Bruised and battered but not beaten.

Haven't been on the board all summer but unfortunately for most of you, I'M BAAAAACK.  We finished another season today and what a year for this old man.  Now I've got until May 15th to get it together and do it  all again.  We did 52 days of shows from May thru September with an average gross of $994.54 per day.  Since we keep our expenses down and run 54%  of gross as net, we didn't make the Forbes 400 but at least we made gas money.  We did find that most shows were down about 25% compared to the same show in 2008.  Maybe 2010 will be up 25% so I can break even, isn't that how it works. 
 
Now I've got to put a bunch of pictures together because I'm  listing my entire set up on Ebay.  Both trailers, EZ Ups, equipment and everything needed for someone else to put it to work, ready to go.  No I'm not smart enough to quit.  I've ordered a new trailer and my winter project is to build one exactly like I want.  If I can't get a fair price, I'll let it set till spring and sell it then or keep it and convert it to a trailer selling only frozen slushees, Jamacian Ice and other cold drinks.  When I talk about running 2 trailers, mama just rolls her eyes.  Who knows, someone down south, where it's warm, just might want to jump in with both feet and work it during the winter selling burgers.  I've ordered a 20 footer and it will be styled after the Southern Yankee with a 12' enclosed area and an 8' covered porch for my grill set up.  I've already named it, "The Burger Barn".  Should be a lot easier and quicker for this old man to set up when I get to a show.
 
I hope everyone has had a good year and will have a better one in 2010.  This year has been slower than last but I think the economy is slower everywhere.  The crowds were there but they weren't spending the money, even for food.  One way I can tell it is slow is when we finish up a show and never take in a bill larger than a $20 and we had several of those this year.   Last year, every kid that hit the window had a $20 bill.  Not this year.  Anyway, I'm not complaining.  We were busy, met a lot of nice people and at least I'm going broke slower than I was so that must mean I'm getting ahead. 
 
Mike S.

Glad to here you made it thru another season. Was thinking about you since you hadn't posted in awhile. Bigger trailer, you have been biten by the bug. LOL 

Good to see you survived another season.. 25% down and I bet you worked just as hard. Your feet and legs didn't think you were 25% down......you work just as hard and as many hours and the $$$ just don't come around.. I don't see the 20's flying around as they used to in our business either. The people that always bought are buying less, the people that never bought will never buy.. I Think the last few weeks were hard because of kids going back to school................It looks like your daily average %%% of profit kept you going..............Good luck and have fun this winter......Bill