Comments on: Updated: Baja Bistro owner cites sluggish economy for closing

By: Lakeshore Johnny

Lakeshore Johnny — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:49:57 +0000

I am sorry, Charlie, but yes; I did run a small business.

Rent, insurance, salaries, taxes, business licenses, utilities, supplies: these ALWAYS increase in cost. Always. My point still stands; if you enter the business you have to be prepared for these conditions.

Any business thrives because it provides it’s customers with what they want, when the want it, how the want it and where they want it. Period. Don’t believe that? How does Starbucks get away with charging $4.50 for a glorified cup of coffee? The customer wants it. Period.

Again; management needs to grow up and take some responsibility.

By: skibum

skibum — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:10:04 +0000

Kristen, my comment was directed at the scourge of naysayers that seem to decry ANYTHING in Roanoke. You’d think some of these people never ate since apparently every eatery in Roanoke was beneath them.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 17:35:37 +0000

Jeez skibum, a little mexican place closed down. What do you want people to do…open a vein over it? It’s too bad but if there’s a market for that sort of food, something else will pop up to take its place.

charlie, please explain how any of the factors contributing to the closure will be different in another location.

By: charlie

charlie — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:32:44 +0000

Sorry to see Baja close. Started to eat there when they were in Salem and followed to Electric Road.
We visited there about 4-5 times every month. The staff was friendly
and the food was a good value with a wide selection.
People that dont know anything about operating a business dont have a clue
what “blame the economy” means. Rent,salaries,increasing taxes, rising insurances, business licenses,workers- comp,food, electricity,water, equipment, maintenance, more taxes and licenses, workers not showing up for their shift…………..maybe you should try operating a small business!!!
Reopen Greg!!
Charlie

By: skibum

skibum — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:06:22 +0000

Gee, Kathy..was the Country Cookin’ buffet busy that day?

By: skibum

skibum — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 12:05:40 +0000

The more comments I read on here, the less I like Roanoke and the people in it.

By: kathy moses

kathy moses — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:17:29 +0000

While the owner may blame the slow economy, in this case (as in several other recent closings), the reason is probably the poor quality of the food served. We went a couple of times when it first opened but it the food was lousy, the dining room was loud with buzzing coolers, and the service was mediocre. We never went back. These folks clearly had no idea how to run a restaurant, so the surprise is only that they lasted as long as they did.

By: Mike 3

Mike 3 — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 04:17:01 +0000

The social injustice crowd sure gets mad when a business closing blames it on the economy.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:50:42 +0000

3 of GPsays list include free food. While these type of “deals” are successful at other establishments it’s still giving away free product.

Also, when is having a line out the door at 11am a bad thing for business? Seems like that’s a good problem to have. A problem that Baja Bistro didn’t have as you pointed out.

By: Lakeshore Johnny

Lakeshore Johnny — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:49:10 +0000

Ok, let me get this straight; he sited the “economy” as his reason? Really, now? You are kidding, right? Here’s what I’d love to see:

“I’m closing; I had to, my food stunk.”

Come on. Ever heard of anyone blaming their own mismanagement and poor quality for their reasons? Ever? In the end, if your business fails you have to stand up and take SOME responsibility, regardless of the business conditions. The business conditions were there, at all times, when you opened, and you should have known, and should have been prepared for them, when you entered the industry.

Grow up.