Victoria, You asks some very good questions and I don't claim to have any of the answers. I can only speculate that given the current recession operating a restaurant these days is a very courageous and risky undertaking. In fact, other restaurant owners have told me they're barely getting by, despite attracting more customers than other restaurants in their neighborhoods. Even in the best of times, I'm told, it's very difficult for dining entrepreneurs to make a healthy profit.
Last week I made a contribution to Lucille's not because I like soul food (too meaty and greasy for my tastes), and not because I go there often (it was actually my first time last week), but because I've heard from several sources that I consider reliable that it's presence has gone a long ways towards improving a community besieged by poverty, hopelessness and crime. This is not to say that our local government should bail them out. But I think that anyone who cares about the real benefits of small businesses should make a contribution to Lucille's. Heck, I'll even treat you to dinner there sometime. When I visited Lucille's last Sunday, I was filled with so much hope (first time in a long time, I might add) to see a community in action..----Peter Schmitz CARAG REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
