Retrofit of Old Town Elk Grove's Slow and Low into Horn Barbecue ain't moving too fast!
Typically, a restaurant failure is not big news. But this was no ordinary restaurant.
Old Town's Slow and Low restaurant was one highly promoted project supported by the city of Elk Grove's economic development department that splattered like a cream pie in their face. Operated by noted restauranteur David Hargis, the establishment closed in December after only six months of operation.
Typically, a restaurant failure is not big news. But this was no ordinary restaurant.
Aside from benefitting from substantial hype for the Elk Grove mayor, city council, and public relations machine, taxpayers unwittingly got involved. Thanks to Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and the city's economic development guru Darrell Doan, Slow and Low received a $500,000 loan guarantee.
After the highly visible closing and assurances from Elk Grove city manager Jason Behrmann that Hargis would not default as the loan was supposedly collateralized, the establishment created another whirlwind of media attention. After Hargis threw in the towel, he announced Matthew Horm of Bay Area's Horn Barbecue would take over the restaurant.
That was in early January. Since then, Horn has suggested in social media posts he would reopen the restaurant sometime in February. A visit to the restaurant on February 4 showed no signs of activity to retrofit the establishment.
The Slow and Low lighted sign is on, but there are no signs in the front window saying "coming soon," much less information about the most crucial aspect of opening a new restaurant: recruiting new personnel.
According to Landed.com, which specializes in hourly employee recruitment, restaurant operators should allow three to four weeks alone for new staff training. This does not include recruitment and screening, which add at least a week.
Additionally, we found no online recruitment for Horn's Elk Grove restaurant. The Horn website lists a Sacramento location but does not include hiring information.
Landed advises, "Working backward from your anticipated store opening day, you'll want to begin hiring 3-5 weeks out from your anticipated training date."
Given that February is the shortest month of the year and the clock is ticking, given industry norms and sound business practices, Horm will unlikely meet its February target opening date.
