Bye bye Crispers

[Trishakaye]

I'm probably the last one to know but an employee just told me doors are closing end of the month. Usual scenario, rent raised to $9000.00 a month and owners can't afford it. So once again a business has been run out. Who makes these decisions? No wonder we have empty spaces. Too risky to locate here. What other reason than greed?

[Bogie Shooter]

First post......................

[goodtimesintv]

I'm probably the last one to know but an employee just told me doors are closing end of the month. Usual scenario, rent raised to $9000.00 a month and owners can't afford it. So once again a business has been run out. Who makes these decisions? No wonder we have empty spaces. Too risky to locate here. What other reason than greed?

"Greed"? LOL. Maybe the "evil rich developers" want another thriving occupant who's not a soup/sandwich place, which Panera fills extremely well here.

I hope Giovanni's, the best and most authentic Italian restaurant in TV, is moving to the Crispers space so they finally have enough tables inside and out, for customers to get one.

People are always standing/waiting on the sidewalk, waiting to get a table and that's the reason we don't go.

At the Crispers space, Giovannis could double their seating with the patio and more customers could enjoy their awesome food more.....

Giovanni's (http://www.giovannisthevillages.com/#about)

.

[CWGUY]

:confused: Where am I going to go for ICE WATER, LEMON, and SWEET & LOW on the 3rd. friday of the month?:cryin2:

[billethkid]

It's the old they raised my rent and I can't afford it urban legend.

When one signs a lease with TV or anybody else for that matter, it includes the term. For example a 10 year lease or a 5 year lease with the rates spelled out. And the almost always include options for renewal in increments of 5 years (or more).

The "raise the rent" surprise is a rumor or an easy way to dodge the real reason for closure. The old he made me do it cover.

[Polar Bear]

...Too risky to locate here. What other reason than greed?
Oh brother.

[Chatbrat]

Its not greed , its business--the successful business have to carry the ones that can't make it--just like high tax sates--that most of us left--like businesses, we voted with our wallet

[Challenger]

I'm probably the last one to know but an employee just told me doors are closing end of the month. Usual scenario, rent raised to $9000.00 a month and owners can't afford it. So once again a business has been run out. Who makes these decisions? No wonder we have empty spaces. Too risky to locate here. What other reason than greed?

The restaurant business in any market is " survival of the fittest" . The Developer is not stupid and does not raise the rent without a good knowledge of the "market value" of the property. Not greed - If enough customers come and the business model is efficient, the business will survive.

[CFrance]

Oh no, one less place for Bare & Rick to get takeout!:rant-rave::sigh::(

[Nucky]

Crispers has been good to our little gang for a lot longer than I've lived here. I hope all those who work or own land in a good place.

[trichard]

It's the old they raised my rent and I can't afford it urban legend.

When one signs a lease with TV or anybody else for that matter, it includes the term. For example a 10 year lease or a 5 year lease with the rates spelled out. And the almost always include options for renewal in increments of 5 years (or more).

The "raise the rent" surprise is a rumor or an easy way to dodge the real reason for closure. The old he made me do it cover.

Agree!

[Rapscallion St Croix]

For restaurants to thrive, they need butts in seats. The butts in the seats need to be either butts that have been in those seats before or butts that will come back and be in those seats again. My butt hit a Crisper's seat once and my brain told it to never go back. Perhaps too many other brains have told their butts to seek seats elsewhere.

[trichard]

For restaurants to thrive, they need butts in seats. The butts in the seats need to be either butts that have been in those seats before or butts that will come back and be in those seats again. My butt hit a Crisper's seat once and my brain told it to never go back. Perhaps too many other brains have told their butts to seek seats elsewhere.

Funny, but true!

[OpusX1]

No owner at crispers. Just another greedy corporation. It was once owned by Publix. Maybe the greed of the original owner caused it to collapse. From Wikipedia.

Crispers, LLC
Type
Private
Industry Restaurants
Founded Lakeland, Florida (1989)
Headquarters Lakeland, FL, U.S.
Area served
Florida
Key people
Scott M Anderson, CEO
Revenue $13M USD (2008) (est)
Number of employees
710 (2013)
Website - (http://www.crispers.com)
Crispers is a Lakeland, Florida based chain of fast casual restaurants with an emphasis on health-conscious fare and a menu that consists mainly of salads and sandwiches.

Crispers was founded in South Lakeland, Florida in 1989 by Bill Whitaker and his wife, Vanessa. In 2002 Publix Supermarkets Inc. bought an interest in the company,[1] and Publix bought the entire company in 2007.[2] In 2008, the former CEO of the company was convicted of embezzling more than $400,000 from the company.[3]

On May 10, 2011, Publix announced they had reached an agreement to sell Crispers to Healthy Food Concepts, LLC[4] and the deal was completed in July 2011.

As of 2013, Crispers has 28 restaurants throughout Florida. By 2015 Crispers only had 24 restaurants opened,[5] with locations recently closed in Jacksonville and Gainesville.[6]

[graciegirl]

I'm probably the last one to know but an employee just told me doors are closing end of the month. Usual scenario, rent raised to $9000.00 a month and owners can't afford it. So once again a business has been run out. Who makes these decisions? No wonder we have empty spaces. Too risky to locate here. What other reason than greed?

Another urban tale. My guess is that their lease is up and they weren't successful. Anytime we went there the place was practically empty.

You cannot really count on employees to have the accurate information. How much rent is paid is something a local employee is not aware of. Rent paying is handled by corporate. People who own the building want it occupied so greed would not be a factor to raise the rent and get rid of a tenant. I am afraid you are incorrect.

Correcting rumors is a good thing. This is an incorrect rumor. I bet my good comfortable shoes on it.

[graciegirl]

No owner at crispers. Just another greedy corporation. It was once owned by Publix. Maybe the greed of the original owner caused it to collapse. From Wikipedia.

Crispers, LLC
Type
Private
Industry Restaurants
Founded Lakeland, Florida (1989)
Headquarters Lakeland, FL, U.S.
Area served
Florida
Key people
Scott M Anderson, CEO
Revenue $13M USD (2008) (est)
Number of employees
710 (2013)
Website - (http://www.crispers.com)
Crispers is a Lakeland, Florida based chain of fast casual restaurants with an emphasis on health-conscious fare and a menu that consists mainly of salads and sandwiches.

Crispers was founded in South Lakeland, Florida in 1989 by Bill Whitaker and his wife, Vanessa. In 2002 Publix Supermarkets Inc. bought an interest in the company,[1] and Publix bought the entire company in 2007.[2] In 2008, the former CEO of the company was convicted of embezzling more than $400,000 from the company.[3]

On May 10, 2011, Publix announced they had reached an agreement to sell Crispers to Healthy Food Concepts, LLC[4] and the deal was completed in July 2011.

As of 2013, Crispers has 28 restaurants throughout Florida. By 2015 Crispers only had 24 restaurants opened,[5] with locations recently closed in Jacksonville and Gainesville.[6]

I am thinking that they didn't have what people wanted to eat or it was priced wrong for what they were selling.. It was almost empty every time we went there for the TOTV meetings. The dishonesty and greed of the original owner, now absent for six years has little to do with people buying food there and causing it to be successful or unsuccessful.

[graciegirl]

Rapscallion St Croix
Senior Member
*
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 345



For restaurants to thrive, they need butts in seats. The butts in the seats need to be either butts that have been in those seats before or butts that will come back and be in those seats again. My butt hit a Crisper's seat once and my brain told it to never go back. Perhaps too many other brains have told their butts to seek seats elsewhere.







Right again, Mr. Scallion!!

[rubicon]

For restaurants to thrive, they need butts in seats. The butts in the seats need to be either butts that have been in those seats before or butts that will come back and be in those seats again. My butt hit a Crisper's seat once and my brain told it to never go back. Perhaps too many other brains have told their butts to seek seats elsewhere.

There you go the problem was people were listening to their butts rather than their taste buds:D

[OpusX1]

In case you did not know it. My use of the word greed and greedy is satire.

[Taltarzac725]

We will have to find a new place for the 3rd Friday at 3:00 PM TOTV meetings. I have not been to one of these probably since 2013. Used to go often when Donna lived down the street and she would go with her husband.

[dillywho]

For restaurants to thrive, they need butts in seats. The butts in the seats need to be either butts that have been in those seats before or butts that will come back and be in those seats again. My butt hit a Crisper's seat once and my brain told it to never go back. Perhaps too many other brains have told their butts to seek seats elsewhere.

They don't just simply "need butts in seats". Those butts need to purchase product, not just park in a seat. Lots of places count more on take-out than in-house eating and thrive. Restaurants come and go. It is just the nature of the beast. If they do indeed close, I hope something really good will move in.

[dbussone]

Oh brother.



On point! [emoji41]


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[Shimpy]

I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did. They were never busy.

[dbussone]

Perhaps the TOTV get-together should be located more conveniently. Like in Fenney which is scheduled to become the geographic center of TV in 2023. I have it on good authority that all the restaurants that have closed here since 1990 are relocating to a new square-based food mall in Southern Oaks.

The other thing, which I found very interesting, is that The Villages will ban the sale of electric carts next year. They no longer have the range to traverse TV and the VCDD is concerned about all the electric carts that might litter the MMPs when they die. Picture a scene like Saudi Arabia where smashed cars litter the landscape. [emoji33][emoji33]


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[Rapscallion St Croix]

They don't just simply "need butts in seats". Those butts need to purchase product, not just park in a seat. Lots of places count more on take-out than in-house eating and thrive. Restaurants come and go. It is just the nature of the beast. If they do indeed close, I hope something really good will move in.

I see. You are quite literal.

[graciegirl]

In case you did not know it. My use of the word greed and greedy is satire.

OH good. I thought that wasn't like you at all. So sorry I took you seriously. :(

[Trishakaye]

You're right. It's only business. I just felt bad for the young employee.

[ColdNoMore]

Sooo, Crispers is now...toast?




:D

[Bogie Shooter]

In case you did not know it. My use of the word greed and greedy is satire.

Sure was hard to tell. Guess that's why explanation was needed.

[dbussone]

Sooo, Crispers is now...toast?




:D



[emoji106][emoji106]


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[villagetinker]

Hope we find a new place to meet for the ToTV get together, I am now available to attend.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We ate there once. Wouldn't bother going back. It wasn't terrible, it's just that there is a lot better pizza around.

[ColdNoMore]

We ate there once. Wouldn't bother going back. It wasn't terrible, it's just that there is a lot better pizza around.

Say what? :confused:

[rhood]

Surprised it lasted this long.

[Taltarzac725]

Say what? :confused:

Probably means Giovanni's. Giovanni's (http://www.giovannisthevillages.com/#ourmenu)

[Barefoot]

Oh no, one less place for Bare & Rick to get takeout!:rant-rave::sigh::(
You are so right! I think we kept that place afloat for years.
There were always empty booths and they closed at 7 PM. I think the take-out business kept them profitable.
I'm sad to see Crispers close - it's the one place that never allowed fried food on the menu.
They had a good run. I hope some healthy alternative is going to rent the space in Southern Trace Plaza.

[Taltarzac725]

You are so right! I think we kept that place afloat for years.
There were always empty booths and they closed at 7 PM. I think the take-out business kept them profitable.
I'm sad to see Crispers close - it's the one place that never allowed fried food on the menu.
They had a good run. I hope some healthy alternative is going to rent the space in Southern Trace Plaza.


Their sandwiches' quality seemed to vary with their cooks. I will miss them too though. Have to push for something with lobster.

[trichard]

Surprised it lasted this long.

Agree!

[Jimbo120]

Also very little business traffic... maybe something people want to go to would be better.

[NotGolfer]

I've been to Crisper's a handful of times in my nearly 8 yrs of living here. The last couple of times...the food was mediocre and service not so great. I'd say that there also weren't a lot of customers there neither. These 3 things contribute (or not) to the success (or not) of a restaurant!

[John_W]

I cannot believe their rent is, or will be, $9,000 a month. So that means Softballs R Game is paying about $2,000 a month? I know Crispers has a lot of square feet and an outside dinning area, but that price is way out of line. You have to consider all that interior work and equipment was installed by the tenant. You would need something like a Jersey Mike's traffic flow to be about to afford that rent. A place that can gross a million to a million and half a year. I paid $1100 a month for my shopping center retail space of 2,000 square feet on a business that grossed $500,000 a year, and that was my limit, or least if I was to net 10% to 15% which is typical for a small retailer.

The franchisee of the Jersey Mike's in front Target, opened a second location in Mt. Dora a few months ago, and he is considering a third location on 466. He said they are building a small strip center next to Fresh Market and they anticipate going in there.

The difference with Jersey Mike's is they know what they need. They said no to The Villages at Brownwood when they were told 4,000 square feet is the smallest restaurant space we will rent. They said fine, we'll go find 1200 square feet somewhere else, which turned out to be Mt. Dora. The Crispers location could maybe make it if a McAlister's would move in there. Anything else at the moment in the food business, I don't see. I ate at Crisper's one time in 2011 on our lifestyle vist, and that was our only time.

[Barefoot]

Have to push for something with lobster.

The Crispers location could maybe make it if a McAlister's would move in there.

Fingers crossed for a McAlisters-type restaurant in that location .. even without lobster. :icon_hungry:

[golfing eagles]

Fingers crossed for a McAlisters-type restaurant in that location .. even without lobster. :icon_hungry:

Cross threading---5 yard penalty---or is that 4.572 meters in Canada?

[Barefoot]

Cross threading---5 yard penalty.
Penalty call for Tal, not moi. :evil6:
I'm following the "always blame someone else" philosophy. :girlneener:

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Penalty call for Tal, not moi. :evil6:
I'm following the "always blame someone else" philosophy. :girlneener:

It isn't whether you win or lose, it's how you place the blame.

[dbussone]

Penalty call for Tal, not moi. :evil6:
I'm following the "always blame someone else" philosophy. :girlneener:



Works for me!

It's Tal's fault.


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[golfing eagles]

Penalty call for Tal, not moi. :evil6:
I'm following the "always blame someone else" philosophy. :girlneener:

I'd name that philosophy after a prominent American politician (loser), but it would delve into the political sphere:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[justjim]

$9,000 a month rent you have to have some people traffic. I was surprised when the Dairy Queen on 466 closed. The closing of Crispers was not a surprise.

[mtdjed]

Can't remember a time when our golfing groups said let's go to Crispers after golf. Kind of like saying let's go to the Hospital cafeteria.

[buzzy]

Fingers crossed for a McAlisters-type restaurant in that location .. even without lobster. :icon_hungry:

Check with Rick. He'd probable vote for Chicken King.

[banjobob]

Not totally up to speed with TV rent factors but if as noted Giovannis will be moving in at 9 grand a month rent plus utilities payroll taxes food costand all other business expenses watch for [serious increase in menu pricing]

[rlcooper70]

Its called creative destruction in economics .... and its the only way that we have progress. If a business fails it can only be replaced when it leaves the location making room for something better or more creative.

[OhioBuckeye]

Well personally I never thought it was that great anyway, but that's just me. Been there twice & only got Chicken soup & it only had about 6 noodles in it & maybe they had a chicken run through it & called it soup. Sorry, but I won't miss it! Actually I think a lot of resturants in TV are just to expensive. Go outside TV to the same resturant & you'll see cheaper prices. It's probalbly like Crispers they charge to much rent here in TV. It's no different than to rent a store or booth in a MALL. Somebody is making a lot of money & then they're buttering up the people that they want to live here! Oh well, I got my 2 cent opinion in now.

[Hansa]

I think Crisper's closing is their own fault, not a matter of rent. Too many unhappy customers.

Crispers - Salad - 3551 Wedgewood Ln, The Village, FL - Restaurant Reviews - Phone Number - Yelp (https://www.yelp.com/biz/crispers-the-village)

[Barefoot]

Check with Rick. He'd probable vote for Chicken King.I checked with him and you're right! :highfive:

[Peggy Kalosky]

Sad....I like Crispers. Really fresh salads and soups

[ColdNoMore]

Sad....I like Crispers. Really fresh salads and soups

But no pizza. :ohdear:

[Lbmb24101]

For restaurants to thrive, they need butts in seats. The butts in the seats need to be either butts that have been in those seats before or butts that will come back and be in those seats again. My butt hit a Crisper's seat once and my brain told it to never go back. Perhaps too many other brains have told their butts to seek seats elsewhere.

Same here, went once , did not like the food.

[gatherer47]

I use to stop for the one egg breakfast-then they eliminated breakfast-did like the soup and half sandwich combo but a little pricey

[BobandMary]

It's always empty. They recently put up several parking signs for "take out" customers. They are always empty too.

[KathieI]

This is very sad. At one time, especially when Publix owned it, it was really good. That is why it was selected to be our go-to place for the monthly luncheons. The sandwiches and soups were delicious. Once Publix sold it, it went downhill fast. Last few times I was there, the service was absolutely awful, the salads and soups were still good but they also got very pricey.

Admittedly, I have not been there or to a monthly luncheon for a few years, but its sad to see a nice place go under.

Thought I would share some of the pictures from '08 and '09. Hope I remember how to download them.

[Taltarzac725]

This is very sad. At one time, especially when Publix owned it, it was really good. That is why it was selected to be our go-to place for the monthly luncheons. The sandwiches and soups were delicious. Once Publix sold it, it went downhill fast. Last few times I was there, the service was absolutely awful, the salads and soups were still good but they also got very pricey.

Admittedly, I have not been there or to a monthly luncheon for a few years, but its sad to see a nice place go under.

Thought I would share some of the pictures from '08 and '09. Hope I remember how to download them.


I came to some of those in 2007-2013 or so. You used to get Crispers once a week but switched to Subway a few years ago.

[champion6]

It's the old they raised my rent and I can't afford it urban legend.

When one signs a lease with TV or anybody else for that matter, it includes the term. For example a 10 year lease or a 5 year lease with the rates spelled out. And the almost always include options for renewal in increments of 5 years (or more).

The "raise the rent" surprise is a rumor or an easy way to dodge the real reason for closure. The old he made me do it cover.While your post is correct - a lease followed by renewal option(s) - eventually the agreement expires. The landlord offers a new agreement - presumably a lease with renewal option(s) - with a new monthly rent, potentially a higher monthly rent. The tenant decides whether or not to accept the new agreement.

"Long ago and far away" I experienced this scenario myself. I first tried to relocate my business, but eventually decided to close and liquidate it before the expiration of the original agreement.

[Auntmimi]

Too bad. I love Crispers.

[dewilson58]

Sooo, Crispers is now...toast?


:D


It got Soggy.

[MikeyBoo54]

Perhaps the TOTV get-together should be located more conveniently. Like in Fenney which is scheduled to become the geographic center of TV in 2023. I have it on good authority that all the restaurants that have closed here since 1990 are relocating to a new square-based food mall in Southern Oaks.

The other thing, which I found very interesting, is that The Villages will ban the sale of electric carts next year. They no longer have the range to traverse TV and the VCDD is concerned about all the electric carts that might litter the MMPs when they die. Picture a scene like Saudi Arabia where smashed cars litter the landscape. [emoji33][emoji33]


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The answer may be hovercraft. No more crowding on the roads and they can't fly high enough to interfere with Twoplanes.

[Barefoot]

Sad....I like Crispers. Really fresh salads and soups

Too bad. I love Crispers.

Thanks for posting -- I thought I was their only happy customer!
I like the fact that there is no fried food at all.

[Bogie Shooter]

It's the old they raised my rent and I can't afford it urban legend.

When one signs a lease with TV or anybody else for that matter, it includes the term. For example a 10 year lease or a 5 year lease with the rates spelled out. And the almost always include options for renewal in increments of 5 years (or more).

The "raise the rent" surprise is a rumor or an easy way to dodge the real reason for closure. The old he made me do it cover.

Great article in todays Daily Sun May 17, that confirms what you have been saying for many years.
The article, Talking with Scott Renick, Director of Commercial Development.
He dispels the many rumors regarding commercial leases. (I could not find the article online)

[NotGolfer]

Great article in todays Daily Sun May 17, that confirms what you have been saying for many years.
The article, Talking with Scott Renick, Director of Commercial Development.
He dispels the many rumors regarding commercial leases. (I could not find the article online)



I agree...great article to dispell the rumors, which seem constant. Folks hear something (speculation, perhaps) and take it as fact and pass it on. IF something is commented upon enough, folks begin to believe it!!! As Marc Morse stated some years ago..."IF you haven't heard if from me OR read about it in The Daily Sun don't believe it!!!"

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

No great loss for me. We went there once and I would never go back. Renamed pizza flats or something like that and they were terrible and over priced. They also seemed to take forever to come out.

[Mrs. Robinson]

The restaurant business in any market is " survival of the fittest" . The Developer is not stupid and does not raise the rent without a good knowledge of the "market value" of the property. Not greed - If enough customers come and the business model is efficient, the business will survive.

It will be interesting to see how long the old Crispers remains vacant.

That will be a good indication of "market value."

[bagboy]

It will be interesting to see how long the old Crispers remains vacant.

That will be a good indication of "market value."

I've read Habaneros Mexican Grill has leased the Crispers space.