HAPPY ANNIVERZZZZARY

Written by  ,     June 6, 2016     Posted in Business, Friendship, Fun, In real life, My Girls, News, Restaurant, The Lighter Side

When your restaurant achieves its one year anniversary (1995), you throw a quick party, give away some cake.  People send flowers and cards.  And you quickly get back to it, because, well, we were barely breathing.  Years two and three, similarly, less cards, though now you recognize with a slight sigh of relief that business drops off at certain times is natural–no need to panic–no need to fear the end is imminent.

Year five is a big deal.  Cause for a big party and lots of promotion.  It starts to feel like you’ve made it.  Not happy-feet made it, as much as less waking up at 5am thinking about what is not good enough.

But, back to work.  Feeling content in business is the kiss of death.  I’m convinced.  Six, seven, eight, nine…more sales, a little extra in the bank, occasionally, paying those tuitions, getting some time off.  Things are good.  Not good enough, but good.

At year number 10, I feel like a veteran.  More cake, more promo, “Now Celebrating 10 Years!”.  Promo is good, always, although now the focus is less about survival, more about getting better every day.  How do we build upon this? We would say “Just getting warmed up,” and mean it.  The best years are ahead.  And they were.

Cobblestones showed positive growth every year, from 1994 to 2007–13 straight years–until the economy crashed.  So, hey, why not open another restaurant, and relive the whole cycle! 1, 2, 3…5 years hooray!

In 2009, we began a new cycle of growth–really two cycles of growth between two restaurants as both enjoyed their greatest sales ever in 2015–and 2016 is up, I am thrilled to say.  After all these years…Of course, we need a paint job, a new cooler, new floors, new furniture, funds for health insurance and sick pay, a new oven, roof repairs, better patio digs, a new air conditioner….back to work!!

In 2014, Cobblestones celebrated 20 years with a big-fat fundraiser on behalf of our “favorite” kids–The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell, and utilized 20 years of relationships and reputation, and still-ticking managers and staff to raise over $20,000 for the Club.  What a grand way to celebrate 20 years!  We have established great roots and great friendships.  Back to work.

At year 21, we teased; “Now old enough to drink.”  I actually can’t remember if we had cake.

Which brings me to yesterday–and a trip to Sam’s Club (Still shopping for budget socks and toilet paper after all these years!) (Of course, we took the private jet)

In Sam’s, Kathy said; “Hey. Isn’t today Cobblestones 22nd anniversary?”  Yep.  June 4th.  No flowers or cards as reminders.  No cake or celebration.  Just a giant discount bottle of Alleve for a sore knee.

I’m not sure whether I should be sad, or proud, by the lack of memory or fanfare….or, just get back to work!  (Truthfully, I am proud, and extremely grateful to all those that made this “yet another” anniversary happen.  Proud, yes, but never complacent.

After all…someone needs to start planning number 25…

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  1. Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.

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