such places a mile up the road - to the extent that my female friends will cross the road to avoid the groups blocking the pavement outside.I’ll doubtless get blocked for posting this, despite the fact that it’s true.
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