Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Niespodziani.
Nicholas, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
About 8 years ago (at the beginning of the Yacht Rock phenomenon), my Partner-In-Smooth Peter Olson and I were wondering what the next steps would be when the popularity of the Yacht Rock Revue ran out. Little did we know Yacht Rock Revue would continue to grow the way it has!
Anyway, we thought that a music venue and restaurant would be a great way to take the popularity and good vibes we’d created with Yacht Rock and turn it into something more permanent. Something with bricks and mortar but less Hall and Oates. So we started exploring buying or building a venue. That process was basically like an MBA course.
Several years and loans and investors and partners later, we opened Venkman’s in late 2015 in what was originally the NuGrape Soda Bottling Factory. We were shooting for a place that really balanced music and food in a way no other place in ATL has done, and I would like to think we are achieving that goal on a daily basis.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Everyone tried to warn us how difficult the restaurant business is, but I was cavalier about it. I figured if we could succeed in the basically impossible music business, surely we would be able to make a run at success in this business.
The people warning us were right. I underestimated the difficulty in managing the variables that contribute to success in a venue and restaurant – from location to band booking to weather to labor cost, the list is never-ending and finding the right balance in all of those areas to turn a profit has been one of the biggest business challenges of my life.
It’s really made me appreciate the amazing team we have in our music business, PleaseRock. In the last few months, our team at Venkman’s has really come together and the difference it has made has been night and day. Two years in, I feel like we are just beginning to understand our strengths and how to play to them. I’m excited for what 2018 has in store for us.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Venkman’s – what should we know?
Venkman’s is a place to come have fun. Our job is to spread good vibes, to help people forget about their day-to-day worries for a while. Our balance of food and music brings friends and families together in a unique way. We’ve got a calendar packed with entertaining shows by local, regional and national artists. From free bluegrass brunch to the Jazz of Prince to Yacht Rock plays Led Zeppelin vs. The Who to New Year’s Eve with Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics, we’ve got an eclectic lineup with something for everyone.
I’m really proud of our Tuesday night Jazz Jam with ATL jazz legend Joe Gransden. It embodies what we try to do at the V: a diverse group of people, enjoying great food and wine and collaborating onstage to make great music.
We also have developed some really great family programming, with our Princess and Puppet Brunches. It’s fun to see the kids yummying down on pancakes and enjoying the puppet show while their parents kick back with a Bloody Mary in an environment where they don’t have to worry about their kids bothering someone on Saturday morning.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our Business Guru was Allen Jones. He connected with us with so many great resources, and his guidance and advice helped us achieve our dream.
The restaurant community in Atlanta is such a supportive group. The guys from Muss and Turners / Local 3 / Staplehouse have been our most influential mentors – shout out to Ryan Turner, Chris Hall and Todd Mussman for everything they’ve done for us over the years.
And I’ve got to give massive credit to the people leading our team right now – General Manager Keirsten Jarvis, AGM Michael Hall, and Chef Keenan Boyles. We’re doing the best work we’ve ever done right now, and it’s all because these leaders have stepped up in a phenomenal way.
Contact Info:
- Address: 740 Ralph McGill Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30312 - Website:Venkmans.com
- Phone:470-225-6162
- Email:info@venkmans.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venkmansatl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Venkmans/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/VenkmansATL
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/venkmans-atlanta
- Other: http://venkmans.com/menu/
Image Credit:
Emily Butler Photography
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