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Diversity in Columbus? The following article appeared in the December 4, 2007 issue of flypaper, a Columbus based social newsletter.
flypaper wrote
Back to Brownstone
WAKE UP and smell the catfish!
Article by Big Yogi, contact imageinq@gmail.com
Before I go into this article I would like to get something clear. The FLYPAPER is not just another quirky gimmick for people to take lightly. We are a movement and we represent the voice of the people who are not correctly represented in our city. We strive to reach our readers on a progressive level with content that matters to them and I feel this is a very important issue.
So, many of our FLYPAPER readers had the chance to be the first to hear about local restaurant/lounge THE BROWNSTONE on MAIN doors closing, seemingly for good, a couple of months ago. We received tons of feedback. Well, let me ask you one question. Where have you been since the Brownstone closed?
As I drove around on a soft Tuesday looking for a nice place downtown my sister and I could enjoy a nice atmosphere with a little flavor, I had to settle for going to Bar Louie. This made me realize that The Brownstone was more than a restaurant, it was a symbol of the current state of social diversity in Columbus. Brownstone was not just a business owned by Blacks it was a place that allows people of all ethnicities to enjoy a Black influenced cultural experience; that’s what diversity is all about.
While there have been hundreds of upscale establishments that have prospered long-term in Columbus none have been black owned. We may own the business (i.e. Lotus, Opulence, Bread and Better) but do we actually own the property? This should not be the case in 2007 but it is. If there were 10 other places like the Brownstone, then Brownstone could simply be considered a casualty of good business. (And you could tell me to stop jocking the Bstone, but when there are no others, you have to ask why.) And again, I’m not trying to sell you the success of Brownstone but how many Black owned establishments can boast of showcasing Black affluence in Columbus to host of A-listers such as Barack Obama, Jesse Jackson, John Kerry, Tavis Smiley, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Bob Dole, Christina Aguillera, Al Sharpton, John McCain and more.
So what does that say about our culture? With no support from our own how can we represent cultural diversity and Black cultural influence in this growing metropolis? Where is our stake? If you travel to any large city you can find many establishments where people from many backgrounds share the Black experience in fine dining and entertainment. And one Black owned business supports the growth of another.Do you think banks will lend you the money to buy a building and open a restaurant if there is a history of grand openings/grand closings for minority businesses? I doubt it. As you read this, there are millions of dollars being put into new developments downtown and we have no part in that.
But there is hope for us young entrepreneurs who dream of a day when some of that money can be invested into our business ventures. The government, community, and corporate leaders need to take action on The Brownstone and keep pushing until there are 10 places like it in Columbus. Next time you’re e downtown, do me a favor, drive down High Street and take a look at all of the new buildings and businesses that are sprouting up and ask yourself, “Are any of them are Black owned?”Then, go home log onto your computer and email this article to 10 of your friends and to these following addresses:
Mayor-mac@Columbus.gov
Ty_marsh@columbus.org
pastleford@experiencecolumbus.com
Support Black-owned businesses Downtown, it’s your responsibility.
@ Skreend… LOL.
But yeah, that would be the end result of examining anything through the lens of race.
I’m a big believer in thread hygiene, so here’s a spin-off thread for my reply to drew:
http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=96042
What I got from the article is something that plagues the black business community in Columbus. Brownstone is not the target from what I got but the example that Columbus is ready for something more for our black professional growing community. I cant say that I miss the service, prices and qaulity of Food ( except the jerk wings ), but I miss the venue. After 5 is becoming the new place to be, but it’s off in a dead district and not in the burgeoning parts of Downtown Columbus. Maybe we should wait a few years before we complain about it until all the opportunities are gone and there is nothing left to get. I understand that we boast about the stats columbus holds like best city to raise a family in, largely diverse, good place for black families to grow and work, black mayor, etc…. and truly we do not have a presence in the growth and development of our city. This should be motivation to let us know we need to move now or compain later. I would like to see 10 places like the Brownstone, like ! run LIKE a business is supposed to be run. And yea maybe city gave them money but who is still paying for all the money wasted by the same people, us. I dont know the last time I saw anyone visiting that huge paper weight in the river, the Nina , santa maria whatever it is and the many other failed projects ? How much money has the city pumped in to City Center, Condo projects, lazarus dump ( asbestos, gift my @%@ ) let’s be real about this. Clearly, this article is about US people , ALL OF US !!!!!!
So…wait…what?
I’m with you, Core. Here is what I got from that:
I didnt read all the previous post and I really am just kissing up to Core.
Wait. You, or me?
If you think I kiss up to anyone on this board, especially Coremodels, you are way off base.
It was sentences like: “How much money has the city pumped in to City Center, Condo projects, lazarus dump ( asbestos, gift my @%@ ) let’s be real about this.” And the the one where you put an exclamation point in the middle of the sentence that just really lost me.
Please revise and resubmit. See me after class. I know you can do better than this.
typo, just addressed a lot of things in there
No disrespect intended, but I’m still utterly confused.
I wanted to express my concern with the seemingly inequality of financial support that is given to minority owned businesses in Columbus. The Brown Stone on Main was an upscale restaurant/lounge that provided a relaxed atmosphere for professionals (primarily minorities) in the downtown area.
To my understanding the Brown Stone stayed opened for about 5-6 years and about 2 years ago reached out to the community for financial/patron support. It seems like they were not able to generate the revenue they needed to keep the restaurant afloat (now closed)…especially when the “misunderstanding” occured regarding permits that would allow the Brown Stone to block off the alley and construct a patio. (The alley was blocked off for weeks and construction was underway for weeks…why did the City let a “misunderstanding” linger for so long)?
Columbus does not have an upscale African American owned restaurant…I guess my question is…what is the criteria for a minority owned business to receive financial backing from corporations and/or the City of Columbus?
…so after the quarter of a million dollars in financial backing from the city that Brownstone defaulted on, are you suggesting that the City should have done more? Or maybe that corporations should step up??? Like Nationwide should take up a collection to save a failing business…
because the owners are black???
After reading this thread in it’s entirety, the one conclusion I’ve come to is this…
I want my 5 minutes back.
p.s. If the Brownstone wanted “community support” based on being black owned, perhaps they should have talked to the Smoots…so start blaming them.
Oh…and p.s.
apparently “paying it back” is high on the list.
[quote="Coremodels"]
After reading this thread in it’s entirety, the one conclusion I’ve come to is this…
I want my 5 minutes back.
DITTO
apparently “paying it back” is high on the list.
LOL LOL yes paying at least some of the first loan back would be helpful…by the way for the ones who feel sorry for the owner of Brownstone…he is still a millionaire…one of the many benefits of running a Limited Liability Company.
apparently “paying it back” is high on the list.
LOL LOL yes paying at least some of the first loan back would be helpful…by the way for the ones who feel sorry for the owner of Brownstone…he is still a millionaire…one of the many benefits of running a Limited Liability Company.
True and LOL.
i liked the venue
didn’t like the prices, but i never went of happy hr or anything.
i did know a couple of ex employees who hated the management there. still… that’s not uncommon in that field… neither is a failing business.
what i always felt held the brownstone back was it’s location. same as bristol.
For those of you that replied to my question, you did not answer my question, so I guess your time would have been wasted.
Maybe someone can not waste 5 minutes of their time and tell me how to go about getting financial backing from corporations and/or the City (information that the bank may not provide to you) if you are a minority trying to open a business. Does anyone know of a specific website that might be helpful? Thank you
Maybe someone can not waste 5 minutes of their time and tell me how to go about getting financial backing from corporations and/or the City (information that the bank may not provide to you) if you are a minority trying to open a business. Does anyone know of a specific website that might be helpful? Thank you
I’m going to be honest. I can’t answer your question. But I’m hoping that you can answer mine… Why should a minority-owned business get more consideration than a non-minority owned business? All kinds of businesses fail. More restaurants fail than succeed. Why should there have been special consideration given to Brownstone by the city government when its own patrons couldn’t help it out?
At the risk of making big waves, I have to express my frustration when race (or gender, or preference, or anything) is used as a way to not take responsibility for a failure. The business failed. From all indication it was because it wasn’t run well. How is that an issue of race?
Start an LLC with a minority owning at least 51% of that company. That is the first step in getting MBE contracts, funding, etc. This is done all the time in Chicago and New York, business minded folks get a black or woman figurehead, give them 51% of the company, and with a LLC profits do not have to be divided according to how equity one has in the company. Basically, you can own 51% of the company but are entitled to only 10% of profits. So you can have a black figurehead, that attends meetings, proposals, etc. while the other person does most of the work. I know that is not exactly what you are asking, but the first step is to form a MBE, and register it with the city, county, whatever.
http://www.comba.com/
There’s about a dozen groups like this in Columbus, but start there.