Goodbye To Lee's Chicken

**Phoenix Rising** · 01-10-2009, 09:45 AM

I was at Lee's yesterday and was told that they are permanently closing their doors on Sunday. It is sad to see another SoWal business hit by these difficult economic conditions.

**Smiling JOe** · 01-10-2009, 09:50 AM

Are they closing all of their stores, or just the South Walton location? I don't eat much fried chicken any more, but Lee's had some pretty-darn-good fried chicken.

**Jdarg** · 01-10-2009, 09:59 AM

Noooooooooo.....

**Jdarg** · 01-10-2009, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

Moe's closed to. I was told by a few of the food a liquor reps that an average of 4 restaurants a week are closing. That of course is a guestimation.

Moe's in Gran Blvd? No.......waaahhhhh- they have great salsa.

**30abob** · 01-10-2009, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Are they closing all of their stores, or just the South Walton location? I don't eat much fried chicken any more, but Lee's had some pretty-darn-good fried chicken.

The girl at the register told me they closing the Redfish Village and Crestview franchises... which were owned by the same people. I'm not sure about the chain as a whole, I think most of their locations are in Kentucky and Ohio - about 150 in all.

**kurt** · 01-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Their HQ is in Seaside. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in a new SoWal location sometime soon.

Sally's By The Sea Store right down the sttreet has awesome fried chicken.

**Smiling JOe** · 01-10-2009, 11:03 AM

Plenty of closures going around. Panama City closed three BlockBuster stores, Moe's and I hear Quizno's at Grande Blvd, Taste of Oz, several Starbuck's, and I noticed that restaurant in front of Office Max, in Destin closed. I don't think it was a TGIFriday's but something like that. Ironically, most of the closures I see are the restaurants which are reasonably-priced. The high-priced restaurants seem to be hanging on. Maybe some of these chains had too much expansion, too quickly, before there was any profit churning.

**Miss Kitty** · 01-10-2009, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by kurt

Their HQ is in Seaside. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in a new SoWal location sometime.

I was going to say...CLUCK, but this gives me hope for a change.

**Will B** · 01-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by jdarg

Moe's in Gran Blvd? No.......waaahhhhh- they have great salsa.

I've wondered for the past couple years how they stayed in business for so long. I never saw more than a handul of people there at one time. You could tell that a lot of their food was sitting for a while without being touched. I think location did them in. They were burried in that corner, and unless you already knew they were there you would never find them unless you stumbled upon them...

**Miss Kitty** · 01-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by singinchicken

I've wondered for the past couple years how they stayed in business for so long. I never saw more than a handul of people there at one time. You could tell that a lot of their food was sitting for a while without being touched. I think location did them in. They were burried in that corner, and unless you already knew they were there you would never find them unless you stumbled upon them...

Yep.

**Teresa** · 01-10-2009, 11:26 AM

wahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! this is the worst news I've heard! I adore Lee's Famous Fried Chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was sad when I went to Quizno's by publix/98 for a hot sandwich and its doors were closed.

**GoodWitch58** · 01-10-2009, 12:36 PM

yeah and I almost cried when I went to Silver Sands over the Christmas holiday and Camille's was closed! I loved that place and the food was so fresh and the staff so happy and friendly....

**BeachSiO2** · 01-10-2009, 01:38 PM

Wow, hearing of the continued loss of so many places I know makes me appreciate the stability of my current locale. I've only heard of one restaurant in our area close in the past year and that was because they were moving. Then again, our area is primarily supported by the military and not as much tourism.

**ShallowsNole** · 01-10-2009, 04:38 PM

Taste of Oz closed too? Jenny?
(edited...perhaps I should read all the threads first)

And Lee's...

Please tell me Delta Kitchen in Freeport is still open...

**Jdarg** · 01-10-2009, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

yeah and I almost cried when I went to Silver Sands over the Christmas holiday and Camille's was closed! I loved that place and the food was so fresh and the staff so happy and friendly....

I loved Camille's too. Wonder if they are closed nationally?

**SWGB** · 01-10-2009, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

yeah and I almost cried when I went to Silver Sands over the Christmas holiday and Camille's was closed! I loved that place and the food was so fresh and the staff so happy and friendly....

Originally Posted by jdarg

I loved Camille's too. Wonder if they are closed nationally?

Isn't that the same as the Camille's on old 98? If so I had no idea they were a national chain.

I think I'm confused.

**wrobert** · 01-10-2009, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

Moe's closed to. I was told by a few of the food a liquor reps that an average of 4 restaurants a week are closing. That of course is a guestimation.

That is the same number the rest association lady used last week. Said that the number of closures in this part of Florida was unprecedented. This just is not making a lot of sense if traffic and tourism and bed tax collections are remaining higher than last year. The grocery stores must be doing really well this round.

**SHELLY** · 01-10-2009, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

yeah and I almost cried when I went to Silver Sands over the Christmas holiday and Camille's was closed! I loved that place and the food was so fresh and the staff so happy and friendly....

From Dec 18 issue of the FWB Mullet Wrapper:

More changes in store at Silver Sands

MIRAMAR BEACH - Howard Group representatives said this week there will be more tenant changes at Silver Sands Factory Stores and cited several reasons for the shuffle.

Last week, KB Toys announced company-wide liquidation and Camille's Sidewalk Cafe has closed after a five-year run.

Angela Triplett, public relations manager for Howard Group, said the closings were a "franchise decision" and were not expected,
Geoffrey Beene and Lenox Factory Outlet are scheduled to leave at the end of the year and Big Dog will close at the end of February.

In the case of Big Dog and Lenox, the leases were not being renewed, Triplett said. Beene's departure has to do with a licensing agreement that is ending with Van Heusen, but Van Heusen's store at Silver Sands will remain open.

"It's a typical cycle," said Myra Williams, vice president of marketing for Howard Group. "There are tenants who are pursuing us and ones we are pursuing."

Howard Group owns and operates Silver Sands. The company recently announced plans for a $1 million "enhancement project" that will start early next year. In addition, renovations and expansions at Silver Sands in 2009 will involve Reebok, Rockport, Cole Hahn, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Coach and J. Crew. All of those stores are liquidating their inventories in anticipation of the interior renovations, Williams and Triplett said.
--------------------------------

Myra thinks it's a "typical cycle"

....quick someone--sell her a preconstruction condo!

.

**BeachSiO2** · 01-10-2009, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

That is the same number the rest association lady used last week. Said that the number of closures in this part of Florida was unprecedented. This just is not making a lot of sense if traffic and tourism and bed tax collections are remaining higher than last year. The grocery stores must be doing really well this round.

Are you sure about bed tax collections remaining higher? I know that FY 2008 was higher than FY 2007, but I think the first two months of the new fiscal year for Sowal are going to be lower than last year over the same time period. The fiscal year in this case is from October to September just like County budgets.

**wrobert** · 01-10-2009, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Are you sure about bed tax collections remaining higher? I know that FY 2008 was higher than FY 2007, but I think the first two months of the new fiscal year for Sowal are going to be lower than last year over the same time period. The fiscal year in this case is from October to September just like County budgets.

Not sure just the last thing that I had heard. I know the traffic on the roads is less than it use to be. But there are more snowbirds in DeFuniak this year than in the past playing golf. I figure they are probably just driving up for the cheaper green fees.

**GoodWitch58** · 01-10-2009, 07:39 PM

traffic yesterday between Santa Rosa and Panama City Beach was almost non-existent at 8 a.m.

Amazing that just a short while ago the highway was jammed with white construction pickups and heavily loaded dump trucks that were speeding along...

**BeachSiO2** · 01-10-2009, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

Not sure just the last thing that I had heard. I know the traffic on the roads is less than it use to be. But there are more snowbirds in DeFuniak this year than in the past playing golf. I figure they are probably just driving up for the cheaper green fees.

Like I was saying, you heard correctly in that FY 2008 was higher than FY 2007. It's just that from what I have heard FY 2009 YTD is down, and so far Spring is looking soft. Back to chicken, I love me some fried chicken!

**Rollin' Tide** · 01-10-2009, 08:56 PM

Not the same---Camille's on old 98 is still open and still fabulous. Though for a quick healthy bit while shopping-Camille's Sidewalk Cafe was a great choice! Sorry to hear it and so many others are closing their doors.

**ShallowsNole** · 01-10-2009, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Like I was saying, you heard correctly in that FY 2008 was higher than FY 2007. It's just that from what I have heard FY 2009 YTD is down, and so far Spring is looking soft. Back to chicken, I love me some fried chicken!

You heard correctly. And I like fried chicken too, but if collections don't improve, I might have to raise my own chickens.

**BeachSiO2** · 01-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

You heard correctly. And I like fried chicken too, but if collections don't improve, I might have to raise my own chickens.

Anyone got a good chicken raising recipe?

**Smiling JOe** · 01-11-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

That is the same number the rest association lady used last week. Said that the number of closures in this part of Florida was unprecedented. This just is not making a lot of sense if traffic and tourism and bed tax collections are remaining higher than last year. The grocery stores must be doing really well this round.

People continued to take vacations, but I can tell you that the Dec rental numbers will likely be way off, as I didn't see any tourists until the week after Christmas. Usually, people come down for at least the weekends in Dec. That didn't seem to happen this year.

I think this past summer, rentals were up, because the financial mess had not been hit so hard. Gas prices were crazy, but people still came to the beach, and found other ways to save, like your mention of buying groceries and eating out less often. Look at Pulblix, opening store number four in a 20 mile stretch, in a very small town.

Going back to my earlier reference of the restaurant in front of Office Max which closed, it was Ruby Tuesday's. A quick news search on the web indicates that Ruby Tuesdays will be closing 70 store locations over time. I think 30 were immediate, and 40 closing soon.

**rapunzel** · 01-11-2009, 09:48 AM

So sad.

I'm so tired of this depressing economy. We're losing so much of our diversity.

**Smiling JOe** · 01-11-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Anyone got a good chicken raising recipe?

I think Punzy may have a good one.

**DuneLaker** · 01-11-2009, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

You heard correctly. And I like fried chicken too, but if collections don't improve, I might have to raise my own chickens.

I'll miss Lee's Fried Chicken. I'll hope for a new opening in SoWal. I used to hear a rooster crow in the mornings. Maybe its time to find him some chicken friends. It also may be time for our SoWal TDC to ramp up their marketing of The Beaches of South Walton to help all rentals and related business. We need to make sure that business is directed to South Walton and other Walton County venues first. Love our surrounding county neighbors, but if we don't promote SoWal, then who will ? If we don't promote SoWal/Walton County as the best beaches, beautiful environment, historically authentic, then who will? We need a plan for today, and a plan for 10 - 20 years down the road. Name recognition starts here.

**Smiling JOe** · 01-11-2009, 11:46 AM

DuneLaker, is it a safe bet that you don't buy into "The Beach (TM)" promotion?

BTW, I still hear a rooster crow, from the back yard of a lake front home in South Walton. He may be trying to coax the ducks into coming for a visit.

**wrobert** · 01-11-2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by rapunzel

So sad.

I'm so tired of this depressing economy. We're losing so much of our diversity.

True when you think about it. The next struggle will be when it comes back. We will be just another PC or Destin or will the individuals that made this area so special be able to start back up again to keep our character.

**DuneLaker** · 01-11-2009, 02:26 PM

[quote=Smiling JOe;517918]DuneLaker, is it a safe bet that you don't buy into "The Beach (TM)" promotion?

That would be a safe bet, Smiling JOe. It would also be a safe bet that if we spent our best efforts on marketing South Walton/Walton County, we'd do so well we could help out our neighboring counties with our overflow crowds. The Chambers and TDCs sort of have an unofficial rule, or so I've heard, not to speak ill of each other or say they are "Better." Well, we are better. That is something I can really buy into. Our beaches in SoWal are better, our large number of Coastal Dune Lakes are a unique environmental treasure that the other counties don't have, and we are older historically than our surrounding counties. Our restaurants are better, too! Just being in SoWal air makes everthing taste better.

When you go to any Walton County website, it should first and foremost promote Walton County place names. Somewhere down the line if a business has other counties in its mix, they could mention it. But, the first link to a website paid for by Walton County tax dollars should not lead you away from Walton County and to another County. These are tough times, and we better watch out for our best interests, while remaining good neighbors. Thanks for asking. However, I really try to avoid that disaster of a marketing plan that you alluded to in your question!

**GoodWitch58** · 01-11-2009, 03:42 PM

Totally agree, Dunelaker...the energy and the light are completely different here from the neighboring areas.

I see that the County is advertising for an Economic Development position; I wish the TDC and the Economic Development person would team up and really promote our area as one unit--with so many different attractions-- both to the tourist and the business person.

I have never understood why things are done the way they are done.

The marketing for the tourism seems fragmented and way too interlocked with Destin, et al. And, from what I have seen from the last eight years, there has been no marketing for business locations.

And, the ( orange)The Beach is a joke--and the joke will probably be on all of us in the long term.

**scooterbug44** · 01-11-2009, 05:17 PM

Based on my recent review of the ski areas during their high season, we will have max of 80% of our usual crowds - many will still come (if the hurricane season cooperates), but when they do, they will make a shorter visit and will severely cut back on the extras like eating out and shopping.

Despite a variety of marketing schemes, lodging deals, extended days of lower priced lift tickets, food deals, and even gas cards, this year's holiday numbers were 70-75% of what they were last year and food/bev numbers were even lower.

The public statements of the ski areas are that "if it snows, they'll still come" but privately they are cutting back staff, hours, expenses and are quite worried.

**wrobert** · 01-11-2009, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

Totally agree, Dunelaker...the energy and the light are completely different here from the neighboring areas.

I see that the County is advertising for an Economic Development position; I wish the TDC and the Economic Development person would team up and really promote our area as one unit--with so many different attractions-- both to the tourist and the business person.

I have never understood why things are done the way they are done.

The marketing for the tourism seems fragmented and way too interlocked with Destin, et al. And, from what I have seen from the last eight years, there has been no marketing for business locations.

And, the ( orange)The Beach is a joke--and the joke will probably be on all of us in the long term.

I would think the goals of the TDC director and the EDA are totally different. If we are going to get serious about the development of industry then we are going to have to get assets in place in order to quickly respond to the needs of industry.

As for tourist marketing, that appears to be nothing more than the TDC responding to the needs of those that are going to generate the most dollars. Those huge complexes already have advertising budgets and are already spending hundreds of thousands marketing their properties. It would be good business to augment that marketing, but this does leave out the little guy.

**DuneLaker** · 01-11-2009, 05:51 PM

Yes, Goodwitch 58, we need more focused marketing on SoWal, Walton County. I'd like to say to Lee's Fried Chicken, "Please come back and we promise not to send clients over to "D" in the next county." Our economic development and tourist interests do need to be "NSync". This will be even more important if the 75% etc. numbers Scooterbug44 mentions are experienced here in SoWal. Let's promote SoWal and keep our numbers up. With truth in advertising, people would rather be here in SoWal. I really question another county's city's "best" beaches banter. If we got to the bottom of those numbers, where clients were really talking about was SoWal and not them. Destin is glad to have visitors in Sandestin think they are in their city and not SoWal. Who in their right mind would select Destin as a best beach over SoWal? Crazy!!! Destin has its unique attributes that it should market. But, our businesses, our future and yes our tax dollars depend on more accurate place name promotion and disclosure.

**SWGB** · 01-11-2009, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

That is the same number the rest association lady used last week. Said that the number of closures in this part of Florida was unprecedented. This just is not making a lot of sense if traffic and tourism and bed tax collections are remaining higher than last year. The grocery stores must be doing really well this round.

They are, people are not eating out like they used to.

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

You heard correctly. And I like fried chicken too, but if collections don't improve, I might have to raise my own chickens.

Wouldn't you still have a job regardless of the amount of tax collected?

**DuneLaker** · 01-11-2009, 06:56 PM

The TDC and EDC should team up. Certainly they will have some different goals. But, they should partner for the betterment of all of Walton County. The Chamber of Commerce is designed to support its members. Economic Development is designed to increase new businesses in the area. The TDC is designed to "put heads in beds." This has the potential of attracting visitors who book rooms, eat in restaurants and shop IN SOWAL, WACO while attending supported events. Like the Mercedes plant in Alabama was brought in by EDC. Walton County Economic Development needs to bring in new business like it did with the new hospital in SoWal, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. This ripple effect brought in doctors, other businesses, home buyers and restaurant clients. This benefited residents and tourists. A good partnership. The TDC is an important part of the Walton County Chamber. Their focus is bringing in tourists, but this is certainly big business in Walton County. Economic Development is growing the pie. Lets eat more pie (and chicken)!!

**wrobert** · 01-11-2009, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by DuneLaker

The TDC and EDC should team up.

Two different objectives.

**liveoak** · 01-11-2009, 07:56 PM

Oh yeah, Delta Kitchen's still open.....it's sooo good!

**GoodWitch58** · 01-11-2009, 07:57 PM

I disagree, Robert...they have the same objective: a viable economy for Walton County...the methods are a bit different, but not all that much.

It is all geared toward Commerce.

In the state system before it was privatized, the Department of Commerce included both the Division of Tourism and the Division of Economic Development. I worked as the Communications Director for the agency and was involved in both bringing tourism to Florida and "luring" new business...especially the movie making business. During the time I worked there in the 80s, Florida had the distinction of being the #1 tourist destination (thanks Disney) for the U. S. and the #1 state for business development.

We worked as one unit and benefitted the entire state. This is how it is done in many, if not most, places.

Now, we have Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida, two separate entitites...not sure the "powers that be" in either organization talk to one another.

**wrobert** · 01-11-2009, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

I disagree, Robert...they have the same objective: a viable economy for Walton County...the methods are a bit different, but not all that much.

It is all geared toward Commerce.

In the state system before it was privatized, the Department of Commerce included both the Division of Tourism and the Division of Economic Development. I worked as the Communications Director for the agency and was involved in both bringing tourism to Florida and "luring" new business...especially the movie making business. During the time I worked there in the 80s, Florida had the distinction of being the #1 tourist destination (thanks Disney) for the U. S. and the #1 state for business development.

We worked as one unit and benefitted the entire state. This is how it is done in many, if not most, places.

Now, we have Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida, two separate entitites...not sure the "powers that be" in either organization talk to one another.

I think economic development is a whole lot different today than it was in the eighties. The massive amount of regulations put in place in the last twenty years has changed the whole dynamic. Now you have to work on getting assets in place before you even begin your marketing plan. Having the two agencies combined back then, imho, is what led us to build such a tourist only economy that has gotten us into the mess we are in, especially in this county. Opting for tourist/service workers and never really going after manufacturing. It appears we are just now starting to see why we should have investing more in the latter with the creation of the commerce center in Mossy Head. Now if they will only get the infrastructure in place.