I've been on vacation for the last couple weeks. In order to catch up on the news that I missed, I'll be doing two news roundup posts a day for the next few days until I'm reasonably caught up.

Laundry's, the parent company of McCormick & Schmick's, has decided to close the seafood restaurant and reopen it as a Claim Jumper, a mining-themed restaurant known for its large portions.

I had heard a rumor about this on Friday, Sept. 20, but I a visit to the restaurant and a call to Laundry's PR firm provided no confirmation of the tip.

I'm not so sure that Claim Jumper will be any more successful in that spot.

If the higher end McCormick & Schmick's didn't work in that spot, I don't see how Claim Jumper works there. I'll admit that I haven't eaten at a Claim Jumper since my college days, but my recollection is that it's filled with families and others whose other options that night might be Applebee's or the Olive Garden. While there's nothing wrong with those restaurants, if California Pizza Kitchen couldn't survive a few blocks away, I can't see Claim Jumper surviving either.

I've had business lunches at McCormick & Schnick's. I've met colleagues after work for drinks at McCormick & Schmick's. But I don't think I'd ever hear any of my friends propose Claim Jumper's as a location for drinks or lunch. With so many good and local options nearby, I think that'd be the case for most people who work or live downtown.

While I understand the appeal of such a chain restaurant, it seems more suited for Natomas, Elk Grove or Roseville than the Downtown area with limited parking and relatively fewer families.

More coverage of the closing of McCormick & Schmick's: