As the economy inches towards recession, some businesses will thrive and others will not survive.
The most recent example of the Bee’s Knees shows how some businesses are just not meant to survive. In Columbia County, Stay. Social Tap and Table will likely go the way of Bees Knees as well in coming weeks.
Admittedly, I never ate at Bee’s Knees, nor was I overly familiar with their operation. If half of what you read in the comments online is true, though, their closing is not a surprise. It is important to note though that they had over 20 years of success. Whether it was COVID-19, a change in their core values or just the shift in the market, they were not meant to survive downtown.
The Hive Bodega was another example of the same issues and a precursor to the closure of Bee’s Knees. It was also owned by the same individual.
Generally, a business that wants to appeal to a wide range of customers should avoid political dialogue otherwise they run the risk of alienating half of their potential customers. They should focus on selling their product or service and leave the social justice issues at home.
The ashes of both Bee’s Knees and The Hive Bodega will provide fertile soil to new entrepreneurial enterprises. Those businesses that locate in those vacant storefronts will hopefully survive and prosper.
Another business soon to go the way of Bees Knees will be at Evans Town Center. Stay. Social Tap and Table got a stay of execution on closing when Judge Blanchard agreed to allow them to remain open pending the hearing on their case. The ruling was delayed but is forthcoming. Regardless of how the judge rules, the embattled tapas bar will not survive.
As previously reported Stay. Social Tap and Table has had poor sales since opening. That information is accurate whether you look at the original financials or the “revised” ones provided after being notified of the non-compliance to the alcohol ordinance. In fact, had it not been for the Columbia County Economic Development Authority incentive program grant/loan, the business never would have been able to open or survive as long as it has.
Its sales reports shows that the business has consistently lost money since opening. Ownership posted pictures on Facebook of a Friday night with virtually nobody in the establishment earlier this year. The move was to try and drum up new business. When that didn’t work, they created a publicity stunt with a drag show meant to bring new customers.
It did create some momentum but not what they had expected. The drag show was ill timed with the negative national attention around “family friendly” drag shows. The owners also failed to recognize that they are located in the middle of one of the most conservative counties in the country and that the show would not go over well.
An open records request found no county emails related to the drag show, and the argument that the review of the alcohol sales by the development authority was due to the show seems to have little merit other than unfortunate timing. The county had the right to review the books because the business got county money. So, be warned if you take government money in any way, you are subject to government review. That also means you could be subject to the Open Records Act in some capacity and therefore media scrutiny.
Regardless of the county’s move to pull Stay. Social Tap and Table’s alcohol license and regardless of the judge’s decision, the business is likely to fail. If the low sales are not a good indication off a lack of customer support, the petition and gofundme page are. The petition only received just over 1,300 signatures over five weeks. The gofundme page received 19 donations totaling $2,028. Now, the fight in court is likely about regaining whatever losses the owners can or getting forgiveness for the county grant/loan.
Out of the ashes of Stay. Social Tap and Table,a new business will emerge. I doubt it will be a bar, but they have an already built-out retail space ready to operate.
Economic pain breeds entrepreneurship. There will be new businesses coming and older ones closing. This is just a characteristic of a capitalist society.
