I'd love to give this place 5 stars...it actually kills me that I can't! Everything is awesome about this place ... I have even forgive them for the life-sized version of Jar Jar Binks they've got in their front window. The tribute to their store's founder, who unfortunately took his own life, from what I've been told, is something that always makes me feel like his vision has been kept alive and he lives on through this restaurant.
It falls flat with entertainment, and the decor becomes a cheesy gimmick, at best: A few token games get boring fast...and the decorations inside rock...but not enough to keep people coming back for the overpriced pizza that will take 45 minutes when the place is empty.
I've never been to a sit down restaurant that had this much potential that was squandered. It almost makes me want to scream.
The pizza is really, not "killer," more than a little greasy, to be honest, and the gross, drunk group that staff were aware were causing the few decent guests in the restaurant distress (not to mention our small children) were allowed to curse and yell and be about as obnoxious as they could possibly be: it was almost unbelievably ridiculous.
I'd like to give this place a chance to redeem itself.
You can be better. You have the setup...you just seem to have no idea what to do with it. Hire some disabled workers. department of Rehab will grant incentives for competitive wages and meaningful employment, and you'll find some very hard and dedicated workers who love the same kind of things that many of the people who come in are looking for...the window dressings say a lot about how this place COULD be. Im a consultant for companies that hire autistic and other disabled individuals. I'd come give you the keys to make that happen for FREE, because I invest in the community I love, and the world needs places where nerds feel welcome and disabled individuals can find employment.
1) Train your staff. For real. An untrained Staff reflects poor management.
2) Support local charities. I've heard from multiple organizations now that they've been roundly turned down when asked to even put up donation jars...and you know if you give pizza or host a fundraiser, that's a tax write off for you. Not supporting the community that surrounds you makes you appear standoffish and like you really only care about turning a profit.
I tend to make a habit of frequenting places I know actively support local charities. The more I hear about the lack of support of those that have come to you with proposals; the more this feels like it should be a 2 star review. If that.
I am hoping that your founder's spirit was as generous as it was cool and goofy, so hopefully you'll realize that there is an entire close knit community here - that likes to support local business. That's what makes a community, and if you're doing business here, a gimmick will only get you so far. I can name a dozen restaurants and several other auto repair shops, stores, water shops, thrift stores, and even service based businesses like cleaners that make this community better by actively involving themselves in making it a better place.
Start up an endowment scholarship in your late owner's name. Or sponsor a disabled child's summer camp cost. Have nights where autistic individuals can mingle in a less loud environment. Make some specialty items like the "Carafe of Caring" (house drink that gives a dollar back to a local charity). Have a karaoke night for people who wouldn't be able to go other places to do it...have costumed customer discounts...
The small charter school two blocks from you struggles to give an equal education to ALL students so kids of any socioeconomic level can have quality education. A pizza fundraiser night would be a fantastic outreach event.
It costs you no money after the tax breaks you'd receive. Yours is one of a few local businesses I've noticed likes to make that money, but flatly denies anyone who asking about fundraising, and that's no way to make the community feel like you deserve their business. I'd help you for free. This is constructive criticism... one day, you might need the community to rally around you. :)
You can be a five star location. You just have to invest in the people you expect to support your business. You don't need to spend a lot to get some "killer" entertainment items. Creativity isn't costly. It just takes someone willing to be better than mediocre. I have faith that the force is strong in your restaurant...full of wibbley-wobbly timey and the final frontier of untapped potential for growth. Those empty seats every time I've been here could be packed.
California's a drought state...there's a Doctor Who episode called The Waters of Mars. See how that ties together? Be more than a gimmick. And put a bag over Jar Jar's head - he's more annoying than Ewoks. ;) read more