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I have been wondering why Churches Chicken closed, always seemed to have necessary volume of customers to make it.
Over the last week or so, I have been asking other business in the area, and was told by two employees of other businesses located within a block, it was directly related to monthly WAPA bill of almost $6000.
Anyone heard anything different or know the owners of Churches and or employees why its closed.
I know the owner. In my talks with him Wapa was a big part of it. Franchise fees was another part. One thing I've sort of learned here is that the franchise name doesn't mean as much in STX as in other places, people here know where to go from word of mouth and experience. This changes the value equation on paying a franchise fee which is why you see more independent establishments.
It's very hard to "own" a business in STX, it seems like many, including the owner of Church's, work in a business they owned.
The good news is the owner found another job quickly and AFAIK is doing well.
Sean
$6,000/month.......well, I guess that's what happens when you have a big 10,000 sq/ft facility with huge generators and boiler systems running around the clock.
Editors note: Even though it might not come through as clear on a computer, I am laying the sarcasm down PRETTY heavy here!
stiphy---thanks for the information and good news the owner landed on his feet.
Looks like the "rumor" information I heard was pretty reliable--same as what stphy posted. Sadly, allot of us on STX enjoyed Churches Chicken. As a former owner of a few ice cream/snack bars which also served food in the states, I can understand why the numbers didn't support staying open during this tough times----not enough VOLUME to support all the overheard cost.
Best of luck to the owner of Church's Chicken---always had good experiences with quality of food and customer services when we visited the STX one.
Franchises are probably inflexible with their lighting/ac specs too. What is the norm stateside, bright light, very cool interior temps, due to average much lower kw costs. The owners have to run it exactly as specified by the main office, and the main office doesn't care what WAPA charges. They could probalby sell a LOT more chicken if they would look into "green" options for their franchisees trying to branch out into new markets with much different kw pricing...
Recent closings I can come up with:
Case Place in Gallows Bay
older closings:
Styxx on the boardwalk
Trudy's near Hovensa
Recent change of ownership (which might count as a closing - re-opening):
Sam Woo BBQ
Topside - Chicken Charlies
Sunset Grill -> ?
Cultured Pelican
Anna's - The Bistro in Gallows Bay
What this island needs is a good Dairy Queen.
The island definitely do not need them. We already have our very own Armstrong's Ice Cream in Frederiksted. The best ice cream in the world.....in my opinion. Try the gooseberry flavor.
And we can also do without Church's Chicken and the rest American franchises.
I was in the area of Cost-U-Less yesterday and again today. Just in the area around Sion Farm light, there is a new BBQ place about to open, with a big deck just a few yards off the main road (which I don't get), with very little parking evident. There is a brand new bakery, with a very specialized product line, obviously marketing to the Arab population, and I just noticed a new exercise place attached to the gas station at the light. Now, I'm always curious about how people develop their plan before going out on that very expensive limb. There are obvious issues with each of these businesses, which they may, or may not, be able to overcome, BUT..... don't know about WAPA?
Another observation, too...while Churches has closed, KFC is remodling. I assume that must be a franchise requirement.
What this island needs is a good Dairy Queen.
The island definitely do not need them. We already have our very own Armstrong's Ice Cream in Frederiksted. The best ice cream in the world.....in my opinion. Try the gooseberry flavor.
And we can also do without Church's Chicken and the rest American franchises.
At the risk of being chocolated and sprinkled, I'm not a fan of Armstrongs. There are so many excellent icecream parlors in the states, that I hestitate to mention my favorite, but Graeter's Ice Cream makes Armstrong's taste like Island Dairy.
Church's was tasty. Some of the chicken shacks on island serve up a bland bird.
What this island needs is a good Dairy Queen.
The island definitely do not need them. We already have our very own Armstrong's Ice Cream in Frederiksted. The best ice cream in the world.....in my opinion. Try the gooseberry flavor.
And we can also do without Church's Chicken and the rest American franchises.
At the risk of being chocolated and sprinkled, I'm not a fan of Armstrongs. There are so many excellent icecream parlors in the states, that I hestitate to mention my favorite, but Graeter's Ice Cream makes Armstrong's taste like Island Dairy.
Church's was tasty. Some of the chicken shacks on island serve up a bland bird.
To each their own in regards to the ice cream, but there's nothing in the world like the Gooseberry or Soursop flavors of Armstrong's Ice Cream. As for Island Dairies, it's a lot different now than the Island Dairies of old.
In regards to chicken, best tasting chicken that I last had on island was at Spicy Grill located just off of Queen Mary Highway, west of UVI. It's the first left , heading west, after the UVI intersection and will be on the left side. It's usually best to call ahead and it's not a glamorous place to eat in at, but their food is GREAT.
cruz, where is the best place on stx for stew beef
There was a place where I used to get some great stew goat with rice and also goat water in a bowl. I'm not 100% sure if they're still open though because I heard that one of the owner's died. I forgot the name and not sure how to explain where it's at, so I mapped it for you in the link below. I think it's Estate Peter's Rest and they were located across from the old Thomas Hyll Funeral home. That description wouldn't be much help for the newer islanders. It's another outdoors spot.
Brady's Restaurant in C'sted has good food. Not sure about the beef stew, but I enjoyed my meal there.
Villa Morales in Estate Whim has good food also.
There was one other place in C'sted that I liked I think it was Kendrick's, but that was a long time ago.
Johnny Mango in Sunny Isle by WAPA had some good food too, and it was fast. That's usually my first meal on STX, after I leave the airport.
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