Not good times . . .

mrkake · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:08 am

I haven't been on much lately because my whole life has been turned upside down. Business has been pretty slow at the restaurants and we have gotten behind on all of our accounts. It all came crashing down when the repo guys from the SBA loan company showed up at both locations on Monday and spent the last four days gutting the places. They had court orders to take certain pieces of equipment and they took everything. They hired a bunch of temps to help out and the temps emptied both of my freezers of all the Filet Mignon, Lobster Tails, Shrimp, Salmon, Mahi Mahi, Duck, Pork etc. The sensored word took home about $6000 worth of food that they had no right to. They also took a bunch of equipment that they weren't supposed to.

I spent the whole day today going through the wreckage at one location and I will need to spend a few more hours tomorrow, then off to the other one to see what can be salvaged. This has been the worst month ever!

I have had phone interviews with a couple of companies. One in L.A. and the other one in southern Florida. If I took the job in Cali I would need to move right away which means doing a short sell on my house in the worst real estate market in half a century. The one in FL is a consulting job that would require me to travel around a lot so they are willing to give me a year or two for the market to recover before I move. I have a line a couple more places that can use a guy with my skill set here in Vegas, but they require taking risks and after getting burned like this I am not so into risky ventures. I will lose over $60k on this deal and that's everything that I have.

I'm not looking for sympathy here guys. Just sharing with a bunch of people that care about each other. Keep me in your prayers and I will post up when I have some time.

Inc · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:31 am

I am so sorry. Sometimes life sucks. Keep your head up. You are a good guy and things will work out. Let me know if you need anything. The wife and I will keep you and yours in our thoughts and prayers.

kskj · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:52 am

I have never met you or talked to you but I have heard what a good person you are from other members. From my family to yours our thoughts and prayers.

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:30 am

Through grey clouds come blue.
If Cali or Fla don't work out,look in the New Orleans area.Culinary jobs aren't hard to find around here.
Best of luck to you Mrkake.

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:10 am

Wow, that's just not right. Keep your head up. You guys are good people and I hope it works out soon for you.

(you got us hooked and we've made the hour plus trip each way twice to the closest Melting Pot near us since Vegas. Good stuff.)

dog_party · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:37 pm

I am really sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.

oddball · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:10 pm

Times are tough for too many people these days. Hard as it may be - One always needs to think positive in order to succeed.

All the best to you, mrkake!

David Jr · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:32 pm

You can always go into the repo business. *puts on flame retardant suit*

J/K sorry about my lame attempt to lighten up your day. :oops:

kingjeep · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:05 pm

sorry to here that sounds realy crapy if you come to south fl let me know if there is any thing i can do for you just let me know

if you want to know about where to jeep down here you can chek out Jeeptalk.net wich is mostly south florida and most of the south florida jeep club is on there and most club members will be more then happy to help out a fellow jeeper when ever they can jusk ask jlrokys

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:59 pm

Man that sucks! I'm sure it will shake out Ok for ya. Just hope you stay on this side of the country so we can go wheeling again!

Not quite as bad but I kinda know how ya feel, wife and I spent the last few years of mad money on her schooling so she could become a teacher and last Friday was her last day already. .... 3 years under her belt and she Loves what she does And does a great job of it and poof! Gone! Needless to say, she is feeling lost and hopeless. She will recover but its gonna be a rough few months.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:26 pm

really hate to hear about your hard times!!

I love the melting pot too

mrkake · **Posted:** Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:19 am

Had a good conversation with the V.P. of Ops at corporate yesterday and they extended the period that they would allow me to stay in Vegas to 3 years! Of course if the housing market recovers before then, I would have to move but they are being pretty cool. No offer from them yet though so I am not counting any chickens yet.

I'm spending the day with the franchisees that own Pasadena and Torrence tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

I'm just glad that I have been building bridges and not burning them so that I have some people interested in me.

Thanks for all the kind words guys. It really means a lot to me.

Inc · **Posted:** Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:06 am

mrkake wrote:

Had a good conversation with the V.P. of Ops at corporate yesterday and they extended the period that they would allow me to stay in Vegas to 3 years! Of course if the housing market recovers before then, I would have to move but they are being pretty cool. No offer from them yet though so I am not counting any chickens yet.

I'm spending the day with the franchisees that own Pasadena and Torrence tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

I'm just glad that I have been building bridges and not burning them so that I have some people interested in me.

Thanks for all the kind words guys. It really means a lot to me.

Glad to hear there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Try and stay positive buddy, things will work out. :wink:

Maybe we can hook up while I am in Vegas next week.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:28 pm

Yup, thats good.

I learned at a young age to never burn your bridges and always walk with your hat in your hand.

Just yesterday it saved my booty.

Best of luck to you man! Stay positive.

Xodius · **Posted:** Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:09 pm

DOH, Sorry to hear about that Kirk. I was wondering where you have been. I am so sorry to hear about what is happening. It has been an interesting year for most of us I think. It is great that there is some light at the end though...and hopefully it will grow even brighter.
Take a deep breath and you and your family are in our prayers.

mrkake · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:13 pm

Quote:

Maybe we can hook up while I am in Vegas next week.

I'd love to get together next week. Let me know what your schedule looks like and we will try to plan a time.

Inc · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:27 pm

mrkake wrote:

Quote:

Maybe we can hook up while I am in Vegas next week.

I'd love to get together next week. Let me know what your schedule looks like and we will try to plan a time.

I'll send you a PM when I get down there. :wink:

jnaut · **Posted:** Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:47 pm

mrkake wrote:

I'm not looking for sympathy here guys. Just sharing with a bunch of people that care about each other. Keep me in your prayers and I will post up when I have some time.

I read Anthony Bourdain's book. The restaraunt industry is tough and unforgiving. Few survive. Sorry to hear about your troubles. But look at it this way, speaking for myself, all of my greatest personal wisdom was acquired through failure. So, you're a lot smarter today than you were yesterday.

Not good times . . .

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