Ann Arbor's 'underperforming' Old Country Buffet closes after bankruptcy filing
The Old Country Buffet in the Cranbrook Village shopping center on Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor closed last weekend after its parent company, Buffets, Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time.
Minnesota-based Buffets announced in a press release Wednesday it plans to “promptly close 81 underperforming restaurants” as part of a restructuring plan. It released a list of the underperforming locations on Friday, which included the long-time Ann Arbor location.
Additional locations may close if “more favorable lease arrangements” with landlords at other restaurant locations cannot be reached, according to the release.
The Old Country Buffet in the Cranbrook Village shopping center in Ann Arbor closed last weekend.
Photo by Dwight Burdette via Wikipedia
The restructuring plan will eliminate the company’s outstanding debt of about $245 million, as well as annual interest payments of more than $30 million, according to the release. Buffets hopes to complete the process and exit Chapter 11 within about six months.
“The decision to close these underperforming restaurants, though difficult, resulted from a comprehensive, store-by-store analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs, market conditions and the long-term strategy of our reorganized restaurant portfolio,” said CEO Mike Andrews in the release.
Buffets also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2008, when it closed 52 restaurants and laid off 2,300 employees.
The 81 store closings represent about 16 percent of the company’s 494 restaurants in 38 states. One other Michigan restaurant, located in Southgate, closed over the weekend.
Goldberg said he was given no warning of the company’s filing until he received a notice on Thursday.
“It came right out of the blue,” he said.
Although the closing creates a 9,000-square-foot vacancy in the shopping center, Goldberg said he isn’t concerned about the now empty space. Last week, the Papa Romano's pizza franchise in the center also closed.
“Even before they closed the door behind them, there has been lots of activity for that space and plenty of tenants who want to get in the Ann Arbor market,” he said. “It’s one of the more desirable spaces in our portfolio…I think it will be leased in the next 30 to 60 days.”
He added: “It will be a good tenant and a better tenant than the one that left…I think the concept was tired and old.”
He said he’s unsure if the space will be leased to one tenant or subdivided.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
bunnyabbot
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
while I never ate there I am all for people to have the freedom to choose to gorge at all you can eat buffets. I, unlike many don't care if other people are fat, overweight or obese. I choose not to judge based on size. Obese is term du jour and used to ridicule people. More people are probably discriminated against for being fat than they are for the other categories. God sees what is on the inside, man sees what is on the outside, fat is not something to be ashamed of, scared to become or the reason to not be happy.
Diane
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
We visited maybe once a month. It was not always the best. Maybe GoldenCoral will take it's place, but that isn't always up to snuff either.
Joe_Citizen
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
The price was too high for the quality of food they had to offer. For $12.50, I could get a better product somewhere else, and not to mention the noise and all the kids screaming and running around my feet while I was trying to get food. I say that this place was unhealthy for kids, because it gave an impression that large portions are the norm for adults, and this ends a clear message to the child.
Barbara Wright
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:59 p.m.
This was a great place to take my autistic grandson, sorry to see it go. Not many places are enjoyable to him.
Monica R-W
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:59 a.m.
The food changed and frankly, I haven't ate there in years. Sorry to hear the workers are out of a job now.
Ming Bucibei
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:52 a.m.
Sone of these comments are truely needlessly hateful!! No one was forced to go there or to return there If you do not like the food do not go there It is always sad to see a business go under!! I have many Chinese friends who liked the food there, it is much better than the Chinese-Americann fast food found in the USA pretending to be true Chinese food--with too much salt too much oil!! The salad bar was good It was going down hill recently, quality of food decreasing & number of patrons decreasing -- sure signs of a failing chain!! Sad that jobs were lost, but that is the way of the market. If you do not provide the services that the paying pubic wands you will not stay around!! Ming Bucibei
newsboy
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:20 a.m.
Feel sorry for the employees in these difficult times.
Laurie
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:40 a.m.
Good riddance. Place was terrible.
jcj
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:31 a.m.
Strange how many commentators ridicule the place yet say EVERY time they were there. Meaning they saw fit to return more than once. It was not my favorite place to go. I have probably been there 3 times in the last 5 years. But to say that I have "no need to eat plate after plate of unhealthy, highly-processed junk food" is a foolish uninformed statement! They had one of the more complete salad bars in town. Their dessert bar while not "health food" was not "highly-processed" food. I don't believe there food was that bad. People just never had enough sense to leave the 2nd and 3rd helpings alone! And the fact of the matter is this town and post were are filled with snobs that do not want others to know they ate there! And I would expect that everyone of the snobs will not be stopping at McDonald's anymore! LOL.
Bob
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
I'd be more upset if they had ridiculed having not eaten there... I've been there twice since they opened. First time was terrible. Tried it a couple years later and was still terrible, so i stopped.
easy123
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
I wonder if they go to the fav. resturant and order veal and brie .
Left is Right
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:43 a.m.
I believe those commenters are just trying to show us how righteous and holy they are. On the other hand, maybe they're just trying to convince themselves.
Left is Right
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:28 a.m.
It was fun to take a pack of kids there occasionally but I noticed that business had dropped off through the years. Sorry it's gone for many reasons.
zags
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.
Old Country Buffet needed to be located next to a Walmart to succeed.. These two business go hand in hand. You know what I'm talkin' about.
zags
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
nope, just a townie who buys local and hates all the plastic and lead coming from China. I guess I am bigoted against socks with shower sandals.
Hot Sam
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:38 p.m.
"""Probably thinks ypsi should be located next to Walmart as well""" Last I looked, it already is...:-)
easy123
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.
sounds like a bigoted statement to me , probably coming from a haughty "educated" individual probably over compensated by the tax payer. Probably thinks ypsi should be located next to Walmart as well. - lol
zags
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
No need to make the obvious connection between excessive consumption, cheap prices, and poor quality. Oops, I just did.
Left is Right
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
Actually, I don't know whatcher talkin about. Please elaborate.
Spyker
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:46 a.m.
Although we never ate at the Old Country Buffet, we did frequent the Sveden House when our kids were small. One child could enjoy pizza while the other enjoyed chicken, and my wife and I didn't have to play Peace Maker when selecting a restaurant. I was sorry to see Sveden House close years ago and always wondered how OCB could be profitable in the same market. Oh well, from all the TV commercials it appears that Golden Corral can make this business model work. Perhaps they will open in this same location.
Left is Right
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 3:47 a.m.
Border's downtown! Brilliant!
jns131
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:40 a.m.
Every Golden Corral I have been is packed. There is one by Rochester Hills. Packed. The one in Cincinnati? Packed. We gotta get one on this side of Arborland. Hmm...empty Borders?
Rob MI
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:52 a.m.
Golden Corral could use another location on the west side of Metro Detroit. The location in Westland seems to be packed to the rafters whenever I drive by it.
townie54
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:41 a.m.
well a lot of senior citizens went there because it was affordable for them not because they could overeat.They had vegetables(overcooked I know) and salads too. I'm sure it wasnt the greatest but to some of those people it was adequate and better than out of a can at home
toothless wonder
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
PS I remember now: It was the Choco milk mixed with them mashed potatoes- that kept expanding in -your -stomach,, Yeah, that messed me up.
jns131
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.
Thanks. That ended my need to figure out dinner tonight.
toothless wonder
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.
I came wheeling out of there a few years back, and thought I was going to have a medical emergency. I made it to the other side of Eisenhower and threw open the car door and barfed! Dang, it made me shy of eating so much, since. Another phobia I have in middle age. Remember Erma? Height challenged-but cute S. American dish picker upper? I used to leave a couple bucks for her on the table. My landlord used to speak his crappy Ypsi hillbilly/ Spanish to her when we went out there, I recall. Ah the good ole days!
Halter
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
I am appalled and embarrassed by the number of my "fellow Ann Arborites" jumping on this closing with glee -- Whether you personally ate there or not, or if you like buffets or not, this is another sad closing for Ann Arbor. This particular OCB employed several dozen people, including a neighbor of mine who has worked there for 15 years since getting her US Citizenship. It's also one of the very few employers in Ann Arbor that regularly has taken my handicapped patients and not just gave them jobs, but actually gave them excellent job training so that they could contribute to the work being done, and have a role in life. It absolutely gives me pangs in my stomach to think that my neighbors would take glee in this closing. Its pathetic.
SMC
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:37 a.m.
Yes, it is indeed sad that a business closing has put many people out of work, especially one that gave opportunity to those less fortunate. Unfortunately, this town just wasn't a profitable one for them, and the employees suffer for it. There aren't many buffets left, because people's tastes change over time. I doubt anyone shed a tear when Chi-Chi's went out of business.
N. Todd
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:21 a.m.
Perhaps most comments are coming from people who do not have any personal or professional affiliation with the restaurant and who are commenting based on the product that OCB provided their customers. I am upset to see (almost) anyone lose their job, and it's great to hear that they provided jobs and assistance to some of your patients. I commend them for that. That doesn't negate the fact that they provided a product that was generally detrimental to the health or our society. In my opinion, the benefit they provided for a few does not outweigh the long-term damages they may have done to many of their customers. Providing garbage, whether someone wants it or not, doesn't change the fact that you're providing garbage. Please count me as one of the people happy that this place is closing. It is now possible for a new tenant, one who may actually benefit to the community, to move in.
breadman
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Good Bye old C B!! Time to put a Ryan's in its place. (All you can eat) The last time I went In there it was a big group. (20) Guess what! The staff had the brass balls to seat the smaller groups and left us standing there. Them you went in to use the rest rooms they were nasty. A State highway rest areas was much cleaner.
15crown00
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
One moves out.Another moves in
Ricardo Queso
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Analysts warned of being overweight in this stock.
Ricardo Queso
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
Could this be the work of Mrs. O? The Old Butt and Gut is certainly not First Lady approved.
cinnabar7071
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
Don't worry OCB will be replaced by soup lines if this economy continues the way it is.
Vivienne Armentrout
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
I don't understand why the cafeteria model has never caught on in this part of the country. For example, I know there are Furr's cafeterias through the Southwest and many cafeterias in Florida and California. Cafeterias charge by the item rather than all-you-can-eat, which encourages moderation, and the quality is often good. It always used to be the only place I would eat old-fashioned bread pudding or baked custard, and good cafeterias often have hand-cut roast beef that is excellent, etc.
Vivienne Armentrout
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:37 a.m.
Yes, I'm older than 60 but I think it is a geographical thing as much as generational. One doesn't go to a cafeteria to dine. One goes to eat a meal. And do you really think most restaurant food is "prepared for you"? I haven't eaten at a cafeteria since I moved here 25 years ago but when I did (California), I often found very palatable plain food that was more like "home cooking" than institutional. When I wanted a special meal, I went to a restaurant. I went to the buffet once and found it to be overkill and not very appealing.
johnnya2
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:34 p.m.
Vivienne, I am going to guess you are older than 60. Baby boomers and younger have no desire to eat at a cafeteria. It is institutional food. People want something that is prepared for them, not sitting on a line to be scooped onto a plate. OCB and the whole Buffet and cafeteria concept did the same thing Bill Knapps did. They went for the older crowd, which works fine until the older crowd begins to die off. I see this a LOT in the retail/restaurant industry. If you are not bringing in newer younger customers, you will die a slow death
mr_annarbor
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
A club that I belong to used to gather there for breakfasts on a monthly basis. The food there certainly wasn't what you'd get at Angelo's or the Broken Egg, but they had space for 20 or 30 of us, and there wasn't any haggling over the bill. I'm not sure where we're going to meet now for our monthly breakfasts.
Bertha Venation
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
Gee.... I'm gonna miss their bread puddin'. (so easy to chew, ya know).
Cash
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
Me too Bertha. Didn't even need to put our teeth in!
2WheelsGood
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
81wolverine: I think the "all you can eat" restaurant model needs to be retired permanently. That's ridiculous. One of my favorite features of many ethnic restaurants (Mahek, Madras Masala, Blue Nile, etc.) is that they have lunch buffets. Buffets are awesome because you can eat many different dishes at the same meal. I'm not overweight, and I don't need to be "protected". Maybe I should take a quick look at WHAT you eat in addition to how MUCH you eat.
SMC
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:29 a.m.
Yeah, I meant inverse. However, the fact remains that food prepared in mass quantities and laid out on the chow line is never as good as food that is made to order. If it were, then every restaurant would be a buffet, but instead, there are very few left. One thing I won't be paying a premium for is mediocre food, now that OCB is closed.
Left is Right
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:08 a.m.
SMC opined: "However, I am aware that production quantity has a converse effect on product quality, when all else is equal." I suppose you mean inverse but it's an interesting statement. "All else equal" including, I suppose, equal efficiency of production? Equal overhead? Seems to me that production efficiency might be better in larger quantities and therefore quality may not necessarily suffer. Moreover, costs are likely significantly lower at say, Cranbrook, and with a franchise model rather than a one-off downtown. Sounds like you might be paying a premium for glitz. I love Ann Arbor!
SMC
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.
@2WheelsGood: I ate there a few times, 2 decades ago. Yes, I'm sure there have been many fantastic advances in the field of serving tasteless institutional food from steam trays, but I guess I'll never get a chance to experience that now. However, I am aware that production quantity has a converse effect on product quality, when all else is equal. That's why I avoid OCB.
N. Todd
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
@2Wheels - I agree with you about not needing to be protected. However, if my insurance rates increase because 'everyone else' is eating all-you-can-eat portions, I feel I have a right to complain about these businesses and what kind of food they are serving. If my insurance rates were based solely on MY consumption, activities, etc., I would have no objection to buffet style or low-nutrition restaurants being in business. Unfortunately, they are tied together. I certainly am not for regulating what other people eat, that's your (anyone's) choice. I just wish their choices didn't effect my wallet.
2WheelsGood
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9 p.m.
SMC, just curious how you know what OCB's food tastes like.
SMC
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
I'm not judging you on your choice of restaurants, simply commenting on the irony of it. But hey, at least you're supporting local businesses when you eat at these restaurants.
burl
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
I think it's sad/ironic that someone would be happy that a place of business that fed hardworking Americans is no more.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
Finish your plate. Children are starving in China.
2WheelsGood
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
"Also, I find it sad/ironic that anyone would eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet made up of food from a place where millions of people don't get enough to eat. Only in America." That's hilarious! So I shouldn't go to the lunch buffet because there are people starving in other countries? There are people starving in Detroit, what are you doing for them?
SMC
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
The difference between an Indian lunch buffet and OCB is that the food at the Indian buffet actually has some flavor, while the food at OCB tastes more like the cardboard box it was shipped in. Also, these restaurants are not strictly buffets, they just offer on in addition to their menu. Also, I find it sad/ironic that anyone would eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet made up of food from a place where millions of people don't get enough to eat. Only in America.
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
Thank god! That place is so disgusting!!!
Dennis
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
I got a little nostalgic reading this. Although I probably would not go there now, I remember going to OCB the night before football games with with the other guys from the team. It was always a good time. Like many have said, the business model is outdated. I am interested to see what, if anything, goes in the retail space.
A2D2
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
Even McDonalds is including apple slices in Happy Meals now........Kinda makes you think that "eatin'-till-you-hurt" is not PC.
Left is Right
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:52 a.m.
"San Francisco just put a ban on the happy toys. Great job. Now all should follow suit." No. We have to wait for Boulder.
jns131
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.
San Francisco just put a ban on the happy toys. Great job. Now all should follow suit.
Wolf's Bane
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
It is also expensive, given health insurance premiums.
SMC
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
Either that, or Ann Arbor's restaurant patrons are willing to spend a little more to eat food that actually tastes like food.
golfer
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
lots of those who had doggie bags will miss it. i heard from people whom seen people pull out doggie bags and fill them up with food. how can you make money at these type of places?
HardWorker
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
I guess owners can "thank" those people who stack their plate with food, toss most of it and then go for more food to toss. Furthermore, I've heard of women at buffets who go to the restroom to throw out what they just ate. It happens only in America. Absolute lack of awareness about food industry and natural resources.
burl
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.
This is a darn shame that this wonderful place closed. It's easy to make jokes and to ridicule the buffet system but for many people this was a wonderful place where they could go with their families and friends and sit down to a nice dinner. And lets not forget the hard workers who are now out of a job. Perhaps the people who want Americans to only eat a few carrot sticks for dinner are pleased with this, everyone else loses here.
HerrSnibbens
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
@burl & easy123 Do you guys understand the concept of a "false choice"? It's not EITHER disgusting institutional food from OCB OR overpriced organic yuppy Whole Foods, etc. Or between eating 5,000+ calories for dinner and eating "a few carrot sticks." There is a very large continuum of choices in between those things; many options in between those extremes.
easy123
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.
Some folks are so superior and inteligent, that they look down on anybody who is not into the "whole foods" click. Just because someone chooses these institution, does not give others the judgement on what that eat. SMC - everyone's stuff stinks when it comes out- even the new "Bhramins"
Rod Johnson
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:04 a.m.
Seriously? I only ate there once, and it was some of the worst restaurant food I ever had.
burl
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
So now it's processed, reheated, institutional-grade food that OCB was serving? Funny, in other comments it's seen as sad that Americans are wasting so much food. So to the anti-buffet people out there I would like to know which one it is, is the food at OCB garbage or do Americans just not appreciate what they have? Talk about a double standard!!!!
SMC
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
Which part of their processed, reheated, institutional-grade food qualified as a "nice dinner," exactly? I'm just curious.
Bob
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
Bee is now looking for work :^( <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU9owQaQ-bA" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU9owQaQ-bA</a>
rs
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
...and the workload for the staff at the UM Cardiovascular Center just got a bit lighter.
jns131
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
I heard on the radio this morning to cut out processed foods, eat low fat or no fat and walk a mile or more every other day. This will definitely keep the doctor away.
Bob
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.
What ever happened to Boardwalk Buffet?
obviouscomment
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
I wonder how much notice the employees had. I know there were people working there that were there when I was a kid. I hope they had some idea this might be coming.
roadsidedinerlover
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.
Probably not if it happened overnight. Say a prayer that they get their last paycheck!!
SMC
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
The U should open up the residence hall dining facilities to the general public (for a fee), which would generate additional revenue for the school, while simultaneously providing low-priced (and low quality) unlimited dining to the former patrons of Old Country Buffet. Two birds, one stone. You can all thank me later.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
I think you might find that a lot of residence halls have stepped up thier act. The dorm food at Oakland U has a Mongolian BBQ.
SMC
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
I clearly should have done more research before proposing my ingenious plan. My knowledge of college dorm food is about 15+ years old, at a different Big Ten school. Much like OCB, there were many foods dished from a steam tray.
Ignatz
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
SMC, That wouldn't be a good idea, though it sounds like one. The dorm cafeterias are packed. At times there are no seats for all who eat there. It would just exasperate the situation.
johnnya2
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
I agree with eyehearta2 on this. The residence halls have upgraded considerably since the days when I ate at them. (Though I am not going as far as saying better than 90%). I will say better than OCB though. I also don't think the average age at OCB and in the residence halls would be a match made in heaven. I am guessing OCB average age is somewhere between 90 and dead I do happen to know a bit about their financial situation in that a major food service distributor refused to bid on their contract due to their shaky finances. Good job on their end.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
Seriously? You must not have eaten in the residence halls lately. Made to order pizza and hamburgers, pasta bar, mexican bar. This stuff is seriously better than about 90% of the resturants in AA. Not low quality at all.
r treat
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
The beatniks found Ann Arbor, so no need to worry a2ws1.
julieswhimsies
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
um. What?!
goingfast3579
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:51 p.m.
Every time I have been there the place was packed? If I had a job maybe would have went more often. Were they sneaky and closed down. No Jobs when the Staff Arrived? Another example of Greed and Job Elimination will not fix the Economy.
johnnya2
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
@Grye and djacks24, So I thought the conservative view was a company and person should take PERSONAL responsibility for their contracts. They do have a lease (a contract). They are going to BK court to get out from under their obligations. I hope you remember that when a PERSON files for BK or decides to strategically put their house in foreclosure. The business is doing what is legally allowed to do, and when a PERSON does it, they are taking advantage of the law as well. So I NEVER want to hear a scream about deadbeats not paying their bills,. or if they cant afford it they shouldn't buy it. I will also point out this company is allowed to file twice within FOUR years. Seems to me liquidation is the answer. One mistake is ok, the second go round and we sell all the assets.
djacks24
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:04 p.m.
Another liberal view that businesses should be in business to lose money. If you can't find work you can always protest with the rest of the 99%.
grye
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:33 p.m.
Where was there greed when the company was bleeding red ink? Closing losing operations is a matter of business. No company can maintain stores that provide a negative cash flow. Not sustainable.
xmo
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
Capitalism at work! You have winners and losers.
clownfish
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
Folks they owe money to will lose too, as they file for a SECOND attempt to avoid paying debts.
81wolverine
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
We used to go there years ago when our kids were young, but haven't been back in a long time. I think the "all you can eat" restaurant model needs to be retired permanently. Regardless of how unprofitable it might be, it's also unhealthy from a consumer nutrition point of view. Huge portion sizes with low quality food is a bad combination.
jns131
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:33 a.m.
You can make an all you can eat buffet healthy if you make it that way. But some you can't. I use to love this place until the food quality started plummeting. The food they have served in the last few years have been nothing but junk. Golden Corral has really great healthy food. They try to serve things that is on the healthy side. I really wish it would open a store in this area because if we are in theirs? We go. Hate to say it, but I am so glad to hear these stores are going under.
Adam Jaskiewicz
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 11:36 p.m.
Ditto. I haven't been there since I was probably 8 or 10, and have no desire to visit. I just have no need to eat plate after plate of unhealthy, highly-processed junk food. I'm sure plenty of other people feel the same way, hence the lack of business that caused this place to shut down.
DennisP
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
Apparently not enough people burl. It isn't being closed because the place is unhealthy, if that were the case, every McDonald's and BK would have been closed years ago. This is an instance where the market has changed. Today's parents take their kids where they were brainwashed into going when they were kids--Ronald's place and where every kid gets a toy marketing the latest 3D kids movie. While there's some nostalgia, I'm not crying about the demise of Old Country because that's the way of the world, but I don't know as the alternatives that families run to, today, are much healthier.
burl
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
Closing down all you can eat restuarants because they may be unhealthy is heartless. A little personal responsibility never hurt anyone. Ann Arbor is poorer for having lost this place where people from all walks of life would come together and enjoy a nice meal.
N. Todd
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
I fully agree with your comment. And on top of that, I seldom saw what appeared to be happy people at all-you-can-eat establishments. Perhaps an aura of shame or misery, but no smiles (except for the dessert table, of course).
M
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
While I understand why it happened, the ol' Stuff-n-Grunt is such a staple of American obesity, I'm kinda sad to see it go.