The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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Discussion

January 21, 2012

Wally Kennedy: Restaurateur down but not out

By Wally Kennedy wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

NEOSHO, Mo. — When the recession hit in 2007, Mike Griffin had owned the Take-Away Cafe, 2217 S. Main St., for about a year. To help overcome the economic downturn, he started offering all-you-can-eat ham and beans.

He called it his “recession-buster special.’’ It helped keep the doors open. He also acquired some new regulars who recognized that the cafe was serving some mighty tasty ham and beans. I know, because I was one of his customers.

In an effort to keep his restaurant open, his crew employed, and the bank and landlord paid, he let his business insurance lapse in December 2010. When the May 22 tornado decimated his restaurant five months later, he realized he had made a grave mistake. Griffin said he came to the stark “realization that the culmination of my life’s entire work was gone.’’

Had the tornado come a couple of months later, he thinks he would have been in a better position to restore his business insurance, thanks in part to those ham and beans.

At the time, he thought he was down, but not out. He thought he could get help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration or the Small Business and Technology Center. After a daunting application effort over a period of 10 weeks, he was denied assistance because of a “lack of ability to repay.’’

Said Griffin: “I’m at a loss trying to understand how anyone will have the opportunity to get back in business if they, too, have lost their business and are not eligible for assistance. I was not asking for a handout — simply an opportunity to get back into business, provide jobs for our community, and have the ability to repay my debts.’’

Griffin, who has been in the restaurant business for 30 years, borrowed money from a bank to purchase the restaurant.

The kicker for Griffin was when the notice denying him assistance was sent to his restaurant, which had been destroyed, instead of his home address, which he had listed for communication purposes. He said he doubts whether anyone thoroughly reviewed his application.

“My question is this: What is happening to all of the monetary donations that have been pouring into Joplin for tornado relief? Would it not make sense to set aside a portion of this for people in my situation?’’ asked Griffin. “How can you repay if you can’t get back in business?’’

Griffin leased a space in a building that was owned by the Scorse family. A family spokesman said they are debating on whether to rebuild.

Griffin managed to salvage most of the kitchen equipment from his restaurant, some chairs and one table. He has landed a job as a cook with Freeman Health System. He is not giving up. He intends to get on top of his financial obligations. He just needs a break to get back on his feet.

OPENINGS

Payless ShoeSource, 1502 S. Range Line Road, could open at any time.

Academy Sports & Outdoors plans to reopen Friday.



RELOCATED

PlayMakers, an indoor baseball and softball training place, has relocated to 3733 N. Main St. Road. It is across from Wayside Furniture, inside the Crazy Debbie’s Fireworks building. PlayMakers was previously located at 720 E. Fourth St., the former Mid-West Machinery Building.

PlayMakers offers indoor training for baseball and softball, with batting cages and pitching mounds.



LOOKING

Looking at Joplin is Top That! Pizza, which lets you pick your own toppings and then cooks your pizza in less than three minutes. The franchise is expanding into Southwest Missouri. There are several restaurants in the Tulsa, Okla., area.



If you have news about something that’s happening on Range Line Road or Main Street, call 623-3480, ext. 7250; or send an email to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at 623-8598.

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