Donkey Diner for sale , $50k?

[bdkane]

Just trolling around FB and thought some here may find this interesting.... I noticed a post from the current owner of DD, they state the Donkey Diner is closed for good and for $50K, they walk away from it... probably a good investment for the right person?

SOMEBODY SAVE THE DONKEY DINER

https://www.facebook.com/DonkeyDiner

[News of St. John]

That's very interesting. I've heard rumblings that this will be a tricky sale. I've heard, and this may or may not be the case, that the owner was attempting to sell the branding rights only, which is why no one has bitten yet. The MLS still lists it at $239k. It states that there is new equipment, inventory, etc. but it doesn't indicate if that is included in the price. Like you, I'd love to see the Donkey Diner open again with owners who understand the island and care about the product.

[WilliM]

We can only hope. Love Pickles, miss DD.

[equineannie]

Running any business, especially a restaurant, on St John is hard. You have to make enough, in the high season, to a carry you and if you close, you better keep paying your employees or you will have to train a whole new crew. I have also heard some conflicting comments about this sale. Tread carefully, would be buyers, and ask around the island to other business owners about this opportunity.

[metalmaho]

If what is said is true about just buying the brand is true, I would say no thank you. I would start fresh and walk away from the name because no one has been happy running it. Make your own brand and do your own food. They will come. Pickles is doing Chicago-Style pizza, soon, one night a week.

[wanackmamak]

Personally, I never liked the Donkey Diner. The concept was appealing, but the food was always mediocre at best and the building is kind of a dump. Not sure why it was so popular?

Why doesn't anything ever last for long in that vicinity? Sputnik and the last restaurant located there never made it. I do really miss the video rental store in the building further down the road.

Perhaps the shadow cast by Skinny Legs, (another place I don't like), is just too large for anything else to flourish nearby.That area seems to have some sort of jinx to it. Even the school is closed now.

We had a great night several years ago when Inner Visions played on the patio, but I think it's probably best as a souvenir shop.

[iheartsj]

Dear wanackmamak: The school is NOT closed. I know that for a fact because I live in Coral Bay.

The Donkey Diner had transitioned through 3 owners successfully. The 4th owner let it run into the ground by not being present and hiring bad managers. The DD previously survived the off season with a loyal following of locals. Personally, I loved eating there. The current owner's manager drove off the locals by shooting the chickens that strolled around the back yard. He was dumb enough to bring his gun out while customers were sitting there.

There a lots of island rumors about the DD, which I don't know are true are not--- I heard the equipment was stolen by employees who did not get paid, that the manager was stealing from the owner, etc etc.

If you are interested in purchasing this restaurant, be sure to check it out in person and be ready to spend your time on island managing it.

[wanackmamak]

ihearts,
Glad to hear that the school is not closed, I stand corrected. When we were there last spring, it was quiet the whole time and I had heard that it was closed.

Shooting chickens in the yard? No wonder they didn't make it.

[GotToGetAway]

I have such nice memories of DD from back in 2006 during our stay in Coral Bay. I remember getting excited about pizza night, only for it to be on a different day, then feeling crushed. I haven't been back since, so I kept wondering WHY this wonderful place wouldn't be swooped up in an flash by some excited new owners. I guess I now know why. So sad.