Blazin Bill's

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Lakewinn, another friend and myself stopped in at Blazin Bill's last night. We arrived around 10PM after going to the movies. We were talking to Bill and he is a very nice man. He is trying to make a go of it in a busy restaurant environment. We were one of hi few customers that day. The food is very good. We all had the special which consisted of a huge pulled pork sandwich, macaroni salad and baked beans. The price was $7.50. I had to take some of my dinner home because I couldn't finish it. We would definitely go back. If you are in the area i would give him a try. He also serves breakfast. He is closed on Monday's.
I think I will have my Blazin Bill's leftover's for lunch ----right now.

[Happy Gourmand]

Blazin' Bill's for Breakfast

Blazin' Fast it wasn't....
...but it was very good...and worth the wait.
There were only 2 people working the breakfast "crowd" on this Saturday morning, Blazin' Bill in the kitchen (that's a guess) and a waitress on her third day of employment. She was very pleasant, but obviously overwhelmed as every table (6 of them) was filled. In fact, if their service had been faster, they would have been able to accomodate the 3 or 4 parties who walked in and turned around and walked out. We waited a good 10 minutes before we even got our coffee.
I ordered the Weirs Beach Triple plate...3 eggs...3 sausages...3 pieces of bacon....hash and 3 pancakes. My wife had 2 eggs, sausage and hash. Everything was very good and cooked as ordered.
There were some comments above making reference to some labor issues, there wasn't any picketing this morning.
The place was clean and appeared to be well kept. It doesn't seem like it is set up for efficiency, but I'm sure they will figure that out and rearrange some of the equipment.
In spite of the long wait to be served, we were happy to see that quality wasn't sacrificed for expediency. Besides, we try to not be in a hurry when we're at the lake.
If you're not in a hurry, and lucky enough to have an available table when you walk in, give Blazin' Bill's a shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[jetskier]

We went to grab an early dinner around 5 PM today and there was a sign indicating that they were closed and would return at 6 PM...very odd. Was it the heat?

Jetskier

[MarkinNH]

Where is Blazin Bills located ?

[Chubbs]

BLAZIN' BILL'S AMERICAN GRILL 1187 Weirs BLVD, Weirs Beach (right before the Weirs ...

[MarkinNH]

Originally Posted by Chubbs

BLAZIN' BILL'S AMERICAN GRILL 1187 Weirs BLVD, Weirs Beach (right before the Weirs ...

From which direction ?
How about a known landmark, what is it next to or near.
I most likely have driven by it a hundred times, I just can't place it.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by MarkinNH

From which direction ?
How about a known landmark, what is it next to or near.
I most likely have driven by it a hundred times, I just can't place it.

Mark, It is the former Waldo's on the left headed toward the Naswa from the Weirs.

[kauriel]

It's at 1187 Weirs Boulevard, Laconia. If I recall correctly it's a white building and is almost opposite Donna Jean's.

[MarkinNH]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Mark, It is the former Waldo's on the left headed toward the Naswa from the Weirs.

Yup that works. Now I know right where it is. Thank you.

[winniplayhouse]

How sad that no matter how many restaurants go in the landmark will always be "the former Waldo Peppers!". Miss you Pepper! Over in our plaza we still say "where Willow's used to be"!

[trfour]

I wish Blazin Bill's the very best!.. Couldn't ask for a better location to be a success there in the Weirs... Now, this being said, I would want to speak with Waldo Pepper, and have their input as well.

It is well known that any restaurant business is one of the toughest to be successful at!..

As a long time and very Happy customer of Waldo Peppers, they just knew how to do it. Dedication, Love, Awesome food at a great price, elbow grease, customer relations, fresh everything, some more love, great help, great atmosphere, and again Awesome food, etc. etc. ect. And they were just tuning up, to go back to work, Full Time!!
I miss you lots,
Terry
__________________________________________________

[Belmont Resident]

I stopped in once for lunch and it was ok.
I was the only one there most of the time I spent eating. I've noticed every time we drive by going to or from the boat slip that the lot is empty.
I hope he does well but with that location unless it's an instant hit it's tough with so much around the area.

[Happy Gourmand]

I stopped by this morning (Sunday) just about 10:30...4 people in the car. The sign on one door said OPEN, the other door had a sign that said CLOSED! The place was dark, and we didn't see anybody inside. The lot was empty.
I know you have responded to comments and questions before...so my question is..... Are you serious about this or is this just a hobby? Please let us know. Thanks

[Happy Gourmand]

Does anybody know what is going on with Blazin' Bill's ? I went by this AM at 9:30 and there was still a sign on one door that said OPEN...and a sign on the other that said CLOSED.
So sad if he wasn't able to make it there...it was very good the one time we ate there.

[Whimsey]

I took a car-full there for lunch on Thursday and, same story. One sign said open the other closed...but they were clearly closed. Pretty disappointing.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Whimsey

I took a car-full there for lunch on Thursday and, same story. One sign said open the other closed...but they were clearly closed. Pretty disappointing.

Well, that does not bode well. Tough location?

[jetskier]

Either there is something that we don't know about or the new owners did not have the financial means to start the business. It appears that new restaurants in the lakes region take some time to build a clientele and become profitable. Of note, Oasys was only open for about 6 months before they shut down...they appeared to put quite a bit of money into the building.

I guess that Blazin Bill's fizzled out. Clearly no blaze of glory.

Jetskier

[Hermit Cover]

This time I think the sign put them over the top...in debt. That was one great sign and I'm sure it was probably a choice...buy food or buy sign! Sad, none the less...

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Well, that does not bode well. Tough location?

Nothing wrong with the location: it worked out great for Waldo Pepper's.

It always amazes me to see how many people open restaurants, only to watch them fail.

Tough game to play.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Hermit Cover

This time I think the sign put them over the top...in debt. That was one great sign and I'm sure it was probably a choice...buy food or buy sign! Sad, none the less...

If you noticed, it is a sign paid for by Pepsi so they could get their advertising on it. Bill got it for free because he carries Pepsi products. The sign structure, wiring and lighting were already there Pepsi just re-lettered the existing lexan boards and included their logo.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

Nothing wrong with the location: it worked out great for Waldo Pepper's.

With all due respect, it did not work out for Waldo and Peppers. The restaurant business is very tough.

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

Nothing wrong with the location: it worked out great for Waldo Pepper's.

It always amazes me to see how many people open restaurants, only to watch them fail.

Tough game to play.

Whoa whoa whoa...it worked out great for Waldo Peppers?
So much so...that she wanted to move?
Kinda like..."hey, we are making a bit too much money here...we better relocate and get a handle on this."
I remember something about taking on new partners, and wanting to expand...but if that was a good location, I would imagine they would have stayed.
I don't really think it is the best location. Very easy to pass it by, and not even notice.

[Mr. V]

No, it's not a great location.

You'd need something to grab the eye.

Maybe something like, oh I don't know, an airplane?

It seemed to me that the owners did a pretty good business at the original location of Waldo Peppers at the Weirs.

Sure, the plane helped, as did the buzz from this board, but at the end of the day it comes down to good food and good service.

This is the High Season; if Blazin' Bill isn't blazin,' he'll fizzle out, pronto.

[Pineedles]

As a small business owner may I say it is all about, "do I have enough cash to survive with a negative balance for 2 years? And BTW that includes not paying myself for anything concerning the time I put in, for at least that time period." Too bad, if this is the story. Everyone thinks they can run a restaurant. It's one of the toughest businesses to be in!

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

As a small business owner may I say it is all about, "do I have enough cash to survive with a negative balance for 2 years? And BTW that includes not paying myself for anything concerning the time I put in, for at least that time period." Too bad, if this is the story. Everyone thinks they can run a restaurant. It's one of the toughest businesses to be in!

You are totally correct. My "core competency" is starting businesses, mostly in technology-related sectors, but I've advised people on starting and raising funding for ice-hockey rinks, paving companies, commercial real-estate, and a dozen other random things.

Very frequently everyone only assumes best-case scenarios and never accounts for all the random overhead, unexpected expenses, price increases, lack of product availability and so on. So often people are caught off-guard for very predictable common problems.

[Belmont Resident]

The guy down the street from us who built a 350k house in a 200k area. No market survey just went to town and originally priced it close to 500k.
The house has been on the market for something like 6-7 years and he’s stuck living in it.

[jetskier]

This economy will part a fool and his/her money very quickly.

Jetskier

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by jetskier

This economy will part a fool and his/her money very quickly.

Jetskier

...as will gambling, drugs, booze, women....

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by sa meredith

...as will gambling, drugs, booze, women....

... as will raising children, hobbies, church ...

[gonetoolong]

Outta the last 3 post's, I'd have to vote for SA's methods.....

[guyfromMA]

Did not get a chance to eat at Blazin' Bills, but every time I drove by during my weeks vacation (at least once a day-at different times) the parking lot was always full. It appears to be extremely popular, and it has a great location.

[Overlake97]

Originally Posted by guyfromMA

Did not get a chance to eat at Blazin' Bills, but every time I drove by during my weeks vacation (at least once a day-at different times) the parking lot was always full. It appears to be extremely popular, and it has a great location.

Guy from MA: Are you sure you're thinking of the right place? Most of the earlier posts refer to the emptiness of the parking lot, and that's also been my experience.

[jrc]

There seems to be a back story on Blazin Bills, that struggles to get out. How did he run into problems so fast and run out of business so fast?

There are a lot of American Idol moments in the restaurant business, but wow that was fast. By Idol moment, I mean in the first few weeks of the season, when people who have been encouraged as great singers by their friends and families, find out they have no talent.

[guyfromMA]

Originally Posted by Overlake97

Guy from MA: Are you sure you're thinking of the right place? Most of the earlier posts refer to the emptiness of the parking lot, and that's also been my experience.

I know it was Blazin' Bills because of the sign and the old WP building..

On several occasions i passed by i noted a good amount of cars(maybe 10 or so-parking lot seems a bit small);although after considering your post, it just occurred to me that those could be employee cars.

[Resident 2B]

I believe some people are parking in his lot and going to the beach. It saves them the $10 fee at the beach lot and with no one around to stop them, it happens.

R2B

[jkjoshuatree]

Originally Posted by guyfromMA

I know it was Blazin' Bills because of the sign and the old WP building..

On several occasions i passed by i noted a good amount of cars(maybe 10 or so-parking lot seems a bit small);although after considering your post, it just occurred to me that those could be employee cars.

And it was closed and didn't see any cars in the parking lot.