Lots of people have been downright incredulous about the fact that we close at four and aren't planning to be open nights any time soon. The conversation usually goes like this:

Customer: "Hey, what's up with you guys not being open at night?"

Me: "Yeah, we close at four everyday."

C: "Oh, but that's just temporary, right? You guys will eventually stay open later?"

M: "Nope. Four pm."

C: "What?? Why?"


And so it goes. I feel bad disappointing so many people, but....



here's why:


Life's too short for me not to spend some quality time with my wife and kids. I've spent a good part of the last 15 years in kitchens working long hours and 6-7 day weeks, and I'm at a point in my life where I need a decent balance between work/personal time. Being closed at night means that I get to read to my kids almost every night.

8 comments

1. Felicity P. on October 26, 2009 at 4:53 PM

   It's nice to see SOMEONE who gets that life is about a whole bunch of things ... some bring us money, some bring us pride, some bring us love and support. It's a balance.

    
2. Anonymous on October 27, 2009 at 1:13 PM

   how about training a trustworthy night-time manager? Once the cooks are settled in...

    
3. Anonymous on October 27, 2009 at 2:31 PM

   You should take it as a compliment that people want your burgers day and night.

    
4. Felicity P. on October 28, 2009 at 1:08 PM

   It is complementary and good, but everything doesn't need to be the biggest, most available ... perpetually striving for more.
   
   Enough is good.

    
5. art and chel on October 29, 2009 at 4:06 PM

   Good for you. It's your business and you know what you need to take home at the end of the day.
   
   Curious...what's holding you back from taking on or training someone to keep the shop open for a few more hours? I know that would be tough for someone like myself because I would want to maintain control of the operation from open to close. If that means closing at a time that is convenient for me and my family then so be it.
   
   But if you found the RIGHT person to run those extra 15, 18 or 21 additional hours per week...well, I'm not telling you anything you probably haven't already thought of.
   
   Can't wait to get up there sometime.

    
6. James on October 30, 2009 at 5:28 PM

   No 19 hour days? Hmm. I knew I was going wrong somewhere.

    
7. Mary on November 2, 2009 at 1:49 PM

   If Hot Doug's can do it, so can Edzo's!

    
8. Anonymous on April 21, 2010 at 9:08 PM

   Dude, ya gotta learn to DELEGATE! There's no need for you to personally cook my burger. haha
   
   Hire someone to do the night shift. The kids at NU will be there every night trying to avoid the dorm food. You'll make a fortune!