Focus on Pacific NW Wine Focus on Pacific NW Wine and Wine Friendly Food, sourced locally and in season!

RiverPlace Esplanade

season!

2 Locations: RiverPlace ( 3years)

Appetizers, Full Entrées

Fabulous Desserts

RiverPlace (~3years)(Downtown Portland)Lake Oswego ( 1 year) Sharing Plates

/ Light EntréesF b l D t !

Owners: Leslie Palmer & Gary KneskiExecutive Chef: Jon Sodini

Fabulous Desserts!

Lake Oswego

Thirst RiverPlaceBeautiful location with Great Traffic in

Thirst Lake OswegoCentrally located in downtown LO but In Great Traffic in

Summer, many tourists – area overall ‘forgotten’ by residents

downtown LO but In ‘unexpected area’ with Signage challengesEconomic downturn forgotten by residents

RiverPlace / South waterfront renewal -population growing but

Economic downturn affecting LO downtown overallCompeting with more population growing, but

going slower than expectedRiverPlace businesses –

Competing with more restaurants than there used to be + BridgeportTrying to find our nicheRiverPlace businesses

getting year-round, classier (Thirst, Spa, Lucier), some still not in

Trying to find our niche

),line with demographic

ThiThirstNo lunch, more entrees. ½ as many people (economy) – record sales!P R !Party Room!Continual menu – never be stagnantQualitative vs. Quantitative marketing

Work with my neighbors! ‘RiverPlace should be #1 downtown destination area for residents and tourists – experiencing one of Portland’s

t i t th Ri f t!most unique assets – the Riverfront!Created casual business association. 4 ‘projects:

Community WebsiteB tif ABeautify Area

New lighting. Longer term, fix sidewalk issues (Bikes), sculpture, plants

Annual Food, Wine & Art Festival,“Wednesdays on the Willamette”

Hired some experts (looked at both locations)!Vi l M h di i C lt t t i fl f h iVisual Merchandising Consultatnt: signage, flow, feng shui

Classed up décor within reason and budget! Trade / Borrow!Outside signage againOutside signage…again

Financial / Business Analyst. Recommended selling LO…Did ‘soul searching’ on the business. Did not want to quit –so inspired me to augment our original business plan. so sp ed e to aug e t ou o g a bus ess p aGiving it 1 full year before I reassess

Getting people in the door! Free Tastings every night! Give LO residents that little extra push to g t G e O es de ts t at tt e e t a pus tocome in. Also helps our ‘to go’ programAppetizers / Sharing Plates / Desserts – embrace that for some we may be before or after dinner!that for some we may be before or after dinner!Staff! Hired the right people for Lake O

Look outside your businessCo-marketing (Spa) / power in numbers (website)

Be able to adapt Look and consider from an Be able to adapt. Look and consider from an outsider’s perspective

Wine Bar for Lunch …Avoid the scarcity mentality! Consider joining or Avoid the scarcity mentality! Consider joining or starting an association with like-businesses. Instead of being continually competitive, ban together! Analyze but don’t overanalyze! Make changes then give yourself time to execute and adapt before re-analyzingContinually revisit all marketing programs and study your competitors and fellow travelersDon’t be afraid to ask for help! Experts in the area p p– not as pricey as you may think. However, always listen to your gut as well!