This business does well
Kind of...
They've also been really really really far in debt for a while now, which is why it initially looked like Rob was selling everything off even before this whole "essay contest" thing even started up.
I've definitely had some good times at the CACC, but sometimes things can feel a bit... flakey. Just in terms of business and communication.
Of course, you can generally assume they are adding this new $100 per essay thing in hopes that the essay cash can make up for the crowdfunding campaign that was supposed to raise $75,000 to "Save The Theater" but seemed to have plateaued at only 2% funding.
They're probably hoping that enough people will submit the $100 per essay, so they can pay off the debt and walk away from the business with a clean slate. Can't really blame them for that.
It'd be great to take over the theatre, I was very excited about this contest when I first heart word of it. It's a really cool place. But I wouldn't want to risk inheriting the place's financial issues when taking over... or having the whole deal fall apart partway through. I'd just be very uneasy doing such a big business deal with them. I'd definitely want a good lawyer overseeing the whole transaction.
If it were $20, I'd absolutely go for it. But for $100? I wouldn't want to risk never seeing that money again. Of course, they're gonna give the money back if it doesn't work out. As they said. I believe them. But part of me can definitely still see myself emailing Rob every few months asking for an update on when everyone is getting reimbursed.
I especially don't want to spend that kind of money... when there's a good change the winner might just "coincidentally" turn out to be a friend, intern, or coworker. There doesn't seem to be any listed rules on associated parties submitting entries, no mention of multiple judges or outside judges to avoid possible bias, no mention of any sort of financial or legal expert overseeing this whole contest.
I definitely hope the business continues in some form. It's a really cool place. I wish the best for Rob too. He's a alright guy, from what I've gathered over the years. He's definitely not looking to take a bunch of money for himself and run off. He's not that kind of guy. He's just looking to pay off the debt and move on. Focus on some other things for a while, like his personal life and his health. Which is fine, of course.
I love CACC... but still... I think I'm just gonna stay out of this whole thing.