And just like that another year is coming to a close. Only a couple more weeks in 2018. Wow! It seems like it’s been a flash. But, then I look back on all of the major events that have happened in the last 12 months. Some have been amazing, a few very challenging.
The third location of LuLu’s opened in North Myrtle Beach in June. It was a massive production executed beautifully and gracefully by my team up there. In the six months since the doors opened, we’ve made great new friends, have done incredible business, and were surprised with Restaurateur of the Year Award in N. Myrtle Beach – a true accomplishment for any and especially an infant business. Gulf Shores and Destin continued to rock the restaurant world with record-breaking sales and a slew of super fun events throughout our high season and beyond.
2018 served up an equal share of challenges mainly in the category of “trying to reason with hurricane season”. All three restaurants experienced closures because of Tropical Storm Gordon and Hurricanes Florence and Michael. Thankfully none of the restaurants were directly hit, but many of our surrounding communities and neighbors were majorly impacted. The other side of a catastrophic event (which we are quite familiar with at this point) always brings a community closer together. It has been no different in the Greater LuLu’s Communities of Gulf Shores, Destin, the Panhandle, and the coast of the Carolinas. Of course I wish we lived in a world where hurricanes and natural disasters didn’t exist. But alas we do. What I do know first-hand is that we are stronger and more connected because of the care, concern, and participation in our neighbors’ well-being and recovery – and that is a positive force of nature as strong as any hurricane!
If we thought this year was action packed – I am incredibly excited about what 2019 has in store. In the spirit of celebrating a birthday in true Buffett-style… LuLu’s turns 20 and we are celebrating all year!!
We will be posting details about the year-long festivities in these next couple of weeks as we approach Christmas and New (Noon) Year’s Eve. 🙂
In the world of LuLu’s it is all Merry and Bright. Thank you for making this the ride of a lifetime- I wouldn’t be here without you!
Wishing you the Happiest Holidays of them all!
Love, LuLu
