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Tuesday, July 08, 2008 3:00 AM
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By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
One of Salisbury's more popular restaurants has closed unexpectedly and without notice.
The Original Steakhouse & Sports Theatre at Salisbury Mall closed at the end of business Sunday.
A notice posted Monday on a window at the business read: "The Original Steakhouse closed for renovations. Reopening soon."
Three letters — one to employees, one to customers and another to vendors — were also posted at the business. The letter addressed to employees was the longest.
"To our Valued Employees," it read. "We regret to inform you that due to current economic conditions, The Original Steakhouse is forced to immediately cease operations."
The letter told employees that their checks could be picked up between 2 and 4 p.m. today or Friday. Checks not retrieved, the letter read, would be sent to the employee's home address.
"Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our company," the letter said. "We wish you and your families all the best in these difficult times."
The letters to guests and vendors were similar, both blaming the closing on tough economic times. "We have enjoyed serving you and thank you for your patronage," the letter to customers read.
A number of employees of the restaurant called the Post Monday to say that they'd had no warning that the business was about to close, and didn't learn of such until they got calls instructing them on how to retrieve their checks.
A man who answered the phone at the The Original Steakhouse Monday said information about the closing would have to come from the company's corporate office.
A man who answered the phone at Salisbury Mall's offices declined comment.
In May, Celebrity Ventures of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., announced plans to convert The Original Steakhouse to Denny Hamlin's Grille 11, affiliated with rising NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.The company said extensive changes to the restaurant would be made through a licensing agreement between Celebrity Ventures and Hamlin, and the transition would take about 90 days.
Calls to Celebrity Ventures were not returned Monday.
Celebrity Ventures has done similar sports-themed restaurants with former National Football League stars Eddie George and Jerome Bettis. It has also worked with Major League Baseball player Jeff Conine and NBA stars Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'Neal.
Staff writer Mark Wineka contributed to this story.
What do you think? Post your comment below.
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: Friday, July 25, 2008 9:01 AM
I have to agree with all those who say that this is standing operating procedure and in no way reflects the local management of this operation. The staff all the way from the dishwashers to the GM found out about this sad happening at the exact same time, and care was taken to try and inform all staff by telephone, but anyone who has worked in a restraunt knows you dont always answer the phone when the boss is calling. Anyway, this was a great restraunt that will be missed and talking bad about it now does not do any good for anyone. The ones that should be looked into are Celebrity Ventures, it was only after their involvement that the economic hardship came to a head!
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: Thursday, July 10, 2008 1:20 PM
How were the managers supposed to tell them whenever they didn't know themselves. They found out on Monday at the same time everyone else did when the district manager cam eand put a note on the door. None of the people who actually worked in the restaurant knew, not even the GM. When they did find out they called as many people as they could but could not get in touch with everyone.
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SOP : Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:30 AM
It's a Standard Operating Procedure in the food service industry to suddenly shut the doors without warning to the employees. Try to do the "right" thing by your help, and they will sabotage you every time with bad attitudes towards the customers in the last days, stealing whatever they can to get what they feel is rightfully theirs (whether it is or not), and vandalism. Hate the steaknouse is gone, but I don't blame them a bit by closing in the manner they did.
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What's really a shame : Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:50 PM
The truly sad part is that only some of the employees were informed by phone call of the bad news, while others found out through showing up as scheduled to work. The managers should have called every single employee immediately to inform them of the bad news at the very least. One can safely assume that a company does not just realize over night that they are not making any money then immediately close shop. It is unfortunate that so many people lost their jobs, and what is worse is that the steakhouse management didn't even have the decency to let them know in advance. Although I am in favor of capitalism, job opportunities and financial growth in Rowan County, I feel that we do not need this type of bad business anyway and that Salisbury will be just fine, if not better off, without them.
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What's Next? : Wednesday, July 09, 2008 7:06 AM
Good place, but over priced. And forget the rude crowd on Wednesday Wing Night! I sure won’t miss them! And what those waitresses had to put up with!!! Wing night brought in the wrong crowd. But let’s take a look at things here. The Original Steak House closed no warning, dedicated employees out of work. Goody’s is closing, what is to become of the mall? Too many closed gates where stores once stood. Hey Rowan County… what are you doing about this? Any job prospects for young college students, single moms, etc.? I thought Rowan County was one of the richest counties around. Let’s work to get some jobs for the younger crowd!
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Another restaurant bites the dust... : Tuesday, July 08, 2008 1:53 PM
Salisbury needs moderate to nice restaurants. I liked the steak place OK, but I really miss Las Palmas -- especially the Tex/Mex fare. (It was better than your regular Mexican Restaurant.) I hope someone else will reinstate that place.
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: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 1:50 PM
Apparently, this is a chain and they're closing all or several. I just heard that the one in Arden, NC (outside Asheville) is closing as well.
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: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:47 AM
I think some of you may be under the impression that they still plan on reopening. Celebrity Ventures has backed out and will not open at this location. Whatever is there next will be different ownership so please don't hold grudges against them for this company's very poor decision making. If they really cared like they made it sound in the letter they left they would have given their wonderful employees more notice instead of letting them just show up for work yesterday to have no job. Hopefully they can get back on their feet and find something quickly so they can take care of their families.
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No big loss : Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:39 AM
It's definitely no major loss at all. The place was ridiculously overpriced for some very mediocre food. It's a shame, though, for the employees who are suddenly jobless with no warning.
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: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:25 AM
My family loved to eat there,but we can find another place to eat steak. The employees are the ones I feel bad for. Hope you all can find work soon and thanks for the great service.
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RARE CUSTOMER : Tuesday, July 08, 2008 9:51 AM
I only ate there once. It was expensive but OK. This did not come out of the blue. Somebody up the corporate ladder knew what was probably coming weeks or months in advance. A little notice would have given employees time to get some appys going! Lingering ill feelings will cost the new restaurant business! In a highly competetive environment, factors that influence a customer's restaurant choice are many and subtle. You wouldn't believe the little things that are important to my extended family!
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: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 8:10 AM
I know its hard times for everyone right now, but what a dirty way to do your customers and your faithful employees! It's going to come back to bite ya! I know we wont be back there if it does reopen!
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