So the local Outback closed without warning this weekend, after losing money for all of the four years it's been here.
But to read this editorial piece from the Greeley Tribune, you'd think it was a tragedy of the-Dodgers-leaving-Brooklyn proportions [emphasis mine]:
Closing of Greeley's Outback was a sad experience
Guest Commentary
July 12, 2007
I'm glad my son, the manager of the Greeley Outback Restaurant, was out of town and didn't have to witness one of the saddest things I've seen.Late Monday afternoon, I had an appointment near the Outback at CenterPlace, 47th Avenue and U.S. 34 Bypass. Here's what I saw driving by from the west: a large yellow moving truck in the parking lot on the west side of the Greeley Outback, people carrying out equipment, loading it in the truck, the benches from the front porch and round tables waiting their turn to be loaded.
OK. Feeling like I was going to cry or throw up or both, I drove by the east side of the restaurant. That did it. There was a signage installation truck parked in that parking lot. Nope, not installing a sign, but removing the large red lighted letters that spell OUTBACK. Whoa!
It was truly the saddest thing I can remember ever seeing. It actually took my breath away.
Waiting for my appointment, there was another girl there. She recognized me as my son's mom, and told me that she "used" to work there at Outback, that she'd spend the better portion of that day looking for a job. She seemed stunned and sad. She was concerned about my son; I thought that was sweet. She was concerned about the "regulars" and how sad they will be. So, except for a few, all are looking for jobs.
So, I went to my appointment and about an hour later came out, and boy that sign guy was quick. No more bright red OUTBACK signs anywhere. As I rounded the west side again, there was a girl on a ladder unscrewing the "To Go Curb Side" parking signs from their poles. By the next morning, no one would ever know that Outback had been there, except all of us! Oh, they left the signature green roof.
Now, I'm the first to acknowledge that this stuff happens, everyday, everywhere -- corporate America all right. I'm just saddened that a great Greeley restaurant is closed. Most will agree that the staff was great, the service was great and obviously, the food was great. We will miss that Bloomin' Onion, the funny coasters, figuring out if you are a "Sheila" and the purple ceiling, just to mention a few things I will miss.
Thank you Greeley Outback for your commitment to this community and your unselfish spirit of giving. Good night and goodbye Greeley Outback -- you did us proud!
Debbie Pilch is a member of the Greeley City Council. She represents Ward IV.
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