Calvyns Take Out
Hours
When we started, we had to build everything, there was NOTHING here but an old shell of a building. Since we had to work 7 days a week, 16 hours a day, we figured we might as well open and let ppl see what was going on. After 206 days of that, we needed a break. we decided that Tuesday was the slowest day and that became our go to town and shop day. After a year of this, we still didn't have a day off, so we took Wednesday as a day off. Turns out... that's the day the dump is open and delivery day from our supplier. Since we still have to work, might as well keep going on the renos and prep to open Thursday... still no day off. After doing this for a year or so.. we decide to take Mondays as a day of rest. That quickly became another day to get ahead of prep work, cleaning, fixing, and more reno work. This is when we realized... we're worker bees, it's just what we do.
So, to all the people that invited (and continues to invite us) out... Thank you, but, the work just won't stop.
In the winter when things are more managable with a smaller "to do"list, we can open Thursdays. But in the summer, when the list doubles, we close on Thursdays too.
The original plan was to have a small country pub with great food and it would be remote enough and in a small town and we could call it semi retirement. It's more work than we've ever done.
As people are people, some didn't accept/understand any of this and would boycott. Our solution was to try and hire people. We did manage to employ some, but what happens in a small town we learned is, let's say, grandma thinks her granddaughter is just the best... we like grandma, so lets give granddaughter a chance. Granddaughter doesn't end up making the cut, it's harder than most think. So, when we have to let granddaughter go, we are now boycotted by that entire family and half their friends... so, the solution of hiring local doesn't work. So lets hire from just outta town, now we're losing customers for not hiring local. OK... me n Sue will do it
Calvyns Take Out
Patio
Whats a must in that cute little country pub?... A patio..... And with many discussions with township/bulding inspectors/community members... we got "permission" to build a patio. So... off to work we go. Patio gets built. However, it's just a patio... its too hot, needs shade...so we get umbrellas and have towels available so you can go for a dip in the river. Are you closing it in? there's too many bugs. Can't do that.... we can add fans, bug spray, bug zapper, after bite ointment available and we'll start selling watkins bug cream... nope that didn't work. It's too wet when it rains.. ok... we build covers/roofs. Nope, rain days are not for the patio. Too cold... ok, we put in a fire table and have extra coats hanging around...Nope cold is not for a patio.
Ok... we found the pefect days for patio.... book bands to entertain customers. Now the patio is full with a band, their wives and friends and others that think it's a free concert and want to hang out for 3 hours sharing 1 cider or nibbling on a small fries and if there were any tips, that goes to the band. If someone didn't like the style of music or the sound or the volume... bad review ... for Calvyns...Sooo .... that's not going to work. Create different playlists on you tube to create atmosphere. Now the customers want to make requests and i don't have time to play DJ, so.... more upset customers now boycotting Calvyns. So...Patio is a struggle, but we keep trying... until convid.. Now it's just closed. and let's not forget the persons that show up by themselves, sitting at a table for 4 having a small fry and a water for 1.5 hours while reading a book with their yappy dog. Are you opening the patio back up?.... Why?