Country style, city-style

Our City Hall is going Country.

Yesterday, news broke that Country Style has won the bid to be the new food provider in City Hall. Read the story here.

Turns out that Tim Hortons didn't even submit a bid - even though Councillor Lloyd Ferguson, chair of the  city hall renovations committee, has been very public about his desire to see a Tims in the Hall. Here's the full text of an email I recieved from Tim Horton's spokesperson Nick Javor explaining why they didn't throw their hat into the ring:

"Unfortunately we had an internal communication breakdown which did not allow us to submit a bid package for the new City Hall food service opportunity.We regret that this has happened.  We will continue to serve Hamilton proudly, as we have been since 1964".

I've heard the Country Style going in to City Hall is going to be an bistro-deli cafe, similar to the one in Jackson Square. I'll have to have lunch there this week and see how their coffee and sandwiches measure up.

What do you think about Country Style going into City Hall?

Comments

[L. Murdoch]

It figures Hamilton's downtown would get a Country Style instead of a Starbucks, Timothy's, or at least a Tim Hortons. And in its City Hall.
Let's just advertise we're country style.
Maybe the bistro image will help, but it still smacks of small town mentality.

[kevv]

Country Style is way better tha tim's better coffee and food.
its time to get rid of hamilton's image of #1 hortins city accross canada
hamilton councilors act like small town so its fitting.

[Michelle Hruschka]

Is not Country Style Canadian owed and operated, not like the other two who are US owed.

[Rene Gauthier]

Tenders were called for, submitted and approved. It's a legitimate process. What more do we need to know?

[ed]

Whether we have a Hortons or Country Style, it seems like a nice gift taxpayers have provided for councillors at cityhall, say thankyou.
I hear they've all applied for their "get coffee free" card.
say thankyou again!!

[Cal DiFalco]

I agree with Rene. As long as the process was competitive and the process was followed, I don't see the problem with the outcome.

Cal DiFalco
thehamiltonian.net

[hab]

I heard from an internal City hall employee, who was very close to the bid process that Tim Hortons were fully aware of the situation. The city requested base rent and percentage of revenues. Tim officers refused to pay the base rent. Their argument was they're offering service to the city employees.
Country Style are paying rent and sales percentage. This is what Mr. Ferguson reffered to as $450,000 to $500,000 revenues over 10 years.

[kathy hagan]

Perhaps the staff who were displaced by closing down the old cafe {with the great view} will apply to work in this coffee and donut type hovel.

[Robbie]

It's going to be a tough go trying to make a profit out of this cafe. Horton's did not want any part in a losing operation. They didn't bid because they knew they couldn't make money.

[frs]

This is such a non-issue. Proper process has been followed, those that wanted to bid were allowed to bid. I don't think it is appropriate to disrespect Country Style. They have excellent product with very good customer service

[Ward 2 Resident]

I agree with frs. I enjoy a fresh muffin and cold milk in the morning from Country Style. Great product and service. I look forward to going there as I live in Ward 2.

[Markalanwhittle]

That coffee cup picture says it all, lol, no wonder I'm laughing out loud. There's only one kind of Tim Horton's coffee, just like Country Style. Yawn.