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Gideon's Bakehouse coming to Disney Springs
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Archie123
Well-Known Member
A definite possibility.
Let's not be naive. A "soft opening" on a very high volume and expensive lease (Even during COVID times) does not lead to a temporary closure while they "iron out" the rest of their kinks.
There's a 99% chance that this is COVID related. Whether it's due to a COVID scare or that Disney had some problems with how they were operating, it's foolish to think that this is anything but related to that. I only hope that if it is a scare, it's nothing more than a scare and that everybody is healthy, safe, and that they're able to reopen soon to continue to generate revenue to support the lease.
There's a 99% chance that this is COVID related. Whether it's due to a COVID scare or that Disney had some problems with how they were operating, it's foolish to think that this is anything but related to that. I only hope that if it is a scare, it's nothing more than a scare and that everybody is healthy, safe, and that they're able to reopen soon to continue to generate revenue to support the lease.
Usually those are made public - it would be interesting to see if is indeed the case.
SoFloMagic
Well-Known Member
This. Either covid or covid process (lines or lack of plexi). But open-ended sounds like covid (until you contact trace you really don't know how long you'll be dealing with it). But even if covid-related, I would expect them to use the chance to reassess processes before reopening
KnightRonin
Member
Here's the thing... Gideon's is a small business that has made a pretty big splash in its market and the move to Disney Springs has been really interesting. They have gone ALL IN on theming and have embraced the Disney Springs mythology. However, there have been a reasonable number of forum posters here that seem to loathe the idea of Gideons. Now that they have closed for unknown reasons, some of the posters on this thread have resorted to idle speculation and outright libel. Unless you have actual proof or facts, off. I've enjoyed Gideon's cookies in the past and hope to enjoy them at DS in the future. Where are the mods to sort this crap out?
SoFloMagic
Well-Known Member
Libel?
A brand new business posted "we're closing tonight and don't know when we'll reopen". They easily could have said "thanks so much for your support during our soft opening. We'll be closing for a bit to ensure we're ready for the grand opening later in January. Can't wait to see you again soon!".
They closed suddenly during a pandemic and didn't say why. They brought the speculation on themselves.
Tha Realest
Well-Known Member
In fairness, they apparently did say at the outset (Dec. 22) that this was a “soft opening,” and they would be doing a larger grand opening “next year” https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-...-prepares-for-soft-opening-at-disney-springs/
ppete1975
Well-Known Member
When you sell expensive cookies or anything "designer" you use social media alot and youtube influencers. Could this have been a plan.
Open up to huge fanfare have all of the social media people all over it, lots of instagram pics lots of youtube videos to build hype. Then close for a few days. Yes you lose some money buy you also get free publicity and people talking (unfortunately this is during the covid fears), but this creates intrigue and people are like "man i really want to go there!!!" so when they reopen the doors will be crushed again.. more instagram pics, more youtube vids. In a small way its like a limited edition something or other, it builds demand. IF a 6 dollar cookie company opens it eventually gets forgotten.. marketing is a big portion of keeping people coming. And this company seems to understand that.
My gut yesterday was covid btw.. but they could also be creating demand and people talking about the mysterious closure.. which would have been more efficient if we werent in the middle of covid.
Open up to huge fanfare have all of the social media people all over it, lots of instagram pics lots of youtube videos to build hype. Then close for a few days. Yes you lose some money buy you also get free publicity and people talking (unfortunately this is during the covid fears), but this creates intrigue and people are like "man i really want to go there!!!" so when they reopen the doors will be crushed again.. more instagram pics, more youtube vids. In a small way its like a limited edition something or other, it builds demand. IF a 6 dollar cookie company opens it eventually gets forgotten.. marketing is a big portion of keeping people coming. And this company seems to understand that.
My gut yesterday was covid btw.. but they could also be creating demand and people talking about the mysterious closure.. which would have been more efficient if we werent in the middle of covid.
Guys - if this is anything but a COVID outbreak for their closure, then these guys don't deserve to be playing in the "big leagues" of having a location at WDW and the speculation they brought upon themselves by the lack of communication, etc is unprofessional and sloppy. And remember people, a "Soft opening" does NOT mean open for a few days and then mysteriously close. Soft Openings are just a way for a business to hide behind snafu's or mistakes made on the first few days of operation so as not to muddy their reputation.
It might suit them well to be paying Disney to handle their communications and PR at this point (strictly for this location), as it's very clear they are incapable of doing it themselves.
It might suit them well to be paying Disney to handle their communications and PR at this point (strictly for this location), as it's very clear they are incapable of doing it themselves.
jaklgreen
Well-Known Member
They said before they even opened that they were planning on doing a soft opening for the holidays and then plan a grand opening in the new year. This was their plan all along. I don't know people are choosing to forget this. I have opened several bakeries, all of which have done this. It's like a test run for a few days to see how it goes and what needs to be changed. There are plenty of meetings in that time frame and some trial runs. This is all normal, especially for small, local owned places that are not huge franchises that have everything figured out already.
ppete1975
Well-Known Member
And get twice the youtube, instagram and lines of when you first opened. The buzz that was there at opening will be just the same or bigger when it reopens.
Space Mountain
Well-Known Member
Apparently more than one employee tested positive for Covid-19. If this was intentional close due to a “soft-opening”, and not pandemic related, it seems like poor timing to shut down during one of the busiest weeks of the year...
AGAIN, and I repeat (in a very kind way) - Soft opening does not mean you close suddenly without before you have a grand opening. It means you open, slowly ramp up and then do your "GRAND Opening" when you feel you're ready to call it a grand opening. Almost all the time, you already have a "Grand opening" date that you can commit to prior to the soft opening date.
I've opened up bakeries, cafe's, and stores in my past and can tell you that we've NEVER completely shut down without communication during the soft launch phase.
You don't do a soft opening to big fan fare and long lines, and then all of a sudden close up shop with no word until a day later. There's something fishy going on, and I don't mean those fish that are swimming around in the marketplace lake. And based on the alleged news of multiple employees getting COVID, it sounds like we were right.
Your response is a little extreme and misguided. Are you sure you aren't connected to Gideons?
There's been no libel happening here. Speculation? Yes. But that's more than fair considering the circumstances. Gideons have botched this up massively. They appear to have signed up for something they can't handle. This is how mom and pop businesses implode when they expand too quickly or into market segments they aren't able to fully understand.
For what it's worth - I want to see them do incredibly well. They've got a great concept, a great product, and the spirit surrounding it is very fun and friendly. Unfortunately they're falling behind in being able to execute it properly, and you can't fault people for judging them accordingly.
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SourcererMark79
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
Blaze and House of Blues are also closed today. Am I missing something?