Facing needed improvements to their building, the Smokehouse BBQ in Augusta chose a brief closure to make the changes and enhance their customer experience. The choice wasn’t either easy or inexpensive. But Lisa Fundel, owner of the business, was clearly happy with the result when they reopened in early August.
The most expensive part of the process was something that wasn’t publicly visible, the installation of a new HVAC system, both heating and air conditioning, to improve both efficiency and the comfort of both staff and customers. Asked about the total cost of the effort, Fundel declined to specify the amount. “It was expensive, but it was worth it,” she said.
Most noticeable to customers was the installation of new ceiling fans to improve air circulation. “We put up the new ceiling fans in the dish area and the dining room,” she said.
In addition to these, Fundel said that they used the closure period for extensive general cleaning efforts, noteworthy in the floors, almost resembling a refinishing job.
