Why Can't I (S)wipe at My Table?

I'm sure y'all heard about the waiter on the Plaza (Brio -- Oooo, That Smell!) let was convicted of credit card theft last week. If not, kansascity.com reports...

"John David Woody, 34, appeared in federal court Thursday on an indictment that a grand jury returned in secret on Nov. 18."

"Prosecutors alleged that while working at the Brio Tuscan Grille in July and August, Woody recorded the names and credit card numbers of five restaurant customers. He then used that information to purchase goods on the Internet, including thousands of dollars worth of DVD boxed sets."

Now America, in other parts of the world they bring the swipey credit card machine thingy to your table so that the card never leaves your sight. We're a country of innovators and we can't prevent this simple crime?

Funny what things we overly-control and what things we don't, ya know?

West Plaza coated in snow

Pictures from West Plaza on this blustery winter day. Yes my dog is wearing a coat.

West Plaza Bernstein Project Update

More info on the construction dealio on the Plaza West side... whatcha gonna get?

From GlobeSt.com's Robert Carr:

Bernstein says, "'My sons and daughters are starting to take over the business, and I want to have a legacy building, something that everyone in the area will be proud of,' he says."

This, my friends, is what will make them proud...

• 205,000 sq ft of office space
• 131 hotel rooms
• 6 levels of underground parking (1000 spaces)
• 9000 sqft restaurant
• 12,000 sqft advertising museum
• 270 seat theater
  
• Bernstein offspring & their ad agency
• TBD retail

That's kinda hot. We should have all of this by the Fall of '09 if work begins this week or next as stated in a PlazaBUZZ post last week (oddly enough, I never gave the FREE used ear plug away). I'm all tingly inside.

Any bets on whether any of this stuff will be local retail? I thought not.