You have been in the local restaurant business a long time -- 36 years to be exact -- and there have been a lot of locally owned restaurants come and go. What is the primary reason a locally owned restaurant fails?

I’d say if you’re going to narrow it down to one primary reason it would have to be a broad one and that would be lack of preparation. Not studying and finding the right location, not defining the concept properly, not setting up proper systems and not having enough capital. Lots of folks think all you have to do to run a restaurant is cook -- sorry but that’s just one little part.

Why do you keep running the annual Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year’s commercial selling hams and turkeys that had to be filmed when you were a teenager?

Let’s face it, I keep running the same old Christmas commercial out of vanity. I’m young in it -- duh.

We see you are a blogger now. How’s that going?

I never thought I’d be a blogger, but it’s truly fun. It’s a chance to say what’s on your mind and have the mistaken perception that someone beside spammers is reading it. On that note, if you’d like to read it just go to www.countrysbarbecue.com and click on “As the Pit Smokes.” I plan to write about the restaurant biz, food, incredible folks I know and just life.

You were one of the first businesses to buy into downtown revitalization nearly 25 years ago. What is the biggest difference in downtown now compared to then?

When we opened in downtown -- and it is downtown, dangit, not uptown -- we opened next to an adult book store. The biggest difference is it ain’t there anymore. In its place is the coolest area in Columbus. Downtown is eclectic, artsy, full of great young people and the center of “indie restaurants,” with more coming.

To say I love downtown is an understatement. I work there, I walk there for exercise, I eat there and enjoy the Springer and RiverCenter.

My favorite spot in downtown is Fountain City Coffee, one of the few places that really knows how to make a cappuccino and how to make a customer feel at home. When you visit the sidewalk market in the summer or see all the sidewalk diners in the evening you think you’re somewhere else for sure.

Outside of your business, what is the best kept secret in Columbus?

I believe the best kept secret in Columbus is Ron Anderson and the Springer Academy. It’s an asset that is just immeasurable. If you ever visit in the summer and see what it means to the hundreds of kids attending, you’ll understand. My daughter Erin has attended every summer for a while and she will tell you right off it has changed her life in many ways.