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andrew

on

Jan 4th

2010

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Groupon Goes Hyperlocal

We were on the brink of launching our first hyperglobal deal (70% off a panculturally-designed spoon, flashlight, and sword combination guaranteed to solve at least one problem in any country), when our trusty mob of consumers spoke up with a better idea. As usual, we let the mob determine our business model, and so we’ve decided to pull a 540 (a 180 plus extra physical comedy) and instead go hyperlocal.

We begin today in Washington D.C. by expanding our coverage into Northern Virginia and Montgomery County. D.C. subscribers will be able to choose which region they would like to see as their main feature and the other nearby deals will be displayed less prominently in the daily email.

Eventually, we have grand plans to offer nanobiological deals, offering more deals inside your body, but first we we’ll rolling out regions for L.A., New York, Chicago, and some of the other places our largest consumer mobs call home. Once more areas are available in your city, you’ll be able to change your primary region at any time. With unbeatable deals even closer to home and multiple features in neighboring areas, Groupon will save you money on local activities and on the gas it takes to get there. That’s why we’ve offered celebrity Matthew McConnaughey to recite our new hyperlocal tagline “Groupon hyperlocal deals will save the economy, the environment, and you!” in an upcoming hyperlocal television commercial to air in Northern Virginia and Montgomery County as soon as McConnaughey can master the hyperlocal accents of those respected regions.

84 what you had to say about it

  • Jamila

    on

    January 7, 2010 9:21 am

    Why go out of your way exclude Prince George’s County? Sheesh.

  • fujifan

    on

    January 7, 2010 9:44 am

    Because demographically speaking, more MoCoers are sitting at their computers during the work day thinking about whether or not to buy today’s groupon.

    I suppose you could revise the category to “Metro Maryland,” but unless groupon is giving a discount on UMD classes, what are we going to do in PG county that we can’t do in MC with less likelihood of having our car or person vandalized?

    I don’t mean it to be mean, it’s just statistics…

  • fujifan

    on

    January 7, 2010 9:46 am

    Am I happy that most NoVa deals are in Alexandria and not Arlington? No, but I’m going to complain about it. Not every groupon is for everyone.

  • fujifan

    on

    January 7, 2010 9:52 am

    SUGGESTION: It’s kind of hard to see the other local deals — they would be easier to see if they were formatted the same as the Side Deal. Otherwise they look way less important to the eye.

  • Aaron M

    on

    January 11, 2010 4:20 pm

    THanks for going “hyperlocal” in LA. I bought my first deal today in the so-called Inland LA area.

    Going even “more local” is a great idea, and I’d like to offer some suggestions for improvement.

    First, we need to define the area that is now known as “Inland LA.” Whereas Orange County is a well-known and unambiguous geographical area, there is really no such area known as “Inland LA.”

    When I first saw the entry, I assumed someone had a made a mistake and meant to write “Inland Empire.” But then I noticed that today’s deal was in Pasadena, which is much more geographically and culturally related to LA than it is to the Inland Empire. So then I assumed that “Inland LA” was someone’s attempt to define an area that would include the eastern part of San Gabriel Valley.

    Anyway, bottom line: Pasadena deals should be included in the Los Angeles area, not any inland area.

    I live in downtown LA, as centralized as one can be in the Southland. I live across the street from the birthplace from the city, yet Pasadena is much closer to LA than West Hollywood, Santa Monica, or Venice, even closer than west LA.

    My suggestion is to let us LA users know what you intend to include in the “Inland LA” area, then seek our input on what best to call the area.

    Also, since I would be more inclined to buy Groupons for deals in Pasadena than I would for deals in Santa Monica, I want to be able to see all the LA deals on one page.

    Why not a simple three-column format — one column for each geographical area?

    Thanks, Aaron

  • Andrew Mason

    on

    January 11, 2010 7:04 pm

    Great feedback Aaron – thanks for taking the time. We’ll keep tweaking it!

    Andrew

  • MegV

    on

    January 11, 2010 11:30 pm

    @FIJIFAN- You know, it’s just that kind of ignorant attitude that perpetuates the myth by the rest of the country that Prince George’s County is a wasteland of ignorant, uneducated people incapable of holding a real “office job.” I can’t even tell you how insulted I was by your statements. At first I thought your comments actually came from GroupOn staff and my immediate thought was “Well you all just lost a customer for life!”

    For your information, I grew up in Prince George’s County, and my grandparents, my parents, and my sister and her family still live in PG County. For your information, I used to work in PG County and now work in upper Montgomery County… and I was at a computer much more in my old job than my new one.

  • Ms. T

    on

    January 15, 2010 11:06 am

    An Inland Empire Groupon would be great. San Bernardino/Riverside counties are the biggest in Ca. So it would be nice to have groupons less than 2 hours away.

  • Garza Girl

    on

    January 16, 2010 1:04 pm

    I think you are dead-on with SoCal, especially. You’re going to target completely differently to Brentwoood/Westwood/Santa Monica than you are to West Hollywood/Enclino/Burbank.

    Looking forward to seeing it in NorCal too: Los Gatos/Willow Glen/Campbell and Santa Clara/Cupertino/Sunnyvale, for example.

    Loving the product so far. Would love to know your thoughts on mobile…

  • Cherie

    on

    January 25, 2010 8:47 am

    Love the local spin and would even more so if you can branch out to HoCo Groupons for those of us who chose that MD county to live and work in. Don’t stop there though plenty of us prefer to go into Baltimore rather then DC. Bal’mor Groupons would be a hit also Hon!

  • Shawn Jenkins

    on

    January 30, 2010 8:18 am

    I was kindly surprised when a chilly server at my 1st Groupon use warmed up to us in a gentrified Federal Hill bar when I mentioned we we’re visiting from Carroll (Cow) County. I use many “Weekly events” emails to decide on future outings, but yours has more value than most, but now that you’re going hyper-local consider those that’ll travel regionally for quality. A week ago a gal pal & I saw The Carolina Chocolate Drops in Annapolis & dined at the venue and the next a buddy & I saw Jars of Clay in Alexandria & hit Dr. Granville Moore’s for frites. “More choices, more better!” XM/Sirius Radio hosts Opie&Anthony

  • Marylander

    on

    February 9, 2010 7:08 am

    Feeling slighted here in PG which has some of the best neighborhoods in the Washington Metro area (have you read the Washingtonian’s Best Places to Live issue??) Anyway, in looking at your map of the coverage area of the “Montgomery County” region, it appears that the region also includes other Maryland Counties…including Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, St. Mary’s, and Calvert. Why not call the hyperlocal region “Suburban Maryland”. It would feel less like you are focussing on one county, and more that you are highlighting all that this vast region has to offer!

  • Saabmom

    on

    February 11, 2010 5:34 am

    Why ignore Prince George’s County? I am offended by the comment about UMD being the only venue that is safe! There are great places and convenient places to offer options, Was this possibly a racial or ethnic slur that Groupon agrees with?! I will go on FB and Twitter and let the whole world know that Groupon is racially and ethnically selective!!!!! Who are you catering to?

  • Saabmom

    on

    February 11, 2010 5:39 am

    Fujifan-I worked in Mont. Cty for over 30 years and there was more vandalism in schools by MCPS not minority students and in school parking lots than in PG County schools. MCPS has a tight PR dept where they don’t let their craziness get into the WashPost. Also, look at the druggies and alcoholic kids in certain school clusters. Whose kids are running crazy in the malls in Mont. Cty?! Fujifan, you’re racist and biased! Get out of your world and broaden your world!

  • Marge Nichols

    on

    February 17, 2010 12:50 pm

    Second the motion on putting Pasadena with Los Angeles! It really doesn’t belong with the San Bernardino/Riverside counties at all. For “sort of local” I’d use county lines, and within that go into hyperlocal areas, maybe using the neighborhood map that the LA Times developed for standardizing place references.

  • Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs

    on

    February 23, 2010 2:41 pm

    Will there be a San Fernando grouping ? Thanks

  • jaynne Katherine Oliai

    on

    February 24, 2010 10:55 am

    @ Jamila & Groupon: Is Prince George’s County actually being “excluded”, or is it being grouped within another local? Since I am not from that area, I would be interested in knowing this.

    @ Saabmom and everybody else who INSTINCTIVELY throws in the racist card: STOP! Stop feeding into the idea that every opinion or comment has anything to do with race. Stop bullying people, companies, groups or any other rose by another name into constantly having to take time from the business at hand to defend themselves from the comments (see: free speech) of others. If you do not want to hear or read opinions of others, MOVE TO CHINA! But then again, there is no Facebook, My Space, Twitter or ANY OTHER free forum in China to cyber bully by, and I quote you, “go on and let the whole world know that Groupon is racially and ethnically selective”

  • Shannon

    on

    March 1, 2010 9:39 am

    Please, please…please branch out of Miami to include Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton ! Boca, where I live, is only 40 miles north…but we have so much in between that it’s not necessary to go into Miami very much. I believe you would get a tremendous response from expanding the Miami area ! Thanks.

  • Gail

    on

    March 6, 2010 6:13 pm

    In reading the comments I agree that the area where I live should be called the INLAND EMPIRE

    Gail

  • Nancy

    on

    March 15, 2010 5:57 am

    I live in one area and work in another. How about making it so that more than one area can be chosen?

  • J

    on

    March 24, 2010 11:42 am

    Groupon: please correct the map, where you have labeled “Montgomery County” actually includes P.G. County and as you can see from the other comments is already causing a lot of people to get upset.

  • paul harding

    on

    March 29, 2010 12:21 pm

    Wondering why I keep getting a pop-up vitually every day asking me to “set my neighborhood”?

    Seems if after me clicking it pushing 8-10 times by now, it isn’t working or something isn’t.

    Seems to me you should either fix it or have it stop appearing incessantly on people’s screen until you do as it is getting redundanly tiresome.

    Thank you,

    Paul Hardinbg

  • Laura

    on

    March 30, 2010 4:58 pm

    Hey, I think going hyperlocal is great. I haven’t been able to use a single coupon yet, simply because all I ever get sent are for South Orange County, especially Irvine & Laguna Hills & cities I’ve never even heard of, they’re so far away. I’m looking forward to seeing some North Orange County stuff. :)

  • kara

    on

    April 18, 2010 3:33 pm

    great idea!

  • Charlean

    on

    April 18, 2010 8:23 pm

    I also would like more groupons in P.G. county. There’s college park, greenbelt, laurel, shopping, grocers, etc. Would really appreciate it.

  • Bradley Laven

    on

    April 24, 2010 2:50 pm

    Just caught a blognote from Andrew saying if you haven’t actually purchased a Group-on coupon, to mention it and you would give out $20 or something? Huh? There’s a group of going out for a friend’s birthday next weekend and I was thinking about using Group-on (considering the most recent offering of Café Flore. I know little or nothing about it but…not sure how many people but – anywhere from 5-7? Anyway…don’t know if your offer is still good but figured I’d inquire. Going to take a look and see if we can combine dinner with some sort of inexpensive (if not free!) outing to round out the birthday evening. The birthday gal actually lives in Berkeley and her kids are in Oakland so….the East Bay is a consideration as well….

    Also, I have to switch (or at least add) my personal territory because, though I will still continue to travel up to the Bay area (cause i absolutely love it up there!), I am now living down in LA-la land so…I’ve got to ad this territory to my Group-on profile or whatever. Guess that’s it. Appreciate your response, recommendation, $20 toward wherever and you auto-including the Los Angeles region (particularly Beverly/LaBrea, Fairfax district or even West Hollywood) for Group-on info as that is where I formally live now. Thanks alot (and thanks for reading all of this!)

      ~ brad

  • Linda

    on

    May 1, 2010 12:09 pm

    I just want to thank you, Andrew,and the Groupon staff. You are doing a great job and realize you are still evolving as a business; thanks for seeking feedback! This is an awesome good idea (GROUPON) and I look forward to many more great deals. I facebooked your site on my profile and my friends back east in the Pocono Mtns of PA are very interested!

  • Angela Ramos

    on

    May 4, 2010 4:48 pm

    ANY CHANCE OF HAVING IT AROUND STUDIO CITY-TOLUCA LAKE AREA.MOST OFFERS ARE GREAT BUT IT IS USUALLY ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN

  • maiko

    on

    May 13, 2010 8:24 am

    i live in los feliz/silverlake, and i think the map needs to be a little more detailed, because i’m not sure which area i land in! i do know that i am far far more inclined to go to pasadena than i am to santa monica. hmm.. maybe there can be a “central la” section, including areas like hollywood, downtown, glendale, burbank, etc?

  • brenda winter

    on

    May 16, 2010 12:00 pm

    I am confused. You already have my email address and I gave you my credit card #, but you never asked what kind of credit card it is. Did my 20.00 charge for the Thai restaurant go through?

    I live in Encino but I eat out in West LA, the valley, and downtown

  • Rana

    on

    May 25, 2010 8:19 am

    What is going on with the map? It is incorrect and it would add value to Groupon to be fixed. Others have already pointed out the error in labeling “Montogomery County” for the area that includes large swaths of Prince Georges County. I almost left this website and let it fall into the forgotten cyber netherworld, because I saw that my area of residence wasn’t included (in which I enjoy shopping and dining). I took a second look and noticed that you actually DO have Prince Georges County included on the map. Just mislabelled. Surely you know from your market research that this error could create a PR problem for your company. Given the context of gentrification, socio-economic and racial segregation of the region, some might interpret your oversight as racially/ethnically motivated, classist or racist even. Then you get people arguing and fighting over this on your blog, rather than talking about how great your service is. My friend referred me to the site for a deal that I was considering for a group party. But maybe I will look into deals elsewhere. You have to wonder how many other people do just that without leaving a comment about it. That’s just not good for the bottom line. Can you please let us all know when you fix the map so we can be kind to each other again?

  • Will Yeloc

    on

    June 14, 2010 3:49 pm

    Jaynne Katherine Oliai

    Belong to the Tea Party?

  • Roy Peterson

    on

    July 13, 2010 6:10 am

    I will buy no more groupons until the whole Montgomery County substituting for the entire Maryland area surrounding Washington, DC is fixed. People have been leaving messages on this blog since January! You could not fix this issue in SIX MONTHS! I am disappointed. Change the name to something generic – such a Metro Maryland (hey…you have Northern Virginia not Arlington County!) and get some more groupons for Prince George’s county. Either that or I’m gone. We have bought too many groupons for you to treat me and other Prince Georgians like this.

  • ckohler

    on

    August 7, 2010 9:03 am

    This is NOT my neighborhood. I have declined 4 times. arggggggggggggg

  • Connie

    on

    August 11, 2010 10:25 am

    What are the chances that you will be adding the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs and environs) anytime soon?

  • Amy R.

    on

    August 15, 2010 11:28 am

    i was asked to select a neighborhood. I tried to select San Fernando Valley, but it keeps defaulting back to Inland (nowhere near where I live), and the offers I get are nowhere near where I live.. Can you fix that?

  • ginny

    on

    August 20, 2010 7:51 am

    I look forward to seeing what groupon has for the Seattle area.

  • Lemanica

    on

    August 21, 2010 7:50 am

    Since San Francisco isn’t that big I don’t mind where it is in the city. But having it in my own or even chosen areas would be even more wonderful!!!

  • Kasmithroc

    on

    August 24, 2010 4:47 pm

    would love to have offers that cover slightly north and south of San Mateo.

  • chat

    on

    August 25, 2010 7:06 am

    Franklin’s, Hanami, Tiffin, Woodlands, Samantha’s, Ledo’s, Hank’s, El tapatio, just a few of the PG restaurants we go to (and there are many more -these are just near us). Agree with the other comments about PG County and have decided not to buy the Rockville groupon I was abouty to when I saw the MoCo selection, but no PG county selection and the respponding comment which was insulting. Please try to change this – the service you offer is great and I would love to be able to use it. Thx

  • amada casselman-ramirez

    on

    August 26, 2010 4:21 pm

    non at this time.

  • clara

    on

    August 28, 2010 4:10 pm

    I have lived in Prince Georges, Anne Arundle, and Montgomery counties all wonderful amazing and unique places to live. Relax people from every culture live and spend in all! Give me deals from surrounding areas. I am looking for a good deal not politics!

  • Cathryn Bauer

    on

    August 29, 2010 8:42 am

    I live in Danville, California, at the heart of what’s known as the Tri-Valley area. We have many great businesses out here, at least some of which deserve more traffic than they’re getting. I recommend you approach Kure Spa, Aryana Afghan Cuisine, Luna Loca (restaurant) Victoria’s Hair here in Danville and Levy’s Bagel Company in nearby San Ramon.

    I would like to see animal care and garden supplies on offer, too.

    Looking forward to our wine!

  • Juliw

    on

    September 2, 2010 10:32 am

    Thanks Groupon for going more local! I live in LA county – but too far for most of the LA groupons coming out. Please Please Please add a Santa Clarita Valley hyperlocal location!!!!!! We’re north of the San Fernando Valley.

  • Tera

    on

    September 2, 2010 1:02 pm

    I would really, really, really like the opportunity to sign up for multiple cities to be sent in a daily e-mail. I live between DC and Baltimore and want both. Right now I subscribe to both daily emails under different addresses so I can get them. I also travel frequently and would like an easy way to see what the daily deals in those locations. One summation e-mail daily would be great!

    Also – the iPhone app won’t let us see side deals – any chance of making that happen?

    Thanks so much for this awesome service!!

    Tera

  • David Kaplan

    on

    September 6, 2010 5:17 am

    Good ides. I live in Northern Virginia and I avoid going to DC because if traffic and parking problems.

  • lorraine

    on

    September 9, 2010 5:12 pm

    I just got a printer–but I still dont know how to order anything. Do you have a phone # that I can call for instructions?? I live in West Los Angeles. Thank you.

  • nunya

    on

    September 13, 2010 9:15 am

    Really people?! What the heck is the big deal about a county being named improperly? I’m on here for shopping and dining deals aren’t you? Move on and just get some freakin’ groupons. Life is way to short to stress about this.

  • PG Resident

    on

    September 23, 2010 4:54 am

    Unless you are a PG resident you don’t understand the indignation people feel. The residents of PG county have been historically excluded from shopping, dining, etc. However, the fix for this one is easy, change the name on the map. I had originally deleted Groupon because I didn’t want to have to drive to another county or state AGAIN for discounts on some great buys. Groupon you are losing a lot of people because of the name. But, maybe you don’t need PG county residents to help grow your business?

  • jean shepherd

    on

    October 4, 2010 11:11 am

    Thank you for finally sending a coupon good in the north bay area (San Rafael, CA). PLEASE — more in this underserved area!

  • carmen connell

    on

    October 4, 2010 11:41 am

    confused, period

  • carmen connell

    on

    October 4, 2010 11:50 am

    Am too confused to comment,, don’t know what you want me to comment ABOUT, please just delete me from your program, PERIOD.

  • LEON BANKS

    on

    October 4, 2010 4:59 pm

    CONFUSED. WISH TO COOPERATE

  • Really Seth?

    on

    October 5, 2010 1:55 pm

    I guess you are saying – that for me I’m in SF so if I say I am in East Bay then you will show the East Bay in larger print and then SF stuff smaller? If so, please girl – I can read – just list everything in one email please. Just because I may be across the bay doesn’t mean that I am not interested in metro stuff, and vice versa. Don’t make this too confusing for everyone – I’m already seeing side deals in other states (which makes no sense) so imho just simplify it rather than go the other way.

  • Wilbur Hamilton

    on

    October 6, 2010 1:01 pm

    no at this time

  • christine Danella

    on

    October 6, 2010 6:10 pm

    LA is a very big place. You need much smaller segments. How about South Bay (including San Pedro, all 4 cities on the Palos Verdes peninsula, Torrance, Hermosa and Manhattan Beach?

  • Bruce Mitchelll

    on

    October 9, 2010 12:53 pm

    Looks good to me. What I’ve seen so far is that the email notices are easy to read. I like that the deal most local to me is prominent yet others within reasonable distance are also shown.

    L.A. is vast, though, so you will need to break the region down into smaller segments. Few will be willing to travel 20 or 30 miles for the nearest deal.

    Good job! Except don’t waste money on hiring actors like Matthew McConnaughey to do your ads, which will have zero influence on most people I know. Nobody cares what MM or any other ‘star’ has to say. Better you should show regular folks or some struggling unknown young actor who could use a break. (No, I’m not an actor. I just think businesses waste a lot of money on employing celebrities to very little effect.)

  • marilyn rossano

    on

    October 9, 2010 3:55 pm

    I’m in the greater Seattle area but would prefer to stay closer to home and get Groupon deals featuring Bellevue WA and Redmond WA and save time and gas. Thanks.

  • FEBOAR

    on

    October 16, 2010 8:35 am

    Totally with Bruce Mitchell’s comment-down to the wasted celebrities. Keep this family on your daily mail list.

  • leo gutierrez

    on

    October 19, 2010 2:40 am

    Bravo Bruce Mitchell, I agree with you completly. Give a struggling actor a chance to make some money instead of somebody that has plenty and probably doesnt care for the product.

  • Mari

    on

    October 22, 2010 6:33 am

    Thanks to whoever for this fabulous idea. People helping people!!!!!!!!

  • Rose Rowlett

    on

    October 27, 2010 6:59 am

    Since I’m centrally located in L.A. I would like an option along with your pick for the day I would like to tap into listed neighborhoods. Model listed: Culver City, Fairfax District, Inglewood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, West Hollywood, etc.

  • Sarita Warren

    on

    November 3, 2010 8:37 am

    Those I selected Seattle as my neighborhood, I also like to see listings for Renton, Kent and Bellevue, Wa. Great Idea, First time on listing.

  • Etta

    on

    November 6, 2010 2:18 pm

    Ditto…what Bruce said, especially the actors. Will decide on my own what I need/want.

  • Goober

    on

    November 6, 2010 9:39 pm

    yup… uh huh – and why should this matter to me???

  • al

    on

    November 7, 2010 7:13 pm

    great idea, enjoyed this in visiting towns and taking a bus to the end of line and back. also used the double decker in London.

  • B.Del sesto

    on

    November 8, 2010 8:00 am

    I have no idea why you are sending me this

  • douglas valley

    on

    November 8, 2010 10:27 am

    na

  • Thomas

    on

    November 8, 2010 9:57 pm

    LOCALIZE GUYS! Get Local….

  • Karen Lorene

    on

    November 11, 2010 9:33 am

    Just curious.

  • Evita

    on

    November 13, 2010 11:58 am

    My son lives in Seattle, not me, but okay to receive offers all over Seattle and environs.

  • LIsanne

    on

    November 16, 2010 6:55 am

    I’m a new member. Will you be offering any deals for the area near Fredericksburg, Virginia?

  • Mark

    on

    November 17, 2010 2:47 pm

    GREAT news! Keep up the good work! :)

  • shirley

    on

    November 18, 2010 2:03 pm

    I think it’s great. I have used a Groupon in LA, but am very interested in deals in Long Beach where I live. I’ve already gotten one deal in Long Beach. Keep up the good work!

  • marilyn j. thompson

    on

    November 20, 2010 4:59 pm

    this is not what Oprah described on her tv show.

  • marilyn j. thompson

    on

    November 20, 2010 4:59 pm

    delete me from your list.

  • barbara welty

    on

    November 20, 2010 5:09 pm

    I live in Jamestown close to Yosemite but nothing closer is listed. NOT MODESTO please add Sonora then I would be interested

  • Nancy Fahs

    on

    November 21, 2010 6:07 pm

    I signed on too soon. I live 75 MILES from S.F. I sure don’t want a DAILY E-MAIL for a SF coupon! Please delete me now. I didn’t know there was basically only one coupon on the site (per day).

  • pam

    on

    November 22, 2010 11:54 am

    I agree with others that L.A. needs to be formed into smaller communities. Thank you

  • Margaraet Abels

    on

    November 27, 2010 10:23 am

    I am confused, I am sure any good deals will be Seattle. I think I will drop off your list.

  • Zelda Gordon

    on

    November 29, 2010 9:20 am

    Please CANCEL my information

  • Zelda Gordon

    on

    November 29, 2010 9:20 am

    Not for me

  • veronica

    on

    November 29, 2010 9:22 am

    Andrew, I loved your hyperbolic hyperlocal hype about the new groupon. I’m excited and can’t wait for a deal to show up in my arm or kidney. (Sorry so many folks missed the humor, and even took the MM thing to heart. sigh) However, seriously, I’m in Pasadena and rarely travel to other areas of SGV, mostly go to LA or the Valley if I’m traveling, so which “local” should I choose? Hm… I don’t want to miss deals in Pasadena, but I don’t often head to the southern SGV…