1.  Famous Japanese Nakagin Capsule Tower to be Demolished

The New York Times (July 7, 2009) reported that this iconic bachelor hotel for businessmen which was built in the swanky Ginza neighborhood of Tokyo in 1972 is scheduled to be demolished.  The building was designed by Kisho Kurokawa and consists of 140 concrete pods plugged into two interconnected circulation cores.  Each pod is as compact as a space capsule.  A wall of appliances and cabinets is built into one side, including a kitchen stove, a refrigerator, a television and a tape deck.  A bathroom, about the size of an airplane lavatory, is located in an opposite corner.  A big porthole window dominates the far end of the room, with a bed tucked underneath.

The hotel is a rare built example of Japanese Metabolism and is considered by some architectural experts as gorgeous architecture and the crystallization of a far-reaching cultural ideal.  Architectural critic Nicholai Ouroussoff described the movement:

Founded by a loose-knit group of architects at the end of the 1950s, the Metabolist movement sought to create flexible urban models for a rapidly changing society.  Floating cities.  Cities inspired by oil platforms. Buildings that resembled strands of DNA.

This landmark needs to be saved, retrofitted and restored.

2.  The Dunkin� Donuts Independent Franchise Owners Association (DDIFO) Has Clout

Jim Coen, the president of DDIFO, says that his organization has 60% of the 2500 franchises as members in New England.  Coen explains:

Dunkin� Donuts has a national distribution system cooperative, owned by franchise owners.  That is referred to as a Distribution commitment partnership or DCP.  All franchise owners purchase products from the DCP- all the tools, goods and services that are needed to operate a Dunkin� Donut store. � The goal of the brand is to protect and advance the brand.  And sometimes what�s in the best interests of the brand is not in the best interests of the franchise owners.  Look at the way a franchisor is compensated.  They�re compensated through the collection of royalties.  Royalty stream is based on top-line sales.  They�re not compensated by profitability of the stores� Dunkin� Brands does not own any stores.  They�re 100% franchised, so they may install a program that may increase top-line sales, the cause profitability issues for the store or unit�. What�s good for top-line sales may not be good for bottom-line profitability.  

   As reported in the BlueMauMau.org 
   website by Editor-in-Chief Don Sniegowski

3.  Remember the Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed?

I just read that inventor John Houghtaling died at age 92 in Ft. Pierce, Florida.  Back in 1958, he developed a motor-driven mechanical vibrator attached to the box spring and a coin meter.  Operation was simple.  Hotel guests would drop a quarter into the meter and the mattress vibrated for fifteen minutes.  During the 1960s and 70s the Magic Fingers device was installed on millions of beds in roadside motels and hotels across the United States.  A promotional label on the device said �Magic Fingers quickly carries you into the land of tingling relaxation and ease.�  By the 1980s Magic Fingers became less popular with hotel owners especially when guests broke into the meter boxes and stole the quarters.

4.  Quote of the Month

�We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.  When the loyal opposition dies, I think that the soul of America dies with it.�
        Edward R. Murrow

Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC (www.stanleyturkel.com) operates his hotel consulting office as a sole practitioner specializing in franchising issues, asset management and litigation support services.  Turkel�s clients are hotel owners and franchisees, investors and lending institutions.  Turkel serves on the Board of Advisors and lectures at the NYU Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management.  He is a member of the prestigious International Society of Hospitality Consultants.  His provocative articles on various hotels subjects have been published in the Cornell Quarterly, Lodging Hospitality, Hotel Interactive, Hotel-Online, AAHOA Lodging Business, etc.  Don�t hesitate to call 917-628-8549 or email [email protected].

Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC
917-628-8549
[email protected]