The things I see and the words I speak.

An ode to the local business.....

1. I am just shooting from the hip tonight. This is meant for you in hopes of change. Local businesses are truly the backbone of a great and thriving city and as local businesses close the character and culture of the city are soon lost to industries, chains, and franchises. I know you will probably not encounter this but I hope it helps someone somewhere. Please take this as something positive and truly not negative. If you truly do not change your ways, you will be the next local business to close its doors and be forgotten. I am speaking as a former employee, and a friend.
2. In your prime, you were a great establishment, serving great things and were the talk of the town. Many people can remember their first time going or the day they turned 21 and went there to celebrate. I have heard countless stories of the parties and the bus rides to see the Giants as well as the craziness that would ensue on them. Many people’s pictures were posted on the walls in effigy to these good times. Hell, my Grandparents held a special place on 3 of those boards. You were consistent and everyone always knew what to expect when they walked in the door. My days working there were very busy and never had any downtime. Dinner services were always popping and there was never a dull moment at the bar. Everyone was having a great time and had you to thank for these good times.
3. Things have changed now; when I walk in the door, there is hardly anyone in there. It does not hold a candle to its former self. It is just a shell a lifeless body asking for someone to turn off life support to put it out of its misery. However, this is common to those who do not want to change and feel that things will always turn out. Your menu still says you are married yet you are not. In fact, the menu has not changed in years nothing new, no new refreshes and guess what you just now start a happy hour. I shake my head at the fact that you are so behind on the times. You asked me for my advice and help and I offered it free of charge. I gave you great ideas and you told me “Thank you” and that you “have it under control” so I walked away only to watch the same shit different cocktail. You emailed me wondering why you were not seeing anyone new come in and I told you to be patient. I know not every business owner likes change and often feel that they have all the answers because they were once successful but now change is inevitable. You need to embrace change and accept new media! New ways to communicate with the consumer and things to update your business from “oh that place is still open” to “hey were are going there tonight.” I understand you are depressed and not feeling yourself but understand that you are running a business! Businesses need to go through changes and revamp their ideas in order to stay relevant in today’s shitty economy. Happy Hours are necessary, entertainment changes are needed; Social Media needs to be embraced. Word of mouth is powerful but when you need new business, you need to reach out!
4. If you are a business and reading this and wondering if its you that I am talking about then I am probably talking to you. I have left names out and as such, I wanted to keep this decently ambiguous although most everyone will be able to figure it out. You will be the next business to go under this year if things do not change. You cannot simply run business as usual thinking things will “pick up” or that things will be different at some point. If I didn’t care about you or your business I would have walked away after enduring crappy service and pretty much all advice was not even heard but rather warped into something that I will never claim. If you need me, I am here for you and so is the community. You just need to lower your guard and back down and realize you need help. Fresno has one of the best locally minded people and groups out there who love to buy, eat, drink local…you are missing out on all of these opportunities by not embracing the only thing constant in life which is change………