The Jointed Cue has been my home and family more than any other since I was a teen. Our whole community is grieving, and going through all of the stages of anger, sadness, bargaining... It really feels like losing your whole family at once because so many of us would never run into each other during a normal day, and because many of the older folks just can't make it out regularly to the other rooms in town because they're at least a 25 minute drive further away.
That said, I agree with Chuck Fields in each of his posts. When Mike and Don Murphy bought the JC from the Stoniers, they knew of the compliance issues. When they entered into the standard commercial lease agreement that states tenant will repair, they understood what they were signing. However, the Murphy family may have other internal issues, and neither seems interested in putting any more time, money, or effort into the JC- they seem to just want to wash their hands and move on. They also seem to be shocked at the community response- as though their personal and private business decision was made in a vacuum, and no one else should be too concerned.
Moving forward, someone needs to buy the JC business, with it's equipment, distributors, and goodwill, before the tables are all sold individually to whoever gets to the Murphys first- theres already a long line of people who want a JC table in their homes. I included distributors there because there's nothing like a JC breakfast. I know everyone brags about the famous cheeseburgers and taco Tuesdays, but their breakfast was the big secret draw.
To keep it in the same location, the first suit dies with owner transfer- but we all know it will be renewed if the place isn't made compliant. The new owner will have to do a lot of work to that building. It may be cheaper and more profitable long-term to move to a nearby, compliant location (the Squeeze Inn moved when they were sued, and it's a much nicer place, with many new locations since they were originally sued).