After months of investigation, officials attribute Tumbleweed’s rent issues to the truth behind the restaurant chain’s slogan.
Recent attempts to have Tumbleweed evicted from its current location — overlooking the Ohio River in scenic Waterfront Park — have brought to light a disturbing trend of financial irresponsibility. Court documents show that the restaurant may owe as much as $60,000 in unpaid rent.
Waterfront Development Corporation officials, speaking on behalf of the landlord, have expressed bewilderment at the negligence regarding rent payments. “We just do not understand how this could happen,” said Waterfront deputy director Mike Kimmel. “That place is always packed. The parking lot is always full, and there are always so many people visiting the park and driving down River Road.”
However, collection officials have made a discovery. Lead investigator Willie Mitchell explains, “It’s that age-old adage, ‘You don’t get high on your own supply.’ Well, it’s like that, plus their slogan ‘Need the Weed.’”
According to Mitchell, what started off as a clever ad campaign for the chain of restaurants became more of a lifestyle for employees and management. Servers and their managers would show up an hour or two before opening for some of that Weed. This led to bowl after bowl ... of chips and queso, guacamole and an assortment of salsas. Occasionally they would even turn to more Weed options, including burritos and enchiladas. After-work time only led to more Weed. No charges have been filed against any individual at this time.
One former employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, told LEON, “We all thought it was just a funny slogan — ya know, ‘Need the Weed’ — because we were all high and thinking of WEED-weed. But then people would just eat so much of it, it was almost like they actually needed the Weed.” A spokesperson for Tumbleweed says that negotiations regarding settlement of the unpaid rent are ongoing.
