Olive Garden on Burger King Site?

TBCJ · 09-01-2008, 09:17 AM

Hello all, I am the owner of T-BONES and Cactus Jack's and I can tell you we looked and discussed at length the possibility of getting the docks at the Burger King site. It's very complicated. The facts are this:

1) The lot is divided at the chain link fence
2) The building is no longer owned by Burger King...they land leased and when they decided to not re-new the lease, the building defaults to the land owner
3) Either lot is FAR TOO SMALL for any chain restaurant or full service restaurant. It would be great for a smaller restaurant, but there is a big battle as to who owns the docks...the docks were permitted some 30 years ago to 'the Burger King Restaurant' but they sit on the smaller lot owner (who was the previous owner of the restaurant) so it's unclear who has the rights to the docks..it'll be a battle for sure.
4) As a matter of financial decisions, I think many people are disullisioned as to the cost to move/build a restaurant. Moving our restaurant to that site would be incredibly cost prohibitive, not to mention we would need to have both owners of the lot 'sell'.

Hope this helps clear it up. From my experience, chain restaurants do not pick markets that are so seasonal like this area is. But there's always a first right?

Thanks to those who have posted kind comments about T-BONES and Cac tus Jack's.

Tom Boucher

sa meredith · 09-01-2008, 10:51 AM

I used those docks 3 or 4 times last season, and walked the tracks to Tbones, and noone ever said anything...although I seem to remember a post somewhere about a sign being put up...something about a small charge if you were heading to Tbones/CJs.
There was always very few, if any, boats there. It really was not the ideal situation..the wind at that end of Paugus is constant, and very regular boat traffic keeps the chop going. Combine the wind, chop, and the fact the docks were floating (as opposed to on pilings) and keeping the boat stable was always tricky. The only way to keep from taking a pretty good beating was to tie off on both side..with very little "give" in the lines. These are probably the same reason "Spinnacker" has such a large breakwater.
Anyway, I liked having the option of using them, but can't say I miss them.
Perhaps some type of an association could be formed from businesses on that side of the bay, and they could share the expense of having the docks put back? Just a thought...and maybe it would not be worth the expense to all retail shops there.
Anyway...
Tom...be sure to check your "message in" box.

Wolfeboro_Baja · 09-11-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAM 290

I couldn't care what goes there.. just put the docks back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Hubbard Rd

I do miss the Burger King. What a killer location. All those docks!!!

I agree, as long as they don't put back the SAME docks!! Those floating docks were awful!! I wouldn't tie a canoe to those old floating docks!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sa meredith

I used those docks 3 or 4 times last season, and walked the tracks to Tbones, and noone ever said anything...although I seem to remember a post somewhere about a sign being put up...something about a small charge if you were heading to Tbones/CJs.
There was always very few, if any, boats there. It really was not the ideal situation..the wind at that end of Paugus is constant, and very regular boat traffic keeps the chop going. Combine the wind, chop, and the fact the docks were floating (as opposed to on pilings) and keeping the boat stable was always tricky. The only way to keep from taking a pretty good beating was to tie off on both side..with very little "give" in the lines. These are probably the same reason "Spinnacker" has such a large breakwater.
Anyway, I liked having the option of using them, but can't say I miss them.
Perhaps some type of an association could be formed from businesses on that side of the bay, and they could share the expense of having the docks put back? Just a thought...and maybe it would not be worth the expense to all retail shops there.
Anyway...
Tom...be sure to check your "message in" box.

SA, you're right on about it being tricky to keep a boat stable at those docks; tying up to both sides, with spring lines, was the ONLY safe way to tie up to those docks and even then, I was still nervous about the boat taking a beating!

As for what business/restaurant goes into the spot, I really don't care what moves in as long as it's a good restaurant and they install better docks!! We need more dining out options that are reachable by boat!

The Big Kahuna · 09-23-2008, 01:33 PM

There is no Olive Garden going into the site of the old BK. A friend of mine just won the contract to do the work on the building, he won the bid from a NY firm, G. Ramsey Industries Inc., he isworking with an NY company that is subing the work out. They are building a water side restaurant and lounge, real up-scale from what he is saying.

Rose · 09-23-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Big Kahuna

There is no Olive Garden going into the site of the old BK. A friend of mine just won the contract to do the work on the building, he won the bid from a NY firm, G. Ramsey Industries Inc., he isworking with an NY company that is subing the work out. They are building a water side restaurant and lounge, real up-scale from what he is saying.

When I hear restaurant and G. Ramsey, Gordon Ramsey of "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares" comes to mind. If it's him, that will be one colorful place when the man is on the premises...I don't think he can complete a sentence without dropping the F-bomb.

fatlazyless · 09-23-2008, 08:45 PM

Wikipedia has a long reference for what's probably the same person and it mentions his colorfull speaking style.

Aye mate, not exactly the same lanquage as her royal majesty, Queen Elizabeth, ya know, but he didn't grow up in Buckingham Palace,

either.

sa meredith · 10-21-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Big Kahuna

There is no Olive Garden going into the site of the old BK. A friend of mine just won the contract to do the work on the building, he won the bid from a NY firm, G. Ramsey Industries Inc., he isworking with an NY company that is subing the work out. They are building a water side restaurant and lounge, real up-scale from what he is saying.

So, when is this going to become public information?
And when is construction going to begin?
And lastly, where are the customers going to park their cars?

Resident 2B · 02-09-2009, 02:33 PM

Does anyone have any new information about the construction mentioned in post #49?? If G. Ramsey is not coming in, what about an Olive Garden?

An Olive Garden seems like a better match for that site than the up-scale place mentioned in post #49.

With all that has happened in the US since post 49, the economy might have taken that idea away. Money has been very tight since September.

It would be great to have an update.

R2B

no-engine · 02-09-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Big Kahuna

There is no Olive Garden going into the site of the old BK. A friend of mine just won the contract to do the work on the building, he won the bid from a NY firm, G. Ramsey Industries Inc., he isworking with an NY company that is subing the work out. They are building a water side restaurant and lounge, real up-scale from what he is saying.

This is 4.5 months later - NO WORK YET.

Do we believe?

I am always amused by all the rumors on this entire forum.
I see very little verification. One could ask Laconia planning board.
Please understand, I have no intent to offend anyone...........

09-01-2008, 09:17 AM	#1
TBCJ Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bedford, NH Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	The facts Hello all, I am the owner of T-BONES and Cactus Jack's and I can tell you we looked and discussed at length the possibility of getting the docks at the Burger King site. It's very complicated. The facts are this: 1) The lot is divided at the chain link fence 2) The building is no longer owned by Burger King...they land leased and when they decided to not re-new the lease, the building defaults to the land owner 3) Either lot is FAR TOO SMALL for any chain restaurant or full service restaurant. It would be great for a smaller restaurant, but there is a big battle as to who owns the docks...the docks were permitted some 30 years ago to 'the Burger King Restaurant' but they sit on the smaller lot owner (who was the previous owner of the restaurant) so it's unclear who has the rights to the docks..it'll be a battle for sure. 4) As a matter of financial decisions, I think many people are disullisioned as to the cost to move/build a restaurant. Moving our restaurant to that site would be incredibly cost prohibitive, not to mention we would need to have both owners of the lot 'sell'. Hope this helps clear it up. From my experience, chain restaurants do not pick markets that are so seasonal like this area is. But there's always a first right? Thanks to those who have posted kind comments about T-BONES and Cac tus Jack's. Tom Boucher

09-01-2008, 10:51 AM	#2
sa meredith Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 32 Thanked 352 Times in 137 Posts	Docks I used those docks 3 or 4 times last season, and walked the tracks to Tbones, and noone ever said anything...although I seem to remember a post somewhere about a sign being put up...something about a small charge if you were heading to Tbones/CJs. There was always very few, if any, boats there. It really was not the ideal situation..the wind at that end of Paugus is constant, and very regular boat traffic keeps the chop going. Combine the wind, chop, and the fact the docks were floating (as opposed to on pilings) and keeping the boat stable was always tricky. The only way to keep from taking a pretty good beating was to tie off on both side..with very little "give" in the lines. These are probably the same reason "Spinnacker" has such a large breakwater. Anyway, I liked having the option of using them, but can't say I miss them. Perhaps some type of an association could be formed from businesses on that side of the bay, and they could share the expense of having the docks put back? Just a thought...and maybe it would not be worth the expense to all retail shops there. Anyway... Tom...be sure to check your "message in" box.

09-23-2008, 08:45 PM	#6
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,768 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,017 Times in 740 Posts	Wikipedia has a long reference for what's probably the same person and it mentions his colorfull speaking style. Aye mate, not exactly the same lanquage as her royal majesty, Queen Elizabeth, ya know, but he didn't grow up in Buckingham Palace, either. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 09-24-2008 at 03:29 AM.

02-09-2009, 02:33 PM	#8
Resident 2B Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Shore, MA Posts: 1,358 Thanks: 994 Thanked 314 Times in 164 Posts	When?? Does anyone have any new information about the construction mentioned in post #49?? If G. Ramsey is not coming in, what about an Olive Garden? An Olive Garden seems like a better match for that site than the up-scale place mentioned in post #49. With all that has happened in the US since post 49, the economy might have taken that idea away. Money has been very tight since September. It would be great to have an update. R2B

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to TBCJ For This Useful Post:
ironhorsetim (09-09-2008), Phantom (09-02-2008), secondcurve (09-23-2008)

09-23-2008, 01:33 PM	#4
The Big Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gilford Posts: 148 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	The real story There is no Olive Garden going into the site of the old BK. A friend of mine just won the contract to do the work on the building, he won the bid from a NY firm, G. Ramsey Industries Inc., he isworking with an NY company that is subing the work out. They are building a water side restaurant and lounge, real up-scale from what he is saying.