I have been a long time...

I have been a long time regular at Choice and have spent way too much money there. Tonight I went to see a couple of my favs and found out that the very Greedy management mentality that ruined the good dances downstairs that chased some of the best dancers and customers away has struck yet again. For the many years I have been coming here, after 5:30 I always park in the lot next door. Pulled in tonight looking forward to going inside and found out that Choice has now instigated mandatory $8.00 valet parking. That means it's $20.00 gone just to get in the door. I left and will likely never return. That nickel and diming of long term regular customers that have spent lots of money there over the years really blows. That nickel and diming mentality I believe is ultimately caused the demise of 418.

Speaking of which after leaving Choice tonight I thougt I would check out Whispers which is in the old 418 space. I wish I could tell you that was special. Alas the new door decor was nice the cashier/coat check gal very very personable and attractive. Mandatory coat check and one drink policy with 10 spot entry fee. Walked in one dancer on stage (about a 4), no others in sight. Juice etc are the beveridge choices all very very spendy, Bottled water was of the $9.00 dollar variety. Cheapest drink option was diet coke for $6.25. A very nice cute latina bartender was trying hard to be helpful but almost seemed embarassed at the cost of drinks. Just like when it was 418 in the door is a 20 spot. They don't open untill 8:00 with limited week day hours no day shift. I would be surprised if they are open a year.

Choice management is clearly not the least bit concerned about loyal repeat customers. I think they are clueless in what they cost themselves when they changed "the good" downstairs dances and don't understand the great thing they had before those and the valet changes. They had the best repeat business in the Twin Cities, but instead of realizing the value of a strong recurring revenue stream that comes from many loyal repeat customers, they seen to think that nickel and diming existing customers and driving them away is a better business model. Go figure. Oh for the good old days. Sighhhhhhhhh! Because of management mentality I would have rated this 0-1, but for the sake of some special ATF's especially day shift(love you Mina) that now I probably will not see again, as long as they are still there its a 5.