It turns out “Telephone” isn’t just a kid’s game anymore.
The principals are the same for the adult version of the communication phenomenon, where the original sender issues an opinion or a statement. The receiver absorbs the message and retransmits the same message to another receiver, who in turn absorbs the message and retransmits to another receiver and so on.
The conclusion of the game is always a humorous and often unintelligible or nonsensical devolution of the original message, as it gets tweaked and distorted through each receiver.
Ponte Vedra is currently in the middle of a vigorous round of “Telephone” that involves many local restaurant and nightlife establishments.
The original message, and the original source, is unknown, but the rumors that are going around involve the real and imagined closures of Ponte Vedra gastronomic institutions.
The rumors may be starting to impact some local businesses. Recently, Mackenzies Steakhouse and Piano Bar closed. Aromas Cigar and Martini Bar closed as did Ponte Vedra’s Ginger Bistro.
Lumped into the closure pile have been Twisted Martini and Aqua Grill, although both are energetically denying those rumors and are trying to convince the public that, in fact, they’re still open.
Twisted Martini management felt the rumors warranted the purchase of a large banner aggressively reminding Ponte Vedrans along A1A that “We Are Still Open!”
Aqua Grill management sent out a mass e-mail to its newsletter database reminding customers that they’re still open.
Still, Aqua Grill, a cornerstone in Ponte Vedra for more than 20 years, has fielded dozens of phone calls from local residents who either called to give condolences, support or whether or not they’ll be able to come in for dinner.
Pontevedrarecorder.com recently sat down with Aqua Grill restaurant owner Cary Hart and general manager Cary Paige to end the current “Telephone” round:
Cary Paige: As far as these rumors taking on a life of their own, they’re just so unsubstantiated. Our business is thriving and we’re doing extremely well.
Cary Hart: We’ve gotten about 50 responses to our e-mail from people telling us not to go anywhere, that it’s their favorite place and that they don’t want Ponte Vedra stripped of an institution.
This is what people have grown up with over the past 20 years. We’ve become a part of the fabric of this community and we came here to grow with them. We’re continually growing, especially with the addition of two new chefs. We’re not going anywhere.
The bottom line is that people like to talk, which is unfortunate, because it does hurt people’s businesses, reputations, family lives and however else. Aqua Grill is a stronghold in this community and we’ll continue to be a stronghold here and we’re only going to get better.
Cary Paige: We’re hearing the rumors and we’re just as shocked.
Cary Hart: What happens is you and I have a conversation in a steam room and I tell you it looks like Mackenzie’s is closing, the shopping center’s being torn down, Aqua Grill is probably done next and so on. What happens next is that you’re standing around the tennis court and you tell your friend Aqua Grill’s closing. Your friend tells their buddy that Aqua Grill is definitely closing. Their buddy tells their buddy that Aqua Grill is already closed.
It’s important that communities like Ponte Vedra have their own restaurants and not chain restaurants. Ponte Vedra doesn’t want to lose every local restaurant they have. It’s very unfortunate what’s happened to Mackenzies and Aromas.
These current rumors have absolutely zero facts to support it. We count on Ponte Vedra to support us and they do very well.
July 15th 2008 - 11:17AM