Sun City Anthem

Monday, September 9, 2013

Feeding the Clan...Clams ! Can Crow Be Far Behind ?

Hey Vic....You'd Have Been Better Off with a "Clam" Sandwich  
 
You would think that after months of an empty restaurant, someone would get the message......"clams ain't gonna cut it"...
 

...in a community that had a belief that they were going to get something that the average guy would eat...or...could afford !
 
Oh Vic, it's time you realized that "champagne wishes and caviar dreams" are as appropriate here as opening a MacDonald's in a Gucci and Ralph Lauren "discount" outlet !
 

Every other day, this place gets FREE advertising in some Sun City Anthem publication, whether it's the Spirit or an "official" eblast from our "informed" Association President, or some blog owner who keeps believing he's the voice of "the people"...who eat clams !
 
I have to know this...
 
When was the last time you awoke from the couch after a nap and said to yourself...
 
"I  gotta have a clam!"
 

When any of you were in the working world, how many of you  dined with fellow associates on "clam"?
 
Where are all the "meat & potato" people out there?  
 
Once thing for sure, they're not eating clam, and there are a lot more of us than you who need a "clam" for a quick snack.
 
My guess is that they're at some "buy one...get one free" Italian, Chinese, or good old American "family" restaurant, ENJOYING themselves, knowing that they won't have a coronary or indigestion over the bill when it arrives.
 
Will the "powers that be" ever lower themselves to the "meat and potatoes" bunch...the group they all came from, but now believe they are "above" us peasantry?

 
Not in a million years !
 
...even though about 10,980 people out of the 11,000 or so who populate our community, laugh at them in their quest to make "a silk purse out of a sow's ear".
 
...the other 20 love clams !
 
(Gee---another menu idea...sow's ear casserole...with resident discount ???)
 
You can't get mad at them; instead I think they should be praised for proving the stereotype that a senior citizen is the easiest mark in the world to "hose"...
 
...after all...they sold you and I a bill of goods in their "scientific" survey that was as accurate as a Cub's fan, predicting they would win the World Series this year.
 
...and even funnier...we elected a number of them to continue in their "informed" roles !
 
And in honor of them continuing in that capacity...as I'm sure some of them will run for reelection in a few months...
 
I think they need a "unified" campaign song which best describes their restaurant decision making success...
 
 
Well Vic...or Larry or Tom or Dick or Darryl and Darryl, or whoever is the guy who keeps making the decisions on prices or "clams"....
 
All of you misread this market....
 
...and you if you believe you have even the slightest prayer of succeeding, you best change your entire act, or join the brigade of the recently departed ! 
 
...that is, unless the "powers" will figure out yet another "creative" financing arrangement.
 
So...until any of us get that "burger and fries" at a cost of FIVE BUCKS with DRINK INCLUDED and a small order of FRIES...
 

...this whole thing really does have the odor of a dead fish !
 

Dick Arendt

3 comments:

  1. Dick, I couldn't agree with you more. When I saw the Sunday night special included clams, I wondered just who was advising Vic on his choice of menus? Maybe it was the dynamic duo of Forgeron and Berman, food aficionados extraordinaire.

    If Vic had really done any homework, he might have stumbled on the idea that our residents enjoy more basic food items, like meatloaf and potatoes, spaghetti and meatballs or burger and fries...for a reasonable price. But linguine and clams! There must have been a special on clams at Costco.

    Vic: get back to basics. You got a sweetheart of a deal for a lease, yet you continue to blow every opportunity to make nice with our residents. Stop relying on the chosen few to advise you on your choice on menus, and ask the other 10,000 residents what will make them come in and try your cuisine. A menu that includes clams is probably not that choice.

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  2. As I have said before, Vic's appears to be struggling to make a go of the restaurant. The latest gross receipt filings substantiates which way Vis's is heading....

    Gross Revenue:
    March: $124,212.64
    April: $108,829.01
    May: $119,417.30
    June: $102,240.52

    The figures for July and August are not available at this time. If they continue to spiral downward...the end will be near.

    I was very surprised to see the figures as high as they were from March - June.

    The recent head and table count amounting to about six tables and 20 guests during peak dining time, now closed on Mondays, and no lunch on Saturdays and Sundays, certainly won't account for the $100,000 in gross sales.

    Vic's only hope for survival will be with the catering aspect. Several Clubs refuse to cater with Vic's because of price, poor quality and service.

    Board Member (Dan Forgeron), Vic's owner (Larry Hughes), and Activities Director (Maurice Talley) are in the process to impose more restrictions on clubs to limit their "potluck" event ability forcing clubs to use Vic's catering.

    It is obvious, those that "must have a restaurant" places their support with Vic's over Residents and Clubs desires and needs.

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  3. YOU NAILED IT TODAY!!! My husband and I loved your commentary on Vic's vs. the "clams".

    Thanks for the smiles, chuckles and telling like it is!!!!

    You are our favorite SCA site!

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