The BP at 8th & Liberty . . . . "Rooms for Rent"

[blizz01]

what kind of airplane is that

- The export version Kfir CE

Wiki says, "an Israeli-built all-weather, multi-role combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine."

[jason_contentdg]

ChrisW
Theres no point in arguing with a couple of these guys.

They know everything there is to know 'bout naybuhood genterfikation'

Which probably has nothing to do with the fact that over fifty small businesses opened closed or moved elsewhere over the past couple of years and the only thing open is gas stations (for now) a a chinese restaurant and the fried chicken joints.

lol.

Obviously the blame lies on the neighborhood, no business shuts down because it was poorly run or really didn't have the funds needed to open in the first place, or had a bad business plan all together. 

It's always the customer's fault.

lol.

[Springfield Girl]

This talk about business boycotting is pure paranoia. Bottom line, people in every neighborhood in every city and state frequent businesses they like. I'm not going to patronize a business that does not offer what I need or want. I think Hola is absolutely adorable, one of the best looking places in town but I do not like Mexican food. I think the space and owners at 3 Layers are awesome but I don't drink coffee. The people at Shantytown are so nice I wished I liked beer and wine so I could support them more but alas, I am a whiskey drinker. I don't buy gas in Springfield because I am cheap and I can fill up while running erands in other locations. Call me unsophisticated but the business I frequent the most is Popeye's. I am a New Orleans girl and I love my red beans and rice. I went in Tuesday for Mardi Gras and took beads to all the employees and got the shrimp platter that I have been anxiously awaiting. If a business wants to sell singles and brillo pads instead of organic milk and home design magazines that is their choice, just don't expect every resident to frequent your business. A neighbor at my previous residence in another part of town owns one of the stores here. I would go in and tease him about bringing in some more upscale products to accomodate the new residents of Springfield, to which he would, shake his head and say "we'll just move." The reality is the market dictates what will and will not succeed. A business owner in Springfield can choose to change and adapt, move or fail, the same as a business owner in any other part of town.

[Ocklawaha]

what kind of airplane is that

- The export version Kfir CE

Wiki says, "an Israeli-built all-weather, multi-role combat aircraft based on a modified Dassault Mirage 5 airframe, with Israeli avionics and an Israeli-made version of the General Electric J79 turbojet engine."

YEP... I was there when they first came roaring in. 40+ in one night! AWESOME!

OCKLAWAHA
VIVA LA REPUBLICA COLOMBIA

[Springfield Girl]

I do think that there are plenty of businesses that would come into the spaces on Main St. if,

1) more of them were built out and rehabbed (most are not habitable at this time.)
2) rents were more affordable
3) Main St. was not all torn up

None of these major issues are the consumers fault

[thelakelander]

How would you suggest creating street traffic when the actual street and sidewalks are all torn up?

[thelakelander]

The answer never changes, but heavy construction, availability of viable buildings and financial resources have a large impact in implementing the answer's components.

So lets pick these three components (events, anchors and visual imprinting) apart one by one.  Visual imprinting seems like the easiest to pull off but feel free to describe in detail.

What type of events and organized by who?  Is there a particular market demographic that should be targeted and why?

What type of realistic anchors based off available space, lease rates and specific location to stimulate pedestrian movement between certain spots?  What is the proper way to overcome the negatives of street construction in attracting anchors?

[Springfield Girl]

 I know Regency has tons of traffic but they still have had many businesses fail. Same goes for other areas of town. If you provide a destination that people want to go to you will succeed. The Pearl is a perfect example of this. I was in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. After attending parades uptown our group decided to go have dinner. Well, we're in N.O. so pick a corner. It's almost all good. Well my dad got it in his mind that we had to get catfish from an old favorite. Middendorff's is in Pass Manchac, a forty minute drive from the city and in the middle of nowhere. As usual, the place was packed to capacity. For all the talk of businesses not being able to succeed, Hola, The Pearl, Earl Horne, Catlin's, A-Z sandwiches, Chan's, The Uniform Man, Zombie/Burro and co., Shantytown, A&A Auto, Carl's, Popeye's, KFC, Jerome Browns, Krystal and others seem to be doing fine.

[jason_contentdg]

Exactly Springfield Girl...I would say that the two major business that shut down in the 4 years that I've been in Springfield were 9th and Main and Boomtown.  Two major closings and a few smaller business closed, and a few nice businesses have opened up during that time...

[Ernest Street]

I remember in Lakeland back in 87-88. An old woman of at least 90 asked if the "pretty rose in the vial" was made by the Blind. The Bodega owner handed her one, nodded and said "Whatever you like!"  Honestly I saw those on the counter everywhere...but never noticed them till someone pointed it out.Silly me...I thought they used chore boy to scrub their pans?

[JaxByDefault]

Even last night at the beer and wine exception hearing for Three Layers (to allow them to sell upscale wine) one of these people stood up at the hearing to inform the zoning dept. that it was the Department's job to 'protect' their 'investment' on Walnut Street and speak against the exception.  (which btw is a business exception that only attaches to the specific business to which its granted)

15 individuals (myself among them) and a representative from SPAR got up and spoke in favor of Three Layers' application for a zoning exemption yesterday afternoon. There was fantastic support and the Planning Commission said some highly complementary things about Three Layers and its owners.  

To be fair to those opposed, I didn't hear anyone get up and merely ask that the commission "protect their property values." In fact, all of the those opposed noted that they liked and visited the coffee shop. One individual asked only for the addition of a restriction on opening hours as they were concerned with noise after 8pm. Another resident advanced a more technical legal argument that the exemption ran contrary to the historic overlay's preference for residential and residential-conforming daytime business uses and that the exemption would increase traffic and parking issues on Walnut St.

The commission rightly ruled that all of the contiguious parcels to Three Layers were already commercial and that a restaurant on one adjacent parcel already sold beer for off-site consumption. The commission also noted that the testimony of many residents in support--especially those nearby or  on Walnut St.--confirned that no one's quiet enjoyment was threatened by the addition of a wine bar that stayed open until 10 or 11 pm.

It was a nice showing of many different interests in Springfield gathering together to debate local issues and overwhelmingly support the efforts of local small buiness owners. Frankly, it was breath of fresh air around here and something of which I'd like to see more.

Similarly, I've used the BP. It's well lit and pretty free of loiterers at night. I felt comfortable there alone after dark. It's a significant improvement over the Shell station and I'm thrilled to have nearby gas station. It may not be the most beautiful urban land use, but it is a necessary use!

[Springfield Girl]

SG.  Thanks for reaffirming my point.  None of those businesses are within the narrow guidelines of the 'demographic'.  Therefore they succeed.


I don't really understand what you're saying Stephen. What demographic are you referring to? I'm sure most Springfield residents desire businesses that would appeal to a wider range of consumers.  I love my fast food but I think we have that covered. I also think we have plenty of convenience stores and tax prep places. No need for more of those. The closing of at least one of the Pawn Shops leads me to believe that there is not enough business anymore to support the multiple locations that were operating here, just as there was not enough business anymore to support Quality foods. That said we are so underserved in so many areas and I would welcome any business that is legal and attractive looking.  Well, I guess that's not entirely true. There are businesses that are legal but not desirable in my opinion, like strip clubs. I would love a garden shop. I make so many trips to Home Depot it's ridiculous. I always try Pasco's first for hardware but for outdoor stuff it's HD or Lowes. Pasco's is actually a great example of a Springfield business that adapted to the changing neighborhood. They moved to a larger, more attractive location and expanded the merchandise they offer. They made the store much friendlier for retail customers while still keeping their commercial business. A win-win situation for all parties.

[zoo]

the only thing open is gas stations (for now) a a chinese restaurant and the fried chicken joints.

... and Wafaa and Mike's, which did their first lunch today. Still working out some kinks in order-taking and drink-service, but the food was quite good (I had a chicken gyro) and generous portions. Thanks to Eddie, the chef!

Small businesses make decisions based on customer traffic.  There isnt any on Main Street.

Or maybe there is ... there was decent traffic flow at the place considering they weren't even officially open, yet. Some folks down from the port, some neighbors, BBB market guys and some of the guys working on the street. Checkout their official grand opening tomorrow!!

[thelakelander]

Thanks for the update Zoo. I'll have to try them out for lunch sometime next week.

[AlexS]

I have started to compile a list of current and closed businesses for easy reference.
http://www.sparcouncil.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4560&p=38401#p38401