Businesses other than the ones listed in
the Sunday story are for sale. A barbecue joint in downtown
Bremerton is closed.
Normally I’m reluctant to do stories like this one, especially
covering the restaurant industry. Restaurants are perhaps the most
difficult to run. A lot, not necessarily the ones mentioned in the
story, of people who dream of running an eatery have no idea what
they’re in for. The hours are long, the equipment is expensive and
the health requirements are (thankfully) strict.
Nonetheless the news about Simon August is noteworthy and the
opening of JW’s in the old Black Angus space is too. And the owner
of Posey’s certainly knows how to do her guerilla marketing.
In case you’re not familiar with that term, “guerilla marketing,”
it refers to finding the cheapest and most effective ways to get
the word out about your business.
Alycia Cohen called me two or three times before I responded, but
she was persistent. She also had a special dinner for VIPs (She
invited me. I declined.) and out of that she got a few mentions
from the Bremerton City Council at its meeting Wednesday. All they
did was say “thanks” and “good luck” to the business. It’s not
exactly free publicity, because I’m sure the event wasn’t cheap. I
also have no idea how many people watched the council meeting, but
she got the word out.
At least one restaurant owner who is selling is bitter at all the
attention downtown is getting. It was a restaurant that wasn’t
mentioned in the Sunday story, but could be in a future piece. It
doesn’t help that the most noteworthy addition (Anthony’s) is not
Kitsap-based.
Steve,
What has happened with the restaurant in the Dietz Building?? I walk past it and see no activity inside.
Great reporting on these issues, btw.
Don,
If you’re talking about the barbecue place, all I have heard is that it closed. I’ve heard a few theories, but nothing I can back up.
Don-are you referring to PrimeTime or the possible future location of Dragonfish?
I ate a JW’s the other night. For those who haven’t been, it’s got a really great atmosphere, great customer service, good menu selection, and excellent pricing–the food tastes great too.
I really hope Simon August finds another home downtown. I use them exclusively for catering events and try to eat there at least once a week.
Simon August is only selling their place on 6th street that is open for lunch during the week and where they do most of their catering from. The Metro in the Norm Dicks Building will remain open. They have a bigger location they are preparing for catering and a open produce market. Their focus is on catering (that is why they have not gone into a full restarant business) and they will continue that in their new location on Perry & 11th in Manette.
Yes, Shannon, that was the bulk of the Sunday story I wrote on the subject. That and the fact that they are interested in another downtown site if the building is improved.
I have changed the blog entry so no one gets confused about that.
GP and Steve,
I was referring to the possible future location of Dragonfish – thank you for supplying the detail! What is happening with that venue??
GP – thank you for the comments on JW’s, it is on my list to visit soon.