Anyone else get the all-call email calling for help for the owners of The Barbecue Joint? They've been caught short by the economic collapse as they try to move from Weaver Dairy to Elliott Road. They offer $1000 shares to be credited against future meals, catering, etc. I'm very fond of their food, used them for an "office party" once, and hope they will not disappear from the Chapel Hill scene, whatever happens.
The model locally for this was the Top O' the Hill, which sold shares before opening. However, I worry that the situations are not at all parallel, or not parallel enough to pull the BBQJoint through. That was a new enterprise in a boom economy, situated ideally over the heartbeat of UNC-town celebrations and activities. The Joint's move should entice fans to follow them to the new, larger location, but will it be enough to keep it going through a rough couple of years? At least they are in the price range where people still feel they can afford to eat out from time to time. But if they don't have enough funds to move, can they stay where they are? Anyone know? Anyone want to split a share 4-5 ways (which they say is do-able)?
Issues:
Comments
Market Street Books
Market Street Books at Arts & Letters Community Center in Southern Village is in a similar situation. I just heard this morning that they are facing closure if they can't find some funding quickly. If you're not familiar with Market Street Books, they're a wonderful local nonprofit resource.From http://marketstreetbooks.com/howcanihelp/appealletter.html:
Discouraging words
When a failing business sends out an appeal for cash, I smell poor business practices. Not even a windfall of enormous proportions can right a ship that's run aground. So these appeals come off as rather pathetic. A donation "as small as $15" will not make an iota of difference. Well, maybe an iota ... We patronize The Barbecue Joint and I like Market Street Books; I'm sorry to hear they're going under. All we can do, really, is buy more of their stuff until they close.
Economic challenges
I disagree Catherine. Market Street Books, like all local bookstores, has to contend with mass market operations like Amazon where they can sell shorter than a local business can. Plus Market Street Books serves as a local community center, absorbing utility costs and staffing costs, above and beyond their retail operation. My deepest wish is that people in this community would never buy another book from Amazon or the big chain bookstores. Buy local and protect good literature as well as your friendly neighborhood business people. The owner of the Regulator Bookstore found this calculation from the Independent Booksellers Association:For every $10.00 you spend in each place, here’s how much stays in our local community:
The Regulator (any locally owned bookstore).............$4.50
Barnes and Noble or Borders...................................$1.30
amazon.com........................................................$0.00
I like the The Barbecue Joint
I hope they pull through.
No disagreement
You don't have to disagree to lament the demise of locally owned bookstores. I do too. No sense blaming Amazon and Borders -- the small business model is risky, and this is what can happen when somebody takes a big risk.
Buying locally
We do disagree because I don't believe Marketplace Books financial troubles are the result of "poor business practices." I would attribute their problems to uninformed consumer practices. If you want the cheapest prices, you can buy from Amazon or Borders, and your money leaves the community. When your money stays in the community, it multiplies. Keynes estimated that each $1 generates $8 when spent locally. If Orange County had more local businesses, we wouldn't be having the current debate over property tax assessments. And if local residents understood the multiplier effect and spent their money locally, when possible, our local businesses would be in better shape. If we put the two together, we would have a much more robust local economy, more capable of weathering the current recession. I'm not blaming Amazon or Borders. I'm advocating for people to help themselves and shop locally.
Plug for The Barbeque Joint
The food is really good. Maybe the best fried potatoes in town. If you haven't been, you should definitely go.
BBQ Jt.
The Joint is NOT GOING UNDER. They are just trying to raise money to move. If they don't get enough they will stay where they are."Discouraging words" are misplaced.......
Thanks, Cam
... was what I wanted to know.
Supporting Johnny's
You can support a local business AND talk to the Mayor of Carrboro! I will be at Johnny's on West Main Street from 10 am to 1 pm today. Come on down and buy a cup of coffee!
Tell us more
I've heard that Johnny's has a new persona, including chickens outside and obviously coffee, which sometimes comes with conversation with the Mayor. But I haven't stopped in because I'm not clear if it's a restaurant, take-out, coffee or all of the above. Always looking for a new and local place, so please tell us more.Linda Convissor
Sounds Interesting
Gee, Sounds like they have various food/drink items to purchase, picnic tables outside to enjoy them, and chickens running around outside as well. If we can get Mark to visit on occasion to do a Jimmy Buffett routine we can pretend we have a little piece of Key West in our own backyard.
You are spot on--I read that
You are spot on--I read that description and immediately thought of Blue Heaven in Key West!
Buffett, if need be
C'mon down and check it out, Linda. Johnny's is a coffee shop/high-quality convenience store. Or that is how I think about it. I'll be back there next Tuesday 10 am to noon. I'll sing you a Jimmy Buffett song if that is what it takes.
The Mayor Sings Buffett
Now that's a challenge! I do love Jimmy Buffett as I spent many formative years in Florida. I think I'm out of town on Tuesday, but I'll take a rain check if I miss it.
Something for everyone
Linda, Johnny's also has cool ironwork furniture, a nice deck, and a decent beer selection (I'm told, I don't even look at that anymore). On Saturdays, they have amazing crepes and occasional micro-farmers selling fresh produce. Basically, Johnny's is all things to all people. :-)