Saw this over on another website and thought there might be one or two interested folks here...

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/03/legendary-london-icon-ace-cafe-heads-to-the-states/

Franchised?  Not too sure about that one  

Franchising to protect intellectual property rights and ensure quality and uniformity of product - OK
Building tourist traps with gift shops at the front door (Rainforest Cafe comes to mind) - Uh-Uh....

There is a product for every idiot.   

The whole intention if you look deeper is to bring together people who are interested in cafe racer bikes. Ducati is one of the birthrights of cafe racers. So don't turn away if you see one in Texas you might meet up with some people who like and ride what you do.

Quote from: muskrat on May 04, 2011, 07:57:20 AM
There is a product for every idiot.  

Yes there is.

Muskrat Real Fur Earmuffs


Only $19.99...

http://www.amazon.com/Muskrat-Real-Fur-Earmuffs/dp/B004D3W7U6

Quote from: Pinocchio on May 04, 2011, 05:33:29 AM
Franchising to protect intellectual property rights and ensure quality and uniformity of product - OK
Building tourist traps with gift shops at the front door (Rainforest Cafe comes to mind) - Uh-Uh....

Years ago, I helped the guy who designed the bubble walls in Rainforest Cafe with some technical stuff.

I couldn't believe what he charged for a bubble wall!
When he was trying to get me to work for him I was too busy at the time...

Chris: "What would it be worth to you?"
Me: "I'm so busy I couldn't do it for $100 an hour"
Chris: "How about two hundred, meals, and mileage"
Me: "I'll be there in the morning..."  

It was a good two weeks.  
I must have had a good time -I can't remember what I spent it all on...  

Quote from: RED on May 14, 2011, 10:26:27 PM
The whole intention if you look deeper is to bring together people who are interested in cafe racer bikes. Ducati is one of the birthrights of cafe racers. So don't turn away if you see one in Texas you might meet up with some people who like and ride what you do.

This was similar to the idea I posted sometime back about a cafe-racer, uh, cafe... thought maybe a pizza place might make more sense - CR decor, great pizzas, draft beer and soda, bike parking up front, juke box, several different big screens playing ONLY moto-related stuff.  Well, as long as SOMEBODY does it, I guess it's good.

The Locksmith shop next to AMS is now vacant.... Jus' sayin'   

Quote from: Cher on June 08, 2011, 07:09:14 PM
The Locksmith shop next to AMS is now vacant.... Jus' sayin'   

No parking... 

Didn't some Ducs get run into near there a while back?

Maybe someone could work something out with AMS and share the area around the new shop.  Atmosphere would be right, and how about being near the planned Trinity Lake with blue water, sailboats, and beautiful people jogging safely along the shore.

Quote from: rickmillertx on June 24, 2011, 11:54:21 AM
Maybe someone could work something out with AMS and share the area around the new shop.  Atmosphere would be right, and how about being near the planned Trinity Lake with blue water, sailboats, and beautiful people jogging safely along the shore.

that will be completed and realized when we are all dead, but hey at least you have that fancy bridge to nowhere.

Quote from: muskrat on June 24, 2011, 12:30:19 PM
...that will be completed and realized when we are all dead, but hey at least you have that fancy bridge to nowhere.

I thought they were building that in Alaska!   

and the one by Dallas which is more expensive and you need a conceal carry to venture over yander.