TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Cheeky chalkboards
at the RowChalkboard signs outside the nearly 1-year-old Boomerangs at Restaurant Row have drawn attention not completely anticipated by the owner.
Thursday, the chalkboards quietly announced that all menu items were 50 percent off, causing a line of lunchtime deal-seekers to spill out the door. That was anticipated.
Monday, the chalkboards bore large letters spelling out three words, one of which is prohibited parlance for your columnist's children. The fine print above and below indicated an attitude which sparked customer interest, according to owner and President Tim Dare.
He didn't expect trouble.
Security was dispatched to request that the wording be changed; the request was declined, security confiscated the signs and Dare called police. The responding officer accompanied Tim and Amy Dare to the security office where the property was returned.
The signs yesterday continued on the "s-word" theme, touting discounted prices.
Dare laughed about the signs but said they do stem from difficulties between his company and Restaurant Row management.
"Losing $5,000 a month is not fun," he said, and alleged a litany of management problems which have soured him on the business.
Dare is behind on the lease rent but said he would be current tomorrow.
His wife, Amy, has taken to saying: "This used to be our dream, now it's our nightmare," he said.
"I just want out of my lease," Dare said and is offering to sell his restaurant for 99 cents to an operator that meets with the approval of Colliers Monroe Friedlander Inc., which manages the property.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Friedlander had no comment.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com
