Owner claims local newspaper fabricated proposed restaurant concept, “VIP Sports Bar and Lounge,” after neighborhood retaliated.
UPDATE (Aug. 19, 2011): Residents try to shutter Kirkwood Bar and Grill; Owner tweets they’re racist
Kirkwood residents lashed out when word broke that Kirkwood Public House would reopen as VIP Sports Bar and Grill.
Restaurant owner David Johnson agrees the name “would not be appropriate.”
Johnson recently purchased the gastro pub space at 1963 Hosea Williams Drive with plans to reopen May 1 (story here).
Nearly 60 comments were collected in response to an article published on What Now Atlanta announcing the new restaurant concept, most in disgust.
Among the commenters was Chris, who shared similar views to most others leaving comments.
“Just take the VIP out of the name and people may leave their guns at home,” Chris wrote.
Johnson responded to the thread thankful for the feedback.
“It will be our goal to treat everyone as a VIP,” Johnson left in a comment.
But that wasn’t enough for Johnson, who in an email to What Now Atlanta, claimed the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s (who we credited for the scoop) “information was dead wrong.”
In a follow-up interview, Johnson told What Now Atlanta it’s “mind boggling” how the Atlanta Business Chronicle got the name for his new concept.
“The restaurant is going to be called Kirkwood Bar and Grill and not VIP Sports Bar and Lounge,” Johnson said. “I don’t even remember the reporter’s name with the Atlanta Business Chronicle.”
Lisa Schoolcraft, a highly respectable reporter with the Atlanta Business Chronicle who published the report, was out of the office and was unable to comment.
As for the feedback left from Kirkwood residents on What Now Atlanta, Johnson said that has nothing to do with the restaurant’s name and concept.
Sure. We believe you! And Schoolcraft’s out to get you, David!
27 Responses
If he never intended to use the name “VIP” then why didn’t David Johnson say as much in his comment on the original story? He had every opportunity. I don’t buy his explanation.
Yeah, I don’t buy it either. His comment that “It will be our goal to treat everyone as a VIP” sounds like an explanation of the presence of “VIP” in the name — not a rejection of the claim that it would be in the name. I think he decided on this Kirkwood Bar and Grill name after the fact. Surely the ABC reporter didn’t pull the “VIP” phrase out of thin air. David must have dropped that phrase in the interview.
I’ve met David, and don’t believe a word of this story. He is, simply stated, a moron. That restaurant will bring the Escalade and big rims crowd only. I give it 6 months at most, and that’s probably generous.
I’m still going to give it the benefit of the doubt and will try it after it opens. Who knows. Perhaps what was initially a poor concept can evolve into something that will be an asset to the neighborhood.
Fred, there is no doubt in my mind (and I’m sure in many others’ who read your silly post) that you are an unashamed bigot. Wow, “…Escalade and big rims crowd.” Really? I too met David Johnson and didn’t get any moron vibrations. I think you’re the moron Fred in that you’ve already wished failure upon a business that’s bold enough to invest in an up-and-coming-but-not-quite-there-yet community on the simple basis that it may bring in a more diverse crowd.
This is going to be interesting!! I hope this guy isn’t a clown and hasn’t pissed off too many people yet. I have no idea if he is lying or not about the name, but he is not controlling the PR very well. As much as I don’t want a “VIP Lounge”, I also don’t want some watered-down generic sports bar that outprices the neighborhood. A business can be successful there but it has to offer a quality product at a reasonable price like Sun in My Belly. This Kirkwood Bar and Grill sounds like the kirkwood pub version 2. meh. If he were smart, he would tell us all to shutup and open a nicer version of Morris Lounge where idiots can “ball out” and spend a lot of money on an inferior product. That formula seems to work.
For those interested they put their website up.
Here is the menu:http://www.kirkwoodbaratl.com/pdfs/food_and_drinks_menu_combined_040311.pdf
it does look like pretty much the definition of a “generic sports bar” but nothing from the menu looks to have outpriced the neighborhood. (5 bucks for a cheeseburger…) Here’s the link to the menu they have posted. Interesting that there are no sandwiches on there at all and no entrees unique to this restaurant.
The website goes out of its way to say that they are kid friendly. I’m sure that Fred will think that this is still just a way to get kids to bring in their Escalades with big rims.
I’m looking forward to it. I think the menu looks simple and good. It should do well.
1. The website is pretty bad. Like really bad.
2. Looks like your typical suburban $hithole sports bar in Paulding County.
3. Menu is pretty limited, but not “overpriced” for being a typical suburban $hithole sports bar.
We’ll see…
Sometimes a straight up “suburban” sports bar is exactly what you want. Simple food, cold beer, and plenty of TVs. Reality is there are not a lot of options around here for this type of place. When I go out to watch a game this is exactly what I’m looking for. The problem is the outspoken people from Kirkwood on these blogs and the neighborhood site are always the same people. It is NOT the consensus of the neighborhood and I hope David realizes that. Another obvious problem is that everyone envisions something different for downtown Kirkwood (which is fine) this one open space is never going to make everyone happy. With a few successful and diverse types of businesses will come more businesses willing to open. We’ve got plenty of development space around downtown kirkwood for all the different places people want. Hopefully the new development across the street will happen and we’ll get our Mexican restaurant. I think a solid sports bar with a good set up will bring people from all around.
I agree. I live in Kirkwood and look forward to the opening of a restaurant in my community. I think the key take away about all of this is that at least Kirkwood residents care and are involved. We are passionate about our community and neighborhood.
@scoleman: 6 months, maybe less. Mark my words. It’s called ‘not understanding your demographics.’ Sorry if the truth is offensive. Cheers.
definitely agree with Scoleman and place Mark in that “unashamed” group too while you’re at it………..
@scoleman-
You call Kirkwood “up and coming” but where is it coming from? Do you want it to go back? Skip all the holier-than-thou garbage. THIS IS NOT ABOUT RACISM! This is about a neighborhood that has a chance to be something special! Black-owned businesses make up the heart of kirkwood! Why do you not see that it is the type of establishment, not the owner?
There is a stark division within our neighborhood that happens to fall somewhat upon racial lines. This is a class issue, though, and the racial component is a coincedence of time and place.
scoleman, get a brain
Oh Mark,
You lost all cred when you referenced the Morris Lounge, a long-standing black-owned establishment with mostly black patrons saying the owner of the KBG should “…open a nicer version of Morris Lounge where idiots can “ball out” and spend a lot of money on an inferior product…” Idiots balling out? You mean to tell me there’s no prejudiced undertone there? I liken it to the “velvet rope and spinning rims” comment a member on the listserv made.
Mark, my brain functions very well and is capable of reading between the lines even if you try to obscure them a little.
The place is looking awesome
In 2011 are we still here REALLY! I mean really!!!! The saying holds true when you know better you should do better! Come on Kirkwood! Having a business that will bring jobs, tax revenue to the neighborhood is just want the doctor ordered. I think having a thriving business in that space and not just the space taking up space is a great idea! I wish the Kirkwood Bar and Grill all the success the world has to offer!
My God- you are all f***ing idiots. Maybe you should get your pitchforks and go and march up and down downtown Kirkwood.
These ex drug dealers supposedly turned good are full of krap. Fight night they ran out of wings. Wtf! I was thete to enjoy the fight and people were smoking hookah without a license and then the police came and told him to shut down the bar and he waited a few minutes and opemed it right back up serving alcohol after permitted hours putting his entire staff and cliemtele in jepoardy. He is an idiot! He was cussing at his staff. I wouldn’t refer his restaurant to my enemy. And the 35 cent wings are so small you need tweezers to eat them.
“Fight night they ran out of wings”
…Gurl, they must be doing something right then!
Facts:
They were patting people down last week before they would be allowed to enter the restaurant.
They have two huge security guards roaming the restaurant
My Opinion:
It doesn’t matter how good the intentions are, I’m not going take may family to a place that says they are catering to adults only and gives pat downs to customers before they enter. I won’t even go there with my friends. If they have reason to believe there will be trouble, and need that type of muscle, I’ll gladly go somewhere else….gladly….
Kirkwood is very family friendly which was extremely evident in the festival they had yesterday. If this guy was in this for the long haul and serious about a long term profit, he would have listened to the community and opened with a better business plan.
You should take your children to this place so they can get patted down. It’s a fun experience. Perhaps after that they can bring your little one some OJ with some Hennessy in it.
HOLY LORD – has anyone been here lately? Just wondering if they still pat people down or if the service has gotten better
i went there with some friends a few weeks ago…we too were put off by the huge security guards out front at 5pm on a sunday afternoon (we did not get patted down though). our waitress mistakenly told us ALLLLL of the draught beers were $2 (which we hopefully believed) and then she stood there eating a cookie out of her apron while she tried to figure out our bill… twas pretty amazing, really. also: i felt bad for all the waitresses because they have to wear those cheesy referee outfits.
Place is shi-at!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Servers suck
Mr. Right; I have my facts straight do you… This business owner is only trying to establish a business; just like the next man. And stating that he doesn’t know how to read is just not right. Regardless of who the owner is you will have some noise… Now if Mr. Johnson is willing to close at the hours as indicated and agreed to put a lid on the noise. Then allow him to do just that. And I’m sure in the rules and guidelines of the commounity that is doesn’t state that the residents have the right to tell a business owner where to open his business. But you’re telling me this right how this business owner is being treated… No it’s not!!! Now I will defend any business owner who is trying to establish a business whether it’s a MAN OR WOMAN
KIRKWOOD BAR & GRILL should be given the opportunity to be successful.. Like any other business in Atlanta…. THE FOOD IS AWESOME!!!!!! SO LET’S KEEP KIRKWOOD BAR & GRILL OPEN!!!!! LET’S KEEP IT OPEN!!!!!