Yes, it is about time to update the blog. The last blog, which was titled "it's finally Spring", was not updated all through the summer! But it was a busy Summer and has begun to be a very busy Fall. Where to start?
Let's first start with the new project news...we are currently working on the following projects:
* A retail store renovation within the Downtown Disney location here in Orlando. We are very proud to be working with Shawna and Randy Heninger on their flagship Basin store.
* We were selected by a wonderful group developing a retail, chocolate and candy concept in New York City - Sugar and Plumm. It could be one of the most unique concepts we have worked on...we have jumped into the design work and are having a great time with it.
* We are under development with a prototype Lexus dealership in the Denver suburbs - a dealership that will impress the guests as well as be cognizant of the environment, the Rocky Mountain way.
* We have been continuing the wonderful world of the Crepe Cafe. We have been working with the franchisor to develop and design new prototypes and special locations throughout the Middle East as well as Puerto Rico.
* I am thoroughly enjoying collaborating with Manny Garcia on his new City Fire concept. It is such a treat to continue to learn from a giant in the restaurant business. Manny, beyond being a former owner of over 65 Burger King units as well as being a Board of Directors member for the company may best be known for creating some of Florida's finest restaurants in Pebbles, Manuel's on 28th and Harvey's.
*We have been working on two new projects on Disney property - currently under design and development. I cannot yet announce the concepts and locations, but hopefully will be able to reveal and show some preliminary ideas for these very large and exciting projects in the coming weeks.
On the opening and on-going construction news, we have had progress and openings on the following projects:
* Kuni Infiniti in Seattle: This project is under construction and is scheduled for the completion of phase one in mid November.
* The Muviville (Muvico 12 screens and Splitsville combination) did open to much fanfare in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
* The 2nd Pete and Shorty's Kitchen and Tap opened in Katy, Texas (Near Houston). Another local favorite has been born.
* The Denver Honda project is beginning the development phases after securing local approval on the zoning front. We should start selling cars with the new layout and flow by Early Spring.
We are seeing signs of the economic recovery. Several of our clients are beginning the process of re-engaging in development opportunities that have been sidelined for the last 24 months. We have generally weathered the storm. We look forward the rest of the year and 2011 with great anticipation.
and for the quote...."I got a FEVER! And the only prescription...is MORE COWBELL!"
Chistopher Walken/Saturday Night Live
Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA / NCARB / IIDA
President / Founder
Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
It is Finally Spring!
With the coming of Spring, warm and sunny days are upon us here in Central Florida. In this early part of the year, we have some exciting new projects and some terrific news in the office as well as on the home front.
First, we officially moved into our new office spaces over this past weekend. The office is in the same building and on the same floor. However, the space is larger, brighter and we spent some time creating our own Maverick environment with our choices in carpet, paint, graphics, artwork, furniture and lighting...I'll be posting some photos in the near future. Stop by anytime as the wine case and the refrigerator are well stocked!
On the project front, Muviville in Fredericksburg, Virginia is in the final inspection stage with the VIP opening scheduled for Monday April 26th. Some of the office will be attending - the final product is something in which we can all be very proud. With the combination of a full size Splitsville bowling/dining facility with a luxury theater with almost 3,000 theater seats - this prototype entertainment destination will garner substantial attention from developers and landlords from across the country. We started with the design philosophy of a studio lot/warehouse type of feel as the design aesthetic - this was carried through beautifully with exposed brick, deco details and a very comfortable feel for both areas. In addition to the above, The Chatterbox lounge is an over 21 dining, cocktail and movie experience on the second level - a place that reminds us all of the "speakeasy" times in the early years of the 1900's.
In other project news...The 2nd and 3rd Pete and Shorty's are under construction in Houston - while the first opening went off smoothly in Sugarland, Texas. We have again teamed up with Michael Graves on a Kuni Honda project in Denver, Colorado that is progressing to Design Development after a very successful initial presentation last week. We are privileged to have been selected by Rashid and Marianne Choufani (Rashid is also the President/CEO of e-Brands Restaurant Group) to provide design services to renovate the interior and partial exterior living spaces of their beautiful home. We are focusing on the rich traditions of French West Indies for inspiration. We have begun Construction Documents for a new Splitsville in Fairview, Texas (just North of Dallas), began Construction of Ray Lewis' MVP Entertainment in Hunt Valley, Maryland and will shortly begin a hotel conversion in Huntsville, Alabama.
On the home front, Sinclaire(11) landed the lead role in "A Little Princess". She will be Sara Crewe in the upcoming production at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Sinclaire has been working incredibly hard to get all of her regular school work completed as well as attending all of the rehearsals. Just yesterday Hank(8) defended his Celebration Golf Club Championship. He won this years event in the 9 and under division with a 9 hole total of 31 (-5). 5 Birdies and 4 pars were the direct result of all of his hard work with his Coach. Karla and I are very proud of both of them for their commitment and dedication.
Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA/NCARB/IIDA
President / Founder
Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC
First, we officially moved into our new office spaces over this past weekend. The office is in the same building and on the same floor. However, the space is larger, brighter and we spent some time creating our own Maverick environment with our choices in carpet, paint, graphics, artwork, furniture and lighting...I'll be posting some photos in the near future. Stop by anytime as the wine case and the refrigerator are well stocked!
On the project front, Muviville in Fredericksburg, Virginia is in the final inspection stage with the VIP opening scheduled for Monday April 26th. Some of the office will be attending - the final product is something in which we can all be very proud. With the combination of a full size Splitsville bowling/dining facility with a luxury theater with almost 3,000 theater seats - this prototype entertainment destination will garner substantial attention from developers and landlords from across the country. We started with the design philosophy of a studio lot/warehouse type of feel as the design aesthetic - this was carried through beautifully with exposed brick, deco details and a very comfortable feel for both areas. In addition to the above, The Chatterbox lounge is an over 21 dining, cocktail and movie experience on the second level - a place that reminds us all of the "speakeasy" times in the early years of the 1900's.
In other project news...The 2nd and 3rd Pete and Shorty's are under construction in Houston - while the first opening went off smoothly in Sugarland, Texas. We have again teamed up with Michael Graves on a Kuni Honda project in Denver, Colorado that is progressing to Design Development after a very successful initial presentation last week. We are privileged to have been selected by Rashid and Marianne Choufani (Rashid is also the President/CEO of e-Brands Restaurant Group) to provide design services to renovate the interior and partial exterior living spaces of their beautiful home. We are focusing on the rich traditions of French West Indies for inspiration. We have begun Construction Documents for a new Splitsville in Fairview, Texas (just North of Dallas), began Construction of Ray Lewis' MVP Entertainment in Hunt Valley, Maryland and will shortly begin a hotel conversion in Huntsville, Alabama.
On the home front, Sinclaire(11) landed the lead role in "A Little Princess". She will be Sara Crewe in the upcoming production at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Sinclaire has been working incredibly hard to get all of her regular school work completed as well as attending all of the rehearsals. Just yesterday Hank(8) defended his Celebration Golf Club Championship. He won this years event in the 9 and under division with a 9 hole total of 31 (-5). 5 Birdies and 4 pars were the direct result of all of his hard work with his Coach. Karla and I are very proud of both of them for their commitment and dedication.
Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA/NCARB/IIDA
President / Founder
Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Changing Your Business During Our Current Economic Struggles
As I travel throughout the country visiting new restaurant and hotel facilities as well as stopping by my old favorites, I continue to hear that discounting, cheap and low-end value are the wave of the future. I whole-heartedly disagree.
As I have mentioned before, the economic downturn will allow only the strongest and best to survive. However, many more solid concepts with good locations may survive the short term, but because of the discounting and compromising on their concept - they will struggle to stay relevant in the long run. There are several concepts in and around my Orlando office and home that have done exactly that....they had a loyal clientele, a focused brand, quality service and offerings. Once they started listening to the so-called experts - they immediately changed the product - huge discounts, creating more "value", putting smaller/cheaper items on the menu and cutting every potential dollar. Again, on the surface this seems like the smart thing to do - but in reality it is the opposite.
The way successful restaurants and hotels create long-lived prosperity and success is based on having a solid/focused concept, great service and a great product for the level of value that the customer is agreeable to spending. The discounting, changing and watering down of the concept does nothing more than go against what we all know to be successful in the Hospitality business. When the economy starts to turn in a positive direction - what are these confused concepts prepared to do? Are they planning on raising prices, making the service return to the previous levels and removing the low-cost items back to the items that their customers used to love? This is where the pavement hits the road so to speak. Loyal customers who loved the concept and food before it was changed - are now gone to other concepts. The new "cost-only" customer will leave when the costs and product offerings go up - thus leaving a venture that is searching for any guest.... The other issue I have with discounting is the lack of financial sense it actually makes. Once you discount items lets say to a 2 for 1 deal - how many people that are taking advantage of that deal were already coming in? That number of guests in the beginning is pretty high - so the "new" or "added" guests that the promotion is bringing in must over-account for those people as well as pay for the "2 for 1" that they themselves received.
The great offerings that are out there need not change - they simply need to understand what they were, what the are and what they will be - IS what the customer wants - BELIEVE IN YOUR CONCEPT. The guests will return. So the easy to ask question is how to survive the 10, 20 or 30% downturn in revenues. Right now - if the concept can break even and survive - that is the goal. All of our previous thoughts of 10-15% return are no longer valid - until the economy shifts. Be patient - and do things that do not negatively affect the guests...things like removing layers of management! This is by far the best way to save costs and to give the guests a better environment. In the "old school days", owner's and management worked the floor - seating people, delivering wine, checking-in guests, being the "Sam Malone" at the bar - this gets a decision maker and responsible party directly in contact with the guest! Again - a novel idea. Having corporate structure is nice for your everyday work-life - but it is costly. Take the director of operations and move him to everyday management of a particular location, take your corporate chef and make him/her cook, make the restaurant managers host and tend bar. These are the people that understand the concept and the economics of the establishment the best - so they are your best ambassadors to the guests. It really gets back to a family run business model.
Here is another novel idea....provide better service, better quality and more focus during this time....the examples are all around us. Houston's did not suddenly start an appetizer menu, start welcoming kids with kids menus nor did they start offering 2 for 1 drinks. They know that we as guests love the simple menu, great service, great atmosphere and their attention to most every detail for a "value". Guests feel value based on everything - not just the price.
That is the lesson to be learned....Value is not just another word for price. I can go to the cheapest restaurant in town and feel no value while I can also visit a four star establishment and find value in the overall experience.
Get back to basics and do what you do - that is the way to succeed in tough times and great times! If after you have made sure that your concept is still intact - if you want to provide a conceptually-relevant special of the day that fits with your overall-quality statement - feel free! That will be additive in lieu of damaging.
And for the quote...."Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." Redd Foxx
Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA / NCARB / IIDA\
President / Founder
Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC
As I have mentioned before, the economic downturn will allow only the strongest and best to survive. However, many more solid concepts with good locations may survive the short term, but because of the discounting and compromising on their concept - they will struggle to stay relevant in the long run. There are several concepts in and around my Orlando office and home that have done exactly that....they had a loyal clientele, a focused brand, quality service and offerings. Once they started listening to the so-called experts - they immediately changed the product - huge discounts, creating more "value", putting smaller/cheaper items on the menu and cutting every potential dollar. Again, on the surface this seems like the smart thing to do - but in reality it is the opposite.
The way successful restaurants and hotels create long-lived prosperity and success is based on having a solid/focused concept, great service and a great product for the level of value that the customer is agreeable to spending. The discounting, changing and watering down of the concept does nothing more than go against what we all know to be successful in the Hospitality business. When the economy starts to turn in a positive direction - what are these confused concepts prepared to do? Are they planning on raising prices, making the service return to the previous levels and removing the low-cost items back to the items that their customers used to love? This is where the pavement hits the road so to speak. Loyal customers who loved the concept and food before it was changed - are now gone to other concepts. The new "cost-only" customer will leave when the costs and product offerings go up - thus leaving a venture that is searching for any guest.... The other issue I have with discounting is the lack of financial sense it actually makes. Once you discount items lets say to a 2 for 1 deal - how many people that are taking advantage of that deal were already coming in? That number of guests in the beginning is pretty high - so the "new" or "added" guests that the promotion is bringing in must over-account for those people as well as pay for the "2 for 1" that they themselves received.
The great offerings that are out there need not change - they simply need to understand what they were, what the are and what they will be - IS what the customer wants - BELIEVE IN YOUR CONCEPT. The guests will return. So the easy to ask question is how to survive the 10, 20 or 30% downturn in revenues. Right now - if the concept can break even and survive - that is the goal. All of our previous thoughts of 10-15% return are no longer valid - until the economy shifts. Be patient - and do things that do not negatively affect the guests...things like removing layers of management! This is by far the best way to save costs and to give the guests a better environment. In the "old school days", owner's and management worked the floor - seating people, delivering wine, checking-in guests, being the "Sam Malone" at the bar - this gets a decision maker and responsible party directly in contact with the guest! Again - a novel idea. Having corporate structure is nice for your everyday work-life - but it is costly. Take the director of operations and move him to everyday management of a particular location, take your corporate chef and make him/her cook, make the restaurant managers host and tend bar. These are the people that understand the concept and the economics of the establishment the best - so they are your best ambassadors to the guests. It really gets back to a family run business model.
Here is another novel idea....provide better service, better quality and more focus during this time....the examples are all around us. Houston's did not suddenly start an appetizer menu, start welcoming kids with kids menus nor did they start offering 2 for 1 drinks. They know that we as guests love the simple menu, great service, great atmosphere and their attention to most every detail for a "value". Guests feel value based on everything - not just the price.
That is the lesson to be learned....Value is not just another word for price. I can go to the cheapest restaurant in town and feel no value while I can also visit a four star establishment and find value in the overall experience.
Get back to basics and do what you do - that is the way to succeed in tough times and great times! If after you have made sure that your concept is still intact - if you want to provide a conceptually-relevant special of the day that fits with your overall-quality statement - feel free! That will be additive in lieu of damaging.
And for the quote...."Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." Redd Foxx
Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA / NCARB / IIDA\
President / Founder
Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Happy New Year!
Now that everyone is back to work after the long Holiday season, it is time to look forward and not backward. Last year will definitely be one to forget for most. We at Maverick were very lucky to have had a good year without too much negative impact from the economic turmoil.
As we start 2010, we are looking forward to some project openings in the coming months as well as quite a few new project starts that are beginning the drawing stages. We have some goals this year as a company that we will focus on as well.
For the openings we look forward to attending in the first part of 2010....Muvico/Splitsville in Fredericksburg, Virginia (April 2010), MVP Entertainment in Baltimore, Maryland (June 2010), Pete and Shorty's Houston, Texas (January 2010, February 2010 & March 2010) and Joe
Cooper Ford Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (March 2010).
For projects still on the boards in the office....Custom residential beach house in Apalachicola, Florida (ready for permit February 2010), Joe Cooper Tulsa, Oklahoma (ready for permit February 2010) and Pete and Shorty's Willowbrook, Texas (ready for permit January 2010).
And for the projects we are planning to begin in Early 2010....creating a new restaurant concept for Manny Garcia in Lake Mary, Florida, a destination conference / golf resort in Longwood, Florida, a new Splitsville location in St. Petersburg, Florida and Fairview, Texas, a destination Splitsville in the resort area of Orlando, a boutique hotel in Huntsville, Alabama as well as a new restaurant and office complex in Huntsville, Alabama. Beyond those terrific projects we are planning to begin working on some restaurant concept conversions for e-brands in Orlando and Las Vegas, potentially working on a mixed-use urban in-fill project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and helping a local restaurateur here in Orlando, Craig Ustler, slowly transform four of his Orlando restaurant concepts. As you can tell we are seeing signs that the economy is turning around and hopefully we can be at the forefront of the Hospitality Design options for clients throughout the United States.
As a company, we try set the bar for our achievements very high. Our most important goal of 2010 is to remember we too are in the service and Hospitality business. Our clients are looking for great service and accountability for everything we do - we will strive to over-deliver on every project regardless of size, complexity and circumstances. Internally, we have set specialties for some of the firm leaders to concentrate their continuing education and professional development....areas like Green design methods and materials, lighting, cooking and service equipment technology as well as technical/accessibility code trends.
On a personal side, things have been as busy as ever! Karla has been very busy with the Holiday shopping, year end accounting as well as welcoming her Dad to Orlando for the next few months. I am very much looking forward to our 17th wedding anniversary in about 5 weeks! Sinclaire continues to thrive at Trinity Preparatory School and continues her acting ambitions. Hank is also doing well in school and his golf game continues to be something to watch. Now at 7, he can easily beat me and has a terrific tournament record as of late placing 3rd this past weekend in some very cold and windy conditions.
We were pleased to welcome Doug Millar from Pittsburgh down to Orlando this past week - Doug and I met while on the PathNorth trip to London last year - it was great to catch up and spend some time together. Manny Garcia allowed Hank and I to use his courtside seats to the Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics game on Christmas day - it was a terrific day sitting at the end of the Magic bench and interacting with the team - unfortunately our hometown Magic were not victorious. As a family, we spent another New Year's Eve at the Lageschulte penthouse in Ft. Lauderdale - it is now a yearly tradition! We are planning a visit from the Allen's of McLeansboro, Illinois for our yearly trip to the Daytona 500 (I again will be the only one at the entire track rooting for Juan Pablo Montoya). I am planning a visit to Boston, Steamboat Springs and Aspen in the coming months as well. We are looking forward to a spring visit from the Orcutt's prior to their relocation to England this summer - Colonel Orcutt has been granted a command position at an air base about 70 miles outside of London. Lastly, we again sent out the "Maverick Holiday Gift" to everyone that impacted our business in 2009. The Maverick Gift is unlike any that are sent out by any company - something we have fun putting together. This year it consisted of a "feed bucket" full of fun - it included "designer wood grained duct tape", a hammer that also can be used as a beer bottle opener, a farmer's almanac, a sketchbook, a history of architecture book, a book letting everyone know about "the 101 things I learned in Architecture School", a wonderful mechanical pencil and a craft project - "Balloon Architecture". There were a few other surprises in the basket - but our main goal is to really make people smile during the stressful holiday season.
Without further hesitation, the first quote of the year....
"I love to go to Washington - if only to be by my money." , Bob Hope
Have a great New Year,
Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA / NCARB / IIDA
President / Founder
Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC
As we start 2010, we are looking forward to some project openings in the coming months as well as quite a few new project starts that are beginning the drawing stages. We have some goals this year as a company that we will focus on as well.
For the openings we look forward to attending in the first part of 2010....Muvico/Splitsville in Fredericksburg, Virginia (April 2010), MVP Entertainment in Baltimore, Maryland (June 2010), Pete and Shorty's Houston, Texas (January 2010, February 2010 & March 2010) and Joe
Cooper Ford Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (March 2010).
For projects still on the boards in the office....Custom residential beach house in Apalachicola, Florida (ready for permit February 2010), Joe Cooper Tulsa, Oklahoma (ready for permit February 2010) and Pete and Shorty's Willowbrook, Texas (ready for permit January 2010).
And for the projects we are planning to begin in Early 2010....creating a new restaurant concept for Manny Garcia in Lake Mary, Florida, a destination conference / golf resort in Longwood, Florida, a new Splitsville location in St. Petersburg, Florida and Fairview, Texas, a destination Splitsville in the resort area of Orlando, a boutique hotel in Huntsville, Alabama as well as a new restaurant and office complex in Huntsville, Alabama. Beyond those terrific projects we are planning to begin working on some restaurant concept conversions for e-brands in Orlando and Las Vegas, potentially working on a mixed-use urban in-fill project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and helping a local restaurateur here in Orlando, Craig Ustler, slowly transform four of his Orlando restaurant concepts. As you can tell we are seeing signs that the economy is turning around and hopefully we can be at the forefront of the Hospitality Design options for clients throughout the United States.
As a company, we try set the bar for our achievements very high. Our most important goal of 2010 is to remember we too are in the service and Hospitality business. Our clients are looking for great service and accountability for everything we do - we will strive to over-deliver on every project regardless of size, complexity and circumstances. Internally, we have set specialties for some of the firm leaders to concentrate their continuing education and professional development....areas like Green design methods and materials, lighting, cooking and service equipment technology as well as technical/accessibility code trends.
On a personal side, things have been as busy as ever! Karla has been very busy with the Holiday shopping, year end accounting as well as welcoming her Dad to Orlando for the next few months. I am very much looking forward to our 17th wedding anniversary in about 5 weeks! Sinclaire continues to thrive at Trinity Preparatory School and continues her acting ambitions. Hank is also doing well in school and his golf game continues to be something to watch. Now at 7, he can easily beat me and has a terrific tournament record as of late placing 3rd this past weekend in some very cold and windy conditions.
We were pleased to welcome Doug Millar from Pittsburgh down to Orlando this past week - Doug and I met while on the PathNorth trip to London last year - it was great to catch up and spend some time together. Manny Garcia allowed Hank and I to use his courtside seats to the Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics game on Christmas day - it was a terrific day sitting at the end of the Magic bench and interacting with the team - unfortunately our hometown Magic were not victorious. As a family, we spent another New Year's Eve at the Lageschulte penthouse in Ft. Lauderdale - it is now a yearly tradition! We are planning a visit from the Allen's of McLeansboro, Illinois for our yearly trip to the Daytona 500 (I again will be the only one at the entire track rooting for Juan Pablo Montoya). I am planning a visit to Boston, Steamboat Springs and Aspen in the coming months as well. We are looking forward to a spring visit from the Orcutt's prior to their relocation to England this summer - Colonel Orcutt has been granted a command position at an air base about 70 miles outside of London. Lastly, we again sent out the "Maverick Holiday Gift" to everyone that impacted our business in 2009. The Maverick Gift is unlike any that are sent out by any company - something we have fun putting together. This year it consisted of a "feed bucket" full of fun - it included "designer wood grained duct tape", a hammer that also can be used as a beer bottle opener, a farmer's almanac, a sketchbook, a history of architecture book, a book letting everyone know about "the 101 things I learned in Architecture School", a wonderful mechanical pencil and a craft project - "Balloon Architecture". There were a few other surprises in the basket - but our main goal is to really make people smile during the stressful holiday season.
Without further hesitation, the first quote of the year....
"I love to go to Washington - if only to be by my money." , Bob Hope
Have a great New Year,
Raymond R. Schaefer, AIA / NCARB / IIDA
President / Founder
Maverick Architecture & Design, LLC
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