Comments:

Ypsidixit - 2007-09-14 23:06:12
Now, what does it mean when a big contest in Michigan's biggest city, population 871,000, is won by a sandwich shop in a city--not even the contest city--of 25,000?

Well, it means that Jim has a customer base so fiercely loyal that he could conceivably mobilize them and take over a smallish country or two if he wanted. Like Luxumbourg. Or Tuva. They have good throat-singers there (Tuva), so it would kind of tie in with the reub....er, never mind. I'm rambling. I'm just so proud. You know how when a friend of yours does something really great and you just feel all puffed up with pride?

And now, for one last news item (they never stop!) "Stuff Your Stocking Night" is coming back this December! We've talked with SOS about ways to tailor the event to better serve their clients, and they just said, do the same thing! Talks with them are still underway on how to expand the event a little this year in a way that will help earn a bit more money for SOS.

Y. has already secured this year's crop of stockings from a secret supplier. Can you tell I am excited? I am. I will start shopping soon for some of the treats and toys to fill the "donor" stockings (those we make for people who prefer to donate rather than fill their own). It's already fun and exciting, and I can't wait till the season rolls around. I'll keep kind readers posted; participants lst year seemed to have so much fun, as did I most of all.
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Rod (rodsmith) - 2007-09-14 23:47:42
I'm looking forward to the stocking stuffer again. I think Jim is doing a better job than he realizes. Luwak has an ambiance that is very "Ypsilanti". There is nothing pretentious about it, yet it is tight and tidy in the way it operates. He seems to attract good staff, and he trains them well.

While Jim doesn't deserve the assault on his business (who does?) I hope he can repair the damage, cut his losses, and put it behind him.

The cretin who broke in? Small potatoes really. There's not much I can do about scum like that...

...so I did the only thing I CAN do, I took my family down there for a sandwich and ice-cream... which is my way of saying that I like the way he does business... and the food is pretty good as well!!
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Ypsidixit - 2007-09-15 00:34:07
Rod, it would be so nice if you and your family came to "Stuff Your Stocking Night" again--that is where I had the pleasure of meeting you and M., and seeing your very cute son.

Great idea for burglary compensation: eat there! Like when people pledge money for every minute that someone like "Focus on the Family"'s James Dobson speaks in town--and then give the cash to a group antithetical to his crazed beliefs (heh heh). Hmm...I wonder if I can persuade Mr. Fritz to do a bit of "community service" tomorrow night for dinner...extra dressing please on that reu--er, for the good of the cafe. And to celebrate their win!
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Jim Karnopp - 2007-09-15 13:41:52
Thanks for the kind words. This week has definitely had its ups and downs to an extreme. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was when the announcement came out that we won the competition. I think I had tears in my eyes. I am really proud of my staff and Forrest. Forrest passed out cards to everyone he knew and asked everyone to vote for us. He may actually have a future in politics. Hopefully he doesn't turn to the dark side and become another Karl Rove.

The burglary was definitely a downside to the week. Having the security cameras made it possible for the police to catch them, but at the same time you also get to see how your were violated in forward, reverse, slow motion and at various fast speeds. Being able to watch the guy come in and steal all my petty cash and change just made me more angry and sick to my stomach. Fortunately Forrest had caught him earlier in the evening when he was casing the office, so we were able to get a good image of him from several cameras.

The one positive thing with the burglary was the response of the police department. They arrived within minutes of my call, and they did a very thorough and professional job. I really didn't expect them to catch the guy anytime soon, so I was really surprised to see in the paper that they already had a suspect in custody.
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Ypsidixit - 2007-09-15 13:52:50
It sounds as though the police did an excellent job. How often do you catch a burglar? Not too often I'd guess...but they nabbed him. I hope the money comes back.

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