Open Letter to BLB

[Jess]

Dear Bryant Lake Bowl,

How are you? I'm fine.

Last night, I spent a lot of money at your fine establishment. A lot meaning more than a sandwich at Caffrey's and less than a steak at Manny's. I noticed a few new things on your menu, which is nice. The risotto was delicious and I'm glad you still have Magic Hat #9 on tap.

But I do have some points of contention with you. Why won't you cut B&B a break and give us a discount on drinks or food? Nearly everyone around me had at least one drink and would probably have more if they were still at Happy Hour rates. Each month, and now twice a month, we fill your theatre, eager to drink and eat, and since we're sitting ass-to-ankles, we're pretty much a captive audience once the discussion gets going.

If everyone in the theatre spent half as much as I did last night, I imagine you'd make more in a night than you do at events where tickets are sold and you have to shell out for a performer.

Since we'll be seeing more of each other this season, why not give it a go? Got extra cheap liquors in the back? Any random beers gathering dust? Take $2 off taps and wells. Can't push enough mock duck rolls? Tortilla chips on the brink of stale? Want to experiment with new menu items? We'll take it.

I hope you'll seriously consider this.

See you soon.

Luv,
Jess

[kateherr]

I would definitely drink and eat more at Happy Hour prices. As it is, there is a bit of a cost-value gap for me with most of the menu, especially when many of us are crammed into corners and eating off of our laps. I am never going to order a $15 spinach salad in that situation. Does not compute. But some new offerings in the sub-$7 or $8 range would be so so welcome.

Also, please bring back Ace Pear; Crispin makes me gag.

[jennieh]

Can we print this out and have everyone sign it at the next B&B and hand it to the manager/waitress?
_________________
Jennie

[MHerman39]

Can we just move out of BLB?

/Got shut out last night.

[megburg]

I totally agree on moving the venue. It has gotten way to big for that place. Some of us drive from the burbs and to not get in when we leave our families, even get a sitter at times, is really upsetting. Not to mention, my burger order must have gotten lost, and it took an hour (after inquiring) to get our food, $40 tab for 2 burgers and 2 beers. I miss the Mill, free food, cheap drinks. room for all. I don't mean to complain, ok, yes I do!

[JeffKamin]

Hi everyone,

First to megburg:
The Mill didn't/doesn't have room for all. Or at least room for what we would need now. The days of free food and $2 beers and $3 wines were nice when we had only 50 people in attendance.

To everyone:
We have over 100 people, usually around 110-5 it seems and we now have room for 98 - minus me, Jay and two servers, sound person. So there are about the first 93 people that get into the theater, depending on sneak-ins. (This last time security was more lax.)

If we were to move, we would need space for 125 at least. I don't know I want to go more than that anyway. When we had 140 at the art gallery, it was a tough discussion to manage.

Also, of course I do want deals on things and have tried in the past.

I think anyone that has the space should be happy to have us on a weeknight. We bring a lot of money to a venue. That said, I also would like to see a percentage of it or a fee for our show much like what people who run trivia nights get at different venues. So, I have a list, a very short list of places to try (some again). But I am open to ideas. I welcome them. Perhaps you could e-mail me directly. Any personal connections to management is appreciated. We might be picky (I have a list of requirements) to get us to move, but if anyone wants us, really wants us, it'll be worth it for them.

I hear you. I'm listening. I am hoping the twice monthly will be a temporary fix (at least a good experiment for the future). Try coming to our 4th Tuesdays, I bet they will not be as crowded for now.

Know that this is important to me. It's been a non-paid labor of love for almost 5 years. (We celebrate our 6th year in Feb.) We've tried other places and none were as good as a fit as BLB is now.

Possibilities? (problems?)
Brave New Workshop (currently no wait staff)
Varsity (can't keep a set night like second Tues. Would get bumped for visiting bands at times)
Guthrie (not sure which section. need to set a meeting)
Sauce (too small? same problems Nomad had?)
Southern Theater (going to check it out)
Suburban World (too big? food/drink situation?)

Past attempts:
Parkway Theater (they thought they would lose money on us!)
Riverview Wine Bar (too small)
Nomad (not a dedicated space for just us)
Green Mill (too small)
Soap Factory (need caterer)

There are others. This is off the top of my head.

I appreciate your feedback. Send me suggestions. Just know that if we don't move, it's for the best right now. It's not easy to find a space. We've had a great run at BLB and may continue to do so. If we move, it has to be better.

Trust me. No one cares more about it all than me. But the more of you that really care that can help, the easier it will be.

Thanks,
Jeff Kamin
Moderator/Producer
Books & Bars

[JeffKamin]

Jess, Jennie, and others talking about this on Jess' wall:
We can talk more about a petition. The server is Dena, a manager on only one day of the week, I believe. Let's talk more about this privately as I don't think this is necessarily the best route to go. (Especially unless we have a back up plan) And Dena wouldn't be the right person to make any changes. I know who those people are and have tried. I can try again with a new list of requests before we seek another venue.