Bar Louie General Manager Landon DuPont is excited about making new friends in Gainesville.
"We like to get into the smaller towns to really make friends with the community because we are a local bar," DuPont said. "We are a major corporation now, but we still make decisions based on our local market and what the community is asking for.
Bar Louie plans to open their 78th store the first week of November at the Promenade at Virginia Gateway.
"We are shooting for the first week in November right out of the gate," he said. "We are hoping for Halloween, but we're not pushing the envelope yet."
Bar Louie, based in Addison, Tx, describes itself as an "eclectic urban bar with warm surroundings;" however, DuPont stresses that the store will have a definite neighborhood bar feel.
"We push for the 'Cheer's' type atmosphere, where people come to come in with their friends, but we're going to introduce them to people and help them make more friends," he said. "We get to know people on a very, very personal level, 'building regulars.'"
DuPont also likes to hire local employees that know residents and the area.
"We try to keep the staff as local as possible," he said. "We're very picky; we like to be local so they can get to the people on more of a personal level," he said.
Furthermore, he expects his staff to facilitate conversations between customers and help them make new acquaintances.
"If someone is sitting alone, we'll introduce them to somebody, he said."They'll find some kind of commonality between the two and strike up a conversation."
For those who frequent the restaurant less for the ambiance and more for the food, DuPont feels customers will be surprised at the selection Bar Louie offers at prices comparable to other restaurants in the area.
"What people don't know is that very well-known for the burgers, we also carry Ahi tuna entrees and Tuscan pasta," he said. "It's not bar food."
Until, 9 p.m., Bar Louie offers an atmosphere that's suitable for families.
"I want everyone to see that Bar Louie is about having a great time with the family," he said. "We are very family friendly until 9 p.m. at night; after 9 p.m., we are 21 and up only."
As the management and staff prepare to move operations to the new building at the Promenade at Virginia Gateway this week, they are exited to open with Regal Virginia Gateway Stadium 14 & RPX.
"We didn't think was going to open for a couple of weeks further out, so when we found out that it was around [Nov. 7], we got really excited," he said.
Residents have been clamoring for new retail options and restaurants ever since the Promenade at Virginia Gateway was formally announced years ago. DuPont anticipates that customers will appreciate that they offer something for everyone.
"We cater to flip-flops and shorts to ball gowns and tuxes," he said. "As excited as everyone is for us to be coming to Gainesville, I want them to really get the full effect [of Bar Louie]; I think between me and my management team, we are going to make it happen."
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