needs customers

Nice story on the small family businesses not being able to survive in Ballard. It is a shame, and I think the small family businesses are what made and still make Ballard a great neighborhood. People just need to search them out. I am the fourth generation operator of Mike's Chili Parlor near the Ballard Bridge.

With all of the development on my block, I get a lot of people telling me how great it is that we stick around and have not given in to the development around us. The thing that I find interesting is that people long for the nostalgia of the small family owned business and are willing to say it out loud, however, I try to tell people that if you want to help these businesses survive, you need to make a concerted effort to patronize those establishments. It is the old adage "talk is cheap," what we family owned businesses need are customers.

By the way, Mike's Chili Parlor has been operating in Ballard for four generations. My great grandfather started the business in 1922 and we have kept serving the same chili recipe ever since. Also, we will be featured on the Food Network's "Diners Drive Ins and Dives" this season. The current airdate is slated for Oct. 22, 2007. Check you local listings.

Keep up the good work.

Mike Semandiris

Owner, Mike's Chili

Ballard