Should Chains Receive Tax Money To Open In Downtown?

[Kerry]

Aren't these chains going to be run by local people and provide local jobs? I don't see what the big deal is. Fill up the store fronts.

Actually, national chains are drain on the local economy and cities would be better off not having them at all.  Now if your hometown happens to be the headquarters of a national chain then by all means you want other cities to send you a percentage of sales every week.

http://www.the350project.net/home.html

[tufsu1]

^ like Firehouse. 

But here's a question....at what point, does something local become a chain?  Is The Loop a chain?  How about Metro Diner?  Maple Street Biscuits?  And what about locally-owned franchises, like Mellow Mushroom?

[ProjectMaximus]

^ like Firehouse. 

But here's a question....at what point, does something local become a chain?  Is The Loop a chain?  How about Metro Diner?  Maple Street Biscuits?  And what about locally-owned franchises, like Mellow Mushroom?

Are those stores paying a franchise fee to an out-of-town corporation? I think that's Kerry's question...the semantics matter less.

[Noone]

This was reaffirmed at the 1/5/15  Retail Enhancement Committee meeting of the DIA.

[KenFSU]

Jersey Mike's in the Suntrust Tower is officially dead:

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/05/26/sorry-hungry-downtown-workers-this-restaurant-isnt.html

[thelakelander]

Too bad. That would have been a nice spot for an eatery.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'm not familiar with the interior of the building.  Will someone explain to me how this: ""The building itself was not really conducive for a restaurant," Phillips said. "The size, nature and materials were going to make it very difficult to build out our space.", makes any sense.

Isn't this the kind of stuff you figure out BEFORE you plan on putting a restaurant somewhere?

[edjax]

I'm not familiar with the interior of the building.  Will someone explain to me how this: ""The building itself was not really conducive for a restaurant," Phillips said. "The size, nature and materials were going to make it very difficult to build out our space.", makes any sense.

Isn't this the kind of stuff you figure out BEFORE you plan on putting a restaurant somewhere?

Probably code for our lenders decided not to loan us the money. Because as you noted that would all seem basic 101 stuff done prior to securing funds.

[Steve]

Too bad. That would have been a nice spot for an eatery.

Agree about a restaurant. Not sure I'm heartbroken about another subs place not coming downtown. Would rather see a legit restaurant take the space and do something transformational across the street from the landing. Lord knows there's plenty of parking now.

[vicupstate]

I'm not familiar with the interior of the building.  Will someone explain to me how this: ""The building itself was not really conducive for a restaurant," Phillips said. "The size, nature and materials were going to make it very difficult to build out our space.", makes any sense.

Isn't this the kind of stuff you figure out BEFORE you plan on putting a restaurant somewhere?

Probably code for our lenders decided not to loan us the money. Because as you noted that would all seem basic 101 stuff done prior to securing funds.

My guess is the Franchisee had the cost of build out determined,  but the bank didn't think a restaurant would work there.

[brainstormer]

Could this have something to do with the new owners having a different vision? Kind of like the cafeteria at the top of BOA is now closed because of new owners having a different plan.

It's too bad our ball-less city council let them build the Suntrust parking garage without the retail component. Jersey Mikes would have been a perfect sized establishment for one of those retail spaces. Clearly there is interest.

[I-10east]

^^^I agree if the parking garage had retail, that would've been better than Jersey Mike's being buried deep inside of a skyscraper.

[Houseboat Mike]

I just wish there was a Taco Bell downtown. I am reaaaalllyyy getting tired of sandwiches for lunch. 

[fieldafm]

Could this have something to do with the new owners having a different vision? Kind of like the cafeteria at the top of BOA is now closed because of new owners having a different plan.

It's too bad our ball-less city council let them build the Suntrust parking garage without the retail component. Jersey Mikes would have been a perfect sized establishment for one of those retail spaces. Clearly there is interest.

You are pretty much spot on with both assertions.