The 2300 Club

A huge international event, the UCI World Road Championships, was held in Richmond from September 20 – 27, 2015. Several hundred thousand cycling fans from around the world came to Richmond. Races such as this put a huge strain on local businesses and residents. Fans too, are stressed by finding themselves in unfamiliar surroundings, but still needing basic services when it comes to food and drink.
What a revelation it was to discover that the 2300 Club had decided to embrace the world’s cycling fans and open their facilities to us. A perfect location, attentive and «Richmond polite» staff, great food prepared by Chef Hall and top-​of-​the-​top shelf libations created an oasis for weary race fans.
Richmond is lucky to have such a terrific club, and I and many, many cycling fans are thrilled at the hospitality the 2300 Club extended to us.

I attended your membership drive for Bull & Bear members tonight. I just wanted to write this letter to tell you how disappointed I was with your Club.
My first interaction was with a woman who was rude, cold, and arrogant, to say the least. I asked her where I can go to grab some dinner. She rudely replied, «We’re only serving hors d’oeuvres.» To which I responded, «I was looking to have dinner before the event. Do you guys serve dinner here?» She then informed me that they did on Wednesday through Friday but it was by reservation only.
So here I am, someone that’s interested in membership and you don’t even show the slightest interest in getting me a bite to eat? All because a party of 1 doesn’t have a reservation? I’m so sorry I didn’t know I had to make a reservation. If I were at the Bull & Bear Club, reservation or not, they would have fed me.
After asking around, I was quite surprised to learn that the snooty woman I took issue with was none other than the Club President. I was shocked to learn that someone with such poor social skills was the person leading what basically amounts to be a social club.
While the club itself isn’t bad, it’s basically in the ghetto. The nicest feature is probably the back patio. The gentleman that was singing on the back patio was very nice and showed the most interest in getting to know me out of anybody there. The bartender on the back patio was also fun and social. There was a board member that gave me a tour so that was nice too.
It was also a turn off overhearing the bartender at the main bar (if you could even call such a small thing a bar) say multiple times that «there’s a few special people I want to take care of tonight.» He listed off the drinks he would provide them above and beyond what was included for everybody else. My thoughts were: How about you take care of everybody buddy? Who are you to decide who gets special treatment and who doesn’t?
Your club is clearly no Bull & Bear Club. How your club survived when The Bull & Bear Club is closing is beyond me. Bull & Bear staff members had a genuine interest in getting to know you and learning your name. Almost immediately after becoming a member, I was greeted by my name every time I came in there and even when I called on the phone. How they learned my name so quickly was beyond me. I can’t imagine getting the same personal service from your Club.
I’m sure that I don’t need to tell you that private clubs are a dying business. And your club seems to be doing everything possible to kill yours off before its time. I’d suggest an immediate change in leadership if you want any chance of surviving. Leadership requires a lot more than strolling around with your nose in the air playing «boss.»