I missed this the first time around, its a letter by one of the owners:
For our friends supporters and members
I will not candy coat this , some facts and feelings
Fact: Eric and I went from month to month at a -0 balance. Money that came into
the store went into our employeeʼs pay roll, utilities or chipping away at our past
debt and a inventory.
Fact : Eric and I were granted a loan in Feb 2010 and told we would have the
money by April 2010. We did not get the money till July 2010. Eric and I were
under the impression, ( I believe told ) that the range would be build and up in 12
weeks or sooner. It was not up till Dec 4th 2010. These delays put us 6 months
behind and allowed us to accumulate a huge amount of expenses that we could
not keep up with till the range was open. Once the range was open many of our
clients lost faith and we had to rebuild that faith , which we were doing right up to
Sunday may 1st.
Fact: Medic our biggest lender sent us some emailʼs, see below
Please note the dates
________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
On Apr 29, 2011, at 4:00 PM, Bob Elliott wrote:
Hello Patrick,
I hope your time away was found to be worthwhile.
I'm running out to a loan closing for 4:00pm so I can only leave both of you with
this thought.
We have no more patience for non-payment and zero tolerance for any more
excuses of non-payment and delay.
Tuesday we will be expecting either a check or the promise of a check within two
days.
Non payment will end your opportunities.
thanks
On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 3:40 PM, Patrick <
[email protected]> wrote:
Hello Bob
I have been out of town for a week for some training in Ohio , and Eric has been
out with a bad cold for a few. I need a few days to communicate with him and see
what we can do. Business has been a bit slow, but we are still moving forward.
Please give us to Tuesday to respond.
Thank you so much
Patrick
On Apr 29, 2011, at 2:30 PM, Bob Elliott wrote:
Eric and Patrick,
We anticipated receiving $10,000.00 today without having to request the
payment.
Please call 352-2503 to let me know when we can have your check.
Thanks,
Bob
--
Bob Elliott
MEDC
603-352-4939 Ext.112
51 Railroad Street
Keene, NH 03431
Fact: Eric and I kept up with payroll (9 employees , out of the 16 we promised to Medic in 3 years). Kept up with most of the utilities , enough to keep things a
float. As well as a small, but suitable inventory. Not to mention creative new
Ideas to help the business grow .
Fact: We also had two dishonest employees whom when we first got started
worked for us before our payroll was set up (our mistake) .They were paid by us
off the books. Which now has been settled and amended by the state of NH and
our past attorney. This father and son team lied and told to the state we paid
them nothing even though we did, unfortunate for us because at that point we
had paid them but had broke the law doing so. We lost a huge sum of money and
continue to pay them through our payroll every month $1200.00 up to date for
nothing.
Fact : Eric and I do know that we owe Savage, Medic and Branco Inc. large
sums of money and agreed to pay that. On the same note we did not realize that
these amounts of money were totally unrealistic unless you are from deep
pockets , state, or federally funded.
Feeling : If we had opened on time and fell into our master plan, it may have
worked? I think most seemed to agree at one time or another ?
Fact : There is NO way we can meet the demands for the bills , not with in the
time frames that they are owed on. There are dozens of other investors and
companyʼs that we owe as well and there just is not enough revenue to cover it.
Feeling : If we had a few years , we could have more than likely met those
demand of what was owed and surpass it. There is still no doubt in my mind. This
will not be done by me alone.
FACT : Eric White , one of my very few best friends , long term student, and
business partner is missing since early Monday morning. This is in the hands of
VT and NH police.
Feeling : He has left the situation on his own behalf , or he may have committed
suicide. I am split down then middle in my gut. I worked in psychiatric hospitals
and would never to claim I can tell what a another humane is capable of, but I
can tell you my gut is,, not good.
Feeling : ,,,,,, well ,,, what would you say when something stands in front of your
dreams and lifeʼs work , Your best friends dreams and lifeʼs work , his deeply
hurt family , long term domestic partners deeply hurt feelings , and his friendʼs
hurt feelings ,,, I could not begin to even write how hurt and concerned I am
about his well being.
Fact: I am well aware that Ericʼs MIA does not exclude me from the situations of
bills and legal obligations. My ethics around our supporters is very strong .
Fact : I am seeking legal advise. So this letter is on my own behalf and not under
any legal advise. This is what I know and how I understand things to be. I am
only writing because it is the ethical thing to do. You all deserve to know from my
mouth.
Fact: My part in Tristate's business was to primarily teach. Gun safety , self
defense , and the well being of our community .This has been my personal
commitment since I opened my other business 15 years ago. I teach people how
to live better lives and to be safe for a living. In some sense I was a silent (but
very active) partner for the office work at tristate. I deal with my other business's
office (along with my domestic partner). I can not stand computers, I do not carry
a cell phone or even once looked at face book on my own accord . I canʼt stand
that kind of stuff. I would always rather have humane interaction, and train
martial arts.
Feeling : I hope you all understand Eric is a strong , ethical , and is caring for all
people person. He would push you out of the way of a passing bullet and take it
himself. I pray for his safety and well being.
Fact : This was his life's dream. I am saying this with no drama included.
Feeling : I know you all did believe in us at some point and I hope you will all
believe me when I say , I will do every thing in my power to keep this place open
some how. It would make no sense for this place to close. We would all lose ! I
will take some time to understand all the legalities and would rather not be
contacted till I have some concrete answers for people, yet please come to the
website for updated info. As news comes on all accounts I will have it posted. I
hope our members and supporters can have some patience and believe me that I
have everyoneʼs best interest in mind and in heart
What I would like for people to think about is :
A new owner (s).
A co op for our members
A non profit outfit
So sorry and no excuses !
