Interesting article in both papers about this, and in Estep's column. So, more are sleeping in corbin than eating. I agree with Estep on this one, it needs to be checked into. But, make sure it's done within the confines of the law, and not out of greed. The city isn't an auditing agency. Strange!
I wonder how much of that was attributed to the closing of the Vintage house. It may not matter any at all, but, when comparing quarters for each year, this time last year they were thriving. I don't know their numbers.
Will Applebee's pick up the slack. Yes, in a way. It will help.
Will the city leaders give the Tourism Commission the information they want as to who is paying, and who isn't. This will be interesting, as if the tourism committee members start talking suddenly about who is and isn't paying, and it's against the law, someone could go to jail. One thing is for sure, if Tourism knows about it, they'll talk about it.
I wonder how much the increase's in room rates at the local hotels mattered in this equation. All of them have raised their rates. The prices for rooms this year, when they were called for accomidations prices for the upcoming Cumberland Falls tournament, as well as other events coming up in the area, revealed room rates had went up from last year, some considerably. And, I'm glad to say, all of our local hotels have really good occupancy rates almost year round.
Also, this time last year, the Tuscany Gardens was in full swing, and I mean full swing. They were packed, for lunch and dinner, every night. Their food was great, the service was good for a new restaurant, they were getting great reviews. It was a nice place to eat. Now, sorry folks, it's not much better than a Fazolis, less better in fact, and the issues of noodle wrestling and such really hurt their reputation. Also, the owners (or owners spouse) gave the a bad rap. Regardless of what you say, I drive by it several times a day, the cars that were there last year, just aren't there this year.
The Dixie is hurting more now too. They've had a bad year, and the place is up for sale. Their figures may not be on par with the big joints, but, even a small drop in revenue can hurt, not only the restaurant itself, but the figures for the tax revenue projected.
The coffee shop downtown closed this year, and was another booming business this time last year. Like I said, every little loss in revenue hurts when it is tallied up.
The constant antics of the Angels & Wings can figure in here, they've had constant problems since this time last year. Another drop in sales adds to the pile.
Also, the new has sort of worn off the Wings and Beer sect. Yes, those places still do good business, but, there just isn't as much activity as there was last year. This was projected before. The new will wear off the alcohol issue, and things will calm down. The opening of a national chain will pick it up, like Applebee's ,but, the new is gone.
London has taken more customers that way too. Shiloh's has taken some of the business from corbin. Not a lot, but remember, every little bit adds up.
The Karoake scandal. Last year, things were in full swing at the local places. Dancing, singing, fun and frolic, and karoke. Since then, our commission thought of banning all fun and conversation at these places, at the bequest of our police chief, and that has hurt business more than any realize.
Those are just observations. Comments are welcome. And, if there's some incorrect info in the above post, please correct it.
Just a few other points that may be effecting what is going on. The Rest. Tax was based off of current numbers and projections we had two years ago, which was probably accurate at the time. Unfortunatley the inflation rate has really rose and the disposable income of 19K or so a year can only go so far (Standard Wage For This Area).
If you factor in the steep rise in Gas for most families in the 19K area this is a real stinger! This in turn caused goods and services to rise (Milk, Bread, Etc).
The Interstate does have alot of Traffic but the travelers have to have money to spend, the current sharp increase in the above has taken a toll along with losing jobs and London on an aggresive attack to win business, this makes for a bad recipe for us.
Remember any type of sales tax that is committed to Schools or other important investments has a risk, The Economy, sales slow down and so does your revenue stream. How can we correct this in tough times?
How about fighting a little harder for the Business that is out there, buying Mobile Hot Dog Trailers for the Chamber is one of those silly moves and the 10K could have been used as an incentive of some sort but a Mobile Trailer is not the answer with the Economy cooling.
Estep has a point but is still oblivious to what folks at 19K a year have to contend with vice his 200K per year salary.
I'll add a little more to that as well. Travelers are spending less on their trips. This was confirmed by AAA some months ago from a survey they did. It stated that most travelers, if I remember correctly it was in the upper 60% range, were spending less on trips until they reached their final destinations. That's 6 out of 10. I take it part of that could be on meals ate while traveling. Going from possibly the chain casual joints, to fast food and pizza. The extra money spent on gas can take it's toll on truly middle class families.
When you try to put some numbers to the first posts points, the deficit can come close to what was reported in the paper. I'm sure that's not all of it, but I feel it has a bearing on it.
What scares me, now that I've read it in the paper, the city and tourism based their ability to pay for and run the Expo Center on those budget figures from 2 years ago. If this trend we're seeing now keeps up, it could be much lower than originally thought, or worse.
Even KOA has had a down year compared to others, due to fuel prices. Remember, those land yachts run on diesel, and today the cheapest diesel I saw was $3.26 a gallon. Even for rich retirees that's a lot.
Perkins said there was a possibility that all the receipts hadn't come in, and that could be so. Still yet, we may have put the cart before the horse on this Expo thing.
Keep in mind too, Corbin don't have sunday alcohol sales, and London does. That's a 50-50 deal on how you think about that.
Two Auto Dealershipe groups just moved out of Corbin, Whitley County on Cumberland Falls Hwy to Knox County on Cumberland Gap Parkway. This was a big hit to Corbin's occupational taxes. But to some people in power that was no problem. It was just retail business.
Why should we care about getting jobs if it means we have to get off our butt and be tough and competitive. It is a lot easier to just make up excuses and whine about how it really doesn't matter.
Why should we have to cowtail to any other political party that the Republican Party? We don't have to invite the Democratic Candidate to the Chamber luncheon if we don't want to even if it makes us look like a bunch of dumb jerks.
We want everything to stay like it is even if the world is passing us by. You might but I don't. We need to get smart and competitive and seek to be the very best. It may not be easy but it is the best way to provide a better life for our children and families. Wake up! Quit putting up with a bunch of flimsy excuses.
I think you are overreacting just a bit but then again there is something to be said about the old ways. And old people too for that matter. There is good in all.
If you're talking restaurant revenue, it's not hard to come up with 1.5 million.
Vintage house alone was a big tax cash cow, and so was Tuscany this time last year. Now, Vintage House is totally gone, and Tuscany is just a noodle wrestling and poker place.
Add that to the above posts lists, a down economy, and it will be close.
Regardless of what some say, a large part of the restaurant business is local also.
We lost General Shale, and that's jobs that enabled them to eat out too. Now, they're buying groceries and paying bills, while looking for a job.
General Shale has temporarily closed because of a general decline in the building market for this entire region. This was their most productive plant. I know this because I work there. Gets your facts straight.
I'm not sure what that last poster was talking about. If you would read the posts, it's not telling anything about why they (general shale) closed, it's about the loss of their revenue to the people and the towns the employees live in. When they're out of a job, or looking for a job, or have to take a lower paying job, there's less money to do things on, like eating out. Read the posts.
After hearing the financial report, I'm truly wondering if we'll be able to support and run this new expo center.
General Shale has temporarily closed because of a general decline in the building market for this entire region. This was their most productive plant. I know this because I work there. Gets your facts straight.
You must be mistaken because the Boss Hawgs on this board blame General Shale closing on Corbin's economic development director, mayor, commissioners and any other elected or appointed official they don't like or who won't cater to their ridiculous demands. It's impossible that a business could close, move or chose another area based on any other reason. The free market economy has nothing to do with it. Just ask them and they will be happy to tell you this.
The last poster thinks General Shale employees were going to make the Expo Center profitable. They sure are digging deep for something to type.
No Bruce, as usual you're not understanding the concept of the statement or the thread. Bruce, put down those hot dogs and read and think.
The General Shale point was made to show that those folks would be part of the big picture of having restaurant revenues, and therefore restaurant taxes to the city, decline. Think before you type Bruce, put down the Chalupa.
Looks like all those involved were correct, it was a wait till the deposits hit type thing, the revenue has now came in, and it's more than they thought.
I'm glad for all involved. We'll need that revenue when the Expo Center gets up and running, and for the tourism committee as well.
Good articles, both of them, for keeping us informed of whats going on.
I was glad to see the money they expected to come rolling in. I admit, it worried me when I read the articles, and also the first post in this thread which had some very good points to it as far as restaurant sales and taxes went.
When the Applebee's opens up, and a couple of other rumored restaurants hopefully come to fruition, it well really benefit our city.
It is good that we have people like Estep watching over things to make sure they are done correctly. I know he doesn't get much praise on this board, but he deserves it for keeping city hall honest.
Anonymous wrote:It is good that we have people like Estep watching over things to make sure they are done correctly. I know he doesn't get much praise on this board, but he deserves it for keeping city hall honest.
Way to go Don!
Little League Mom Doesn't Don trust our excellent leaders at City Hall? They don't need him looking over their shoulders putting his nose in to the city business. Has he now become one of the loud mouths against our city government? I trust our city leaders.
