Lack of business forces Gambino’s to close doors

My husband and I are sad to see them close. We lived in KS and always ate Gambino's. Coming to Columbus we always got our pizza there. They had the best BBQ pizza and White Pizza!! Sad to see it close.

Huh makes you wonder if Little Caesars or Jimmy Johns will last long ? I ate at Gambinos loved their ribs. I hope we can get some new food chains to stick around. They have to keep the pay low to keep their prices low. Man how bad I miss Little King & Blimpies ! Please come back do we really need 3 Subways ???

Another one bites the dust!!

While the food was good, it was overpriced and the staff that was working the last time we were there was terrible--very crabby. It was then that we decided to not go back.

Definitely sad to see this one go. My family had made this our favorite pizza. The pizza was the best in town. Back to Godfathers!

I once heard from a source inside the restaurant that Gambino's was moving in with Nieds Meats. Man alive! Was someone in denial or WHAT?! Said source was also practically dancing in the streets and said "he could make it work" when Village Inn went under. Not so easy after all, is it, bub?

I am really wondering if it was slow business or that maybe their food was well less than par. The first time I ate there it was great but then the second time I found several hairs in my sandwich. Two years later I thought I would try it again and got a salad. I ended up going home from work because I was so sick. When I mentioned this to friends they all had similar experiences. Maybe they need to realize it might not just be a bad economy.

well, when you have an employee who consistantly run "his" mouth, throwing in the company name like it made him above all others it has a tendency to turn people off, and against patronizing the establihment. Doesn't matter how good the food, if the public relations and manner of staff suck,, you're sunk.

I tried to give them business one day. I think it was the day of the BCS National Championship game. I called over one hour before the game and when I called them the person said "I'm the only one here, we arn't doing deliveries tonight". One of the busiesy days of the year and they were not prepared. No sympathy here. I also echo what "seen it comming" as well.

Sales dropped at the end of the year because Josh wouldn't get what we needed in stock. There were many many times I had to turn business away because we were out of something or other, that tends to peeve people after a while. We'd have huge crowds showing up, everyone wanting BBQ and I had to tell them "SORRY, WERE OUT OF RIBS, OR OUT OF BRISKET, OR THIS OR THAT". It got pretty bad, I talked with corporate about it, got on Josh about it several times. Even threatened to quit because I was sick of it happening all the time. Don't get me wrong, I like Josh, but he let the sales dwindle, and for that, I am somewhat upset with him. Another is this "ALLEGED RUMOR" we were moving... alleged rumor? He told each and every employee a few days before we closed that he was relocating to Nieds and that we'd be back up and running again in about a month. He could have been at least honest with us instead of having us go without getting other jobs while waiting to re-open. And another point, as pointed out by "I TRIED" we'd have many times where only 1 person was there. Again, I got onto Strong about it, but nothing.. can't make deliveries with only one person running the store.

I can't honestly say I am sad to see it go. I was looking here and there for another job before hand. I was sick of employees who I would discipline for things like being late, not showing up, and yes being rude to customers, calling Josh up after I can them, just to complain and whine and have Strong feel sorry for them and let them keep working. Think what you want of me shooting off my mouth on these boards, all I'll say is some of our best customers were Telegram forum readers. I'll miss you guys !!

I wanna give a special thanks to Lakeview, Columbus Middle School, K.C. Belitz, and various churches and organizations who have supported us through the years.

Thanks guys, for what it's worth, we were always glad to help you out however we could.

Is this the place freakwars worked?

Their problem was, the pizza was too small. Prices a little high, and it didnt seem to be the same as the gambinos pizza places in other towns.

It all starts at the top and trickles down from there. The food, attitude of employees, cleanliness of the place, it all starts at the top and everything is a reflection of them. Maybe if business was slow he should ask for a bail out? Works for much bigger companies with bad management.

Oh, there's more to owning a franchise then what you might think, see this topic in the forums:

http://columbustelegram.com/shared-content/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1470

Myself I would love to start up something in downtown Columbus, I spoke with the mayor tonight about this and he gave me a few pointers and some contacts. Aside from the snide remarks on here from people who don't like my personal opinion, and try to correlate that with my job, I think Columbus has lots of potential in downtown. Personally, I'm taking a bit of a breather. I've went 4 years without taking a real vacation. I'm kinda enjoying my time off, but after I get over my breather, I am going to seriously consider my alternatives and I might... just might, consider opening up a new place in downtown Columbus made just for the Columbus crowd. I need to do alot of planning and research on this, Mayor Moser was a great help to me. Josh made some serious mistakes which I will never hold against him. He got into the franchise business at a very young and inexperienced age. He was basically told what to do by the so called "EXPERTS" who I blame for running him in the ground. He and his previous partner, Josh Paulson knew NOTHING of Columbus and went by what franchise big shots told them to do. I actually feel bad for Josh, he is now rolling in tons of debt. I think Josh wanted to bail out a long time ago but wasn't sure of what the consequences would be. Hence the reason he started slacking off on getting us supplied correctly. It probably wouldn't have been as bad on him had he not been in a franchise. There are all kinds of things he could look back on and say.. "WELL IF I WOULD HAVE DONE THIS DIFFERENT". I guided Josh through some of it, human resources wise, but then I am just an average Joe myself. Franchise fees, inventory, etc.. you name it, it's not an easy task to throw at someone like Josh and Josh who were in their early 20's when they started Gambinos. For the nay sayers, just take a look at what it takes at getting a franchise going anywhere and tell me if you would take the same risks. The bare minimum I have seen just to get a franchise license, is $25,000 at a minimum.... THAT'S JUST FOR THE FRANCHISE LICENCE... Josh and Josh both sacrificed not only their credit, but borrowed money from friends and relatives to bring Gambinos into Columbus. I spoke with Josh the other day, according to him, he was told all he and the other Josh would need is a small $58,000 investment to get going ($29,000 EACH), this was a lie. They both ended up giving up over $120,000 to get the business running, plus money they had to use on their own personal credit cards to cover advertising, etc... We had talked about opening a business in Columbus and the consequence's, and perhaps I'll be able to help Josh out by buying some of his stuff and going at it myself in downtown Columbus under a different type of brand/service. Josh is a Fremont resident, I am a Columbus resident and have been in the community for years. I know lots of people and am counting on them for support if I do decide to do something in downtown Columbus. Personally, I'd love to bring back Gambino's, but I really don't want to get into a franchise. Perhaps something will come along my way and things will happen, until then, I guess I'm glad that I had an opportunity to serve the public, but it's time to move on.

A few months back we ordered 3 calzones to be delivered for lunch at work and they charged us 38 bucks!! No wonder they went under

Personally, their food wasn't that bad. The prices were a little high unless you had a coupon. I'm glad to see it go, only to one reason on the guy who delivered my pizza over a half hour late one night a year back. He expected me to pay him full price and told me it wasn't his fault. He had another pizza order in the area and didn't want to drive back twice. I told him that was fine if my pizza wasn't cold and he would have called. We got into a verbal match and I didn't take the pizza. This guy, who i'm assuming was the owner (little more stocky in size). I call Gambinos an hour later to have the delivery guy answer and he told me that he owned the place and doesn't like it when customers tell him he's wrong. So, if he is the owner, i got two words for him: GOOD RIDDANCE!! As the sayin goes, "nah nah nah nah.......nah nah nah nah....hey hey hey.........goodbye"

For the record, I did alot of business at that place before the incident. O yea, that guy wanted to talk to me after the Better Business Bureau got my letter....mabey it opened his eyes a little bit!

Eric Clark (see above post)and Phreakwars is the same person.

It is a shame that gambino's is gone, one of the better pizza places around and they had variety! Yes, expensive but that is because everyone in columbus is used to $1 dbl cheeseburges from McDonald's. I think i just gained 5lbs from typing that. This is just the next thing to complain about around here, it's like the viaduct isn't being rebuilt. Again, Columbus loses a business that actually was different from the sub sandwich and oh wait that all there is. Maybe, a check cashing place can serve something, columbus has enough of those as well. As I am typing, i am thinking more and more this town really suxs. Have a good time eating the same crap.

To: seen it coming
You are right on with your comments. You can't work at a business and expect it to prosper when you smack talk like Phreakwars did. (does) I am surprised he wasn't let go long ago. People that read his trash quit going. Why would you want to eat there after reading his opinionated daily diary of what was wrong? I for one was tired of it and the food and prices also. Good luck Little Caesars!

Several months ago we went in with a to-go order of 9-10 and were told that in the future we needed to call a day ahead? That is not good business. So, I told them it wouldn't be a problem and we never went back. Customer Service is Key!

I have to agree with Pizza Boy and seen it coming. Eric... Phreak... "shooting off your mouth on these boards" apparently has costed and will continue to cost you dearly, especially as you look for another job.

Does anyone remember Barney's Pizza? My family used to eat there when I was a kid. That used to be excellent pizza, but eventually the place turned into a dirty, bad place to eat. That's what happens when people don't care anymore.

I work out here East side and where is there to eat Amigos- Quiznos A&W Applebees. Everytime I went to Gambinos during lunchtime- they were always busy. I went there one day on a saturday....dead!! Noone there. I really would like to see another restaurant (no sub places please!) Fazolis comes to mind. Why not have another MCD or BK out here? I mean we already have enough sandwich joints- 3 subways- Quzinos- Doozy's and now Jimmy Johns!!
Oh- I guess there are a couple Chinese places this side of town....
If I had the money I would open another restaurant.. Why dont I get a Stimulus check for that?

CCC,

I can understand why you were frustrated, the guy was in the wrong to try to make u pay full price, however, CCC is a time consuming run to the dorm, if that's where you were at.?. I did have a similar experience with the same guy I believe you were talking about.

Hey Eric- I was just wondering where you were planning on putting in a restaurant downtown? I do not want you to fail, of course, but there have been A LOT of businesses, restuarants included, that have failed, not due the the lack of knowledge or business skills of the owners- there just isnt the right clientele downtown. You have to realize that after 5:00 dwntown is pretty dead.
I wish you the best of luck, and I was just curious on who Mayor Moser told you to contact.

LOL if this really was Phreakwars he always had the most off the wall coments and would disagree with everyone. I guess what goes around comes around ! I guess he lost the war !

I wondered why Phreaky had been silent the last few days but what a relief it was and now it all makes sense.

To SuzQ: Barney's Pizza?? Isnt that where that Chinese place is now...you know right across the street from the old Walgreens? I do remember that! Sax's pizza bought that. They had a game room in the back- and my parents always made sure they had enough quarters for my brother and me!!
Thanks! Now I feel old!!

Marwie- Now that you mention it, thinking about Barney's does make me feel old. The memory is pretty fuzzy.

To Eric:

Trust me, you won't be able to open up a place in downtown and make a go of it. There's nobody there after 5:00pm,
there's not a good location for parking, the economy is too tight, and unless you learn to revamp your on-line antics, you'll be out of luck and applying for food stamps. You sure did "talk the talk" when it came to Gambino's. I would suggest that you save your money and get a real job!

Phreakwars for the most part tells it like it is. gambinos is closed because he was running his mouth, you guys are way out there on that one. most of you have no idea what it takes. ever look into what rent is at our mall a month. $6500.00 i know that for a fact, so who knows what they were paying. the small bussiness im part of cost about 8k a month and we dont have employers. like ive always said, this country will do everything they can to make you fail.

I agree with everybody else that says Eric could only run his mouth for a little while and then people would not go to this place. I don't feel sorry for you at all and I hope you don't find another job. You are rude and your big fat mouth cost you the business. I must have told 100 people not to eat there because of how racist you are! Grow up and deal w/ diversity, it's here so deal w/ it. Later!

I've always said,, give someone enough rope,and they'll hang themselves.
Looks like we have a swinger.

If you think you feel old remembering Sax's Pizza how about if you remember when it was Pizza Inn. In fact I thought the progression was
Pizza Inn
Barney's Pizza
Sax's Pizza
Chinese Joint

Hmm, out of business because I give an opinion online people didn't agree with... interesting... and the funniest line "revamp your on-line antics". You mean change my personal opinions and turn into a white guy who hates Hispanics, blames them for the country failing and believe I am superior to everyone else? Or was there something else? You'll have to show me a post by me where I have ever been racist, or took a cheap shot at an individual. Such encouraging words from mean spirited people.

Now to feel really old (and I gotta go way back on this):

Daylight Donut is the location of the old Dogs & Suds and Runza Hut is the location of the old A & W Drive Inn.

The small strip mall across from Wendy's is where the SnowTop Drive Inn was.

How about this one:
The location and building of Godfathers Pizza is where Billies Cafe was located.

The corner of 23rd ave & 23rd street (east of Maynards) (not sure what business is in there now) was the location of the Zesto restaurant.

The Auto Parts store located across the street east of the Holiday gas station was where Kings Resturant was located.

As another business owner in Columbus, I am sad to see this. It is a really tough time for businesses with people getting layed off or hours reduced right and left. Those of us in retail are hanging on by a thread and not because we have been irresposible in the way we operate our business, nor have we been not customer service focused. We try to provide a good product at a good price with excellent service. The big guys like HyVee and Walmart have market power and we try our best to compete, to employ people and keep the money spent in our store in our town. But it is hard when they can buy their goods to resell at half the price we can. There are studies that show that 90% of the money made in a locally owned business stays in town, and only 40% of a "chain" type business stays in town. So, shop locally if you can. I know spending a few more pennies for a product is hard in this economy, but you will also be contributing to the long-term health of your community.

Hang in there phreak, the cowards are just trying to pile on while they can. They couldn't win an argument,so they'll kick you when you're down. Real classy.

Downtown has some really good and successful restaurants. Grandma's Kitchen and the Picket Fence have been going for over 20 years. Duster's and El Tapatio aren't far behind in longevity. I think all four were in business long before the build up on the East side of town. If you make good food, people will eat at your restaurant wherever it is located. If your food is shaken out of a plastic bag and thrown into the microwave and heated up, you might not be so successful.

Freaky dude, you have my condolences for losing your job but man, you don't aire other peoples laundry on a public blogg. I know if I knew you (which I do not) I would be very leary of telling you any of my personal information because you may just post it on a public bulliton board. I am very surprised the gatekeeper let those posts go on. I hope you find another job but any future employer may be leary of hiring you for sake of you posting cardnal knowledge of the business on these stupid boards.

I agree 100%. I also believe business' like Walmart are nothing but a black hole that local money drains into and never comes back. As they surely do not pay anything in wages or benefits. People need to know that Walmart's do nothing but hurt the overall economy in general since they represent 20%+ of the entire trade deficit to China.

Phreakwars, I wish you best. For the most part, I think you are a decent guy. I respect anyone who stands up for their beliefs, and I appreciated your post regarding the effects of drinking in your family.

You should rethink the constant barrage of insults on the same people who's business you seek. Without a doubt, it contributed. Imagine Ernie Chambers moving his barbershop here.

While I didn't always agree with phreakwars I will admit that his comments were thought out and articulate. I can't not like someone for his opinions. He didn't force them on me. It's always nice to have someone intelligent to debate with. Good luck in the future!

Although I frequently don't agree with what he says, I have a lot of respect for Eric (Phreak) since he is honest enough to state his opinions and fearless enough to do it without hiding behind a moniker.

I guess I have made the Telegram mad enough that you will not post anything I say. It is pretty sad to see people who call yourselves journalist to cower away from honest facts!

This is a really wierd story to get so much attention. I guess people in this town are just hard up for news. Telegram staff, look at the two stories in your nebr. section. I know you are scared to talk about illegal immigration but do'nt you think true journalist would at least want to talk about a serious issue currently debated in the state Leg.?

Here we go again, back to the subject of "hiding" behind a moniker. Yes these forums are for one and all to make comments and state ones believes and opinions while keeping some anementy.
What appears to be the focal point here, is the fact that some individuals have a tendency to take it way pass an acceptable limit.
True, one does not have to read the rants or postings, but being humans we will.
There are limits as to how far you can ram your opinions and beliefs down anothers throat. Especially if one works with the general public, and you depend on them for your livlihood.
One does not like the fact that we have to kiss the proverbial a** of the public, but if they can make or break you,, you damn*d well better be puckering up.
I too wish the best for all Gambino employees.
Guess this will just be one of those stepping stones in life, and a learning experience as well.

How ironic, a small business owner spouts out his racist remarks and the business shuts down. Now I know those remarks didnt have everything to do with it, but I only tried out the place once before I knew who this hateful person was. Didnt have a good experience. The customer service was some of the worst I seen and had everything out of stock.

Then yet he posts negativity to think he has the upper hand and wants to open another business. Guess what, they didnt support you now and wont support you then.

Guess you should have thought that one out better.

To SUZQ: I remember Barney's. It was awesome. My uncle used to work there, and to this day, he still makes the same recipe for their taco pizza. It's so good. Maybe he should move back to Columbus and open a pizza place.

Eric,

I don't know you, but grew up in Columbus and now live (far) out of state. I often come to these boards for fun and to see what's "going on" back in C-bus. I did not know you post under Phreakwars but have ALWAYS wanted to know who PW was due to the fact that your posts are consistently the most concise, well-thought out, honest, intelligent ones of the bunch. Now, after reading of your experience at this business and your insight, I am stunned by the fact that there are posters on here disparaging you.

You sound as if you truly have "what it takes" to make a business work in C-bus, which is no small feat with the type of demographic we are talking about here. Bravo, keep the posts coming, stir it up, and down with the haters.