Last Call

This post has taken me several months to write and it’s still difficult today.  After careful consideration, I have decided this will be the last call for Villager Eats.  Every time I sit down to write this message, something holds me back thinking the situation will change. But it hasn’t.  And I owe it to you, my faithful readers, to let you in on what’s  been happening.

If you’ve been around from the beginning, you know that Mary started this site to help fellow Villagers find the daily specials around our community.  In September of 2021, she decided to pass the plate and find her seat at the “fully-retired table”. Hence, I found my seat at the “chef’s table” with a front row view of exciting re-branding, new ideas and vision that became my passion project.  It has been so exciting to meet so many of you and serve y’all by providing the daily dining and happy hour specials all in one place.

Fairly soon after I took over, the advertisers disappeared, and I tried to find new ways to generate revenue to support the site and keep it running. The VIP Dining Card was a hit but barely broke even on the cost to produce and mail. I wanted to give you a quality product and the postage rate increased. Amazon affiliate links didn’t work. And another vision (that I will keep to myself for now) didn’t pan out either. And yet, the number of followers continue to increase — that count has almost tripled. But it’s not free to run a website. There are many expenses that hide in the background.  And now what has been an LLC for the past year and a half, has become an expensive hobby.

Another major factor comes into play as well. I had to go back to work full-time last year and my work schedule interferes with the time of day that the restaurants release their daily specials, thus the inability to provide accurate information in a timely fashion.  Then I found myself having to move, and unfortunately, my new place is just outside of the Daily Sun service area; and going to WaWa to purchase a newspaper (a main resource of information) every morning at 6am took a big toll.  I had been keeping up the best I could until the beginning of February this year when, yet another major life event occurred and that was the beginning of the end. We will keep that dish off the table as it’s very personal.

Gratitude

Over the last two+ years, together we’ve celebrated the rise of new restaurants and bid farewell to others. To all the restaurateurs, managers, food bloggers and fellow dining enthusiasts who have been a part of this incredible journey, I extend my deepest gratitude.  Your dedication and support have inspired me beyond words, and I am forever grateful for the friendships forged and the culinary adventures shared.

As much as I cherish the memories we’ve created together, I cannot ignore the shifting tides.  Running the website has been a labor of love, but it’s also been a significant investment of time, energy, and resources.  As much as I’ve poured my heart and soul into this site, I’ve come to realize that it’s time to redirect my focus and energy towards new endeavors. Though the site may be closing, the appetite for culinary exploration burns brighter than ever, and I have no doubt that our paths will cross again in the journey that lies ahead. So stay tuned!

This will be my last blog post for Villager Eats, but not my last blog.  I have another adventure that I’m working on which will allow me to dance around my full-time schedule and have a more lucrative opportunity.  If you would like to know more (and here’s a hint), please comment below “Dining with Debi” and I will add you to the mailing list for future updates.

However, with all that said, I would be open to passing the Villager Eats plate to another passionate foodie and lover of restaurants in our community. If that interests you, please send an email to info@villagereats.com and we can chat. In the meantime, check out the Restaurants tab for a listing of your favorite spots. Unless a miracle finds it way to cross my path, April 30, 2024 will be the last day online for Villager Eats. It breaks my heart having to say that. I tried, hard, but it’s time to move on. 

Y’all have been amazing, and I cannot express my appreciation and gratitude enough for your loyalty and support. Until we meet again…may your kitchens always be filled with laughter, your tables with friends and family and your meals with love. CHEERS!

P.S. Please refrain from any negative comments – they will be deleted. Negativity and bad reviews have never been on the menu here. This has been one of the hardest decisions and I still wish there was a way I could continue on here.  XOXO