BY DON NAPIER
Crossville Life Magazine
After writing about my experience at Stagecoach Cafe in the Dec.-Jan. edition of Crossville Life, it seems I have been “called out” by some of my readers for being too cruel in my review. Some have even accused me of “bullying” the owners of Stagecoach.
I would like to set the record straight.
I have a responsibility to myself and my readers to be truthful in reporting what “my” experience was like. I have been in the newspaper business since 1970 and been a publisher in Cumberland County over twenty years. I have written many restaurant reviews in my long career, and every one of them have been about “my” experience. I understand that your experience at that same restaurant might be different.
In regard to my story about Stagecoach, I am sorry it upset some of you, but I also heard from several people who agreed with me with most of their comments being “been there, had same experience.” I love getting correspondence from my readers, and I respect everyone’s opinion, however, I do not respect the opinion of people who do not sign their letters. That is what “File 13” is for.
There is a credibility factor involved as well. If I sugar coat my poor experience, and you decide to eat there as a result, it could be just as damaging. I can imagine receiving letters from people who were upset with me because I wrote a good review and your experience was rotten.
Some of the people who wrote me said they have, for years, enjoyed the food and service Stagecoach provides. One lady suggested I only share my review with those who wanted it, not the whole readership! That would be a neat trick.
One email letter opened up a line of communication with a nice man in the Glade and we sent emails back and forth a few times and talked about other new restaurants in the region. He disagreed with my review, but I respect his opinion and like I said, his experience was different. Here is part of his letter: “We find the Stagecoach Cafe a very refreshing and delightful venue for an experience of what we enjoyed in Europe.”
Another writer said, “We have been pleasantly satisfied every time with the selection, price and relaxed intimate style. Shame on you for foisting your standards on your reading public.” Again, I remind this reader and all others that it is my standard that matters, at least in regard to my magazine and my reviews. It would be impossible to review someone else’s experience and what their standards are!
I have included these comments in an effort to show that not everyone has had a bad experience at the Stagecoach, so you and the Stagecoach owners will see, that it is not my intention to hurt their business. I am sorry that the description of my family’s experience upset some Stagecoach customers, but I am also a bit surprised that were those who did not think that a 2-hour wait for food was unacceptable.
