Author Archives: Gayla

Proper Storage for Folding Chairs

Achieving the perfect seating capacity can be a fluctuating process. Many businesses rely on the helpful folding chair style of seating for those times when you need to quickly make adjustments to your floor plan. While these chairs can be a life-saver when your event is larger than anticipated, they can be a storage concern when they are not in use. Luckily, there are a few options for proper storage for folding chairs.

Storage for Folding Chairs

When looking for proper storage for folding chairs, it is important to keep in mind that these items should not be just stacked in the corner of a garage or an unused space in the back of the restaurant. If you leave them without a proper storage system, you leave them vulnerable to irreversible damage rendering them useless. Always have a storage plan in place with any investment for your business, including folding chairs. Whatever storage plan you intend to use, make sure to keep chairs away from overexposure to direct sunlight or water to avoid damage.

One of the most popular and widely used methods for proper storage for folding chairs is the use of a high-quality cart, often referred to as a dolly. These allow for a designated space to keep the chairs and easy transportation since most carts have wheels. While these dollies come in a variety of sizes, there are other options for those looking for even more storage capacity. Another option for proper storage for folding chairs when you have a lot of chairs is a stackable rack. This rack allows for racks of chairs to be stacked on top of each for the most storage available. When looking for something with less storage but more ease of access, there are hanging folding chair dollies. These are a great storage option for venues looking to save on floor space and have the ease of quickly grabbing chairs.

No matter what storage device you choose for the storage of folding chairs, it is best to have an accurate estimate of how many chairs you have and how much storage you truly need.

Buying Granite Table Tops

Outfitting a restaurant with the right furniture can become a headache when choosing between many different materials. With so many options, from wood and aluminum to granite and steel, it is important to know the benefits of each type of material before shopping. We have compiled a few considerations when buying granite table tops to keep in mind.

Buying Granite

One of the most important considerations when buying granite table tops is how much strength granite restaurant tablesyou require from a table. While these are often more expensive than other options, they also offer more long-lasting durability when compared to wood or aluminum, because they are made of hard, natural stone. Granite is also resistant to stains and harmful bacteria. Another benefit of granite is that it can handle heat without being damaged which is helpful in the restaurant industry. While you may pay more initially, the investment will pay off in the years the granite tabletop is capable of withstanding many stressors that would destroy other table materials.

Another one of the important considerations when buying granite table tops is the style. Granite is available in several colors and can easily accentuate any décor theme, but if the rest of the decor is run-down or more traditional, then the granite tabletop might seem out of place or ostentatious. Granite is one of the most stunning stones for tables and counters because no two pieces are ever alike. Each stone features unique swirls and color variations that customers will enjoy looking at while eating at your restaurant. While this is a component of granite that most people like, for someone looking for a uniformed appearance at their restaurant, granite may not be the right choice for them. It should also be kept in mind that on rare occasions granite can crack if hit with a high impact, but the pros still outweigh the cons for some.

Like any table material, granite has many attributes to offer the world of restaurants and hospitality businesses, any purchase made for a business, such as granite table tops, should always be approached with a bit of research to ensure you get exactly what you need for your business.

Missouri Table & Chair Green and Sustainability Policy

eco friendly book coversEven before global warming was a topic on the minds of many people, Missouri Table & Chair (MTC) has tried protecting the environment. For example, all of our finishing waste is collected in 55 gallon drums and sent to a cement manufacturer to recycle, where this finishing waste has been used for energy in the cement manufacturing process. Our finishes were also increased with more solids to lessen VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions.   Sawdust and scrap lumber leftover from the manufacturing process are used by farmers and residential people.   Reducing and recycling cost extra in some areas, like with finishes, but making everyone at MTC and our vendors aware of expenses and the environment is good for our business and the planet. We use quite a bit of hardwood in our business in the manufacture of our restaurant furniture. Hardwood is a sustainable green product. The information provided by the Hardwood Manufacturers Association states that American forests continue to be a trusted source for sustainable and legally harvested timber that is carbon neutral. A solid hardwood floor, or a table top, can last in excess of 100 years, while carpet would need to be replaced numerous times during that span. And according to the U.S. Forest Service, there were 119 percent more hardwood trees in 2007 than in 1953. All of our restaurant table bases are manufactured from steel or aluminum that can be recycled and used for another purpose.   Our seating can be separated into wood, aluminum and steel that can be recycled. The cardboard and crates and skids made from wood products is also recycled. We choose to do no harm to the earth that sustains us. We realize there are always areas where we can improve, within MTC, and also from any vendors that support us with materials.   Just a few examples are searching for better finishing materials to further reduce the emissions into the air, reducing the use of electricity with more efficient machinery, and using popcorn chip packing material that is biodegradable and not petroleum based. We believe that using sustainable products and increasing efficiency not only helps our business, but also the environment.

 

Will Restaurant Granite Tables Benefit You?

granite restaurant tablesBeing a restaurant owner, you must be well-aware of the importance of table tops in enhancing the beauty and quality of your restaurant décor. Among the most popular restaurant table top options are granite table tops. They create a unique ambiance to appeal to customers and are a fantastic return on investment. Though the granite table tops are slightly more expensive than other popular table tops like that of wood, laminate, resin etc, they prove to be a profitable choice in the long run. However, it is always the restaurant owner who makes the final call after calculating the overall aspects. Their exceptional durability provides for little maintenance and easy cleaning. Restaurant granite tables are also an excellent alternative if you are considering setting up an outdoor patio. Let’s discuss more about the kind of restaurants that require granite table tops.

Seafood Restaurants

Located near or on a waterfront, seafood restaurants can provide your customers possibly the best and the most natural ambiance to enjoy the seafood. These restaurants mostly also have an open-air patio to provide beautiful views while the guests dine in or sit for a chat. Granite can be a great option for those outdoor patio table tops for its high durability and heat resistant qualities. Even when exposed to direct sunlight, granite table tops do not lose their shine, and are most unlikely to chip or scratch if they are treated with care. Granite tables add to the mouthwatering succulence of seafood, which is usually complemented by a dedicated wine list. You can expect spilling of soft drinks, ice cream, lemon or orange juice, or other foods onto the table. Restaurant granite tables are resistant to acidic foods and/or liquids, and do not etch. They can also be well-protected from staining by the application of recommended sealers.  Many types of seafood are oily; treating the top with sealers containing fluoropolymers can help prevent oil and water staining the table top.

Steakhouses

Granite tables add a sense of quality and can be an ideal table top choice for a casual restaurant or any steakhouse. Granite table tops can blend in wonderfully with any steakhouse furnishings and overall décor theme. While a good bottle of wine makes a great combination with the succulent steak and other food such as chicken seafood, and pork – accidental spills may happen.  Granite tops are resistant to acidic foods like lemon, mustard and wine, making granite tables just right for steak restaurants.

 Casual Restaurants such as Bistros (small speciality restaurants)

Originated in France, Bistros are now a popular trend in the United States. Most cafes, small restaurants or bistros can be seen equipped with tables having round granite top and steel or cast iron base with seating for two to four people. Available in variety of colors and textures, the tables with granite top have a high aesthetic value with their durable appearance.  The granite table tops are available in myriad of unique design patterns in muted as well as exotic shades and tones. Many bistros are high traffic areas, and granite’s durable nature makes it a highly preferred commercial grade table top material for restaurant owners owing to its ease of cleaning and maintenance. Even with all the high rush and crowd, they are a less hassle to clean and maintain. Granite tables, being highly resistant to scratches, do not show signs of wear from daily use. Many bistros use patios, even extending them to an outdoor sidewalk. The plywood core granite table tops are an excellent choice for indoor or outdoor use. Not only are they durable but the plywood core subtracts some of the weight while at the same time make it very easy to attach bases with screws. Granite is more resistant to juice, mustard or wine as they are less porous than marble that allows liquid to seep down into the stone’s pores that can cause permanent stains to marble table tops. Penetrating sealers, commonly referred as impregnators, can help you protect granite table tops from staining, but are not regularly used. However, the ideal solution is to wipe out problematic spills as quickly as possible. Granite is the most heat-tolerant of any table top material, and can withstand the heat of hot pots and pans served at the steakhouses without any signs of damage.

 

What Designers Must Know About Restaurant Bar Stools

restaurant bar stoolsWhen new restaurants are designed, or existing restaurants are renovated, business owners often hire architects and/or designers to be involved in the process. Knowing the proper height requirements between barstools and bases is one of the more difficult parts of designing a restaurant space. The relationship between the height of the bar tables and bar stool seating is a key factor in the comfort of restaurant customers. This article provides valuable advice for architects and designers regarding the proper height spacing of bar tables, bars and barstools.

1.  Restaurant Bar Stool Sizes

Barstools are typically manufactured in three sizes, measured from the floor to the top of the seat. The typical measurements from the floor to the seat top are 18”, 24” and 30”. While these three measurements are typical, 99% of all commercial restaurant bar stools are the 30” height. An 18” tall bar stool can be used anywhere that you would use a chair, as 18” is the same height as most commercial chair seats, when measured from the floor to the top of the chair seat. A 24” bar stool is typically used with a 36” counter found in a residential home.

2.  Barstool and Bar Heights

The main reason the 30” bar stool is used 99% of the time in restaurants is that the most common restaurant bar height is 42”. Sometimes bars are made at heights other than 42”, which can cause problems. The height of the barstool in relationship to the bar top is not as big an issue for bar tops that are constructed under 42”, but bar tops that are constructed over 42” tall can cause major problems. There are barstools that are manufactured in heights over 30” to match up to a taller bar, but these commercial bar stools tend to be harder to find, more expensive, and are available in a much more limited selection. Also, safety issues can arise when bar tops are over 42” and bar stools are too tall for customers.

3.  Bar Top to Barstool Seat Height Relationship

The difference between the top of the bar stool seat and the top of the bar should be 12”. More than a 12” difference will make customers of average height uncomfortable even if the difference is just one inch. People that are very knowledgeable about customer comfort construct the restaurant bar top and the bar stool so that the seat difference is between 10” and 12”. For example, with a standard bar stool height of 30”, the average customer will be very comfortable at a bar table or bar that is between 40” and 41” tall. One or two inches may seem pretty insignificant, but it is those little differences that make customers want to come back to the restaurant, because they are sitting at barstools properly matched to the height of bars and where they feel comfortable.

This restaurant bar stool height information is a small sample of the many valuable tips regarding commercial bar stools available from Missouri Table & Chair.  Click the link below to download the free e-book with all ten tips.