Panera on Main Street?

[Ethylene]

Dunn Avenue Starbucks is shuttered and gonzo! I stopped there 1st time back in September only to find it out of business!

I used the drive by at this location this past Sunday and I explained I would certainly have to print this retraction. They are indeed open, have been going strong for 3 years now and the gal working the drive thru did not know of any recent temporary closure but then she had only been working there about a month now. It's a convenient stop, love the drive thru, as I often go to Camden County, GA to see family on my days off. This update won't help Springfield but it is what it is! Sorry if I mislead anyone, please patronize Starbucks on Dunn Avenue! (Wow, I see I also misspelled September originally. Ugh...that's why I don't post often. Typos will make me insane.)

[Springfield Girl]

I went to the Panera at River City today, my second time in a week. I am addicted to the breakfast sandwiches. I would looovve a Panera on Main St!

[Lucasjj]

Although it is not Panera, I receieved a newsletter email this week from Jeff at Three Layers and they will be adding in some Panera type lunch elements...

We are adding to our lunch menu this week too. Look for our new "Pick Three" & Paninis coming this week!

[CS Foltz]

Glad to see that Three Layer is adding to their menu and branching out to boot! I got to ask if Panera has SPAR approval to set up shop.............I mean, they may not be high end enough to suit them?

[02roadking]

And Layers is now open Mondays too

[strider]

That is great news about Three Layers.  Though, I suggested hot dogs once and I could tell that Jeff seriously thought about throwing me out on my ear! (hey, they are easily cooked, affordable, most people eat them and they can be "gourmet!)

As to Panera‘s, it would be great, but I’m not sure they think Springfield and Main Street are quite ready for them yet.   I would think it would depend on where most of their San Marco clientele came from, the downtown side or the San Marco and out further side.  However, in today’s economy, they may just adopt a wait and see attitude towards opening a replacement store for San Marco. 

[sheclown]

I'm glad they will be open on Mondays.  Seems like Mondays are a good day for a strong cup of coffee.

[uptowngirl]

Ok, so to clear it up:

The Starbucks on Dunn is closed, obviouisly they didn't do so well.

There is a Panera on the Northside, in the Rivercity Market, which has a variety of other destinations as well. Given equal distance, I would guess that that location would draw better than one on Main.

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

Really ...why?

[gatorback]

Panera on Main Street? Why would they bother? 

[thelakelander]

Main?  With the medians limiting access, you're probably down to 4th Street in the historic district, considering all the other full signalized intersections are pretty much built out with buildings in use.  If they came to Main Street, its probably more feasible to open north of the historic district.  Land is cheaper, the traffic counts are higher and there are no medians limiting accessibility.

[mySpringfield]

The medians blocking cross traffic on odd numbered streets was a horrible idea for commercial viability.  It's never been more evident now that the construction is done.  The city will spend another small fortune to correct it in the distant future.

The former uniform warehouse on the NE corner of 5th and main was for sale recently (may still be).  I was looking at the building while waiting for my food at CHAN's and thinking how great a space it could be and the medians hit me in the face and really depressed me.  The odd numbered intersections are going to see painfully slow development.

[CS Foltz]

Yeah..........I noticed that driving down Main Street the other day and methinks FDOT floated one in the punch bowl since it makes no sense! Really hampers cross street availability and being able to turn at every side street! Good job FDOT/COJ lets hear it for safety! Not quite sure for whose or for what but does nothing to enhance business access................boy, really good job whoever you are! Idiot!

[strider]

 Main Street got done. We could have just settled for what we had and gotten nothing. The mediums are not the most ideal design, but are what the FDOT does today.  Without them, no new Main Street.  The city is not to "blame", the fact that Main is a State Highway is.  Rather than complain about them, why not come up with a strategy that uses them?  Design parking so that it is easy to get to.  Then, people can walk from place to place.

In my mind, the mediums are an issue only if you have the suburban mentality that says you must drive everywhere.  If you think walk-able, the mediums no longer matter.  After all, isn't that what everyone says they want? A walk-able Main Street? And do not forget that there is an alley system.  The utilities were moved to the alleys and that makes Main look better.  But, it also insured that the alleys will be there and maintained.  Include the alleys in any plans, possibly to use for those bike lanes some have lamented about.

Parking is going to be a problem sooner rather than later.  The tax places being open has shown that just one business on each block that is viable and involves bringing in people in cars can take up the parking for the entire block. Parking lots will be needed. Perhaps on those blocks available via the mediums and with false facades at the street to mask what they really are.  Some lots have paving now so the cost could be kept to a minimum to start with.

I would think that Panera’s  or any place like them could get into a place on Main very economically right now and could be one consideration for them.  Further up Main is a mixed bag and probably only more affordable due to the historic issues rather than land values.

Main Street’s design seems to have created a great opportunity rather than being an issue.

[CS Foltz]

strider I agree to a point......if your north bound and the business you wish to visit is on the west side then you have to do a U turn inorder to get to it.........having parking areas at intervals might be the answer but then they need to be staggered and marked.........or maybe even paid parking of some sort and that would start the parking at one spot then walking to where ever one needs to go! Maybe even pocket parks masking the parking lots persay........Main Street does look nice but this is just starting so there is room for improvement!

[thelakelander]

I agree to a point as well, but my train of thought is also heavily impacted by the reality of working and designing facilities for many of the places people dream about over the years.  They look for certain things and some of them demand them, unless you have an insane amount of foot traffic, which Main does not and won't anytime soon. 

Imo, its better to focus on attracting local mom&pop type establishments that serve the community's existing demographics over chains at this point.  Its easier to get them in, they add character and stimulate foot traffic that does not currently exist.  When the conditions are right, the chains will come on their own.