Editor:

We have all heard the saying, “bad news travels fast.” Well, I am hoping that this time, good news will travel fast. The good news I am talking about is the way in which the management of a new business in Scarborough, The Texas Roadhouse, went about “coming to town”.

Last Friday, my husband and I received an invitation from friends of ours to join them in a “family & friends” night (a dress rehearsal/training pre-opening event) for dinner at the new restaurant. As a fellow business owner in town, and someone to never pass up a dinner that I don’t have to prepare, I was excited at the opportunity to be among the first in town to get a look at the new kids on the block.

Entering the building we were greeted by the usual smiling, eager, new employees. I happened to take a few minutes to look at the decor, and one of the first items I noticed was a framed photograph of our very own Red Storm Class B Championship Football Team. My thoughts were: nice touch.

After placing our cocktail order at the bar, we were given an envelope with Project G.R.A.C.E. printed on the front and told that all proceeds collected that evening (and the following evening) for beverages – as well as any tips left to waitstaff – would all be donated to this local charity. My thoughts at that moment: wow, how generous! I’m impressed.

One of the assistant managers, Matt Heuer, and a Managing Partner, Nick Kalogerakis (No, I do not know him personally. I asked for his card – otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten the spelling correct) were doing the “meet and greet” around the room. When they got to us, I made a point of telling them that I was quite impressed with their generosity. It was then that Mr. Kalogerakis told me that they had also donated meals to guest at Youth Alternative, The Heritage House, and the Wayside Food Pantry, while training their kitchen staff.

Now I know what some of you are thinking already. So, as a business owner, I will tell you that the whole “write-off thing” is over-rated. First, you can’t “write-off” any where near as much as people think; and as my husband always say: “there is no write-off if there is no profit” - this place is just opening its doors.

And to those who would scoff and say: “Their just looking for free publicity”; I would ask you to consider how many ads they could have purchased with the money they would have collected, had they not decided to make those donations.

Since the Texas Roadhouse is a restaurant, I should also welcome them into town by telling your readers that the food was excellent, the service was great, management was attentive to details, and the atmosphere is very fun. I even tried one of the line dances with the waitresses! 

My thoughts as I left: Class act. I hope they do well. Any business that is willing to support local charities, has my vote.

Blue K. Smith

Scarborough