Wow, I'm having trouble deciding how I feel about the latest 'event' posted by Bentley's. With a large colour spread in the Beacon Herald this is quite the move for an established business. I can in some ways appreciate the flashy marketing - offering deals at the expense of a newcomer to the Stratford bar scene who has in most respects been here before, but it's more than a little callous. In fact given the history between Kim Brander and Bentley's it could be called down right petty and vengeful.
I tend to give the benefit of the doubt to any new place in hopes that it will be of good quality and it is important for me to support the community of Stratford's independent operators. Even if this place has been around before under different names, locals have always had a love-hate relationship with the grungy upstairs bar, after all it's a great place to 'shake your booty'.
To be fair, I will give the 'new' place a try and promise to review it in the coming months and I will certainly be boycotting Bentley's for the 7 days. But I can't help giving a slight nod to them for their cohones. Slight.
I think Bentley's is going to find out very quickly what portion of their clientele have higher morals than to support a smear campaign and exactly what kind of crowd you attract with the promise of cheap beer. No thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe ad from Bentley's really just increases my curiosity about the new establishment... where is it, and what's it's name?
ReplyDeleteBentley's ad is in poor taste. They won't be getting my business anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteFor those of us new to Stratford, can you explain the ad? Were those all names of previous bars?
ReplyDeletePerhpas this is in the spirit of Stephen Harper's style of advertising - seems to work for him!
ReplyDeleteIf you're new to Stratford... the names that are crossed out belonged to the bars/restaurants that were once at the current location of the new establishment.
ReplyDeleteBentley's is showing how mean-spirited they are. They suck.
It is indeed in poor taste, it shows poor business sense on the part of Bentley. The new bar is called Backstage Bar and Grill located on Market Place. I'm looking forward to trying it out and I've heard positive things on what this place will offer.
ReplyDeleteWhile I did have a good giggle at the ad, I agree. Poor taste.
ReplyDeletebreath taking audacity, but you know there's gotta be a good backstory.
ReplyDeletenot masticated yet, but sure to get tongues wagging anyway!
ReplyDeletewhen are you going to post the whole story?
ReplyDeleteI think Breen is going out of his way to make sure people start asking "What happened?" You're anonymous Chew, find out for us!
ReplyDeleteI am on the caper, emails are sent to both parties inquiring for a back story! Hoping to have an update soon...
ReplyDeleteHilarious! I'm surprised more locals don't get it. How many times can you not pay your bills & then change your business name before the town catch's on?? LOL.
ReplyDeletewell of course...but if its a new owner, completely unrelated to any of the previous bars and restaurants, then there's something personal going on and running this ad clearly is indicative of that...maybe a former love interest ?
ReplyDeleteThe ad is clearly in poor taste. Breen has hit a low point. Give Kim and her family a chance. Who knows, they may come out on top. Service and the quality of food at Bentley's has been going downhill for some time....I will not be stopping into Bentley's anytime soon...
ReplyDeleteI believe Breen is funding this restaurant and this is a good publicity stunt.
ReplyDeleteI do not really think that history has anything to do with it. As a customer I have noticed that service has fallen a lot since Kim has been there. People eventually need to move on and over twenty years of working for him means that she must want to try it out for herself. Since service has fallen due to the loss of Kim, there must be some jealousy or a little bit of worrying that has pushed him to place a disgustingly childish ad in the Newspaper. I say right on Kim, this location needs someone like her to make it spectacular. Maybe we could all worry a little less about a story and focus on the positivity which will come with a new establishment and a new start.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Kim
A concerned Citizen
I'm looking foward to checking out Backstage Bar and Grill! I get that Bentleys might be a little nervous that there is a new kid in town, but c'mon, lets show a little maturity here!
ReplyDeleteNew owners and a new business. Just what Market Place needs. Good luck Backstage Bar & Grill! Seems like Bentleys is just a little threatened.....
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this ad, I am really looking forward to checking out Backstage Bar & Grill! Lets give the new guys a chance!
ReplyDeleteIn 10 years, I've never been impressed with Bentley's. The staff are rude and disengaged and the food is AWFUL, even for pub fare. I'm always up for supporting a new business, so bring on the Backstage...
ReplyDeleteI find it disheartening that thousands can be wasted on questionable advertising against a competitor when I am sure that many local charities and groups would benefit far more from such funds. I guess after 20 years, community support just isn't that important anymore. It is a shame really.............
ReplyDeleteSimply put Kim and Bentley's are not having any love affair. Kim was offered a challenge to create, build and then manage a previously owned (and many times named, same owner establishment), which is not the case now. New investors have acquired the premises, now known as Backstage Bar and Grill. Surprised that Bentley's, would stoop to such a low level of advertising instead of welcoming some healthy competition. A little threatened, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteTHREATENED? PLEASE.
ReplyDeleteThreatened? Maybe not. Advertising that has gone too far? Absolutely. The food industry is a game, and gambling - taking chances - exists. Competition can be fierce, but all parties and establishments should maintain a mutual respect - even if they don't agree with certain things.
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs to take a moment out of their day and stop and think about why they've entered in this industry to begin with. Refuel the fire that you had when the thought of opening, or even just working in a restaurant, was nothing more than a twinkle in the eye. These comments should not be taken lightly. The staff and management at Bentley's should simply up their game and truly listen to the patrons that walk through their doors when they say the food is terrible and that customer service is mediocre. Hell, maybe the staff at each restaurant in Stratford (and area) should take the initiative and up THEIR OWN game.
Let's put to rest all ill will, and focus on what really matters in the end: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
well put!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely threatened.
ReplyDeleteIf the new restaurant/bar moves forward and leaves behind the old staff, menu, and can break the reputation that the old owners continued to prove, they will do well. Stratford needs new restaurants and the few other new ones in town seem to be picking up where the older places are letting customers down.
ReplyDeleteClearly, if Breen was trying to hit this new place where it hurts, he failed miserably. Whoever is in charge of his advertising, clearly has no background education in marketing (or values/morals).
At least this new place as a running start now that so many want to check it out in spite of Breen and his poor judgement.
do they plan on opening for the season?
ReplyDeleteYes - They are opening today. I'm sure it will take a bit of time to get the kinks out, but i'm hearing a lot of positive things about them. Good luck!
ReplyDelete