Breathing before the next season begins!

Branson is in a little bit of a lull this week and next.  With kids back in school, the town has kind of "closed down" for a little while.  Many of the shows are either on a short hiatus, or just coming back from one.  It's kind of nice being able to drive the "strip" in less than 45 minutes, but it's kind of sad at the same time.

If you're a business owner in town, the sadness is more acute.  If you rely on the tourists (as 99% of the town does), it's a maddening time.  The bills continue, and you just wait for the next wave of visitors.  Fortunately, the buses are on their way!

Starting in September, coaches start arriving.  In October, even more show up.  Then, starting November 1st, when the Christmas shows start, the floodgates really open up.  For the next several weeks, the town is as busy as it is at any time of the year, it seems. 

If you've never been to Branson during this time, I highly recommend it.  If there is a town more into the Christmas season than Branson, I'm dying to see it.  The Veterans come during this time as well, and nobody treats our cherished Veterans better than Branson does.  We have the largest Veterans Day parade in the world here in our little town of 6,050 people.

If you're reading this, and trying to decide where to go on a little trip, I encourage you to check out Branson.  And while you're here, if you should happen to get hungry, I know a beautiful little restaurant that's sure to please!

More of what makes Branson work

I know sometimes I come across like I'm connected to the Chamber of Commerce Welcoming Committee.  Well (and few people know this), I kind of am.  See, I worked out a deal with the Chamber--everyone I'm nice to gets me a fat fee of $1.14; even more ($2.00), if I get people to move here.  That's how I bought the restaurant.

Truthfully, though, it's just another example of how Branson works on so many levels that I haven't seen in different communities.  Here, everyone tries to help each other.  I can't tell you how many of our "competitors" have sent us business in the past.  Hats off to Chester's, The Keeter Center, The Chateau, Big Cedar, and everyone else who has sent people to us in the past.  It's just how Branson is.  We have recommended those people as well to our guests, not to mention Shorty Smalls, Blue Olive, Andy Williams, and Little Hacienda.  We like the buffets as well, especially the Plantation and Dockers.

Recently, we decided to start getting into the "gift" business, but finding the right vendors for nice items that would fit into our restaurant was proving to be a challenge.  Then, we went to Stone Hill winery for a tasting tour.  I highly recommend them, by the way--they couldn't be nicer.  Afterwards, we talked to Carrie, a friend  of ours and manager of the winery, and told her that we were looking for vendors to start our gift collections.  In most cities, getting any kind of cooperation, much less help, would have been the likely response.

Carrie, in true Branson fashion, got me the names and contact information of some of their best vendors.  She wasn't worried about the "competition".  In fact, I can honestly say that we never feel that from people here.  I'm sure it exists, but we have yet to experience it. We even ended up buying some engraved wine glasses from them, but that's not why Carrie and Tina helped us.  It's just a Branson thing.

Everyone here seems to want everyone else to succeed.  It's good for everyone to have success in Branson.  Next time you're thinking of a good place to visit, think about a trip here.  And make sure you give me the credit when you talk to the Chamber--I could use the extra $1.14!

It's kind of like "Cheers", only in reverse.

We are so fortunate to have so many friends that stop by and say hello everyday.  Frequently, they're hungry, and they stop by for food, which is a good thing to do in a restaurant.  But many times, people will just come by for a soda or a glass of tea, and spend time with us.  I've got to tell you, we really enjoy those times as well.  It's kind of like the old TV show "Cheers," where everybody knows your name. 

If there is one thing that seperates us from other restaurants in town (though we hope the food, atmosphere, service, and music come into play as well) it is the "family feeling".  We are so honored by people who tell us that the restaurant is so "homey".  We have had bus drivers and their guests tell us so often that they have come to Branson for years, and have never felt so welcome and at peace in a restaurant.  Jocille Tucker said on her Facebook page the other day that The Gardens is "like a haven".  Wow!! What great praise--thanks, Jocille.

When people come in and we get to spend a few minutes with us, it makes our day.  Many of you know that of the 4 of us Duncan's, Janet, Dave, and Cheryl are the talent.  Our restaurant works so much better when I let them do the "heavy lifting" in the kitchen or with our servers, and I get to just go out and talk.  I tell them I'm working hard, though, so please don't tell them I'm just having  fun with you.  You make our days.  Keep coming in, sharing your stories, and telling us about you and your family.  We love getting to know each one of you better!  Joe

Another Branson kind of day--You have to love this place!

For those of you who still haven't discovered what makes Branson so unique, let me add another sample to the "daily life" of this restaurant owner.  I came back form running an errand today and saw we had a couple of tables filled in the dining room.  We like that, by the way.  An empty restaurant is a bad thing, if you're an owner.  I also noticed that I knew both parties--not that unusual in a town of 6,000. 

What made it so "Branson-esque", though, is that the 2 parties discovered they knew each other, as well.  Gail Hinshaw and Sheldon Tucker, both great friends of ours, saw each other for the first time in years.  They had both lived in the same Kansas town of around 500 people 20 or so years ago.  This kind of thing seems to happen here all the time.  Janet and I will talk about people we haven't seen in a while, and like magic, they seem to show up the same day.  It's just so Branson!  By the way, Tucker is  a wonderful performer at the Waltzing Waters theater--please check him out sometime.  Gail is one of the owners of "The Mountain", a data storage facility that  I got to tour last week--very cool, and mostly inside a mountain!

Anyway, just a reminder about our restaurant.  It is not just a place to go and have a meal.  Rather, it's a place to have a true "dining experience".  The atmosphere is second to none, the music is outstanding, and the food is pretty darn good, too.  We have been honored to have been written up by the Springfield paper, and have won awards as "Best of Branson" by 417 Magazine.  Also, currently, we are ranked 4th in Branson out of over 300 restaurants in Branson, by Trip Advisor. 

Please come and check us out.  We guarantee a wonderful experience, and you just never know who you might run into.  Maybe someone from Kansas that you haven't seen in 25 years or so.  It is, after all Branson, and it is The Gardens Restaurant.  Joe

My first blog--I'm going to need help!

For the past several months, a good friend of our restaurant, Gail Hinshaw, has been after me to join this century, start a Facebook page, Twitter, and do a Blog.  OK, Gail, here's the blog.  If it's a disaster, it's all on me.  If it turns out to be a success, it's because of your prodding me along.  Thanks for that, my friend.

I wanted to talk briefly today about our experiences in Branson, since we moved here.  We have met some of the most amazing people in the restaurant, as well as in meetings, and at different shows and attractions we've attended.  Branson is the most incredible place, full of wholesome, family energy.  It's a town of 6,000 that attracts 7 million visitors per year.  Everyone who comes here is here to have a good time.  That's a great atmosphere to live in!

We have been honored to meet so many terrific performers, and so many wonderful people as well.  We love all of these shows, and hope people will check them out--Six, Cat's Pajamas, Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, Pierce Arrow, Shoji Tabuchi, The Rankin Brothers, George Dyer, Hamner Barber, Presleys, Baldnobbers, Clay Cooper, Spirit of the Dance, Jeerk, The Hughes Brothers, The Duttons, Country Tonite, Taylor Reed and many, many more.  If I didn't list you, please forgive me.  We have yet to see a show in Branson that we didn't love.  Some of the shows, we just haven't gotten to yet, but we will, as time allows.

Our good friends at Rock and Roll is Here to Stay recently got a 10 day notice that their theater was closing. They are in the process of moving to God and Country Theater, where their show will take place at 5:00 Tues-Sat.  Check out these really fine perfomers if you get a chance.  They deserve your attention. 

Thanks for paying attention to my initial ramblings.  Our goal is to interact with our friends and patrons, to continue to make The Gardens Restaurant the best it can be.  Your thoughts, wisdom, suggestions, and even criticisms are welcome.  Don't be too critical, please.  I'm a very sensitive guy, after all!  Joe