‘Gurble, gurble, gurble, party of four.?
Sound familiar?
That’s a restaurant hostess letting you know that your table is ready, using one of those pesky intercom systems.
We’ve all heard them before. But the annoying jibberish is no more at downtown Lake Orion’s Sagebrush Cantina.
Instead, you’ll be handed a pager that lets you know when your table is ready. And, while you’re waiting, you might even stop by some other local businesses.
It’s all part of a Downtown Development Authority initiative started by board chair and Economic Restructuring Committee member Dick Hassberger, and it’s getting some national recognition.
‘One of our concerns on the ERC was to make sure the promotions of the DDA were working at full capacity,? Hassberger said. ‘You can get people into a downtown, but what do you do when you get them there??
The pager system is nothing new, but it’s somewhat unique for a downtown of Lake Orion’s size and, on a national level, shows cooperation between the DDA and its businesses.
‘It’s something that a lot of major chains use,? Hassberger noted. ‘It frees up the restaurateur’s space and cuts down on that annoying PA system.?
‘The Sagebrush is to Lake Orion as the anchor stores are to the big malls,? he added, saying it was a natural connection.
While some might think the Sagebrush benefits the most from the pager program, Hassberger said that’s not exactly the case.
‘Actually, it was the other way around,? he noted, saying it allows restaurant goers to explore the downtown and could actually take away from bar business.
‘The other merchants were behind it 100-percent,? he said.
Sagebrush owner Dia Zaraga said he hasn’t seen a significant drop-off in business as a result of the pager, adding it makes life easier for both the customers and his staff.
‘I think it’s a lot more convenient for our guests and that’s the important thing,? he said. ‘And our hostesses like them too because they don’t have to use an intercom system anymore.?
Zaraga said the pagers are so well used he’s taken it upon himself to order more.
‘It says something about how hard our DDA is working to make the downtown better,? he said. ‘I think it’s a great thing and they deserve a lot of credit.?
Hassberger deflected any kudos to the ERC.
‘The credit goes to the committee for getting this thing done,? he said.
DDA Director Lois Golden gave credit to both Hassberger’s committee and Zaraga’s generosity for making it all happen, calling the pager system a true ‘pooling of resources.?
At the end of the month, the program will be on display on a national level.
‘Kathy LaPlante came in to do our national audit and we went to the Sagebrush for lunch,? Hassberger said, noting LaPlante, from the National Main Street program, saw the pager system in operation and then asked the DDA to present at the national conference.
The National Main Street conference will be held in Philadelphia from March 30-April 1, though when Hassberger and the DDA present within the conference is still unclear.