Sunday, May 4, 2008

Rebirth from shuttered dreams:

The most fascinating aspect of the restaurant business is the continual rebirth from shuttered dreams. One finds the perfect location, the other realizes their miscalculation. One concept springs forth while another withers. One identifies an under-served niche, the other realizes their niche was insufficient for the viability of the enterprise. One hopes to minimize expenditure on furniture and equipment, the other hopes to maximize proceeds from the sale of their furniture and equipment. One begins to weave the tapestry of their enterprise, the other continues the unraveling of their holdings and liabilities. One is flushed with energy that builds to a crescendo, the other’s energy slowly dissipates. One finds infrastructure already in place, the other laments the burdensome cost of building out a space.

Same space, vastly different perspectives, such is the life of a restaurateur. The ceaseless cycle of birth, continuation, transformation and birth yet again.