Jeff Leslie suspects that most people do not believe the world will end Friday.
But what if it did?
Maybe prime rib, a burger and fries, or ice cream.
"We tossed ideas back and forth," Leslie says about the Hacienda promotion.
But the restaurant company's vice president of sales and marketing knew what it had to be: the wet burrito.
The popular menu item will cost $1 between 10 p.m. and midnight Friday for those attending Hacienda's end-of-the-world party (dine-in only, one per guest).
Whether or not you are concerned about the Mayan apocalypse, many restaurants and bars here and across the country are hoping you will spend your final hours with them.
It's clever marketing, actually.
"Each year we look for opportunities to create unique promotions," Leslie says. "We're losing money (on the burrito), but if we're going to create a party, this has to be the deal."
Such national chains as TGI Friday's have been promoting "Last Friday" and other apocalypse celebrations. Some locations are offering Mayan margaritas and going so far as to add Mayan decor to their restaurants.
Locally owned businesses, too, have embraced the one-night-only event opportunity. Club Fever in downtown South Bend, Halftimes Sports Bar in Elkhart and Smith's Downtown in Mishawaka are among those in our region hosting end-of-the-world parties.
If the world is going to end, why not party like there is no tomorrow, says Jay Zheng, who co-owns Kaizen Hibachi Grill Sushi & Bar in Goshen.
"Our party has nothing to do with religion. It's about having a party as a relief from the scare that has been building up," Zheng says.
Some Goshen residents have liked the idea, he says, while others have thought it sounds rather silly.
Pie-Eyed Petey's Bar & Grill locations in Syracuse and Leesburg have a few clever plans in the works.
Survival kits including bottled water and Band-Aids will be given to attendees.
There will be Mayan super spuds and sunrise drinks, and karoake for "survivors from 7 p.m. to the end."
Mayans drink for free.
Hacienda's Leslie suspects that most Mayan descendants do not believe the world is going to end Friday.
So the risk of offending someone with the celebratory theme is pretty small.
"Having spent quite a bit of time in Mexico, I feel confident that many communities will have a celebration of life," Leslie says. "That's what we are going to do. It's what we always do."
Have you heard?
Toscana Pasta and Pizza, 303 Florence Ave., Mishawaka, will be vacating its location at Toscana Park shopping center at the end of December, according to shopping center owner Great Lakes Development Corp. The restaurant is located in the former Blueberry Hill restaurant. ... A letter of intent has been signed by a company, presumably a restaurant, that is considering leasing the former Max & Erma's restaurant at 4340 N. Main St., Mishawaka. ... Maurice's is planning a new store at 570 W. 300 County Road North, Warsaw, at Warsaw Commons II, a state construction report reveals. ... Join us for our next live chat at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Heidi Prescott's column runs on Fridays and Sundays. When she's not shopping, contact her at hprescott@sbtinfo.com or 574-235-6070. You can also talk retail at Facebook.com/thebasket and at Twitter.com/marketbasket.
