The West Broadway Business and Area Coalition posted on Facebook today that The Avenue Eatery was again open for business, and under new management. I stopped by for a meal and to chat with the new folks about what I experienced before, in hopes those mistakes wouldn't be repeated.
My advice was to keep the basics on hand, keep employees dressed and acting professional, add outdoor seating, and just plain old make the place their own; don't just expect we'll come to you because you're here. The community is hungry (and thirsty) for a good coffee shop, but the operative word is "good." If the food and service isn't up to certain standards, we'll go somewhere else.
The folks working certainly seemed to take my comments to heart, and even responded about the outdoor seating with, "We'll have to get working on that with the council NOW to make sure it's ready by the spring." Music to my ears.
Now about those standards, keep in mind that this is a SOFT opening and not the grand opening, which means...
