Louisville Originals

Help me to understand? The Dine Originals or Louisville Originals locally were started to promote the local independent restaurant scene. I LOVE this concept and think it works great as a marketing opportunity to allow a group of great restaurants to compete against the National chains. I guess I don't understand why the originals in some cases have abandoned other originals?
The Louisville Originals signed an agreement with an Arizona company to negotiate programs for them. As far as I can see all of the local companies that support our restaurants were shut out by the Arizona company. We are KY Proud and to a great extent the Originals continue to support the locals contrary to the Arizona company agreement. Why not partner with the local companies?
Blue Fin Seafood is a Louisville company
Euro out of Cleveland, OH is the preferred company
Creation Garden is a Louisville Company
Piazza is out of Indianapolis
Universal Linen is a Louisville Company
Sitex is out of Henderson
Superior Meats and Irish Hill are Louisville Companies
US Foodservice is out of Indianapolis based in Maryland

We appreciate the locals that support the locals, we are all in this together. I for one would like to see the Louisville Originals partner with the other Originals.

So, I guess once a year or so we have to go through this?

Sorry for bringing it up again. It is my understanding the Rep from Cleveland (for the AZ company) hasn't been down here in 6 months. Rumor on the street is they (The AZ company) is going to pull out of the market. I am just suggeting the Originals may want to revisit the original decision.

I have no "dog in this hunt," but it seems like every time it comes up there is some ulterior motive for it coming up. If you have a conflict of interest (and I don't assume you do), you may wish to disclose it up front. I'm sure those much closer to the situation than me will weigh in if they feel it appropriate.

But, it just seems like this ground has been plowed pretty thoroughly in recent months ... that's all.

Kurt,
Just to set the record straight all of the Louisville Originals are free to choose anyone they want to for their individual business needs, the purchasing co-op you are referring to was one of the countless opportunities provided to EVERY STATE which has become a proponant of the "originals concept". It is solely at the discretion of the restauranteur, I for one am a proud original who does business with each and every one of the companies you've listed. The purchasing group is national and if the operator chooses, he or she may take advantage of this program in an effort to trim cost and keep in better competition with the national chains, which based on their sheer # of restaurants nationwide have a advantage in their strength and numbers over the little guy.
The main focus in of the Louisville Originals is and shall continue to heighten awareness locally, specifically to frequent diners as to the multitude of choices available for dining at our wonderful independantly owned restaurants.
Please know that each and everyone of those companies you listed are highly respected purveyors locally, I assure you that local operators have enough savvy to realize the perks of doing business with such fine companies.
Please continue to Dine Original!

Thanks Deano!

I do dine primarily "Original" and appreciate your continued support of the Local purveyors.

My only motive here is to continue to support those that set us apart as a great independent city.

[Robin Garr]

We appreciate the locals that support the locals, we are all in this together. I for one would like to see the Louisville Originals partner with the other Originals.

As a strong supporter of the Louisville Originals, I can see both sides of this argument, but I'm not sure that sides need to be taken.

In my opinion there are two dynamics here, not really in conflict but in tension.

First, Louisville Originals exists <i>primarily</i> for the purpose of local indie restaurants banding together to achieve economies of scale that will help them compete against the chains. That's critically important for all of us who don't want to see Louisville become just another clone of every other middle-size, regional-headquarters city (despite metro's best efforts to push us down that slope with preferential treatment for the chains on the riverfront and in Fourth Street Live). To that end, I respect the Originals' right and duty to seek out the best deals it can cut with quality suppliers, <i>wherever they are</i>.

That being said, I think most, maybe all, the Originals remember where they came from and try to deal preferentially with local vendors <i>when they can</i>.

But sometimes hard decisions have to be made, and I'm not going to bash the Originals for going out of town if they can make a deal that no local is willing or able to cut for them. I'd hate it, though, if they never reached out to local vendors at all.

Onceagain not to beat a dead horse, the purveyors in question were not "shut out" they were given the opportunity to participate as other markets have done in the pricing process, they declined for their own reasons, more than likely not economically feasible for them.
I think you will find that this was at best an option that not necessarily worked for some independants, especially the smaller ones like myself, I far prefer a local contact to source and negotiate products and pricing.
Perhaps a hidden agenda with Kurt? it seems like we have been down this road, lets let it go folks.

As far as I know, at the onset, all local companys were given a chance to "buy in" to the "Collective Purchasing" group when the Louisville Originals concept came online...

I don't think that anyone has been shut out, but it's all about that big piece of pie. Everyone has the bottom line to think about. I feel that the marketplace has been evened up a touch...Now, most local guys step up to the plate even more to have your business with better products and service..(although with a much higher tariff). I could go on and on about the pros and cons of this subject...