My niece has worked there for a couple of years, so it sucks for all involved. She's obviously looking for a new job now.

I haven't seen a gfm but Rusty has posted several of the staff cash app/Venmo on his page.

They posted a gofundme on their Facebook page this morning.

https://gofund.me/b98e145c

Insurance?

They have it but it's going to be a while before they see a payment and it's unlikely to cover 100% of rebuild.

trouble said:

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They have it but it's going to be a while before they see a payment and it's unlikely to cover 100% of rebuild.

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Yep, I suspect it will be months and months before there is any settlement with both the Lair's business insurance company and also with the property owner's insurance. Hopefully they had Business Interruption Insurance.

I bet they will be lucky to reopen in 2025.

EBrazosAg said:

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If they don't have significant business interruption insurance it is unlikely they rebuild or reopen. Loss of cash flow is the death of any business that doesn't have a golden backstop- like a hospital or university or government.

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Only about 10% of businesses have any Business Interruption Insurance coverage.

In the case of HW, the property owner may not opt to rebuild.

This is tragic news. First, hope nobody was injured. Second, I hope Harvey Washbangers can rebuild.

That was kinda my point. Business interruption coverage is expensive. Until it's not.

scd88 said:

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Chicken Oil, Smitty K's, Harvey Washbangers....

Brutal.

Outside of the intentional donut shop one, am I missing anything?

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If you go back far enough, the Whataburger on Dominik burnt to the ground in 1981

Who owns the building?
Easy for me to say, but the proprietors of Harvey Washbangers should look at the Ozona property.

maroon barchetta said:

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Where is there room for a washateria at Ozona?

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That's the main problem. Plumbing and vents.

maroon barchetta said:

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Where is there room for a washateria at Ozona?

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The Ozona building is way bigger than HWB was and with ample opportunity to place make for HWB. Question is, could the HWB model afford the rent?? Willing to bet the former ozona rent is 30-50% higher than the former HWB. The owner of the Ozona property is well capitalized and under no duress to force a deal, so the rent will be ample.

Mazzio had the same concerns.

If there is a go fund me page, more info is needed. What is the dollar amount of the insurance payout? What are the re-building costs?

I would be more apt to donate if I knew more information.

It's probably for the staff.

OK, that would be a worthy effort.

trouble said:

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They are expecting about $150k gap between insurance and actual rebuild costs.

They are planning some pop up events to raise funds as well.

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Since HW doesn't own the building I would want to know if the real property owner is going to rebuild before I would donate to a rebuild of the business. If the donatiions go to help the employees that would be great.

Buidling owner.

Owner ID:
259038
Name:
MCCRORY INVESTMENTS I LLC
Agent:
BRIAN M STEPHEN
Mailing Address:
11714 TIMBERKNOLL ST
HOUSTON, TX 77024-6305
% Ownership:
100.0%

Absolutely

scd88 said:

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maroon barchetta said:

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Where is there room for a washateria at Ozona?

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That's the main problem. Plumbing and vents.

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Maybe College Station was a different place in 1998, but I imagine permits to renovate for heavy-duty washing machines/drying machines these days would make moving into a new restaurant space impractical.

I keep seeing the reference to 1998, was that the year the family bought the business, or the year it opened?

I moved here in 1996 and my first apartment was a couple blocks behind there at Anderson and Park Place. I distinctly remember going there to wash clothes and drink beer within the first few weeks of moving here when the laundry room at my apartment building was shut down for some reason. It stuck with me because of my amusement that a bar was attached to a washeteria.

I guess it could be a case of misremembering.

Belton Ag said:

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I keep seeing the reference to 1998, was that the year the family bought the business, or the year it opened?

I moved here in 1996 and my first apartment was a couple blocks behind there at Anderson and Park Place. I distinctly remember going there to wash clothes and drink beer within the first few weeks of moving here when the laundry room at my apartment building was shut down for some reason. It stuck with me because of my amusement that a bar was attached to a washeteria.

I guess it could be a case of misremembering.

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It opened in 1998. Tax records and newspaper archives support this. There was an Early Bird Cleaners and Aggieland Printing in a small building next to El Chico; this building was demolished for H-E-B (both moved to a new building in H-E-B's parking lot, though both have since closed).

I know that some people like to claim a business was "founded" when they bought it (and no, despite the film, McDonald's is not the most notorious example) but Harvey Washbanger's wasn't one of them. I'm surprised it has been consistent ownership, seems their menu changed often.

PS3D said:

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Belton Ag said:

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I keep seeing the reference to 1998, was that the year the family bought the business, or the year it opened?

I moved here in 1996 and my first apartment was a couple blocks behind there at Anderson and Park Place. I distinctly remember going there to wash clothes and drink beer within the first few weeks of moving here when the laundry room at my apartment building was shut down for some reason. It stuck with me because of my amusement that a bar was attached to a washeteria.

I guess it could be a case of misremembering.

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It opened in 1998. Tax records and newspaper archives support this. There was an Early Bird Cleaners and Aggieland Printing in a small building next to El Chico; this building was demolished for H-E-B (both moved to a new building in H-E-B's parking lot, though both have since closed).

I know that some people like to claim a business was "founded" when they bought it (and no, despite the film, McDonald's is not the most notorious example) but Harvey Washbanger's wasn't one of them. I'm surprised it has been consistent ownership, seems their menu changed often.

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Regarding menu, one of their comments post fire was about how their son became a chef and updated the menu several years ago.

It's crazy how memories get distorted. I definitely know I was there, but it must have been in '98 and not shortly after I moved here. In the 30 years since, I've forgotten the timeline.