There is good news for lovers of $5 burger baskets. Papa Mike has a new lease that extends through 2019.
The restaurant in the clubhouse at the Kingswood and Berksdale golf courses has been operating for more than 10 years, Dwain Mitchell, financial director of the POA said. The new lease is the same as the old lease, he said.
At one time, all the restaurant space that belonged to the POA was leased to private operators. Since general manager Tom Judson started work, the POA has taken over the other spaces, including the old Yacht Club which is now an event center known as Lakepoint. Next month, the restaurant in the Country Club building is expected to reopen, under POA management as the B.V. Grill.
But Papa Mike's endured when other lessee's failed. Owner Mike Hudgins said he's been successful because he had to be.
"It's my money," he said, "There are no deep pockets behind me."
When he started in Bella Vista, he was already in the middle of a successful career. He had worked for large restaurant corporations and had been self-employed. He had opened restaurants for himself and for employers. One thing he knew was that he had to take care of his employees.
Some of his employees have been with him for 10 years, he said. In the early years, there were weeks when his employees made more money than he did, Hudgins said.
"That gives you a strong sense of urgency," he said.
Another factor in his success is his willingness to listen to customers. When they make suggestions, he listens.
The specials, like the $5 burger baskets on Wednesdays and catfish dinners on Fridays, bring in a lot of people.
"It gets a little crazy here for an hour and a half, but people will come back," he said. "Good food -- that's what people want."
Hudgins won't rule out a new location sometime in the future but, for now, he's not planning on going anywhere.
General News on 02/21/2018