Calhoun’s to Cally’s?
posted by Brent FinneganCalhoun’s has to change it’s name because a Tennessee company also has a restaurant called Calhoun’s.
Apparently Copper Cellar claims damage to it’s company name because Calhoun’s was winning gold medals for its beer, and they don’t want people to think that they have good beer.
posted: June 8th, 2007 by Brent Finnegan
filed under FYI, news & meta-news.
Comments: 66
Comments
Comment from writergirl
Time: June 8, 2007, 8:56 am
Yeah this is pretty dumb. But, as long as they keep making their wonderful grilled chicken salad I don’t care what their name is.
Comment from finnegan
Time: June 8, 2007, 9:04 am
According to this timeline and the DNR article, both restaurants started in 1983.
Comment from Barnabas
Time: June 8, 2007, 9:06 am
Cally’s? This is a horrible name.
Just put a name in front of it, like John.
So it’ll be John Calhouns. Cally’s makes it sound cheap, and the good cheap, the bad cheap.
Comment from writergirl
Time: June 8, 2007, 9:11 am
Yeah I’m not loving the new name.
Comment from Josh
Time: June 8, 2007, 9:39 am
I wonder what other restaurants in the area are in danger of infringing on the trademarks of other restaurants?
Blue Nile Ethiopian?
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22blue+nile%22+restaurant
Bluestone Inn?
http://www.google.com/search?q=bluestone+inn
Anthony’s? Luigi’s?
http://www.google.com/search?q=anthony%27s+pizza
http://www.google.com/search?q=luigi%27s+pizza
Comment from JGFitzgerald
Time: June 8, 2007, 9:42 am
Anybody but me remember Kristofferson as Billy the Kid and Dylan as Alias?
Billy: What’s your name, boy?
Alias: Alias.
Billy: Alias what?
Alias: Alias anything you please.
Billy: Hell, let’s just call him Alias.
Alias: That’s what I’d do.
Hell, let’s just call it Calhoun’s.
Comment from compassless
Time: June 8, 2007, 9:42 am
Cal’s, CH Brewery, Burg Brew (hmmmmm, maybe not . . . ) Calbin’s, Calwin’s, Caldon’s . . . .
Let’s see how many more names sound better than Cally’s. I imagine we can come up with many, many more.
I understand the challenge, and I ADORE the restaurant, but let’s not make it sound like someone’s pet dog.
Comment from zen
Time: June 8, 2007, 9:54 am
Yeah seems pretty silly. And I’m sure the people familiar with the place will continue to call it Calhoun’s.
But honestly, as a graphic designer, the logo always bugged me. The strange space under the “h” seems odd. But imagine all of the cost involved in re-branding an establishment’s identity. Maybe they will go to Cally’s and use the same treatment to sort of slip it in.
Comment from David Troyer
Time: June 8, 2007, 10:11 am
I was personally hoping they would opt for “Downtown 55″
Comment from Dave Briggman
Time: June 8, 2007, 10:17 am
Well, how many restaurants call deep fried, batter-dipped onions, “Bloomin Onions”?
I’m pretty sure that Dan’s Steak House does over in Luray and many others…
Outback has registered that as a trademark, see:
Comment from Phil Chroniger
Time: June 8, 2007, 10:38 am
Either way, how about adding to the end of the name…
“Calhoun’s Steak and Ale”, or something like that…that way, it’s not simply “Calhoun’s”
I don’t know, I just don’t like the idea of changing the name of a local institution like Calhoun’s has become.
Comment from cook
Time: June 8, 2007, 10:39 am
cally’s sounds like an attempt to reach out to a younger crowd
Comment from finnegan
Time: June 8, 2007, 10:49 am
That’s what I don’t get: their full name is “Calhoun’s Restaurant and Brewing Co”. calhouns.com takes you to Copper Cellar’s site.
Copper Cellar also accused them of cybersquatting. Cybersquatting generally means you’re not using it, and have no intention of using it yourself.
Comment from Callie
Time: June 8, 2007, 12:06 pm
humph….well I personally think that though the spelling of my name is much better it is still a kind of Irish sounding name. I used to be roommates with one of the owners and he would refer to the restaurant as “callys” so I think that is where the idea originated. I take offense that my name sounds like a dog…
Comment from Callie
Time: June 8, 2007, 12:11 pm
to finish my comment…my name is much more of cat’s name…
Comment from David Troyer
Time: June 8, 2007, 12:23 pm
Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (PDF)
Brent, it appears that the law pertains specifically to registration, regardless of whether or not one is “using it”.
I would imagine the part of the law Copper Celler’s is citing is #3: “use that is intended or likely to confuse or deceive the consumer as to the affiliation, connection, or association of the domain name registrant, or the domain name site with the individual.”
Comment from justin
Time: June 8, 2007, 12:28 pm
Serve their beer in a tent and call it The Poopsmith…we will all still drink.
Comment from David Miller
Time: June 8, 2007, 12:34 pm
All short syllable slip of the tongue names are appropriate for dogs. Jenny, Rusty, Callie, butch, killa etc….. I don’t think anyone would say that it should be a name specifically for dogs (like Fido). I think that we are all just saddened by big corporate crap chains like Calhoun’s Tennessee (whose beer and food suck) that take advantage of their market share and financial backing to bully small homegrown entities like our Cally’s. It is the cannibalistic way of capitalism. I’ve had some fun with trademarks myself. The laws are pretty funny (if you can find the strength to laugh).
Comment from David Miller
Time: June 8, 2007, 12:45 pm
I forgot to mention that I found it funny that Calhoun’s was originally named after a person (non-trademarkable), what a great system that protects intellectual and intangible property in order to protect investments and to support growth!
The only way that this promotes growth is by adding to Cally’s signage expense budget and therefor to the gross of the sign companies.
Comment from Reaganite
Time: June 8, 2007, 12:49 pm
With apologies to Eric and Mike, I don’t want to go to “Cally’s.” I know that is irrational, but I just don’t have a desire to go to “that place” (though I can usually be found in Calhoun’s 3-4 nights a week!). Is this just a sign of growing old . . .?
Comment from cook
Time: June 8, 2007, 1:04 pm
seems that calhoun’s missed a marketing opportunity to make the re-naming a community event - to stir our ire against the evil calhoun’s, to publicly display their gold medals, to hold a re-naming contest, and ultimately to get us in the door a few extra times. at lunch reaganite was talking about relinquishing his numbered mug in opposition to the new name; but he was sober at lunch.
Comment from TM
Time: June 8, 2007, 1:15 pm
I agree with justin, but I like the Barnabas’ idea of John Calhoun’s. But, I think that even needs more like John Calhoun’s Feel Good Ragtime Beeratorium and Old Fashioned Vittledashery. I don’t care what they call it, I just wish they’d bring back Yankee Nachos.
Comment from writergirl
Time: June 8, 2007, 1:22 pm
I agree with Cook, I think they missed a huge opportunity to get the community involved with the renaming.
Comment from Barnabas
Time: June 8, 2007, 1:45 pm
Wow TM, just think of what that would look like on a T-shirt…
…I think people would come from all overs to go to place with a name like that. But all blues and jazz sessions would have to change to bluegrass.
Comment from Jason
Time: June 8, 2007, 1:57 pm
Now my feelings are hurt. As the graphic designer who worked on that logo i have to agree that the shape under the h was odd, but as usual the client wouldn’t listen to reason.
Comment from zen
Time: June 8, 2007, 2:00 pm
Sorry Jason :)
Comment from JGFitzgerald
Time: June 8, 2007, 2:30 pm
Maybe Calhoon’s? And keep the thing under the H. I’d always assumed it was placed there to symbolize the existential emptiness that haunts us all during those deep, dark Februaries of the soul that drive us to seek out the bright lights and shining brass of a place like Calhoon’s.
Comment from Jason
Time: June 8, 2007, 2:53 pm
Nope, its just there because the owner didn’t like shapes the outline made inside the letters, and didn’t want to take the time to make it right. Clients suck. And to contribute: Cally’s is way to feminine a name for the place. all that hard wood and flat black… the place is decorated in post modern lumberjack.
Comment from Renee
Time: June 8, 2007, 3:22 pm
I also don’t like the name Cally’s, there are several better possibilities. Why isn’t “Calhoun’s Brewing Co.” considered the real name and therefore not in conflict with the TN restaurant?
However, I would be all for a name change anyway, since I associate the name Calhoun with the pro-slavery Calhoun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Calhoun
Comment from zen
Time: June 8, 2007, 3:37 pm
Wow JGF, I will never see it the same way ever again. That sad, lonely, haunting interpretation makes me want to drink.
Comment from linz
Time: June 8, 2007, 4:31 pm
I agree with Cook that Calhoun’s missed the opportunity to involve the community. There are plenty of us who love the place and would have gladly supported them in changing the name, as is evidenced by the good suggestions already made on this blog. But when I read the DNR article, I had these two thoughts: 1 - What a crappy name, and 2 - Why wasn’t I asked?
Comment from MF
Time: June 8, 2007, 7:47 pm
I agree with everyone that the name Cally’s really doesn’t fit the atmosphere or the clientèle. If they really want to attract a younger crowd staying open later then 11pm on the weekend would help more then that awful name. Lets just hope they don’t start putting more kitsch and nick nacks on the walls to try and live up to a name like Cally’s.
Comment from Tim
Time: June 8, 2007, 10:05 pm
As a long term Calhoun’s employee I’m glad that if anything has to change it is the name. I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of Cally’s either, but changing it won’t change the feel of the place at all. Everyone in the know will still call it Calhoun’s, the food/beer will still be just as awesome, we’ll still close early enough to get me to the dodger to have a beer with you all (that’s not why we close early, just a nice side effect), and the bartenders will still be amazingly handsome. Plus we might all get an opportunity to buy some cheap pint glasses as keepsakes. And don’t worry about kitsch and nick-nacks, it won’t happen.
Comment from David Troyer
Time: June 8, 2007, 11:00 pm
Tim,
Keep me updated on the cheap pint glasses! I’m starting as a sales manager at Downtown Wines on Monday so we’ll probably run into each other before too long.
Comment from JGFitzgerald
Time: June 9, 2007, 7:13 am
Jason,
Art vs. commerce is an ongoing conflict that leads, ultimately, to the same sort of existential despair mentioned above. That a sign on a saloon could be both a result of and an expression of something so fundamental is a staggering commentary on the hidden meanings of the most superficially simple objects. Anyone who truly grasps this will never look at the world the same again.
Comment from finnegan
Time: June 9, 2007, 10:35 am
Yeah, what Troyer said. I want one or two o’ them glasses, too.
Comment from Bubby
Time: June 9, 2007, 10:46 am
I pride myself in finding the best watering holes. With roots in east Tennessee, and UT we instantly thought our favorite new brewpub in Harrisonburg was connected to the old Copper Cellar and Calhoun’s of Knoxville. In fact, as noted, a google search brought up the Knoxville Copper Cellar site. But confusion is relative and uncertainty is the nature of a life lived fully, I prescribe a cold Kolsch, and a hearty “ein prosit !” Long live “Cally’s!
Comment from Dan Easley
Time: June 10, 2007, 10:21 am
Well, between the Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid reference, existential despair, and the phrase ‘post modern lumberjack’, I’m glad for the namechange, simply because it prompted this discussion. Bob Dylan is one hell of a knife-thrower.
Comment from Tim
Time: June 10, 2007, 9:12 pm
I’ve only heard the pint glass sale as a possibility, not a certainty, although I can’t image what else they could do with them. I’ll let you all know if I hear anything definite.
Comment from Harrisonburg Beer Lover
Time: June 13, 2007, 11:40 am
http://callysbrewery.com/ is a good time.
Comment from finnegan
Time: June 13, 2007, 11:44 am
Oh, wow.
I don’t know whether to laugh or shake my head, so I’ll do both.
Comment from zen
Time: June 13, 2007, 2:43 pm
Comment from David Miller
Time: June 13, 2007, 2:54 pm
Harrisonburg Beer Lover
You aren’t really going to hijack that domain from them are you? I have no idea if that is one that they want but if it is may i suggest that you donate it when the time comes to get over the name change?
Comment from Barnabas
Time: June 13, 2007, 3:48 pm
JohnCalhounsFeelGoodRagtimeBeeratoriumandOldFashionedVittledashery.com is still available.
Comment from Phil Chroniger
Time: June 13, 2007, 4:17 pm
zen…thank you for that video. It made my day, lol.
Comment from finnegan
Time: June 13, 2007, 6:37 pm
Yeah, I agree with David Miller. I do think it’s funny, though.
Comment from Harrisonburg Beer Lover
Time: June 14, 2007, 1:35 pm
David Miller
Of course not. It was a light hearted jab at the new name.
The domain, however, is for sale to Calhoun’s. The holding page has been updated with purchasing information.
Comment from TM
Time: June 14, 2007, 2:59 pm
Not anymore, Barnabas. I also snapped up available domains including the words Beermonger and Brewsmithery.
Comment from Barnabas
Time: June 14, 2007, 3:44 pm
Well damn. What will you do with your new found digital gold? I have an idea, sorta related, that has been brewing for a while, and that is starting a beer club. Queen City brewery in Staunton lets people make beer there, and by lets I mean takes money for rendered services. So I’ve been thinking of going down and making a batch. So if anyone is interested in doing this sort of thing let me know. We could make the official beer of Hburgnews, HnugBrews…
Comment from Playgirl Politician
Time: June 14, 2007, 4:06 pm
How about the “Friendly Tap”?
Comment from TM
Time: June 14, 2007, 6:25 pm
Fresh!
Comment from David Troyer
Time: June 14, 2007, 10:52 pm
heh, nut browns and nachos alike.. that definitely constitutes cybersquatting.
Comment from BA
Time: June 17, 2007, 2:55 am
David Troyer:
Two nut browns and an order of nachos are likely to cost less than the domain itself originally would have from a registrar. Personally, I think that hardly constitutes cybersquatting of any sort.
Comment from Tim
Time: June 17, 2007, 6:25 pm
Hburg beer lover, I agree that the price for the web site is very reasonable but it’s going to be a while till we have any nut brown.
Comment from Harrisonburg Beer Lover
Time: June 20, 2007, 7:59 am
Tim:
There are actually a couple of us who have posted as HBL. I’ll risk speaking for the other guy, the one who actually registered the domain.
Just in case anyone missed the point, the domain registration and the content on the website was not about cybersquatting or trying to make a profit off of the name change. The primary intent was to let Calhoun’s management know of our opinion about the name change, in a humourous way.
If Calhoun’s is going ahead with “Cally’s” anyway, and if they should happen to want the domain that my friend registered, he’s not going to stand in the way of that. The email listed on the website is real. He can be contacted there, but we’re not interested in giving the domain to anyone besides Calhoun’s / Cally’s.
HBL
p.s. He really likes nachos, but I think Smokin’ Scottish could be an acceptable substitute for the Nut Browns.
p.p.s. The nachos and beer suggestion was indeed chosen to be roughly equal to the cost of domain registration.
p.p.p.s. We ordered a lot more than that in 20 minutes last night. BTW, the Bad Dog and Ellery’s Apricot are delicious, as well.
Comment from David Troyer
Time: June 20, 2007, 8:22 am
hehehe… I was just giving you all a hard time about the cyber-squatting…
personally my current favorite at calhoun’s is the ESB…
If you want a real beer experience swing by the wine shop for some 120 minute :-)
Comment from finnegan
Time: June 20, 2007, 8:46 am
I’m with HBL: nut brown is my favorite.
I know that Mike has seen your message on the domain name, HBL. You may also be able to get some old glasses out of the deal.
Comment from Jim
Time: June 20, 2007, 7:10 pm
Calhoun’s in Knoxville is actually owned by one man and is not a big bullying corporate gone amouck.
Comment from this kk
Time: June 21, 2007, 12:22 am
oh, me. I love you guys. all of you. well, the ones I know, at least. which number more than you are aware. (note to self: stop here, for god’s sake.)
2 beers in 20 minutes was not not a good time, though I was glad to be sitting on the aisle.
Comment from finnegan
Time: June 21, 2007, 12:39 am
Spambot or drunkest hburgnews poster ever? You decide.
Comment from kestrel9000
Time: June 21, 2007, 12:31 pm
v1@gr@! C1@l1$! B3$t Pr1c3s! @$1@n t33n$!
Comment from Tom
Time: June 21, 2007, 1:09 pm
New name: Calhoun’s Calhoun’s. So good ya gotta say it twice.
Comment from Justin
Time: June 21, 2007, 11:31 pm
Pingback from hburgnews.com » Cally’s goes smoke free
Time: April 23, 2008, 9:51 am
[...] a sign of the times. If you’ve been to Cally’s (formerly Calhoun’s) this week, you might have noticed a change in the air. The restaurant and brewery has gone smoke [...]
Pingback from Harrisonburg Blogs » Blog Archive » Cally’s goes smoke free
Time: April 23, 2008, 11:33 am
[...] a sign of the times. If you’ve been to Cally’s (formerly Calhoun’s) this week, you might have noticed a change in the air. The restaurant and brewery has gone smoke [...]
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