Bombay Going out of Business

I was surprised to see Bombay holding a going out of business sale in the village this week. Actually, I wasn't too surprised. I didn't really know anyone who shopped there. The store seemed to have cool items but I don't know if cool was enough to fill people's homes. Anyways, I stopped in and asked an employee what was going on. The employee said that the entire company went under so this is not a uniquely Birkdale event. I went to the website which has been discontinued and then I went to a business news site where the last update was that the Bombay Company had secured $10 Million in financing at the end of September. Apparently, that was not enough and so this month they are going out of business. It must stink to be the Bombay company founder. Seeing the company that he/she created and expanded fall apart. On the other hand, now that it is a publicly traded company, he/she probably cashed out a significant chunk of wealth at the time of the IPO. Anyways, bankruptcy is a neccessary evil for our market economy.
I think that this might be a good thing in the long run because that is a prime location that could draw additional shopping traffic to Birkdale. Was Bombay a destination store? I was thinking that it would be a great location for a Panera Bread. It has a great outdoor setting between Banana Republic and what is now Bombay. Unfortunately, I don't have the $7.5 million net worth required to startup a Panera Franchise. Seriously though, we're considering a New Style Bakery/Deli somewhere in the village. I wonder if it would work in that location. Anyone for good bagels? Italian Bread?

Any other ideas for what would be a good fit in the Bombay location?

Bank of America 500

We also went to the Bank of America 500 this past weekend at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. We had great seats on row 7 between turns 1 and 4. I'm not a NASCAR fan but it was a lot of fun to be so close to the race track. At one point we got splattered with oil form a wreck right in front of us. I know that someone reading this is thinking, how scary. But it is exhilarating to have the cars going past at 180 MPH so close together. The fans are protected by a mesh fence that is about 20 feet high and hangs over the track. We paid $85 (really $95 after the fees) but the seats were well worth it.

We left for the race at about 4 PM and after about an hour of traffic to actually get a parking space, we walked about a mile to the stadium. It was a beautiful day and the traffic was not as bad as I expected. Lowe's Motor Speedway sits 220,000 people. That is not a typo! 220,000 people is a lot of people. Its crazy how people park everywhere and anywhere to include the medians and shoulders of the primary roads.

Once we got there, we checked out the experience booths outside the stadium. I got shaved with a Gillette razor, we checked out the Dell plasma, got free toilet paper (no idea why), looked at the Jack Daniels tent, and so on. If you go to the All Star Race (May), the Coca Cola Race (May), or the Bank of America Race (October), go early in the day to experience the whole carnival like atmosphere. Its amazing how many locals come out for this event too!

Carolina Renaissance Festival

We went to the Carolina Renaissance Festival this weekend. What a cool place. I was pleasantly surprised by how much stuff they have going on. It really is geared toward kids and I am looking forward to our son being old enough in a few years to really enjoy the place. It is amazing that the organizers are able to get that many characters and actors in once place to make the whole event neat.

We tried the crepes, the king size turkey legs, and the bakery near the entrance. The town drunk was funny and the tree (like a character from lord of the rings) was great. We all though the tomato insulter was the best. Basically, you pay a few dollars to throw tomatoes at a guy hanging out of a wall while he hurls insults at you. Its harder than it looks and the guy in the wall was hilarious. He tortured this poor soccer mom.

Anyways, if you get the chance, definitely go to the Renaissance festival. The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 10-stage theater, a 20-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure! It is on Poplar Tent Road between Huntersville and Concord, just North of Charlotte. It is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM and it runs on weekends through the middle of November.

NYTimes Article: 36 Hours in Asheville

I saw this while reading the NYTimes today. Its one of the New York Times 36 hour travel guides. These guides are great for getting the gist of what to do when visiting a city. I know that I just published a blog about Biltmore a few days ago but I though this article was cool enough to point out on its own. I've actually only been to Biltmore and not to the city of Asheville itself. I hear good things though. Here's an excerpt of what the New York Times had to say:

Asheville is an Appalachian Shangri-La. This year-round resort town, tucked between the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, draws a funky mix of New Agers, fleece-clad mountain bikers, antiques lovers and old-time farmers. And what's there not to like? Charming yet surprisingly cosmopolitan for a town of about 73,000, Asheville has a Southern appeal all its own. There are lazy cafes and buzzing bistros, Art Deco skyscrapers and arcades reminiscent of Paris, kayaking and biodiesel cooperatives and one of the world's largest private homes — the Biltmore Estate, a French Renaissance-style mansion with 250 rooms. No wonder so many locals first
started out as tourists.

Check out the Asheville article at the following Link.

Charlotte's Oktoberfest

We attended the Charlotte Oktoberfest at the Metrolina yesterday. The event sold out two weeks in advance. At $30/ticket I find that quite amazing. There's definitely plenty of room to expand within the Mertolina complex as the actual beer stands only used up about 2/3rds of the space.

It was an interesting event but definitely not like the Oktoberfest in Munich. Although it was a great way to try new beers. I found the Highland Brewing Company and the Spaten beers were my favorite. There were over 350 beers at the event and all were free (in shot glass amounts) after the price of admission. What's cool is that no one seemed to get too drunk or rowdy. I hate drunken tough guys.

The weather was a perfect mid-70s and it was just a great day to be outside or even inside the beer serving buildings (But thise did get a little warm with the crowds. Its a shame that there wasn't a seated area and an Ompah band like the German Oktoberfest.

All in all it was a good event (Like the Walmart of wine tastings only for beer).

A Drought's Upside and Downside

What a beautiful September we're having! I don't think it has rained for more than an hour the entire month. Who can argue with temperatures in the mid-70s? In case you are reading this and don't live in the Charlotte area, we are in the middle of the worst drought in about 50 years and possibly the worst drought in recorded history. The drought is seriously affecting the lawns and agriculture but otherwise it has also brought day after day or perfect weather.

I visited a friends house on Lake Norman yesterday and what was previously lake in front of his now grounded boat dock, is an island. Its amazing how high the island rises in front of his place! The best benefit of this new formed island is that the geese seemed to enjoy the island over my friends lake side grass.

I wonder if this drought is a product of global warming or if it is part of the natural cycle of weather on planet earth? What do you think, is this global warming or is this just the natural cycle?

I will say that at this point people might actually enjoy the rain if it comes?

Biltmore Estate Wine

We're drinking a bottle of Biltmore Century Red Wine tonight. We actually bought the bottle on a trip to Asheville and Biltmore estates over a year ago. The Biltmore Estate is a great place to visit. Its the closest to a European castle that American has. Its not really a castle but the largest house in America. I highly recommend the land tour if you go to visit. It is very cool to see the Engineering accomplishments of the 1880s.

Anyways, the wine is good. We actually opened the bottle last night and I though that it was too bitter. But after a night of air out, it tastes great tonight. Visit Biltmore if you get the chance.