Poor Planning Can Only Mean Poor Results

Anthem Opinions is fortunate to have a Mr. Fix-It to give our readers the best tips possible for making your home more efficient, but in addition to his excellent advice, Forrest Fetherolf, is currently Treasurer of the ICCC Club; is an active member and former officer of The Woodchips Club; attends numerous board and committee meetings; and has had a very successful past in owning a real estate construction company, now primarily operated by his son, Scott (with his dad's assistance).  He also owns and manages a number of rental properties here and in other Las Vegas locations.

As a result of that expertise, he's written this article that demonstrates that extensive experience....

...and with pleasure, we present it to you.

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Life After Vic's Restaurant Fails

Indicators show Vic's Restaurant will not survive...

...that history will be repeated for the 5^th time.

The menu pricing is constantly changing, hours of operation and days of operation are constantly changing; complaints are mounting...

....which means only one thing to me…

VIC’S IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN AND THE FUTURE LOOKS DIM.

Vic’s has been in operation for only 7 months in some way, shape, or form. 

Whether we call it a soft opening or a hard opening, it's becoming apparent..

Vic’s is in trouble, and no matter what they try, my guess is...

IT ISN’T GOING TO WORK!

Remember the trio of Tirzo, Tubin, and Slark when each of them failed within 3 months of taking over after the previous failure ?

Vic’s is on "credibility probation" after the disastrous Filipiniana catering event with over 300 guests in attendance. 

The Filipiniana Club went "light" on Vic’s when they were promised Vic’s would do better in the future and Chef Jason and the head waitress "left their employ".

The Filipiniana Club was kind enough to give Vic’s a second chance in booking their next December event, but The Filipiniana Club also made one other condition perfectly clear…

...anything less than stellar food and service, and the club is done with them.

So...all eyes will be on Vic’s performance. 

The ICCC , on the other hand, has not been so consoling. It is holding two events this year and will not book Vic’s catering for either; instead a potluck dinner serving about 300 guests will be conducted at each venue.

The Woodchips Club's annual Christmas party will also "pass" on Vic's; and instead, will be held at Buckman's this year, normally catering to approximately 125 guests.

And the word is now out... that other Clubs are rapidly choosing other alternatives to Vic's as well, and instead will follow the potluck idea, or be catered at Buckman's, as well as, other off site locations.

What does all of this mean to our community? 

Are we protected from any losses, should the restaurant default?

When the original lease was signed, all "personal financial guarantees" were REMOVED in order to entice this operation.

A number of concerned citizens warned of the financial dangers of doing so, yet were ignored by the board. 

Those individuals were branded as "malcontents" by those whose desire for some kind of restaurant, exceeded the general business principles of sound financial planning.

Sadly, this has now become a trend in decisions made by those who supposedly "know what to do",  yet "have never done it"  themselves.

The fault then goes to three parties when it comes to yet another restaurant that appears to be failing.

First, there was the lack of any relevant business experience of those who made the financial decision in choosing an individual who had never before owned a restaurant, as well as, allowing this tenant to remove any crucial financial guarantee to protect the association's members in light of the number of previous failures.

Second, there was the restaurant owner who miscalculated his market in pricing a product at a level beyond the average individual's budget...

...refusing marketing techniques used by other successful restaurants ( i.e. buy one, get one free)...perhaps as a result of his belief that being on a television program would overcome the need to provide a "bargain"...

...making changes so frequently as to show his obvious business inexperience...

...providing an inferior and inexperienced catering operation that now has a reputation that few wish to take a chance to explore for their events...

...reducing service hours to reduce expenses...at the expense of violating the terms of a lease, signed only a few short months ago.

  

And third, those in this community who chose these board members to lead them.

We can't change the past, but we can make sure we memorize it's history; a history that needs CHANGE from all three guilty parties, if this is not to be repeated.

We therefore need experienced board members, an experienced and financially sound business operator (WHEN this one leaves and if another is chosen), and a more concerned electorate who will choose its leaders based on the individual's expertise in past financial dealings, rather than either asking a neighbor who a vote should be cast for, or believing any blog owner who has consistently advocated those who have been responsible for losses,  or allowing any party to cast a ballot for you.

The time now, is not to continue spending thousands of association dollars on what appears to be an inevitable end to Vic's sinking ship, but instead  exploring other viable options for that large area (over 5000 sq ft) presently occupied by Vic’s, and put to better use for members enjoyment....at little continuing expense. 

Forrest Fetherolf