Louisville Originals and OpenTable.com

As an owner of a small independant it is difficult to know what will work and what will not; so I am coming to the forum looking for input. We are considering these two organizations.

Quite simply, do you as diners use one or both? If you do use one or both of these:
If our restaurant joined Louisville Originals, would that be a deciding factor in trying us?
If we were available on Opentable.com for reservations, would you be willing to come to Crestwood for dinner to try some place new?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Easy quick answer to both questions: yes and yes.

[Robin Garr]

Louisville Originals for sure. It makes a statement about your local indie status and your commitment to the community. Open Table is good, when I use it, but it is less important to me. It's just as easy to call for reservations.

As an owner of a small independant it is difficult to know what will work and what will not; so I am coming to the forum looking for input. We are considering these two organizations.

Quite simply, do you as diners use one or both? If you do use one or both of these:
If our restaurant joined Louisville Originals, would that be a deciding factor in trying us?
If we were available on Opentable.com for reservations, would you be willing to come to Crestwood for dinner to try some place new?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Neil, concure with Robin.

Louisville Originals are the real originals.....

I might be in the minority here, but I tend to use OpenTable.com more. I'm just not a good coupon user. I can't remember to use them. I loose them. I forget to bring them with me when I decide to eat out or go to the store.

I like OpenTable.com because I like the idea of simply keying in the date & time I want to dine & being provided with all the options.

I like OpenTable.com because I like the idea of simply keying in the date & time I want to dine & being provided with all the options.

Leann -

But, would you leave the Highlands and Jefferson County?

Louisville Originals for sure. It makes a statement about your local indie status and your commitment to the community. Open Table is good, when I use it, but it is less important to me. It's just as easy to call for reservations.

Neil, concure with Robin. Louisville Originals are the real originals.....

Gents -

I agree with the "It makes a statement" portion of your comment. Just so I understand, are you both saying that you are willing to come to Oldham County or for that matter go to say...Bullit County to try a Louisville Original restaurant? That an owner shows that commitment warrents your going to them.

Leann -

But, would you leave the Highlands and Jefferson County?

That just depends on mood & energy level at the time. I will say that if I was too tired or hungry to venture out of the Highlands, I think the restaurant showing up on OpenTable would probably plant a seed for the next time I was up for a drive. However, maybe the Louisville Originals does the same thing. This forum does the same thing also.

As a former marketing person, I would be asking OpenTable and Louisville Originals questions about how many "eyeballs" they reach each month (or year). Further, I'd ask them if they can provide any "conversion" type statistics. Simply meaning....ask them if they can they give you any stats showing the actual number (or percentage) of people exposed to their sites/coupons/brochures/etc., who actually turn into diners/customers.

Sorry I turned that explaination into a confusing mess. Ask them how many "eyeballs" convert into "feet in the door" Those statistics may help with your decision.

Question...are Original restaurants dropping out of the Power Card program. We ate at Volare last night and they said they were no longer participating when we tried to get our card scanned???

Question...are Original restaurants dropping out of the Power Card program. We ate at Volare last night and they said they were no longer participating when we tried to get our card scanned???

Sallie -

My understanding is that if they no longer participate in the rewards program, then they are no longer a member of Louisville Originals. Participation in the Rewards Card program is a must. If they dropped out, and I have no first hand knowledge on this, perhaps it is due to card holders using them primarily as a place to redeem rewards rather than earn them.

So, would you go to Crestwood in order to support a Louisville Original member?

[/quote] I would be asking OpenTable and Louisville Originals questions about how many "eyeballs" they reach each month (or year). Further, I'd ask them if they can provide any "conversion" type statistics. Simply meaning....ask them if they can they give you any stats showing the actual number (or percentage) of people exposed to their sites/coupons/brochures/etc., who actually turn into diners/customers. [/quote]

Leann -

Thanks for the insight!

For some reason, I don't use the LO system, though I do appreciate the "branding" that comes with it. It at least shows a commitment to independents in the area, and I like that. As far as getting me out of the city proper? I don't think either of these systems would accomplish that - for example, it was simply word of mouth and love from the participants here that got me to haul myself out 42 to check out Westport General Store (which was a smart decision).

I do concur with Leann about Open Table - I utilize it heavily, and honestly sometimes I'm too darn lazy to pick up the phone. Or I'm at work locked to my computer, and it's just easier to make reservations that way.

Plus, I like the point system there. I'm close to a $30 certificate.

As an owner of a small independant it is difficult to know what will work and what will not; so I am coming to the forum looking for input. We are considering these two organizations.

Quite simply, do you as diners use one or both? If you do use one or both of these:
If our restaurant joined Louisville Originals, would that be a deciding factor in trying us?
If we were available on Opentable.com for reservations, would you be willing to come to Crestwood for dinner to try some place new?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I use Louisville Originals for checking on the openings of new restaurants and that is it. It doesn't really influence my eating decisions. I would rather get my restaurant recommendations from someone on this forum than a website that a restaurant pays to be featured. It seems to be more of an advertising avenue than showcasing the best independent restaurants in Louisville. Some of the best places in Louisville are not "originals" and there are a couple "originals" that I don't care for at all.



I think you are starting in the right place. Maybe you should contact Robin about placing an ad on this site. Once the Hotbytes crowd gets a taste, and if that taste is good, the word will spread quickly.



Whatever you decide, good luck.

Louisville Originals for sure. It makes a statement about your local indie status and your commitment to the community. Open Table is good, when I use it, but it is less important to me. It's just as easy to call for reservations.

Neil, concure with Robin. Louisville Originals are the real originals.....

Gents -

I agree with the "It makes a statement" portion of your comment. Just so I understand, are you both saying that you are willing to come to Oldham County or for that matter go to say...Bullit County to try a Louisville Original restaurant? That an owner shows that commitment warrents your going to them.

Neil, I go to OC now.....Irish Rover ad the KFC buffet are tops on the list. Also, want to get out to Son of A Sailor. The only place I've been to in Bullet County is Hawks View Gallery. It makes a nice drive for an an evening.

So in answer to your question....Yes

I regularly use both . . . Originals when I'm looking for ideas for somewhere to go that weekend, and Open Table for reservations (not as much to browse for ideas, tho I've done that there). As for whether I'd head to Olham County to go to Arbor Ridge, have done it and (based on service, food, et al) will be doing it again (sooner rather than later).