Village Kitchen

SAB1 · 06-12-2015, 09:20 AM

Funny stuff here. VK is great food, no doubt. Cant even come close to a breakfast like that in Wolfeboro. I don't mind having to spend cash at all but......I gotta agree with Rusty here. The world runs on credit these days and there are definitely folks that don't eat there because they don't take credit. The younger generation coming along is very different from the one that raised them. I've got 2 kids in their 20's and all credit and debit cards, never cash. They, VK, have plenty of business from what I see when I'm in there and agree it is their decision for sure.

Major · 06-12-2015, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAB1

The younger generation coming along is very different from the one that raised them. I've got 2 kids in their 20's and all credit and debit cards, never cash.

I work in Boston, and go out to lunch nearly every day. When I buy lunch and offer cash, the clerks, who are usually in their 20s, look at me like I have two heads. Kids (30 and under) NEVER carry cash. So while the model works now for VK, at some point it will have to change. The market will demand it.

SAMIAM · 06-12-2015, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major

I work in Boston, and go out to lunch nearly every day. When I buy lunch and offer cash, the clerks, who are usually in their 20s, look at me like I have two heads. Kids (30 and under) NEVER carry cash. So while the model works now for VK, at some point it will have to change. The market will demand it.

Hate to admit it but I think you're right.People that know us don't mind at all but people who are traveling expect to use plastic.Believe me,it's been a hot topic of conversation around here.

SIKSUKR · 06-12-2015, 01:17 PM

My local favorite pizza place is cash only also.I now almost never have cash and use a debit card.Has it stopped me from going there?No but for a while they didn't have ATM at their location and none were close to me.I did get food elsewhere a few times for that reason.Think of the VK as a hot dog cart or the like where most likely you use cash there also.

Rusty · 06-13-2015, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

.Think of the VK as a hot dog cart or the like where most likely you cash there also.

I'll remember that.

VitaBene · 06-12-2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Hate to admit it but I think you're right.People that know us don't mind at all but people who are traveling expect to use plastic.Believe me,it's been a hot topic of conversation around here.

Yeah it is- I was in for lunch and was partly responsible for winding Rhonda up!

Crusty · 06-12-2015, 01:32 PM

I occasionally eat at the Waffle House, a regional chain. They are open 24/7, are noted for their friendly atmosphere, good prices, and good food. Although primarily a breakfast place, they also serve non-breakfast fare. They opened their first restaurant in 1955 and grew to 1,500 locations by 2006.

I bring this up because, until 2006, they were a cash-only business.

They were obviously successful when folks had to hit an (offsite) ATM before coming in. I can attest that the locations I've visited were full of well-fed people with change in their pockets. However, when demographics started to affect their bottom line, Waffle House made the decision to accept plastic. They made the necessary price adjustments (to give the banks' their cut) and continued on. I still go there and, strangely, it's the only place where I still pay with cash.

My point is that the Village Kitchen is successful in their current model. I'm sure that they have made a few changes over the years to their menu, procedures, and equipment. If and when it makes sense for them to accept plastic, I'm sure they will make whatever adjustments are required and continue as a successful venture.

Armchair restauranteurs who insist on telling successful restaurant owners what they're doing wrong, well, it seems a bit presumptuous.

Newbiesaukee · 06-12-2015, 01:42 PM

It's not presumptuous, it's the Internet.

brk-lnt · 06-12-2015, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusty

Armchair restauranteurs who insist on telling successful restaurant owners what they're doing wrong, well, it seems a bit presumptuous.

Some of us here have actual business experience...

Obviously what the VK is doing today is working out well for them, but that doesn't mean it will last forever and it's usually advantageous, in any business, to adapt with (or slightly ahead of) your core customer demographic.

I've worked with a lot of small businesses who think that accepting credit cards is going to cut into their bottom line or otherwise have some measurable negative effect. Usually this is not true (exceptions being when your median ticket is less than $10 or for some reason you would be highly prone to false charge-backs).

In most cases accepting payments via credit card speeds the overall payment flow, gets your money in the bank quicker (no waiting for checks to clear) reduces employee risk of having to take cash deposits to the bank, reduces chances of employee theft or cash mis-counts, and increases your average ticket (this varies depending on the business).

I don't work for a credit card company, and I have no vested interest in the VK. But if they have chosen not to accept credit cards for urban-legendish reasons it makes sense to point out the other side of the argument (IMO).

At this point they might as well look past just credit cards and look at NFC/contactless payment options as well (since contactless credit card terminals will be the requirement for credit-card readers next year anyway).

Shreddy · 06-12-2015, 03:46 PM

I've stated my opinion before that I'll rummage whatever crevices I need to find quarters or any other change if I am short on cash for a farmer's breakfast. No, I won't use the ATM because the surcharge and the ADDITIONAL surcharge by my own bank (haven't done this in years but it used to be like $3).

Regardless, to agree with some others, I am the younger generation and no we don't like cash. In all honesty, you guys think accepting plastic is the issue but lets be honest for a second. I barely even use plastic anymore. Coffee in the morning at Sbux or Dunkin I use my app, that is linked to my card./account with an auto reload from paypal. Out to lunch? Most of the establishments, including my building, accept LevelUp which is an app paying service that is linked to my card. Pickup the dinner tab for me and a friend? No big deal, just Venmo me what you owe. I need a ride? Uber or Lyft are both on my phone and linked directly to my accounts. Not going to try and explain these upgrades in technology but learn about it. If you want change, then make it realistic and get with the times.

With that said, all you people looking for them to accept plastic are far behind the times. Funny how that works huh?

SAMIAM · 06-13-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shreddy

I've stated my opinion before that I'll rummage whatever crevices I need to find quarters or any other change if I am short on cash for a farmer's breakfast. No, I won't use the ATM because the surcharge and the ADDITIONAL surcharge by my own bank (haven't done this in years but it used to be like $3).

Regardless, to agree with some others, I am the younger generation and no we don't like cash. In all honesty, you guys think accepting plastic is the issue but lets be honest for a second. I barely even use plastic anymore. Coffee in the morning at Sbux or Dunkin I use my app, that is linked to my card./account with an auto reload from paypal. Out to lunch? Most of the establishments, including my building, accept LevelUp which is an app paying service that is linked to my card. Pickup the dinner tab for me and a friend? No big deal, just Venmo me what you owe. I need a ride? Uber or Lyft are both on my phone and linked directly to my accounts. Not going to try and explain these upgrades in technology but learn about it. If you want change, then make it realistic and get with the times.

With that said, all you people looking for them to accept plastic are far behind the times. Funny how that works huh?

I'm definately hearing what you're saying.....I believe there are no fee's when you pay with your phone app so when the time comes for us to move into the 21st century there might be enough of folks like you to offset the credit card fee's.

Shreddy · 06-13-2015, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

I'm definately hearing what you're saying.....I believe there are no fee's when you pay with your phone app so when the time comes for us to move into the 21st century there might be enough of folks like you to offset the credit card fee's.

I'm not going to stop coming in regardless of whatever you do. But, with that said, all the OLD TIMERS that think plastic is the issue are far behind the times. Thank you for hearing me here! I think it would be a great step in the forward direction....WHEN you're ready to step into the 21st century that is. In the meantime, cash it is for me!

tis · 06-13-2015, 07:50 PM

It's almost scary how fast things are changing. You will just change to plastic, Sam and they won't be doing it any more. It will all be off the phone. Can you keep up??

wifi · 06-13-2015, 08:37 PM

Only thing left is earning the money to pay all those charges

Orion · 06-14-2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

It's almost scary how fast things are changing. You will just change to plastic, Sam and they won't be doing it any more. It will all be off the phone. Can you keep up??

tis, you're behind the times already.....we're paying with our watches now!

tis · 06-14-2015, 11:36 AM

Yep, see I forgot. I AM behind ALREADY! I just can't keep up!!

dpg · 06-15-2015, 07:43 AM

Major hit the nail right on the head and that's all I was trying to say about the "plastic" debate is that the market will demand it someday whether the current owner wants to make the change or not. You need to adapt and change with the times to survive. Sure people now don't mind paying cash because they have to. I'd be willing to bet (just my opinion) if the VK started taking plastic they would see a drastic switch and have at least 75% of customers paying that way. Even the "old timers" that have been eating there for years would pay this way. I'm fully aware losing my business once in awhile isn't going to close the place but I've more than once stopped at Buckeys for this very reason, I will not pay a fee to get at cash through an ATM. Again my business once in awhile means nothing but what if 20, 30 or 40 individuals and families are doing the same thing weekly. In the summer times that's probably very realistic. Some day the "old time" cash carrying payers will be gone then what? Maybe by then Samian will be retired and it will be the next owners burning platform.

TiltonBB · 06-16-2015, 07:39 AM

There is a huge percentage of the economy that is "underground"

"Estimates are that underground activity last year totaled as much as $2 trillion, according to a study by Edgar Feige, an economist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison."

Those people, some of whom work for cash, many who could not qualify for a credt card, will always exist. Many people deal in cash just so that their personal cash flow does not leave a paper trail. There was a former mayor of Boston who had no checking account and paid all his bills with cash or a Postal Money Order. That makes it pretty difficult for the IRS to see the whole picture.

Drug use is estimated to be a $60 billion a year business in the United States. As far as I know that is still a cash business.

I don't see a time in the future when we go to all plastic and paper money doesn't exist. For some people, that is all they have.

06-12-2015, 01:17 PM	#4
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	My local favorite pizza place is cash only also.I now almost never have cash and use a debit card.Has it stopped me from going there?No but for a while they didn't have ATM at their location and none were close to me.I did get food elsewhere a few times for that reason.Think of the VK as a hot dog cart or the like where most likely you use cash there also. __________________ SIKSUKR Last edited by SIKSUKR; 06-15-2015 at 08:33 AM.

06-12-2015, 01:42 PM	#8
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,362 Thanks: 959 Thanked 575 Times in 300 Posts	It's not presumptuous, it's the Internet. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

06-12-2015, 03:46 PM	#10
Shreddy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 513 Thanks: 181 Thanked 222 Times in 116 Posts	I've stated my opinion before that I'll rummage whatever crevices I need to find quarters or any other change if I am short on cash for a farmer's breakfast. No, I won't use the ATM because the surcharge and the ADDITIONAL surcharge by my own bank (haven't done this in years but it used to be like $3). Regardless, to agree with some others, I am the younger generation and no we don't like cash. In all honesty, you guys think accepting plastic is the issue but lets be honest for a second. I barely even use plastic anymore. Coffee in the morning at Sbux or Dunkin I use my app, that is linked to my card./account with an auto reload from paypal. Out to lunch? Most of the establishments, including my building, accept LevelUp which is an app paying service that is linked to my card. Pickup the dinner tab for me and a friend? No big deal, just Venmo me what you owe. I need a ride? Uber or Lyft are both on my phone and linked directly to my accounts. Not going to try and explain these upgrades in technology but learn about it. If you want change, then make it realistic and get with the times. With that said, all you people looking for them to accept plastic are far behind the times. Funny how that works huh? __________________

06-16-2015, 07:39 AM	#18
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,045 Thanks: 720 Thanked 2,221 Times in 948 Posts	Cash Economy There is a huge percentage of the economy that is "underground" "Estimates are that underground activity last year totaled as much as $2 trillion, according to a study by Edgar Feige, an economist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison." Those people, some of whom work for cash, many who could not qualify for a credt card, will always exist. Many people deal in cash just so that their personal cash flow does not leave a paper trail. There was a former mayor of Boston who had no checking account and paid all his bills with cash or a Postal Money Order. That makes it pretty difficult for the IRS to see the whole picture. Drug use is estimated to be a $60 billion a year business in the United States. As far as I know that is still a cash business. I don't see a time in the future when we go to all plastic and paper money doesn't exist. For some people, that is all they have.

06-12-2015, 09:20 AM	#1
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,251 Thanks: 193 Thanked 334 Times in 242 Posts	Funny stuff here. VK is great food, no doubt. Cant even come close to a breakfast like that in Wolfeboro. I don't mind having to spend cash at all but......I gotta agree with Rusty here. The world runs on credit these days and there are definitely folks that don't eat there because they don't take credit. The younger generation coming along is very different from the one that raised them. I've got 2 kids in their 20's and all credit and debit cards, never cash. They, VK, have plenty of business from what I see when I'm in there and agree it is their decision for sure.

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06-12-2015, 01:32 PM	#7
Crusty Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus OH / Smiths Pt Posts: 128 Thanks: 176 Thanked 158 Times in 57 Posts	I occasionally eat at the Waffle House, a regional chain. They are open 24/7, are noted for their friendly atmosphere, good prices, and good food. Although primarily a breakfast place, they also serve non-breakfast fare. They opened their first restaurant in 1955 and grew to 1,500 locations by 2006. I bring this up because, until 2006, they were a cash-only business. They were obviously successful when folks had to hit an (offsite) ATM before coming in. I can attest that the locations I've visited were full of well-fed people with change in their pockets. However, when demographics started to affect their bottom line, Waffle House made the decision to accept plastic. They made the necessary price adjustments (to give the banks' their cut) and continued on. I still go there and, strangely, it's the only place where I still pay with cash. My point is that the Village Kitchen is successful in their current model. I'm sure that they have made a few changes over the years to their menu, procedures, and equipment. If and when it makes sense for them to accept plastic, I'm sure they will make whatever adjustments are required and continue as a successful venture. Armchair restauranteurs who insist on telling successful restaurant owners what they're doing wrong, well, it seems a bit presumptuous.

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06-13-2015, 07:50 PM	#13
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,819 Thanks: 759 Thanked 1,471 Times in 1,026 Posts	It's almost scary how fast things are changing. You will just change to plastic, Sam and they won't be doing it any more. It will all be off the phone. Can you keep up??

06-13-2015, 08:37 PM	#14
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	Only thing left is earning the money to pay all those charges

06-14-2015, 11:36 AM	#16
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,819 Thanks: 759 Thanked 1,471 Times in 1,026 Posts	Yep, see I forgot. I AM behind ALREADY! I just can't keep up!!

06-15-2015, 07:43 AM	#17
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,618 Thanks: 157 Thanked 235 Times in 172 Posts	Major hit the nail right on the head and that's all I was trying to say about the "plastic" debate is that the market will demand it someday whether the current owner wants to make the change or not. You need to adapt and change with the times to survive. Sure people now don't mind paying cash because they have to. I'd be willing to bet (just my opinion) if the VK started taking plastic they would see a drastic switch and have at least 75% of customers paying that way. Even the "old timers" that have been eating there for years would pay this way. I'm fully aware losing my business once in awhile isn't going to close the place but I've more than once stopped at Buckeys for this very reason, I will not pay a fee to get at cash through an ATM. Again my business once in awhile means nothing but what if 20, 30 or 40 individuals and families are doing the same thing weekly. In the summer times that's probably very realistic. Some day the "old time" cash carrying payers will be gone then what? Maybe by then Samian will be retired and it will be the next owners burning platform.