# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/61 "2008-02-18T02:36:39Z")
[Eat’n Park](http://eatnpark.com/), a fast food chain out of Pittsburgh, began in 1949 as a drive-in. Back then, so the website says, “Park & Eat” signs were everywhere. So the new venture decided to turn the name, and logic itself, upside down. I mean, why would you eat first and _then_ park? Unless you had to yak or something? ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/62 "2008-02-18T03:03:20Z")
[QUOTE=Ichbin Dubist] There was a store in my hometown called OK Wigs. Has there even been a less inspiring store name? [/QUOTE] I see a lot of businesses named “Standard [name of product or service here]”. Not particularly inspiring, but quite common. The “Standard” name gives off a “We’ve been around since 1952, and we’re not really cutting-edge” vibe. I’ve noticed that there’s certain business nammes that are common to a region, which seems to make them … well, it seems to make them generic. Buffalo has lots of “Niagara [something]”, “Seneca [something]”, and “Iroquois [something]” businesses. Cleveland is filled with “Fifth Coast [something]”, “North Coast [something]” and “Western Reserve [something]”. In Denver, it’s “Front Range [something]” and “Rocky Mountain [something]”. One thing very common in Buffalo: businesses are named after the neighborhood or street they were originally on, but when the area turns into a ghetto and they relocate, they keep the same name." Thus, there’s plenty of “Bailey [something’” businesses that are located far from Bailey Avenue. I _know_ I’m in a redneck part of town when I see lots of businesses named “J&[some other letter]”. It’s always “J” - J&R Excavating, J&B Mini-Storage, J&L Auto Body, J&M Used Tires … ---
**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 18, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/63 "2008-02-18T03:44:47Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] Seattle just opened a new trolley service. It’s the _ **S** outh **L** ake **U** noin **T** rolley_ or **SLUT**. Of course, now they want to call it a Streetcar; too late! [/QUOTE] [The Slut](http://ecoworldly.com/2008/02/07/7-unusual-public-transit-wonders-you-should-try-in-your-lifetime/) was featured [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=454974) in my thread on 7 Unusual Public-Transit Wonders You Should Try in Your Lifetime . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/64 "2008-02-18T13:50:35Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] One thing very common in Buffalo: businesses are named after the neighborhood or street they were originally on, but when the area turns into a ghetto and they relocate, they keep the same name." Thus, there’s plenty of “Bailey [something’” businesses that are located far from Bailey Avenue. [/QUOTE] Did you recognize the Amigone Funeral home I linked to? It’s in Williamsville just a hop away from Main St. (in the Village of Williamsville) and Bailey ave! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/65 "2008-02-18T15:26:13Z")
A few that I’ve seen: A small discount store called **Dollar Plus ±**. Given that the point of a dollar store is that everything costs a dollar, I assume that everything in this store costs more than a dollar, give or take. In a shopping center not far from where I live is the **Cao Dung Beauty Clinic**. This is down the street from a restaurant called \*\*Duang Rats \*\*(I kept secretly hoping that the a in the sign would burn out.) Not a bad name per se, but in a strip mall, I once saw two stores so close together that their signs ran together (both were printed in the big white block letters that were standard for that shopping center). This produced the effect of a single sign proudly declaring **I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt Paint and Wallpaper**. ---
**Author:** ![nd\_n8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/439d5e/32.png) [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/66 "2008-02-18T15:47:57Z")
In Indianapolis in the '70s (at the north west corner of 10th and Tibbs on the west side to be precise). There was a restaurant called **Lazy Mabel’s Tallywhacker**. Their burgers were 2 for a dollar but nobody asked what was in them. ---
**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 18, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/67 "2008-02-18T15:49:58Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] This is down the street from a restaurant called \*\*Duang Rats \*\*(I kept secretly hoping that the a in the sign would burn out.) [/QUOTE] Must have been a Thai restaurant. Duangrat is a common girl’s name. But I’d hope someone would have had sense enough to tell her not to write it as two words. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/68 "2008-02-18T17:08:22Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] Not a bad name per se, but in a strip mall, I once saw two stores so close together that their signs ran together (both were printed in the big white block letters that were standard for that shopping center). This produced the effect of a single sign proudly declaring **I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt Paint and Wallpaper**. [/QUOTE] Similarly, a gas station in our town used to advertise its features on the roof overhang: CHICKEN DONUTS DELI. It’s changed hands and been remodeled, so the words are no longer there, but we still call it “the chicken donuts place.” ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/69 "2008-02-18T18:08:35Z")
There is a chain of sushi restaurants in the SF Bay Area called Manpuku. I’m sure “Man-puke-oo” is not an uncommon pronunciation, and puke is not something you’d want associated with your restaurant… ---
**Author:** ![Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambi_Hassenpfeffer)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/70 "2008-02-18T18:19:28Z")
[QUOTE=Patty O’Furniture] [Megaflicks!](http://www.segura-inc.com/segura2/photos/seen+noted/images/megaflicks.jpg) [/QUOTE] Unfortunately, MEGAFLICKS is out of business and in its place is an Amscot. Boring, but true. [QUOTE=picunurse] Seattle just opened a new trolley service. It’s the _ **S** outh **L** ake **U** noin **T** rolley_ or **SLUT**. Of course, now they want to call it a Streetcar; too late! [/QUOTE] About 50 miles from here is a town called Winter Haven. Their public transportation is the [Winter Haven Area Transit](http://www.ridecitrus.com/content/interior.asp?section=sys&body=what.htm) system. On the backs of all the buses, in enormous white letters, is painted WHAT. I envision a total “Who’s on first?” sort of thing arising out of taking a daily trip on the WHAT bus. ---
**Author:** ![Ferns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/90ced4/32.png) [@Ferns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferns)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/71 "2008-02-18T18:34:45Z")
Roach Realty. No, I’m not kidding: [http://www.downtowngreensboro.com/cooppages/Roachrealty1.htm](http://www.downtowngreensboro.com/cooppages/Roachrealty1.htm) ---
**Author:** ![neorxnawange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f4b2a3/32.png) [@neorxnawange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neorxnawange)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/72 "2008-02-18T18:47:50Z")
There was a huge human resources firm in my hometown named \*\*PMS \*\* (personnel management systems). This was a major employer in the city. And yes they operated under the acronym and not the full name of the business. About two years into business they changed the name of the firm to **PMSI**. There is a chinese restaurant near my house named **Fu Kee**. And though it, hopefully, wasn’t on purpose there is a laundry place nearby named **You’re Laundromat**. That’s right, you are laudromat. ---
**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 18, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/73 "2008-02-18T18:52:08Z")
[QUOTE=Ferns] Roach Realty. No, I’m not kidding: [http://www.downtowngreensboro.com/cooppages/Roachrealty1.htm](http://www.downtowngreensboro.com/cooppages/Roachrealty1.htm) [/QUOTE] I work for a property management company and one of my favourite bits of correspondence is an owner’s letter that began “To whom it may concern;” and then went on to complain of a cockroach infestation in their apartment. This was replied to with a standard letter explaining that it was the owner’s responsibility to deal with since the problem was limited to their own unit, nicely signed by my boss, “M. Roach.” I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when the owner opened that letter. (My boss actually has a nice ring featuring an actual cockroach preserved in amber. A proud Roach, that one.) ---
**Author:** ![Pithy\_Moniker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8dc957/32.png) [@Pithy\_Moniker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pithy_Moniker)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/74 "2008-02-18T18:59:14Z")
I knew someone that went to work for El Paso Gas. I still giggle like a school girl when I think of that name. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/75 "2008-02-18T19:33:44Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Il Palazzo] Not a bad name per se, but in a strip mall, I once saw two stores so close together that their signs ran together (both were printed in the big white block letters that were standard for that shopping center). This produced the effect of a single sign proudly declaring **I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt Paint and Wallpaper**. [/QUOTE] In a shopping plaza a few miles from my house, between Lane Bryant\* and Dress Barn Woman\*, is a take-out wrap place named [Roly Poly](http://www.rolypoly.com/). Amigone Funeral Home in Buffalo: I think it’s pronounced “Ahm-eee-shown”. Joke about the name to an Italian-American, and they’ll wonder “what’s so funny about it?” Same thing with another common Italian family name in Buffalo: Muffaletto. - For the non-USA-ians on the SDMB, Lane Bryant and Dress Barn Woman are stores catering to “women of size”, to be politically correct. ---
**Author:** ![PharmBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@PharmBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PharmBoy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/76 "2008-02-18T19:43:32Z")
[QUOTE=nd\_n8] In Indianapolis in the '70s (at the north west corner of 10th and Tibbs on the west side to be precise). There was a restaurant called **Lazy Mabel’s Tallywhacker**. Their burgers were 2 for a dollar but nobody asked what was in them. [/QUOTE] Hold the special sauce… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/77 "2008-02-18T19:44:47Z")
[QUOTE=Larry Mudd] My all-time favourite: [Barren Investments](http://www.profilecanada.com/companydetail.cfm?company=2137336_Barren_Investments_Ltd_Hope_BC). [/QUOTE] That reminds me, there’s a place in Orlando called Wilder Accounting. Look, you can be as crazy as you want on the weekends but I don’t want you to try out weird legal theories on my tax return! ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/78 "2008-02-18T20:16:22Z")
**Blackwater** , the very profitable company that supplies private troops to the US State Dept. in Iraq on a no-bid contract, came by its name honestly. :rolleyes: The headquarters and huge training compound, somewhere in the Carolinas, is mostly bog land. If you dig down two or three feet, you get black water. [QUOTE=nashiitashii] There’s a place in Kissimmee called “Decent Nails.” Not “Happy Nails” (also in Kissimmee) or “Trendy Nail” (Kissimmee), but “Decent Nails.” “Eh, it’s decent. No high quality stuff, but it’s better than Shitty Nails.” [/QUOTE] For reasons I don’t quite understand, at least 80% of the nail shops in the US are owned and/or operated by women from Cambodia. (I’m not making this up.) That explains some the odd nail shop names. [QUOTE=Tikki] … My sister recently moved to Tacoma near an Italian restaurant called Il Fiasco. I so want to eat there one of these days! [/QUOTE] It’s _the bottle_ in Italian. According to Tom & Ray Magliozzi (Car Talk), it came to mean _failure_ because Italian art glass blowers, when a piece didn’t quite work out, would call the piece a bottle (il fiasco,) and they’d sell it cheaply. Flask comes from the same root. ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/79 "2008-02-18T20:21:25Z")
There’s a second hand store nearby, the owners of which decided to get cutesy (uh, kutsey) with the signage. Thus, it says --Kollectables–Konsignment–Kristmas. I like to call it the KKK. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875/80 "2008-02-18T20:48:23Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] In a shopping plaza a few miles from my house, between Lane Bryant\* and Dress Barn Woman\*, is a take-out wrap place named [Roly Poly](http://www.rolypoly.com/). Amigone Funeral Home in Buffalo: I think it’s pronounced “Ahm-eee-shown”. Joke about the name to an Italian-American, and they’ll wonder “what’s so funny about it?” Same thing with another common Italian family name in Buffalo: Muffaletto. - For the non-USA-ians on the SDMB, Lane Bryant and Dress Barn Woman are stores catering to “women of size”, to be politically correct. [/QUOTE] This fat chick gives you special dispensation to say “fat chicks.” 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-business-names/437875.md?page=5)