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Doo Dah Day moving from downtown
Restaurant to relocate to East Greenville Street
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ANDERSON COUNTY — A large paper sign was taped to the front windows of the Doo Dah Day Café in downtown Anderson on Thursday morning — the hardest sign that the small restaurant’s staff has had to put up in the business’s two and a half-years.
It was a sign letting customers know that they are relocating, moving from Main Street to Greenville Street, to one of the spaces next to the Bi-Lo Grocery store.
And the decision to move was not one that was made lightly.
“We love downtown. We want Matty’s and all of the businesses here to be successful,” one of the managers, Errin Jaggers, said. “It’s either move or go under,” another manager, Lauren Holden, added.
So on Thursday, they and others packed boxes and equipment. By Nov. 10, they will open with the same name and same healthy fare at the location on East Greenville Street.
So what happened to them downtown?
One cause was a serious drop in revenue in the last three months since parts of Main Street was closed for streetscape construction, said Jaggers, Holden and the café’s owner, Lynn Engelke.
“We’ve consistently lost $20,000 of revenue each month for the last three months,” Engelke said. “That’s hard for a small business.”
Anderson’s Downtown Manager Arlene Young said she did not know if anyone at Doo Dah Day had talked with the city staff about the problems.
“I am deeply sadden to hear this and would be with any business that chose to move from downtown,” Young said.
The construction, taxes and decline in the economy was just too much, Engelke said. They tried cutting staff, and some, like Engelke and her sister, who worked at the restaurant, did not get paid. They even increased their prices by about .40 cents on average.
Engelke, Jaggers and Holden said they are aware the streetscape is needed and will improve downtown when finished. But they have “used all their resources.” To them, the missing piece was communication.
“It seems like they want to build downtown up, (but) they need to take care of the businesses that are loyal to downtown,” Holden said.
Having someone come in the café or send a letter would have been nice. Or even a tax break during those three months for the businesses affected.
Young said, however, a break in taxes or fees would be impossible to honor or hard to determine. She said the city does not have the statutory authority to offer tax breaks. Gap financing is offered through the city’s Business Development Office, though.
And as for a break in some other kind of business fee, that would be nearly impossible to measure, attribute directly to the streetscape and then apply to each business fairly, Young said.
Young said she sent a letter to all downtown businesses after meeting with merchants, noting she would be sending updates of downtown news by e-mail, or by regular mail — if the business so chose.
“I am not trying to minimize what they are going through at all,” Young said. “I hate to see them go. But it is unfortunate that they wanted someone to reach out to them, but they weren’t letting anyone know that they needed any assistance.”
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Adding 1 cent sales tax in a weak economy will not help them when they move. Times are tough everywhere. Good luck guy's on the new location, at least people can get to your front door.
Strange, I live within a few miles of Downtown and not once have I received any form of advertisement for the cafe.
I wish them luck in their new location, they will need it. That space has had quite a few "restaurants" already.
Guys, I really hate that you are leaving the downtown area. The food is wonderful and the friendly staff always made dining there a real treat. While you will be missed downtown I have to say that those of us who love your food and who work in the vicinity of and at the AnMed Health Campus are thrilled that you will be closer to us at lunch time. It will be great to be able to grab something other than fast food for lunch. Hang in there! I predict your business will see a tremendous increase after the move!
When the downtown location was the Lunchbox, I had many very good Ham and Swiss sandwiches with soup there.
When it became Doo Da Day, tried to order a Ham and Swiss, all I got was strange looks from the staff. Walked out and never went back. It makes no difference to me where they move, I won't be going to eat there.
In response to observer
The Doo Dah Day Cafe is NOT the lunchbox so why would you think that they would have the same things? Maybe you should look at the menu before you order.
In response to vanhoose
If you say NO why would you know what it smells like?
Doo Dah Day is the best cafe we have in Anderson and it is a shame that all the work downtown has hurt not only their's but other's business as well. I never saw a problem with downtown in the first place so maybe they will finish soon. Hopefully they will finish before the Christmas Parade so it will look at least a little nice on Main Street.
This used to be one of my favorite places to eat, but the prices went up and the serving size went down and it was time for me to find a place that had a better value for the money. The quality just isn't what it used to be.
Doo Dah Day is an amazing place to go with even better staff. I will miss it being downtown... but I noticed the drop in customer visits the last time I was there. People are startng to flock to Matty's, which is extremely overrated. I hope the new location is better for you guys. <3 you!
Doo Dah Day is not even comparable to the Lunch Box. You could get the same tasting food at the Lunch Box that you could get out of your fridge at home! With the amazing menu at Doo Dah Day, I don't understand why anyone would want a simple ham sandwich. hmmm, to each is own I guess. :)
The people at Doo Dah Day are great! I am so excited that they are moving to Hwy 81. We need more restaurants on this side of town!!!
My biggest suggestion for Ooh dah day is to add some kid's selections. We stopped going there because there wasn't a kid's menu that was worth anything. Some kids, for better or worse, don't care for sandwiches.
Way to go City! It doesn't take long to run businesses out of downtown with construction that has been being done on Main Street for well over a year now! Also, I went to a grand opening last night at Burgandy Blues....guess what.... the work crew had blocked off the ENTIRE city block from First Citizens all the way to the old Carolina First. Smart!
The Camptown ladies sing this song
Doo-dah! Doo-dah!
The Camptown racetrack's five miles long
Oh! doo-dah day!
I, for one, will be there when they open, but I am sad to see them forced to move from a location that really seemed to suit them. I'm just glad they will still be here for us to enjoy. And you guys don't need to change a thing. Just do what you do well. See you on 81.
So are you going to lower your prices when you move. You blamed construction on the higher prices. I quit going because of the high prices and less food you get
in response to Niblits
Gwine to run all night,
Gwine to run all day,
I'll bet my money on de bob-tail nag,
Somebody bet on de bay.
:-)
in response to observer
Are you a logical thinker? I would love to understand why you believe it is logical to go into a new restaraunt... with different owners... and order something that the previous restaurant served in the same location? That makes no sense. I suppose you are going to visit Dillards and ask where the NewSpring teenagers are on Wednesday nights since Dillards took over their location also?
I am glad to see that they will still remain open. I have not once had a bad experience and think the food is awesome! I like that it is a little different than a normal sandwich joint.
Happy Halloween!
Something more to this. Downtown was established and succesful. Roads almost complete. I will doubt they ever pull the numbers there that they did downtown. Heck, they were in that location before and moved! Dig deeper on this one and it doesn't add up. Best of luck to the next restaurant to take its space!
It is true, before moving to downtown, the folks at Doo Dah Day were running The Blue Strawberry Cafe in the same location that they are moving to now.
The move wasn't caused by low numbers, little business or bad food... the owner was taken advantage of by a bad business partner. It was easier and safer to move to a new location and start over (under a new name). It's easy for people to judge quickly... not knowing this previous unfortunate circumstance.
in response to trashrat76
I agree with you I liked the food and atmosphere, yet I went back to Sullivan's where I got full service and lower prices. Please do not blame downtown construction for poor business management, it sounds like the Atlanta Bread company story: they blamed City sign regulations for their failing business, yet Kenny's that moved in there is doing fine. I hate it when Business' have unrealistic profit desires, then when they are not met they feel a need to blame someone else.
in response to robert
You went back to Sullivan's where the prices are lower? What are you eating? Scraps out of the garbage can? Sullivan's is an excellent eatery, but the prices and food compare in no way to Doo Dah Day.
Also, yes, Kenny's is absolutely flourishing; if by "flourishing", you mean "been for sale for months and no one will buy it, so they just stay open"???
in response to vanhoose
What kind of neurotic world do you live in where you avoid visiting a restaurant because you think you smell marijuana on an employee? Do you really think your perception of a singular incident is reason to slander a business in a public forum?
The Do Dah Day is a wonderful place - some of the most delicious, freshest, healthiest food in Anderson. The staff is extraordinary - very down to earth and very friendly. How sad that downtown construction precipitated their move. I, for one, did not go downtown for months, though I love the Do Dah Day, because the street closing has been TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. The City of Anderson must be run by imbeciles to expect Mom- and Pop-owned businesses to endure this type of poor planning and total lack of communication with its downtown vendors. The City tried for years to get great businesses downtown, then does its best to run them off.
Do Dah - You will survive, and actually, prosper in your new location.
A very appreciative customer
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