Comments on: 9th and Main not open last weekend

By: bentnail

bentnail — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:36:43 +0000

Good to see all the views got covered off. I’ve lived here for two years now so I guess I have attained back-bencher status. Two points stick in my mind as I read through the comments. One, I do try to suggest to Jim and Victor from time to time at Springfield Station about menu improvements. Not that I’ve been in the restaurant business, but I’ve been in enough to get an idea of what is good and not so good. I’ve also run a business and didn’t like unsolicited suggestions for improvement from time to time. I takes some neutral sit-down time - and capital unfortunately.

The second point is the filth on two legs that inhabit the area. I didn’t have my humanity pill this morning, so I’ll be a bastard. The dregs that inhabit Main St. are driving away business. Period.

Centralization is good for business as all boats float on a rising tide. I abhor the day the major chains move in. Our sense of prosperity has been supplanted by corporate logo mongering.

Epilogue. The food at Boomtown was great and sometimes Stephen would surprise me with an extra little add-on. The wine selection sucked, but we could help them out with that as it’s not that hard. The only problem we had was we went on a Saturday night with the family and it was Def Poetry night. There was language a 3-year old should not here and it put a real kibosh on the evening.

By: adam beaugh

adam beaugh — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:36:40 +0000

colony, that really surprises me. i definitely don’t fit in with the tattooed, skinny jean kids that are often there, but i always feel right at home. the age range is all over the place, and really different types of people go there. hell, i didn’t even get any crap when i got *really* drunk and left tex my phone number on a credit card receipt!

By: Colony

Colony — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:37:43 +0000

Everyone is praising Shantytown. Fine. I go there at least once a week. But can someone explain what they are aspiring to be. I go there because it’s a few blocks away. But I can’t shake the uncomfortable feeling of not really being welcome. There is nothing cozy about it. And if they are going to spraypaint the back of their wall, it would make more sense to do it during the day when there aren’t a few dozen people trying to enjoy an outside evening drink. Of course, I’ll continue to return to Shantytown. I might even request they play decent music that doesn’t remind of the days when i wore Van Halen baseball jersey t-shirts.
As for 9th and Main. I will be truly saddened if they close for good. Or, at least, I will hate to see that space wasted. There will be no more place to walk my infant children to for a respectable Friday night outing (I got used to the service, just not the high waitstaff turnover — and as much as I like Eddie Cotton, that started getting old — I was glad to see the return of lauren finchen).
As for the Station, I can’t bring myself to go back. I thought four or five times was enough. If someone tells me they are getting better, then I’ll definitely return. Springfield needs a good weekend breakfast/brunch spot.

By: KZ

KZ — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:08:49 +0000

CARL’S IS AWESOME!!!! If you haven’t tried it yet, the decor could use some TLC but the food makes it worthwhile.
As for Springfield Station they have great burgers, and no offense but who cares about the service. I just moved from NYC where I rarely had good service in the 5 years I was there, but you won’t catch me complaining about a single meal. You can’t get everything right on the first round and anyone who has ever worked in the industry knows Springfield Station’s service problems most likely stem from financial problems…..BUT CONSISTENT HOURS ARE A MUST!!!!!
Adam, don’t be a wet blanket! Being a server/owner in an understaffed restaurant is a hard job.
BTW the Mexican place on Confederate Park has good food and if service is more your thing, well they do a fine job at that too.
I’m with Vicupstate and Triclops: look on the bright side and tell the owner when you don’t like your food, it’s the only constructive way to promote change!
Another AWESOME posting by Joey! Thanks.

By: Downtownparks

Downtownparks — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:24:42 +0000

Most people on here know who I am, so I am not anonymous. The statements I make do have ramifications, and I have been called to the carpet several times, which is fine because I stand by my comments.

As to Boomtown, my only connection is that I really dig their food. I just dislike when people hide behind anonymity to slam people. Just a pet peeve of mine.

By: jd

jd — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:11:08 +0000

downtownparks, how would my comment come back to haunt me? it was an undeniably bad meal and i’m not retracting that statement. as far as anonymity, if i knew who you were or how you’re connected to boomtown, i woulda told you that to your face. food sucked. sorry.

as an aside, joey’s right, earwax is freakin’ awesome! i hit it up everytime i’m in the big city. unappealing name, excellent food.

By: vicupstate

vicupstate — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:46:22 +0000

I like your attitude Triclops. I wish more people had that attitude. It always seems that those with the property and assets never see it the same way, which is unfortunate.

I would encourage you to start saving to buy a location in the future. Once an area reaches a critical mass point, the market can escalate very quickly. The local entrepreneur that saw the potential, and made it happen, often gets pushed out in that situation. I’ve seen that happen in many areas of many cities. One day, sooner or later, it will happen in Springfield. Your vision and commitment deserve to be rewarded when that time comes.

Best of luck to you.

By: Triclops I

Triclops I — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:18:43 +0000

“affordable rent” is less than $1000 a month-

$700 a month is even better.

I am not a building owner (yet) but common sense would tell me to collect even $500 a month rather than sit on an empty, dilapitated eye sore.

Our rent is cheap. Its is surplus property to my landlord, he realizes that and would rather have it be anything then a vacant building.

Sometimes I feel like the residents sit around waiting for a Starbucks, but meanwhile could be opening their own coffee stand… waiting for Publix, but could be opening their own fruit stand… waiting for a Twisted Martini while they could be opening their own Shantytown…

common sense.
From a High School dropout, not a corporate dude.

(Thank you for all the kind words and support, and dont be to hard on my neighbors… while the one quote made the point, I am sure it was in context of a long conversation/ interveiw/ problem.The quote was not the problem.)

Ian(Shantytown)

By: Karla

Karla — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 03:13:38 +0000

Joel, I used to live in Chicago, in Wicker Park. From ‘95 to ‘99. I loved Earwax! And Double door’s Dirt Room, the Empty Bottle, Lava Lounge when it was new (don’t even know if it’s still there)…Man, the cafe culture, bar scene, and hospitality community there was second to none. I think I’m going to cry. Oh, filthy-rich-yet-enlightened benefactor, where art thou?

By: Joey Marchy

Joey Marchy — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:19:08 +0000

Dan, there is actually a really good vegan restauraunt in chicago called Earwax. The locals don’t seem to mind the name as they are guzzling bloody marys and eating huevos rancheros.