The news that the Barrelhouse is closing as the owners focus on a new EssEff spot and the Vinyl Room, which they also own, got me thinking about the various restaurants and bars on the Avenue. Walking over last night (a Thursday about 7:30–prime time), I noticed at least six employees in Five Guys–way more than the number of customers. It never seems even half full. Similarly, Asian Box and Joe and the Juice were nearly empty. It’s not a general Avenue issue as old standbys Mediterranean Kabob and Mingalaba were packed. Crepevine and Sapore are also generally packed and Blue Line Pizza does a nice business whenever I’m there. Joe and the Juice was closed forever for remodeling but that doesn’t seem to have given them a leg up over the other six or seven coffee places on the Ave. It feels like something is going to give with the less popular spots.