BEER ENGINE Who approved this sign?

Charyn Compeau · Post by **Charyn Compeau** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:48 pm

ok -

ill probably get hammered for this (heh heh pun intended) but...

what exactly is wrong with the word booze?

I am have been mulling this over all week and quite frankly I dont understand how the word booze is any different than the word beer, liquor, or spirits.

Would it be acceptable in a nice script font? Or in blue? Is it the word, or the very bold signage? If its the word - at what point did it become connotatively unacceptable and why?

If it is the bold signage, is this simply a matter of "one man's screens are another man's blight"?

Always,
Charyn

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:18 pm

Charyn

Whitey's Booze n Burgers. A destination restaurant, reputed to be the best burger in Ohio.

http://www.whiteyschili.com/rest.htm

Not sure if they have protests over the term in their name.....but, after all, its down in Richfield. Maybe we can get the Beer Engine to move there too?!

Jeff

Charyn Compeau · Post by **Charyn Compeau** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:32 pm

Mmm I have friends in Richfield that I called and they seem to think very highly of Whitey's. they think its a destination restaurant and feel that the community is quite proud of it. They also didnt see any problem with the name - thought it was fun actually.

Which, I guess, makes my point - and seemingly yours as well.

Charyn

Chris Trapp · Post by **Chris Trapp** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:52 pm

Charyn,
Who approved your offensive, new signature/graphic? I feel that you should go back to puppy dogs. Sticking your tongue out is inappropriate. And it is poorly drawn.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:15 pm

I stopped in today as a sales rep and met the owners and openers. Not only were they very nice, but they did a beautiful job on the inside. I am more than thrilled they are in Lakewood. As for the coverage, they respectfully ask that any press coverage be put on hold for a few weeks.

As for the sign, they realized it does not represent who they are inside, which is a warm, friendly, and inviting place, and had already decided to change it. Although the hurt in their eyes from some of the negative remarks about them failing were evident. Opening a new business takes everything a person has to give, and then some, so I hope some will reconsider visiting what seems to be a great asset here.

As for this broad, I will be at the dry run. One of the chef's has been a chef at some of the finest restaurants in the Cleveland area and I look forward to tasting that beer-cheese soup!

Bret Callentine · Post by **Bret Callentine** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:29 pm

Justine,

that chef wouldn't happen to have the last name Tushar would he?

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:31 pm

Justine Cooper wrote:As for the coverage, they respectfully ask that any press coverage be put on hold for a few weeks.

In the meantime, I would encourage the owners/staff to join the Deck, if they haven't already done so...

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:41 pm

Bret,
Why yes it is. He is there part time during the early day hours before his other gig. You should go see him! I hear spicy tomato soup with blue cheese is on the menu too!

David,
I agree. They were referring to any coverage in the actual paper. I think they may feel not so welcome to join the deck, but hopefully I am wrong. I took Gary's message to heart and one step further. This being the Observer Deck, when businesses get negative comments or trashed, it does link the Observer with that and doesn't project the community good will the Observer bases its soul on. I have no idea how to rectify that.

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:43 pm

yeah, shouldn't we be happy that a new business picked lakewood, and not...river or bay or westlake?

so is this a bar or is it a restaurant? will folks under the age of 21 be allowed to dine there?

Bret Callentine · Post by **Bret Callentine** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:48 pm

I'm definitely in!!!! Although, in the interest of full disclosure, I may have to recuse myself from any formal review of the menu.

Ken Lipka · Post by **Ken Lipka** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:52 pm

I just listened to the quaffcast at www.buckeyebrewing.com. Check it out. One of the brewers discusses his plan for the new restaurant/brewery. They sound very Lakewood to me. I am looking forward to the opening this weekend.

Rick Uldricks · Post by **Rick Uldricks** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:11 pm

Justine Cooper wrote:
As for the sign, they realized it does not represent who they are inside, which is a warm, friendly, and inviting place, and had already decided to change it. Although the hurt in their eyes from some of the negative remarks about them failing were evident. Opening a new business takes everything a person has to give, and then some, so I hope some will reconsider visiting what seems to be a great asset here.

I'm sure they're nice people and do hope they succeed.

However, I must ask again - how was the original sign approved in the first place? Or can residents and business owners just hang any sign, any size, any color, with any verbage wherever they like in Lakewood?

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:16 pm

I wasn't referring necessarily to talk about the sign, but talk about never going in there and hoping they fail is harsh on the business owner's ears and presumably his heart! It would mine!

As for the city and signs, every single business I talk to has problems with getting "normal" signs approved. Many are given a hard time for what appears to be nice signs, so I have no idea if that was approved and maybe a city worker can tell you. I would call if you are curious.

Anyone dowloading an invite, make your reservations early as they are booking up. Invite is 50% off total!

DougHuntingdon · Post by **DougHuntingdon** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:32 pm

><><><><><><><<
As for the coverage, they respectfully ask that any press coverage be put on hold for a few weeks.
><><><><><><><<

Justine I appreciate you disclosing your relationship with the Beer Engine.

The quote above is interesting, because when you go to the website, you can hear the "quaffcast," where the owner/head brewer seems to thoroughly enjoy the uproar caused by their sign. This is like the Hollywood celebrities who "Just want to be left alone" then next thing you know they are on national tv doing high profile paid interviews.

I respectfully ask that they put half as much effort into the quality of their establishment as they have put into their publicity machine. They seem to think very highly of themselves. Like Hooter's used to say, if you sell the sizzle you got to deliver the steak.

Doug (witholding final judgment on the establishment for now, although the sign is atrocious)

PS Rick, I do not have an inside source at city hall regarding the Beer Engine, but yes I believe any business can pretty much hang any sign they please at any time, although eventually they may be forced to remove/alter the sign. Alleged examples from my recent memory include Harrison's, Moe's Hookups, Bankrupt Beds, and a self storage place. I am sure there are others.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:40 pm

That sign Rick?

Well whether I like it or not (and it does sound as if they are going to change it) you probably know my opinion. Their place, their money, their sign.

And they did get good pre-opening exposure here..ummm, thanks to you, did they not?

I agree with you to this extent however: there would be a point with a business sign, where community standards come into play; but that can be a long and legally expensive interplay.

This is, after all, Lakewood, where diversity is the name of the game.

I'll bet it will all work out.

If not to the point where we will be singing "Kumbayah", at least to the point where we'll probably sing "99 bottles of beer in the wall...."

BEER ENGINE Who approved this sign?

BEER ENGINE-Who Approved This SIgn?

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BEER ENGINE-Who Approved This Sign?

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BEER ENGINE-Who approved this sign?