Comments on: You say you want an evolution http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:22:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bob http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6378 Bob Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:25:36 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6378 I've been told that even the Shawnee had enough sense to abandon the windswept ridges of Floyd after the winter solstice - retreating to the sheltered coves of the Roanoke and Dan Rivers. I’ve been told that even the Shawnee had enough sense to abandon the windswept ridges of Floyd after the winter solstice – retreating to the sheltered coves of the Roanoke and Dan Rivers.

]]> By: Lauren Yates http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6375 Lauren Yates Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:55:59 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6375 I'm saddened to read the news about Cafe del Sol. Even if the cafe is sold it risks losing what it made it so special for Floyd. We saw what happened with Oddfellas after its sale. Prices went up and quality went down. A true loss for Floyd. I’m saddened to read the news about Cafe del Sol. Even if the cafe is sold it risks losing what it made it so special for Floyd. We saw what happened with Oddfellas after its sale. Prices went up and quality went down. A true loss for Floyd.

]]> By: Betty Lyons http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6362 Betty Lyons Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:52:11 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6362 Mr. Thompson: I read your article and was going to respond with a curt "how dare you" talk about a business failure without discussing your own failures in Floyd. So I searched your site to find out what you had so say about closing your business. To my surprise, I found your candor refreshing. In a article dated Sept. 16, 2009, you announced the closing of your studio at The Village Green and said: "Like so many other businesses — small, medium and large — Blue Ridge Muse becomes partly a victim of a stagnant economy and more of the victim of an owner who just couldn’t come up with a business plan that worked. "The primary fault lies with me. I’m not geared to run a business or sell products. I’m a writer and photographer and I need to be out there doing both, not sitting in a studio or at a desk. I’m a lousy businessman. "This is my second failure in five years since coming home to Floyd and it hurts. It hurts a lot. Amy and I put all of our heart, soul and resources into these two ventures and it will take us a long, long time to recover from the damage that both have wreaked on our morale and finances." I admire your honesty in dealing openly with the reasons behind the failure of your businesses. Too often we find business owners unwilling to keep their customers in the loop when closings or changes are planned. Mr. Thompson:

I read your article and was going to respond with a curt “how dare you” talk about a business failure without discussing your own failures in Floyd. So I searched your site to find out what you had so say about closing your business.

To my surprise, I found your candor refreshing. In a article dated Sept. 16, 2009, you announced the closing of your studio at The Village Green and said:

“Like so many other businesses — small, medium and large — Blue Ridge Muse becomes partly a victim of a stagnant economy and more of the victim of an owner who just couldn’t come up with a business plan that worked.

“The primary fault lies with me. I’m not geared to run a business or sell products. I’m a writer and photographer and I need to be out there doing both, not sitting in a studio or at a desk. I’m a lousy businessman.

“This is my second failure in five years since coming home to Floyd and it hurts. It hurts a lot. Amy and I put all of our heart, soul and resources into these two ventures and it will take us a long, long time to recover from the damage that both have wreaked on our morale and finances.”

I admire your honesty in dealing openly with the reasons behind the failure of your businesses. Too often we find business owners unwilling to keep their customers in the loop when closings or changes are planned.

]]> By: John Hall http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6361 John Hall Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:43:10 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6361 Sally, I am not a Floyd resident but I have been to your wonderful coffee shop during our visits to Floyd. The thought that it might not be there when we return this year is sad. I hope you find someone to buy your business and hope they continue it in the same tradition you have established. Sally, I am not a Floyd resident but I have been to your wonderful coffee shop during our visits to Floyd. The thought that it might not be there when we return this year is sad. I hope you find someone to buy your business and hope they continue it in the same tradition you have established.

]]> By: Sarah Jenkins http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6358 Sarah Jenkins Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:44:17 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6358 Doug, thank you for letting us know the scoop of Cafe del Sol. I'm sorry the Walkers believe it is better to keep their long time customers in the dark. I talked with an employee last week who felt left in the dark also. That employee felt strung along without knowing if a job would be there or not at the end of February. I feel sorry for the employees. Doug, thank you for letting us know the scoop of Cafe del Sol. I’m sorry the Walkers believe it is better to keep their long time customers in the dark. I talked with an employee last week who felt left in the dark also. That employee felt strung along without knowing if a job would be there or not at the end of February. I feel sorry for the employees.

]]> By: Doug Thompson http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6356 Doug Thompson Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:31:41 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6356 Sally: Our "public display" was information that was already public on the Business Journal web site and, as I pointed out, the ad says you and Frank are selling because you "wish to have more time for family and other ventures." As for the Cafe del Sol web site providing "more accurate information," the web site as of 11:15 p.m. on Sunday said: "We will be closed a week in February for our annual cleaning and refurbishing! "Stay tuned! Otherwise-it’s full steam—latte style- ahead!" Obviously, what was posted on January 27 and was -- at 11:15 p.m. on Feb. 28 -- the latest information on the <a href="http://www.floydcoffee.com" rel="nofollow">web site</a> was not accurate. I hope you will use your web site to keep your loyal customers -- myself included -- up to date with what is really happening with our favorite coffee shop. Sally:

Our “public display” was information that was already public on the Business Journal web site and, as I pointed out, the ad says you and Frank are selling because you “wish to have more time for family and other ventures.”

As for the Cafe del Sol web site providing “more accurate information,” the web site as of 11:15 p.m. on Sunday said:

“We will be closed a week in February for our annual cleaning and refurbishing!

“Stay tuned! Otherwise-it’s full steam—latte style- ahead!”

Obviously, what was posted on January 27 and was — at 11:15 p.m. on Feb. 28 — the latest information on the web site was not accurate.

I hope you will use your web site to keep your loyal customers — myself included — up to date with what is really happening with our favorite coffee shop.

]]> By: Sally http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6355 Sally Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:41:04 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6355 One more thought- Please refer to our website for more accurate information. floydcoffee.com thanks sally One more thought-
Please refer to our website for more accurate information. floydcoffee.com thanks sally

]]> By: Sally http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/3404/comment-page-1#comment-6354 Sally Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:34:19 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=3404#comment-6354 Doug- I'm not sure how I might respond to your public display of our business listing, except to hope that your publicity will be helpful. I do not agree with your dour opinion on the future of our community, however, and that has nothing to do with my leaving the business. Regards--Sally Doug-
I’m not sure how I might respond to your public display of our business listing, except to hope that your publicity will be helpful. I do not agree with your dour opinion on the future of our community, however, and that has nothing to do with my leaving the business. Regards–Sally

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