I'm a child of the internet, but even so I still haven't came to terms with buying large purchases online.  Rather, I can't stomach buying hardly anything online, no matter the price.  Some of the problem is that I'm an immediate gratification kind of person, when I buy it, I want it now, now after a few days shipping.  Also, I just don't like the idea of my info floating around and not in the intertubes, but rather to whoever Joe Blow happens to be looking at the order database.

Because of my fears I always price items online and then try to buy them locally.  This usually ends with me paying a little bit more from the store, but a convenience I'm willing to pay for.  My latest purchase has taught me to be even more diligent in my research when buying from a big chain store.

From my postings you can see that I purchased a new Flip Ultra HD camcorder.  I think it's the coolest thing since sliced bread, especially since you can purchase one online for as little as $150 from Amazon.  So, for reasons stated above I looked at the prices on BestBuy.com.  Pricing was within $10, something I could live with, so I took off to the Best Buy on the east side of Evansville.

At Best Buy I noticed that the Flip video cameras were vastly higher than they were online.  Consider that the same camera online was priced $40 cheaper and no indication of a sale price.  Furthermore, there was an open box model that sold for still more than a brand new item at BestBuy.com!

I'm not against brick 'n mortar locations making money and paying for a convenience.  I just don't think they should be taking advantage of people trusting they will get the best price, especially when it's advertised for much lower online from the same company.

The Best Buy employee was happy to match the online price from BestBuy.com, but not from Amazon.com.  The stores policy is to only honor pricing online when the company has a local presence.  Meaning, they would match a Target.com price, but not a NewEgg.com price.  So keep this in mind if you are out buying pricey new toys, check online first and don't trust 'On Sale' pricing at the store.

Why do you think downtown, in regards to Evansville, is such a bad word?  Anyone you talk to has an opinion and generally it creates a heated discussion on what can, should, and shouldn't be done.  This type of argument generally doesn't happen in comparative sized cities, so what gives?

Is it possible that downtown Evansville has been created without the consent of those that matters, the residents of Evansville?  Consider that some projects downtown have faced tough opposition, no matter the out come for as long as I can remember.  Casino Aztar was the first big change that happened downtown in my life time, at least that had any significance.  In 1995 it was met with lots of promises, a fixed budget, and controversy through it's first year.  Most notably it failed to hire the promised 90% of employees from Vanderburgh County.

Events have become a topic amongst those arguing over downtown as well, specifically over pricing.  Thunder On The Ohio is an annual even that continues to plummet in popularity and face scrutiny by residents.  The 2009 Freedom Festival was no exception and faced opposition from loyal visitors every year, claiming the event was turning into a money grab.  At $20 per person to get in it's easy to see why.

Compare the Evansville Freedom Festival to similar events in our Tri-State area like the Owensboro BBQ Fest, Blue Grass in The Park in Henderson, it just doesn't add up...at least for paying residents.  Why can't we make our events work for the community, instead of be a money making endeavor?  If we're going to run it as a cash cow why not just privatize the entire area, much like Louisville has with Fourth Street Live?

Personally I'm sick and tired of watching all the tax payer dollars to go research firms that yield no results.  How about we stop starting projects where we aren't able to financially support them to completion.  Lastly, can we just slow down and not rush through agendas before the end of our term, I'm looking at you Mayor.  I'm fed up with a very select few not listening to their constituents and making sweeping changes that will force tax payer money to another failing downtown change.

Instead, lets start listening to other cities that have had wild success with creating a downtown where people want to go.  That is unless revitalizing doesn't mean what I think it does and instead our city leaders are more focused on putting money in their own pockets and padding those of their friends.

I don't have to tell you that the economy has been a very fickle beast for at least the past 2 years. Because of this small local businesses are popping up and deflating out, taking dreams with them. This is why I have decided to commit a certain amount of my time and energy to review and help bring attention to local businesses. This review of Four Friends Corner Cafe will be the first of Local Business segments, and hopefully a regular feature of Evansville Blog.

Get The Facts

Four Friends Corner Cafe
1400 North Main Street
Evansville, IN 47711

To get there head south on Main street from Garvin Park, it's 2 blocks down on your right. They have plenty of on street parking and a small lot suitable for 3-4 small cars or 1-2 big trucks. For companies close by it's an easy walk, especially on warm fall days.

Inside there are about 5-6 tables, where a small group or couples will probably be most comfortable. However, I feel like their meals and layout favor those who like their meals to-go. Also consider eating on their picnic table out front or taking your hot dog to Garvin Park and eat on one of their many picnic tables. I prefer to take mine to go and eat in my truck, parked at Garvin Park, while writing this review.

The decor is as expected from a local restaurant focusing on a hot dog meal niche. An antique toy pinball machine could even be found in the corner of the dining room area. What was unexpected was the number of scriptures written on various boards around the kitchen and in the seating area. It's obvious that the owners/operators are religious, hopefully this isn't a turn-off for you, it wasn't for me.

Food Facts

The staple of Four Friends Corner Cafe are there hot dogs. They use Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs for all their hot dog meals, which include Fries and a drink. Also, there is plenty of variety, including coney style dogs or anything you can dream up, they will build to suit. On this trip I had their Cincinnati Special, which was a loaded coney dog with lots of cheese and onion.

The meal was very good and very filling.

The Bad

I work for a business close to Four Friends Corner Cafe, so about 30 days ago an employee dropped off a menu. This is how I found out about the Evansville restaurant and what peeked my interest in trying out some of their unusual hot dog creations. So, I picked out my would be meal and headed a few blocks over to place my order.

After I placed my order I was informed that my specific meal was no longer available. Nor did the girl behind the counter remember how to make the DC Monumental Special. No biggie, I'll just take one of their other specials, which would have been fine if their prices had not been so high. In no way do I feel like I got value for my money and even after a full stomach I had buyers remorse.

Indeed, their prices had gone up from around $5 per meal, which included fries and a medium fountain drink, to over $7. Also, to add insult to injury there was no fountain machine, only cans of pop in the fridge. So now I'm full, but thirsty, and feel like a spent a fortune for a hot dog.

Short and Sweet

The food was fantastic, service was good, and there was plenty of places to sit, eat and enjoy my lunch break. I'd recommend anyone to check it out.  However, to get my repeat business prices will need to fall.

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Do you have a suggestion on where I should take my next lunch break?  Or is there another local business that needs reviewed or help with advertising?  Simply leave a comment here or drop me an email to let me know your thoughts.

Liberty Auto Salvage

At one time I really supported the local Liberty Auto Salvage, by buying up bulk parts and selling them on eBay.  However, it doesn't look like I will be going back anytime soon, if the doors remain open at all, since the owner and a few employees were busted for producing and dealing in Meth.  I'm always blown away by how many people get involved with a such a dangerous drug, not to mention it's not just in the city, but rural, hell everywhere!

Also, consider all the local advertisements for lawyers who use Liberty Auto Salvage as a back drop.  I don't think we'll be seeing too much involvement with them anymore, who would want to be tied to such an activity?

According to TriStateHomePage, Liberty was open on Wednesday.  However, no one wanted to comment on the owners activities.  If I had to guess, they probably nodded and smiled the biggest smile 3 teeth can muster.

Although it's not constrained to Evansville, IN the Indiana regulators in charge of price gouging(and supporting monopolies) has ok'd another price increase. This means that your utility bill will increase about $4 per month. Doesn't sound like a lot, but where does it end?

It should be noted that this only effects the natural gas prices. Therefore, if your an all electric home, you should see no price change. And, in all fairness to Vectren this is only the second 'hike' in 12 years, according to the Courier. But, this only effects the base rates, which at this point I'm nickel and dimed so much they could call it an asshole tax and I wouldn't know the difference.