Ponderosa in Johnstown to close
By MICHAEL ANICH/The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
JOHNSTOWN - The Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurant on North Comrie Avenue, a popular buffet-style eatery for at least three-decades, will close its doors Sunday.
The closing was verified Friday by Gary Scazone, manager of the Amsterdam Ponderosa, who said his restaurant is not closing.
Scazone said the decision to close the Johnstown Ponderosa was made on the corporate level, at Ponderosa headquarters in Plano, Tex.
He said the Johnstown Ponderosa was not doing well in sales compared to other Ponderosas.
"The corporation has decided to regroup around its franchisees," Scazone said. "The Johnstown store was one of the quieter stores."
Johnstown Ponderosa Manager Tracy VanAlstyne declined comment publicly to The Leader-Herald Editorial Department on whether the restaurant was due to close. But the newspaper's Advertising Department was told by VanAlstyne that his restaurant was pulling its advertisements.
A call to Ponderosa Steakhouse headquarters in Texas was not returned.
Johnstown Mayor Sarah J. Slingerland didn't know of the Ponderosa closing, but expressed regret.
"It's just a great location," she said. "Its been there quite awhile. There's going to be a lot of casualties of this economy."
While businesses like Ponderosa are closing, Slingerland put a positive spin on the news by noting businesses like KFC on Route 30A actually renovated for expansion.
Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Wally Hart said Friday the restaurant has been in the area at least 30 years.
Hart said local restaurants are facing challenges due to the current economic climate, but the chamber is doing all it can to help these establishments. That includes using advertising, promotional brochures and other avenues to promote local businesses, he said.
Leader-Herald reporter Kerry McAvoy contributed to this report.
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resident69
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11-25-08 10:17 AM
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Johnstown by no means becoming a ghost town! Look at South Comrie Ave, New hotel, Wendy's, refrub KFC. Today's economy is doing it to more businesses. If you are not raking in the cash you will be shut down. Hopefully someone will take over that spot... hmmm another dollar store! It really stinks that they decided to do it during the holidays...Happy Thanksgiving...you'll be un employed, Merry Christmas you are jobless. Wait I want a Uno's Resturant, I'm tired of the crappy tastless pizza's. Some pass off cardboard as a pizza.
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mstrp444
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11-24-08 9:34 PM
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to get info straight... not all of them lost there jobs... the owners of the ponderosa in amsterdam are taking some of them under their wing... amsterdam really isn't that far away and the food is alot better than johnstowns since the new owners took over... the waitstaff there are very curtious... they are a fun crowd... they still have specials like senior weds and kids nights on tues... so, as it may be a loss to johnstown economicly... the people still have a pondo close by to enjoy...
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sems1228
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11-24-08 5:33 PM
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there are 30 people employeed there... dont eat there if you dont like it! im just sayin that those people lost their jobs and reguardless if you like it or not, those people lost their jobs! a job is a job, whether is a CEO position or a waitressing position... esp if you have a family that counts on it...
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Hairston
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11-24-08 3:02 PM
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Townsend Leather is right around the corner, maybe theyre hiring for the holidays...
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Hairston
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11-24-08 3:00 PM
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We make you sick, but Pondagrossa makes us all sick! And there is no way 30 people work there. I'm sure the 10 or so people that work there can find something else to do...its a Pondagrossa job for gods sakes, not a CEO position at Walmarts!!
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sems1228
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11-24-08 11:43 AM
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lets see... things you are all wrong about... ponderosa is NOT owned by the same company as Golden Corral! its NOT a cess pool by any means, if you dont like buffets that your preference! OH! and u know what!? just because you didnt like it think about the 30 people that are losing their jobs!! what did they ever do to you!?! have some compassion! they all lost their jobs before the holiday season... you people make me sick!
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jbt353
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11-24-08 5:23 AM
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Maby they should ask for a bailout!!!!
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Knickman
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11-23-08 7:22 PM
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Johnstown/Gloversville is too small of a market for a Golden Corral. Probably for Cracker Barrel also. The location is not the best. The best location is south of where Rt 29 comes in because of the route from Fultonville exit 28 of the T-way to Saratoga Springs. You need to pick up the transient traffic as well as the local.
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harleysdad
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11-23-08 2:20 PM
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Now you are getting it kristina. Thats what our elected officals want.
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lizzie
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11-22-08 9:51 PM
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That's too funny! Golden Corral is owned by the same company!
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kristina
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11-22-08 9:27 PM
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Another business gone in fulton county so this place will be a ghost town.
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Discobulous
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11-22-08 6:42 PM
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Too many people just went there for the grand buffet at ten minutes of four to get it cheaper. Selling steaks was their bread and butter and most people around here go to their grandmother's for that stuff.
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Hairston
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11-22-08 3:14 PM
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Thanks ohwhatnow, you and your family are machines in my book!
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ohwhatnow
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11-22-08 3:00 PM
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I could pee myself... that is what my family calls it too... PONDA-GROSSA
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Hairston
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11-22-08 2:33 PM
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Ponda-grossa is the most vile dispicable establishment ever created. I'd rather roll around in my own feces then step foot in that cess pool. 400 pound humans are crying all over Johnstown...where will they find their filth now??
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wgalmom
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11-22-08 9:34 AM
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Cracker Barrel would be great but you would need a lot more space. Golden Corral would work better.
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UpstateNYer
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11-22-08 9:31 AM
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NOOOO - It can't be - This chain has been dropping all over. Johnstown has slowed down over the last few years - but the quality seemed to be going up. Gonna miss it and the great staff!
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Adirondackal
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11-22-08 8:39 AM
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Ditto on Rob & Crystals.
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unbelievable
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11-22-08 7:42 AM
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they should put a cracker barrell in its place. Ponderosa in Johnstown was nasty.
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NoSenseAtAll
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11-22-08 6:36 AM
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too bad....reminds me of Grossmans....I was in there every day....but it is all numbers....now we will all have to go to Rob and Crystal's on E. Fulton St in Gloversville which has the best ever food and deserts.......
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Knickman
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11-22-08 6:24 AM
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My Great Aunt who lived to be 107 years of age must be spinning in her grave. She loved to go there for the Grand Buffet, including several times after she was past 100.
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