Mexican Restaurant UPDATE...the owner could use some DU vibes (his refrigerator died)

[Amerigo Vespucci]

CALLED the owner at 9 AM. "You're still expecting me at 10, right?" He said yes.

When I got there he said "We have a problem."

I thought "Oh, GOD, what NOW?"

His fridge / freezer died in the middle of the night and he is attempting to salvage whatever food he can. He has a huge industrial icemaker that he uses for ice in the drinks...his salsa and a few other items are sitting in there.

I asked him "Do you think you're going to be able to serve customers today?"

He said "I don't know."

He said it's going to be fixed sometime today or TOMORROW...you know what it's like getting a repair person on a Sunday, even in an emergency.

So he paid me...which means my short-term crisis regarding two bills that need to be paid is over.

I'm supposed to call him Wednesday to see if everything is fixed so we can reschedule the photo shoot.

But in the meantime...VIBES, please. He's a decent guy. I wasn't happy when he was a no-show on Friday, but it didn't change the way I feel about him. He's an older businessman who probably put everything he has on the line to get this place up and running, and when something like this happens, it's an absolute kick in the teeth. I asked him if he had insurance for any food he has to throw out and he said "Yes, but by the time I meet the deductible, it's not even worth opening a claim."

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. The failure to show up was a faux pas -- a mistake anyone COULD make...

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... though you really hope they don't.
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The freezer dying was a fucking CRISIS!!!
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He paid you. He paid you. He paid you.
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This is a stand-up guy who wants to work with you.
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If there was no payment, I would've had a hard time
telling you "this guy's serious" with a straight face.
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[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. Today, I was "12" on a supportive scale of "10."

You nailed it, Jim. You nailed it. And fortunately, I was smart enough to see the writing on the wall before I read the wisdom in your post.

:toast:

[pacalo]

2. Poor guy.

I wonder if restaurant owners have an association where, when something like this happens, other members could help to store the perishables until the equipment is repaired.

I hope everything turns out fine. At least you got paid, Amerigo. :)

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. You should have seen his FACE.

I felt terrible.

He has handwritten signs all over the place for his specials.

I told him I would make some nice ones, one the computer, for FREE...as a COURTESY.

Whatever good or bad things happened to me today...and today was a GOOD day...see my Italian American Festa photo thread...I am not THIS man.

Eben though I told him I would call him on Wednesday, I may go see him tomorrow, just to let him know I'm in his corner.

[pacalo]

7. You're such a good guy!!!

:hug:

[applegrove]

5. I had a summer volunteer position in a big office complex. I kept

running into people I knew. I kept making lunch dates(not date dates) and I kept forgetting them. It was nothing personal but when I ran in to them and apologized I could see they were not so sure. He's paid you. Clearly he just forgot the other day.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

6. I know that now...

...and tomorrow, at no cost to him, I'm going to drive over there and replace all of the handwritten signs he has behind the counter with the ones I prepared on my computer tonight. I asked him if he'd like me to do that, as a courtesy...no charge...and he said "sure."

After the trip over there today, I know he's a good guy who just forgot. I suspected that on Friday. Today, I know.

[Odin2005]

8. Crap! That sucks!

:(