Panera on Main Street?

[untarded]

Having Panera come to Springfield would be a great for us!!  Chains can bring a level of commercial stability that mom and pop start ups cannot.  They also bring a predictable target audience that mom and pops can grow and thrive on.  I doubt you'll find very many people at all in the neighborhood that wouldn't love to see this happen.

The only real concern should be how their location fits in the neighborhood and promotes many of the urban planning strategies that Lake has promoted.

Beyond that, how can the neighborhood voice it's support to their corporate folks and would it have any influence? 

[Omarvelous09]

This would be a great thing for Main St. i really hope the old Boomtown location is seriously considered. As far it effecting the local businesses....i don't think they would be in danger of losing customers. 3 layers and Uptown draw more of a upwardly mobile/cool crowd. Panera would cater to those who work in the area, who aren't necessarily accustomed to independent places and who feel more comfortable with chain establishments.

Just think....you could have coffee in the morning @ 3 layers, lunch @ Uptown...and curl up with a cup of tea and a book at Panera in the evening. 

[sheclown]

This would be a great thing for Main St. i really hope the old Boomtown location is seriously considered. As far it effecting the local businesses....i don't think they would be in danger of losing customers. 3 layers and Uptown draw more of a upwardly mobile/cool crowd. Panera would cater to those who work in the area, who aren't necessarily accustomed to independent places and who feel more comfortable with chain establishments.

Just think....you could have coffee in the morning @ 3 layers, lunch @ Uptown...and curl up with a cup of tea and a book at Panera in the evening. 

...and then go next door, to Team Recovery Thrift Store, and see work by local artists (Roland's "Berkman" piece, or his "Blood of Jesus" piece, Ms. Yang's (from the restaurant) origami (amazing!), and buy a pair of cheap $4.00 been-worn-before-but-it-just-makes-them-softer jeans.

[fsu813]

Dan,

thanks for proving Chriswuf wrong, he always seems to find a way to bash....even if there is no reason to.

[ChriswUfGator]

Yeah, we are a real bunch of assholes Chris. You nailed it.

…I hope the corporate guys and local franchisee are open to the idea

Definitely…

It'd be great for me…

I would love to see Panera open in Springfield though.

While I would welcome a Panera, I think the odds are stacked against it.

oddly enough some people may actually like panera and would like a choice.

Who cares if it is a chain. Bring it to Main St.

I happen to feel it would be a nice addition to the other shops

I hope they do put one on Main in addition to the one they are sure to put in San Marco.

The only comment about it being a chain from Zoo was in the form of a question. She clearly supports it

…I hope the corporate guys and local franchisee are open to the idea….
… Anyone worried about it being a chain?

The only true negative comment about it was from this poster, who may or may not even be a resident!

Why would you want a national chain to come into your area and hurt 2 locally owned and operated breakfast/lunch spots?

Nice cut & paste job there Dan, you sure are talented...at selectively picking posts that back up your point, while ignoring contradictory ones, that is. And while your list does include some of the people I had in mind when I made that comment, a couple forum notables didn't make your list, and another big chunk of the group I had in mind when I wrote that don't even post on this forum.

And I could go back and find posts from at least a couple of those posters, where they've reversed course or contradicted themselves here or in other threads, but you can add me to the list of people who like to check MJ at the airport and my flight is boarding soon. I gotta get my bin space, these JAX-CLT runs usually go pretty full.

[ChriswUfGator]

Just to do a quick job in the short time I've got:

Why would you want a national chain to come into your area and hurt 2 locally owned and operated breakfast/lunch spots?

Moving on this was discussed internally at SPAR on the day the news came out. If you're just getting to it today, Stephen, seems you're about 2 weeks behind.

I don't particularly want a full street of chains...

I like Panera, but if I used to go to the one in San Marco, I would not go downtown just for Panera. Has to be something more than something I can find somewhere else as well.

I wonder how they'd deal with campers? I know on Roosevelt I've come in in the morning and if I made a return trip later in the day, sometimes I've seen the same folks in there. I know Hardee's used to have an issue with bums sitting in there all day nursing their "bottomless cup of coffee", Panera would wind up in a worse scenario with all their comfy chairs and so on.

While I would welcome a Panera, I think the odds are stacked against it. Maybe in 3 years. =(

So umm...yeah. I guess you just conveniently missed these posts?

[ChriswUfGator]

And if you want, when I've got more time, I'd be happy to back up my point by quoting 234,321,658 posts from these same people from the "Thrift Store" thread, and we can just go from there to determine how receptive they are to new businesses opening up on main? lol

[ChriswUfGator]

Dan,

thanks for proving Chriswuf wrong, he always seems to find a way to bash....even if there is no reason to.

What??? Oh come on. This is the same thing as the other thread where I got accused of bashing. I was just pointing out that people shouldn't bash the thought of a new business opening up on Main, regardless of whether it is a corporate chain or not. Before, there was nothing, now there will be something. That's progress. But now, I'm somehow the one "bashing"?

You and Dan must be spending a lot of time together, you've picked up his strategy of "If I accuse them of doing what I'm already doing, before they get a chance to point out that I'm already doing it, then I win!".

[Karl_Pilkington]

ok on a non-national chain note.... I patronized the Yangs takee outee on Main tonight and was pleasantly suprised.  Its definitely a family run place (the whole family was there, including kids) the prices were very good and their menu was pretty extensive.  Had some enormous portions, orange chicken, chow mei fun etc.. a ton of food for 20 bucks.  Its not gourmet Chinese, but its pretty good.  If you're into supporting main st. local businesses, give this one a try you probably won't be disappointed.

[sheclown]

Joe and I eat there at least once a week.  Wonderful food.  Great price. 

[blizz01]

The real question is - What will you do if Panda Express comes??

[Dan B]

There is nothing selective about my post. You made a snide remark about people being against Panera. Clearly, most of the posters here are not against it. The may have concerns and reservations, and may even talk about why they think that the corporation would chose to not move to springfield.... You do realize that you can be in favor of something, but still have thoughts on how it might do, right? It doesn't make it contradictory.

I really like ______, but I worry about how it would do in ______ ... its a perfectly reasonable thing to say.

[Karl_Pilkington]

Joe and I eat there at least once a week.  Wonderful food.  Great price. 

I will definitely be going back. fo sho.

[Springfield Girl]

I tried it the first day it opened. The egg rolls are always the test gauge for me and they sucked. I hate Chans Egg Rolls also. I drive over to the little dive/drive through on Beach by the Save-a-Lot to get my egg roll fix. Shiang Yuan was the absolute best Chinese in Jax and I am still depressed that it closed. I'm lucky though cause my hubby cooks us great chinese every week with loads of fresh veggies and my favorite dark sauce.
Sorry, I digress. We'd better get back on subject before we get scolded.

[nvrenuf]

I don't particularly want a full street of chains but a couple good ones mixed in with unique upstarts is fine by me.

Guess I have to quote myself since ChrisUF decided to cut it in half to suit his needs. And when it comes down to it I have as much right as anyone to say what I want and what I don't want. Doesn't mean I will get what I want because as sad as it is, in the grand scheme of things I really don't have that much pull.

Let me give a couple examples. I don't want to die (it will happen anyway). I do want to find a billion dollars stuffed in my wheel well tomorrow morning (odds are against it).

And as to my quote, if I wanted a bunch of chains and nothing unique I would live at the mall. I much prefer the ambiance of the Shoppes of Avondale or 5 Points with a mix of both. It is my opinion and have as much right to express it as you do yours.