German-style bräuhaus/restaurant

Death to chains!

Roger,

Dude, why all the hate ? Permit me to assume the role of devil's advocate for just a moment by way of comparing and contrasting. Since you own a beer garden...bierhaus...whatever, we'll use that as our example:

You own an establishment/s that produces and/or serves beer. Gordon-Biersch (and BJ's) also produces and serve beer.

People...some people...are known to like your beer. People...some people...are known to like Gordon-Biersch (and BJ's beer).

Your establishment draws (primarily) a local clientele, most of whom we can assume work and pay taxes. Gordon-Biesch (as I'm sure they envision) will draw a mixture of local and out of town clientele...Many of the latter who are paying a 14.9% tax to stay in one of our fine hotels (the majority of which are chains I might add)

You own an establishment that serves food. Gordon-Biesch (and BJ's) also serve food...The fact that each restaurant serves some similar faire at similar price points should not be ignored. Some people apparently like your food...Some folks like Gordon-Biesch (and BJ's)...Some even like both.

You locally employee all manor of people...Servers, dishwashers, line cooks, etc, etc. Gordon-Biesch (and BJ's) also employ local people as servers, dishwashers. etc, etc. All of these employees have (more or less) the same economic impact to the area. They all eat, drink, pay taxes, etc, etc.

Given the length of time you have been in business one would assume that you are making a profit. Given the length of time in conjunction with their expansion plans one would also assume the Gordon-Biersch (and BJ's) are also making a profit.

When Gordon-Biersch (or BJ's) make a profit, it goes (in the case of Gordon-Biesch) to Chattanooga where it is ground up in the corporate mechanism and distributed in a defined manor to the pockets of non-Louisvillian investors and/or shareholders. On the other hand, when Roger makes a profit (barring unknown secret and/or silent investors) the profit goes in Rogers pocket.

So basically then...looking at it from this extremely elementary economic perspective...the only difference between your establishment and the <gasp> chains under discussion is the zip code where the profits end up. So then following this to it's natural conclusion basically what you are saying when you say "Death to Chains" is actually "Lets make Roger wealthy".

..............

Death to chains!

Roger,

(blah blah blah)

When Gordon-Biersch (or BJ's) make a profit, it goes (in the case of Gordon-Biesch) to Chattanooga where it is ground up in the corporate mechanism and distributed in a defined manor to the pockets of non-Louisvillian investors and/or shareholders. On the other hand, when Roger makes a profit (barring unknown secret and/or silent investors) the profit goes in Rogers pocket.

So basically then...looking at it from this extremely elementary economic perspective...the only difference between your establishment and the <gasp> chains under discussion is the zip code where the profits end up. So then following this to it's natural conclusion basically what you are saying when you say "Death to Chains" is actually "Lets make Roger wealthy".

..............

One large difference that you fail to mention, based on Roger's MO is that much of his "wealth" is spent at local businesses buying local products. Thus, Roger's wealth stays in the community, while one could assume Gordon-Biersch's does not.

While, I do not always agree with Mr. Baylor on some issues, I have to stand in his corner on this one... "Did we really need another Cordish attracted cookie-cutter chain restaurant???"

DD

[Robin Garr]

"Did we really need another Cordish attracted cookie-cutter chain restaurant???"

"Keep Louisville Bland."

well said stevie p. i couldn't agree with you more.
oh wait... roger will come back with some long philosophical speech ( 2 pages long) to which i will need to get a dictionary out, (or a law degree) because he will use these big f------ words, he has to stand high on the podium, you know, to which i won't understand a f---- thing he says in the end...

You own a dictionary?

I'd be willing to bet their food will probably be better executed than what I had at Against the Grain, of course that wouldn't be any huge feat.

"Did we really need another Cordish attracted cookie-cutter chain restaurant???"

"Keep Louisville Bland."

One large difference that you fail to mention, based on Roger's MO is that much of his "wealth" is spent at local businesses buying local products. Thus, Roger's wealth stays in the community, while one could assume Gordon-Biersch's does not.

Word ... thanks.

Here's a useful link: http://www.amiba.net/resources/multiplier-effect

well said stevie p. i couldn't agree with you more.
oh wait... roger will come back with some long philosophical speech ( 2 pages long) to which i will need to get a dictionary out, (or a law degree) because he will use these big f------ words, he has to stand high on the podium, you know, to which i won't understand a f---- thing he says in the end...

You own a dictionary?

I'd be willing to bet their food will probably be better executed than what I had at Against the Grain, of course that wouldn't be any huge feat.

For the sake of argument, let's say the GB fare proves to be less well executed. I'm not sure how that could possibly be, given the fundamental superiority of chain dining concepts, but I'll risk being unAmerican (again) and posit the unthinkable.

The difference to me is that with ATG, there's a team of local people with whom you can discuss the matter, as opposed to airing it on a forum. With GB, your first task will be finding to which far-off corporate headquarters your concerns are to be relayed. Good luck with that. Me, I'll take the local odds. You may choose differently. Perhaps you can have your investment banker make the call?

I think a lot more folks saw Marty's review of ATG than my little LHB post. Anyway, I'm pro local but that doesn't always mean that local is good.

The choice between a chain brewer and some other concept, I'd choose brewer concept. They may have good beer, who knows?

If there is a local brewer than can step up to the plate and take the space, then they can call Cordish. I'm sure Cordish wouldn't be opposed to a local joint on the corner of 4th St.

If there is a local brewer than can step up to the plate and take the space, then they can call Cordish. I'm sure Cordish wouldn't be opposed to a local joint on the corner of 4th St.

We (speaking collectively) only need the same taxpayer subsidy that Cordish receives, and who knows ...

If there is a local brewer than can step up to the plate and take the space, then they can call Cordish. I'm sure Cordish wouldn't be opposed to a local joint on the corner of 4th St.

We (speaking collectively) only need the same taxpayer subsidy that Cordish receives, and who knows ...

Exactly! Less government interference in the marketplace! What a concept.

If there is a local brewer than can step up to the plate and take the space, then they can call Cordish. I'm sure Cordish wouldn't be opposed to a local joint on the corner of 4th St.

We (speaking collectively) only need the same taxpayer subsidy that Cordish receives, and who knows ...

I certainly agree with that Roger! I'm sure given the same amount of gov't investment to start up which normally is is just a grant for a very low interest loan many of the local brewers would love a piece of the 4th Street Live action. Of course they wouldn't really want to give Cordish a cut or pay the outlandish rent demanded by Cordish but it's their overhead was already covered they probably would. Funny how no local establishments exist in this development? Somehow I'm sure it's by play!

...Anyway, I'm pro local but that doesn't always mean that local is good.

Without pointing a finger at specific establishments, that sentence pretty much describes my school of thought...with the added caveat that neither does "chain" always equate to "bland" or boring.

"Did we really need another Cordish attracted cookie-cutter chain restaurant???"

"Keep Louisville Bland."

Robin,

Judging by these pictures of existing Gordon Biersch Restaurants, I'm forced to admit that you are probably correct....I can't seem to recall ever seeing a more bland eating and drinking establishment/s

And the menu ? Probably as boring, unimaginative and one dimensional as they come.

http://www.gordonbiersch.com/resources/ ... _WineB.pdf

Biersch 1.jpg

Biersch 2.jpg

Biersch 3.jpg

The guys just pissed because he (and/or his publication) apparently don't get the time of day from the Mayor's office.

Or someone really does need to stir the pot!!! I seem to remember a certain mayoral candidate just a few short months ago banging a drum as to how open door / transparent city hall would be with his new city order. Yet just a few months in, we are learning it is the same old Good ole boy network in full swing.

I will be watching this one closely to see if local businesses get any assistance. I bet several local businesses would love to move into FSL and not pay rent for several years, pocket the money, and call it quits when notes come due, ala Redstar's $400K rent dept. What a crock FSL is for this city. Nice example of tourist dollars being leeched out of the local economy. This town sometimes makes no sense at all. Lets send more tax to Frankfort, and give Cordish a raise while we are at it.