Raven's closed.

Another business closes.

sad that another one bites the dust, BUT IMHO, NO GREAT LOSS!
D.W.'s is better HANDS down! Service, Food, Friendlyness....
Erine The head man (I assume) is the best!

Was not terribly impressed with Ravens- While I thought the food was OK- I didn't like the layout of the place.

Bands were allowed to blast out the place while the dinner crowd were trying to eat - just forget about a conservation with you're dining guests.

Here's yet another example of a business model that dosn't work- I thought the food while ok- was overpriced for what ya got. I couldn't see myself going there every week.

One of their policies irritated me right from the start- charge a cover charge to get in even if just going for dinner.

I don't know if they changed that policy recently- I didn't stick around to find out. The owners did not seem to be in tune with what the community needed, I'm sure the high rent space didn't help either.

Sad to see another business go- but the market screens out everything that dosn't work eventually.

We used to eat there quite a bit and the servers were always really nice. I thought the food was great and better than JJ's. I also thought the prices were fair as well. It's not like JJ's is cheap either. The atmosphere was nice as well, but we never went there when any bands were playing. I certainly would not want music blaring while I'm trying to eat dinner, nor would I want to have to pay a cover charge while I eat.

One thing I always found strange though was the owners lack of interaction with the patrons. I saw the same man and woman who I think owned the place and never once did they come by and ask how are meal was or to show any appreciation that we chose their establishment to dine at (even when it was slow). Not exactly the kind of behavior you would expect in a small mountain community.

I saw a thread on PC about their closing. One of the servers (a mom of 3) was commenting on how disrespectful of the owner not to tell their employees that they were closing - EVEN WHEN DIRECTLY ASKED! Here's the link to the post: http://www.pinecam.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... highlight=

The owner of Raven's wrote: And so this is what I get. My parting gift.

"Melissa,

Closing Raven’s has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. Employees typically are not told for several reasons. I’m sure if you think about it you can find understanding.

Since you are remarking on my integrity I wish to convey a couple of points to you. Many business owners who have closed their businesses stop paying employee taxes and the employees never receive a final paycheck.

I have paid your taxes in full and also made sure you are paid for every second you worked at Raven’s. I even purchased cookies from your son knowing full well I would never see them.

As far as Karma goes, you must not know what it is or what it means because if you did – you certainly would not be conducting yourself in the manner you are. Christian values? Maybe you should read the bible you preach."

Wow, this is not the reaction I think was called for. First of all, I had that same thing happen to me a few years ago with a boss of mine. We suspected that they were closing (we had kids too), but they lied to us too and said that they weren't. I don't know what some owners think we're going to do. Are we going to steal from them? No. Are we going to up and quit? No. Geesh people, a little respect for your employees would be great. After all, you had time to prepare right? The issue isn't that they paid the taxes that THEY (THE OWNERS) were obligated to pay, or paid you for your time (as they were obligated to pay), but they weren't honest that they were closing. You bought some cookies??????? Big deal. IMHO I don't think Melissa "conducted" herself in ANY negative way and she certainly wouldn't deserve bad karma so stating her feelings on it. Calling into her religion and the bible is ridiculous! No wonder things happened as they did.

Ravens always advertised that they were going to have a special event and that there would be a cover charge. We just never went there on those nights.

What's interesting, is that every time I went there for dinner, Victoria always joined us. In fact several times, her husband, Kevin, insisted she eat with us, because that was the only time he could get her to eat. We often chatted about how empty the place was and how they were trying to get more people in. I am sad to see them close. I loved their food, and I loved it that every time I went, I ran into someone I knew and was able to catch up with them.

I will definitely miss Raven's and Victoria and Kevin.

Sign of the times - more to follow I am sad to say.