Ruckus 2 - New and Improved Scoop

Time passed and we didn't want to be the old creepy people in the bar full of college kids.

Who are the old farts was not something I wanted to hear.

We gradually spent more and more time there at lunch with the Centennial Campus lunch crowd.

They were more our age.

 

Although we missed the excitement of creating events and enjoying time with our guests.

I became restless.

 

The year was 2007 and the country was flush with cash and on a buying spree.

We didn't want to miss the boat and we felt we had more to create - in a different venue for a demographic we had just joined.

DIFK - Dual Income, Four Kids.

Time was passing by and I knew if we didn't get in the game on expanding Ruckus - the opportunity would pass us by.

We discussed it at length - How to improve on what we had at Ruckus 1 and adapt it for the 25-65 demographic.

Everyone loves good food, cold beer, great wine and live music.

It would be just like the parties we had at our house all summer long - except we wouldn't have to clean up.

Bingo!

 

Ryan was also restless and ready for a bigger and better challenge.  He badgered me constantly about a new spot or expanding Ruckus 1 into the nail salon next door.

He also married a great girl Amy and was ready to make the move from college bar to a bigger challenge.

Neither was ever a good opportunity and we needed to make the exact right move.

 

Ashley came home one day in October 2007 and said - "I found the spot."

When Ashley is willing to part with serious cash - I listen.

They were building the new Harris Teeter shopping center at the corner of  Tryon and Walnut.

It was big and expensive and perfect.  We just had to figure out how to fund it.

Couch pillows and the car mats hold an awful lot of change.

 

We went to Ruckus for lunch and picked up Ryan and drove to the CVS parking lot and said - "Do you See it?"

Our new store will be on the end by the trees with a great view and patio.  It's on the back side but it will be perfect.

We dove in head first and started the planning process.

Ryan and I got into the space, opened the cooler and sat in 2 chairs contemplating how to set it up.

Buildings that house Ruckus will speak to you if you listen.

We worked out all the details over 1000 meetings and started construction in January of 2008.   Ryan's presence at the job site often left me wondering was he part of the General Contractor crew or still my partner?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reason the food is so good - we cooked through the entire menu at my house until we got it exactly right.

There was a tasting party every weekend as we tried and tweaked each and every dish.

 

We always cook with wine.  Sometimes it goes in the food.

 

We opened our doors May 5, 2008. It was a good day.