# Bad business names **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2008, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875 "2008-02-16T12:18:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/1 "2008-02-16T12:18:31Z")
The other day I passed by a restaurant with the name “King Baguetteria”. Now, it’s true the baguettes are the most popular form of bread here in Viet Nam, and it makes some sense that a place that sells them might be called a baguetteria (mixing languages a bit). However, a good role of thumb when naming a restaurant is to avoid words that sound almost exactly like bacteria. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/2 "2008-02-16T13:30:28Z")
There is a low-income housing project in a nearby town that proudly calls itself, “The Pines.” Which always gives me a bit of cognitive dissonance. I get that trees are supposed to be homey, and all. But when I see it, I still can only think of the old folk standard, “[Black Girl](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Did_You_Sleep_Last_Night),” with the version I know best having a chorus, of “In the pines, in the pines, where the sun never shines. I shivered the whole night through.” Just doesn’t quite bring _homey_ to mind for me. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/3 "2008-02-16T13:42:38Z")
Japan has so many sometimes I think I should take note of businesses with _good_ names. [Stone Retch Spa](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/434993722/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Hotel Lungwood](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/434967634/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Blacky Tanning Salon](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/696876322/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Hair Slug](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/875555750/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Navel salon](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/1201735846/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Puff, Co. (“Like the Magic Dragon”)](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/1221803966/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Master’s Drug](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/1522580206/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Race War](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2176965699/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Amok Travel](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2054697328/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Bruce Pee](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2258635299/in/set-72157594557424169/) [Freak’s Store](http://flickr.com/photos/jmrocher2001/2259430206/in/set-72157594557424169/) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/4 "2008-02-16T14:05:12Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/5 "2008-02-16T14:33:27Z")
[QUOTE=Greg Charles] The other day I passed by a restaurant with the name “King Baguetteria”. Now, it’s true the baguettes are the most popular form of bread here in Viet Nam, and it makes some sense that a place that sells them might be called a baguetteria (mixing languages a bit). However, a good **role of thumb** when naming a restaurant is to avoid words that sound almost exactly like bacteria. :smack: [/QUOTE] [sub]my bold[/sub] Well, they should keep their thumbs outta the bread! 😃 [sub]Ducks and runs.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/6 "2008-02-16T14:37:52Z")
In Dubai there is a business called “Drive and Walk Rent-A-Car”. Near the Galata Tower in Istanbul a business has a large sign reading “We’re Sorry We’re Open”. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/7 "2008-02-16T14:40:58Z")
Some local Asians have their own beauty salon. “Chin Hair Design.” ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/8 "2008-02-16T14:50:37Z")
My all-time favourite: [Barren Investments](http://www.profilecanada.com/companydetail.cfm?company=2137336_Barren_Investments_Ltd_Hope_BC). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/9 "2008-02-16T14:52:38Z")
Don’t forget my thread on that restaurant called “No Thai.” And does anyone remember the Ayd’s Diet Plan? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/10 "2008-02-16T14:59:42Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] And does anyone remember the Ayd’s Diet Plan? [/QUOTE] FWIW, [Ayds](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayds) diet candies had that name long before GRID was recognized, let alone had it’s name changed to AIDS. I don’t think it counts near as much when events make your name ironic, or disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/11 "2008-02-16T15:36:49Z")
That’s true, it was more a case of rotten luck. But definitely bad for business once the epidemic hit. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/12 "2008-02-16T15:55:51Z")
During the oil boom, there was a business here called “Twin Peaks Bra Shop”. Not surprisingly, it was a front for a whorehouse. ---
**Author:** ![PharmBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@PharmBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PharmBoy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/13 "2008-02-16T16:58:33Z")
There’s a gas station here in town that is called “Xtreme Gas”. My two sons crack up whenever we pass by… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![bufftabby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@bufftabby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bufftabby)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/14 "2008-02-16T17:06:28Z")
Fat n Sassy. They sold plus size women’s clothing. Geriatric Angels. Eldercare with a most disconcerting name. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/15 "2008-02-16T17:07:15Z")
One of the most successful and popular makers of bread, pastries and related products in Spain is **BIMBO** , a giant Mexican food corporation. They are the ones who introduced sliced bread in Spain. [I kid you not.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grupo_Bimbo) And they are big… Apparently, among food corporations, they are #4 in the world after Unilever, Sara Lee and Nestlé… Just my 2 eurocent! JoseB P.S.: Or you could visit the official U.S. site for… BIMBO BAKERIES U.S.A. 😛 > **[Homepage | Bimbo Bakeries USA](https://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com/)** > > Bimbo Bakeries USA Homepage ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/16 "2008-02-16T17:11:13Z")
I never went in, but when I lived in the San Fernando Valley I used to drive past a place called **I Can’t Believe It’s Fish**. I don’t know what they had done to the fish…made it into ice cream cakes? high end sculpture? I’ve regretted not finding out since I moved away… ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/17 "2008-02-16T17:14:11Z")
I love the **Wankier Insurance Co.** in Bloomington, IN. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/18 "2008-02-16T17:27:43Z")
[QUOTE=JoseB] One of the most successful and popular makers of bread, pastries and related products in Spain is **BIMBO** , a giant Mexican food corporation. They are the ones who introduced sliced bread in Spain. [I kid you not.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grupo_Bimbo) And they are big… Apparently, among food corporations, they are #4 in the world after Unilever, Sara Lee and Nestlé… Just my 2 eurocent! JoseB P.S.: Or you could visit the official U.S. site for… BIMBO BAKERIES U.S.A. 😛 > **[Homepage | Bimbo Bakeries USA](https://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com/)** > > Bimbo Bakeries USA Homepage [/QUOTE] Yeah, a lot of the Mexican groceries here stock BIMBO products. I really don’t see the point, as they’re basically the same thing as Wonder bread, from all that I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/19 "2008-02-16T19:27:25Z")
There is a very nice, upscale Japanese restaurant in Brookline, MA simply called Fugakyu. ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/20 "2008-02-16T19:33:35Z")
The other day, I saw a truck with Overlake Oil printed on it. Got me to thinking, oil over a lake. That’s not a good thing. My sister recently moved to Tacoma near an Italian restaurant called Il Fiasco. I so want to eat there one of these days! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875.md?page=2)