Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Sorry State of Restaurants In West Michigan..
Last night, the owners of 3 Famous Dave's Restaurants announced they had closed one, and the other two weren't doing very well. In the past year, two landmark restaurants(Duba's and The Schnizelbank) closed and knocked down. Pietros, another long time player-closed 1 of 2 they had. Nobody is busy, all in area are able to seat you w/out reservations. The barely controlled liquor licences available are flooding the downtown area with little pubs, with quaint names that go in and out of business like mad. This is the downside of "trickle down" economics in Michigan. The loss of Manufacturing jobs, has caused bars, restaurants, barbershops, convenience stores, etc. to fold at an alarming rate. Houses are selling (if at all!) for 10-15% below prices 2 yrs ago! The closed fast food joints around are mute testimony that cheap can't make it either! Turning this states' economy around will take longer than I will live, and it's too bad- because it's a beautiful state!
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13 comments:
Wow..that is sad.
We've had several local restaurants open and close in the past 3 years..but part of the reason was the sorry ass owner who got in over his head.
that is sad. On our camping trip to East Stroudsburg PA we experienced the same sort of thing...NO Restuarants, save for a pizza place here and there...sad so sad
I didn't realize Famous Dave's was a national chain. We have one here too. Barbecue? So all of Michigan is suffering from this? That is a shame. My dad lived in Grand Rapids briefly when I was growing up and I enjoyed visiting him there but his job transferred him elsewhere. (He was always moving from state to state so it wasn't specific to Michigan...)
Unusually gloomy for you mate!
Its sad when a place you love shows such decline. We have towns like this in Wales. Particularly in ex mining and steel areas. Still doesn't stop the mountains being beautiful though. But then I guess thats what you just said.
How awful.
Kayla- Much more going on here than mismanagement! Places I've known since I was a kid are going down...
DogB- Monday thru Thursday there is not a place here you couldn't walk right in and be seated!
Steph-What kind of work did he do? G.R. is just the size where I might know where he worked!
meredic- True, not my normal fun guy. I happen to be in the steel/specialty metals business, which might have something to do with my bummed out attitude!
Finn- I guess I'm down because I just lost another big customer to overseas(Orient!) competition...
I think this is a national trend. Sadly.
bail out...weigh your options ofset the loss and jump
What a shame. This is always happening in the town where I live.
PS You have an award m'dear, please call by my blog and collect. :)
I'm so sorry to hear this...I've always heard that Mich is a beautiful state. I have to get there someday.
Dan and I have thought of moving to West Michigan, but the economy does concern him. It pretty much is the only thing that has stopped us from looking at houses years ago. I always have liked Pietros when we have been up there.
We just got a Famous Dave's in Indianapolis.
Things aren't that bad her in MN on the restaurant front but the housing market here is about 60% foreclosures. Makes me nervous at times about whether or not to shatch up the next large refrigerator box i see, you know, just in case.
Har- Michigan has just been at it longer than most states. They are not cutting taxes or social services, even though the loss of jobs and businesses has resulted in a hella of alot less revenue...
DogB- I'm OK, I'm just getting sick of a trend that is putting my friends and neighbors into a tough situation...
Akelamalu- Thanks again for the award! I know England has had chronic high unemployment even longer than us...
UrbanV- You're welcome anytime-bring tourist dollars!
Lynda- Houses are cheap, good jobs are a little scarce, though...
Sornie- Don't worry, there is enough empty businesses where squatters can live....
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