Vic’s: coming and going
We knew it wasn’t just us.
First, the facts: Vic’s is opening two new stores. The “coming soon” sign has been up on Table Mesa for quite a while and another author here even posted about it on April 1. The second shop is open in western Longmont (Nelson and Airport Rd), and I just happened to visit a shop next door a few days ago, so stopped in. It was bone-dry empty at 3pm, but business might pick up once people know about it. It has only been open a couple of weeks.
But, beyond the facts? Today the Daily Camera wrote about the two new shops and the interesting news isn’t in the story, but in the comments on the story. Here’s the first, and fits our observations to a T:
That is unfortunate. I cringe every time I pass a Vic’s.
When I was pregnant and ill, studying for exams at Vic’s on Broadway, it was all I could do to sit upright in the chair without feeling like vomiting. I sank back in my chair, sipped my coffee, tried to eat small bites of a muffin, studying – when a greying, balding, pudgy man began verbally assaulting me about my feet (shoes removed…socks only) being on one of the chairs. I was shocked by this and could not understand what kind of a person would yell at a pregnant lady for trying to study in a position that afforded her a bit more comfort and a bit less nausea. Well, after this rude man actually went so far to pull the chair out from under my feet, he told me he was the owner… THIS WAS VIC HIMSELF. I have never been treated so poorly, so aggressively in a public establishment.
I think all Vic’s patrons should be made aware of this.
All I could do at the time was gather my books and leave, and burst into tears once I got to my car. No one deserves to be treated like that. I hope no one else ever has to bear the brunt of such behavior.
Well, we only had that experience with Mike at the downtown Vic’s once or twice or 300 times. Here’s the second comment:
He is a total jerk – he went off on my wife and her friend one day for having their strollers in the way when they were sitting at a table with kids. Maybe he hates kids? We won’t go in there either.
And another:
Yes, this has been Mike’s personality (rude, arrogant) since his Trident days. He has a particular fetish for feet anywhere near a chair. It’s no surprise that, with few exceptions, and for many years on end, the employees consistently display a similar immature snottiness.
One incredible exception: the red-haired dude with the hat and the tattoos. One of the nicest guys ever. WHAT are you doing working for Mike and Rob? You must laugh your butt off everyday at your coworker’s and boss’s attitudes.
And we could go on and on…..
He yelled at my wife and her friend too and actually started to move the stroller with the baby in it, and none too gently. The other people that work there (Community Plaza Vic’s) always seemed to be very nice. We don’t go there anymore. There’s plenty of good coffee in this town, no need to go to Vic’s.
So there it is. Mike’s a prick, pisses off everybody, yet…. the Newlands groupies still love his swill and people vote with their dollars. Good luck to ya’.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes…
So Vic’s downtown didn’t make it, but they’re taking another shot in South Boulder. At Table Mesa and Tantra Vic’s is looking to open a sister shop to it’s wildly successful flagship at Ideal Market. We certainly ranted our fair share about Vic’s downtown and it was bittersweet to see them go. And yet we’ve raved about Vic’s at Ideal (ok, one of us has? others on this blog have bashed; i like Vic’s Ideal for the record). They’ve got the right formula and I admittedly dig the Newlands vibe. We’ll see what Vic’s SoBo unveils, but if Vic’s stature in the community is any indication, the new shop will be worth a visit.