Well, then Aunt Maude's and Lucullan's should have been out of business years and years ago. I can get pasta at Applebee's for way cheaper than either of those places, so it must be the same thing... right? No, because I want quality, and am willing to pay a premium for it - like most of the non-student residents of Ames (and some of the students).
Our dinner was $7/person at Black Market last night (including Chicago deepdish pizza, breadsticks, and soda). The Chicago Style pizza was enormous, and we only got a 12". If pizza is really good, some people are going to pay a few extra dollars for it - that's how George's and Great Plains have stayed in business. They're far more expensive than Gumby's or Pizza Hut, but they're way better. Nobody is guaranteeing this place will make it (all restaurants are a gamble), but it's foolish to doom it on its third day open.
And, in the end, this is about freaking pizza.
There is a lot more to this equation than just quality. Yes, people will step it up a little bit but they have to feel like they are getting a return on it.
There also isn't as much competition in Ames for a Lucullans or Georges. Both of those places offer something unique. You can say that Black Market does as well with their Chicago Style, but I find a lot of people that don't even know what Chicago Style is.
Both of those places are in good locations where even a random person driving through Ames may come across it.
The funny thing to me is that I thought message boards is where people sound off on their opinion.
Is what all of you want just 50 posts in a row of people saying "wow that's really good, the Chicago style is so big and awesome!".
If so, then I apologize. I have my own opinions about things and I feel like this is a site where I can do that.
I am telling you that to run a restaurant, you have to work your *** off promoting stuff. You gotta sponsor things, give pizzas away, etc. For the size of this town, there are a lot of restaurant options in Ames. You have to do something beyond having good menu items, to stand out. I personally am shocked they didn't give pizzas away to people on the first day (or at least have a HUGE discount).
Every successful restaurant in this town has been able to stand out in a unique way and provide intangibles beyond just good menu items. There have been plenty of places with good food closing it's doors.
I also think that borrowing against your 401k (outside of maybe two situations) is the WORST investment decision you can make REGARDLESS of what the market is currently doing. I know maybe only 1 person has done this, but having that person as a partner is going to complicate things.
I lastly don't think a lot of people are looking to spend more money right now. Of course somebody is willing to, but is it enough people? I used to eat out all the time and go out for lunch and now I'm really doing neither because I don't know the outlook for my job.
I also think a considerable amount of the price the customer is paying is because of the fact it's in Sommerset. I wouldn't be surprised if it was in a different location in town, the prices would be slightly lower.
