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Started 1 year ago by Walker
Latest reply from bayrea

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YoderMan
Easton Area
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leftovers said:
With the high cost of a fast food franchise, it often makes more economic sense to invest in a location where one can put in a drive thru.

A very valid observation, however these were already existing businesses meaning that many of the upfront costs associated with a franchise had likely been settled and there was (and remains) few alternatives in the immediate area. Also, most other mid sized cities support such franchises in their downtown.

I honestly believe that it had to do with making the area more appealing to 'right' people so that they could sell them loft's and condos.

Posted 11 months ago #
YoderMan
Easton Area
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DTown said:
Probably shouldn't forget to mention Subway. It seems like you can't stand anywhere downtown without being in site of at least one of them.

Yes, they and the non chain restaurants prove it was not for a lack of customers that the others closed down.

A Dirty Frank's would be an excellent option for the Barrio's site! Or something else focused on the office worker / lunch time crowd.

The Elevator always seems to have a good happy hour crowd, but Barrio's was next to empty most evenings at the same time. What really is the draw to that corner, after hours? Too many other choices in the Arena District / Short North or Gay Street.

Posted 11 months ago #
DTown
Discovery District South
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YoderMan said:
I honestly believe that it had to do with making the area more appealing to 'right' people so that they could sell them loft's and condos.

The Wendy's on Broad has been gone since early 2007, was woefully outdated, and by all reports, had been bleeding money for years. It survived as long as it did due primarily to its status as the first Wendy's location. I doubt their corporate owners were strong-armed into closing to accommodate the "right" people.

Posted 11 months ago #
DTown
Discovery District South
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YoderMan said:
The Elevator always seems to have a good happy hour crowd, but Barrio's was next to empty most evenings at the same time. What really is the draw to that corner, after hours? Too many other choices in the Arena District / Short North or Gay Street.

Barrio always seemed to be busy, so far as I could tell. A lot of times, it was more crowded than The Elevator.

For me, the draw will always be variety and uniqueness of cuisine. I don't think you can ever have too many choices in an area as small as downtown Columbus. Filling up space with more of the "same old, same old" would seem a waste, at least to me. Especially if it catered solely to the noon hour office worker, and shuttered up at 5pm.

Posted 11 months ago #
Briana Henry
Columbus, OH
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YoderMan said:

A Dirty Frank's would be an excellent option for the Barrio's site! Or something else focused on the office worker / lunch time crowd.

Dirty Frank's in that location would be amazing!

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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YoderMan said:
I honestly believe that it had to do with making the area more appealing to 'right' people so that they could sell them loft's and condos.

Wait, what? You're saying Wendy's closed it to help nearby condo developers? Or that the new owners of Barrio were trying to help nearby condo developers? Or that elected officials aided in the closure of this Wendy's?

There's at least a dozen different directions to read into your vague assertion, and none of them are making any sense to me. Care to elaborate on your conspiracy theory?

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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Briana Henry said:
Dirty Frank's in that location would be amazing!

What's wrong with Dirty Frank's where it is? ;) If a second one is in order, I'd rather see it outside of Downtown in another neighborhood, like... *ahem*... the Westgate / Highland West / Hilltop area?

Posted 11 months ago #
YoderMan
Easton Area
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Walker said:
Wait, what? You're saying Wendy's closed it to help nearby condo developers? Or that the new owners of Barrio were trying to help nearby condo developers? Or that elected officials aided in the closure of this Wendy's?

There's at least a dozen different directions to read into your vague assertion, and none of them are making any sense to me. Care to elaborate on your conspiracy theory?

A good conspiracy is unprovable. I mean, if you can prove it, it means they screwed up somewhere along the line. Jerry Fletcher, 1997

I posted a disclaimer in my initial post, that I had no details, but I view it as being too much of coincidence that the chain restaurants all faded away, at the same time developers started changing unused office space into lofts. I believe it was the same interests that were behind the failed attempt to move the COTA routes off High St. Both certainly boost the curb appeal of their newly developed properties.

Posted 11 months ago #
Graybeak
Hunky Town
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All I know is, east of Third, there is very little for lunch downtown for those with only a half hour for lunch. (I know it has nothing to do with Barrio, but we all started talking about fast food places shutting down and all the wonderful places to eat)

Posted 11 months ago #
sean2outerspace
Clintonville
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Having worked at Barrio from the opening, I heard that Wendy's closed their doors because there was neither a parking lot, nor a drive thru. When they restructured, a lot of urban locations closed that did not fit the "typical" Wendy's business model.

Posted 11 months ago #
rory
Weinland Park
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Walker said:
What's wrong with Dirty Frank's where it is? ;) If a second one is in order, I'd rather see it outside of Downtown in another neighborhood, like... *ahem*... the Westgate / Highland West / Hilltop area?

Wait...what about one of the other W neighborhoods?

And it can go here.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/off/3058353399.html

Posted 11 months ago #
DTown
Discovery District South
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Graybeak said:
All I know is, east of Third, there is very little for lunch downtown for those with only a half hour for lunch. (I know it has nothing to do with Barrio, but we all started talking about fast food places shutting down and all the wonderful places to eat)

There's always McDonald's on Main, if you get to it before the "right" people find out it's still there.

Posted 11 months ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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Posted 11 months ago #
gramarye
In Exile
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I think sean2outerspace probably has the right of it regarding the Wendy's.

As for what could go into the space, I think a lot of different concepts could be successful there, but preferably something that can generate revenue both during lunch hours and dinner hours (and who knows, maybe even late night hours as well). I have to believe that whatever goes into that space is still going to be primarily dependent on lunch business, though, unfortunately.

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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YoderMan said:
I view it as being too much of coincidence that the chain restaurants all faded away, at the same time developers started changing unused office space into lofts.

This stuff didn't happen at the same time though. The push for condos began in 2002 and peaked in maybe 2004-2006. Sales were steady during that time. Wendy's closed up their stores in 2008. I don't recall when the McDonald's closed, but around 2008-ish. Meanwhile, condo development slowed in 2008 due to the national recession and housing crisis.

If there was some sinister forces at play, they were way behind the curve.

Besides... do empty retail storefronts sell condos better than existing fast food businesses? Capitol South and 8 on the Square would probably both consider it a win to have Burgers Dogs & Fries as a part of their developments. 8 on the Square also had a Dunkin Donuts and now a Tim Hortons, neither of which is too far removed from fast food.

I think it's a pretty big stretch to think there's a conspiracy there...

YoderMan said:I posted a disclaimer in my initial post, that I had no details...

Oh. Yes you did. Nevermind then! ;)

Posted 11 months ago #
Graybeak
Hunky Town
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DTown said:
There's always McDonald's on Main, if you get to it before the "right" people find out it's still there.

I suppose if you ate while you were walking back, you might be able to make it there and back in a half hour...

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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DTown said:
There's always McDonald's on Main, if you get to it before the "right" people find out it's still there.

Don't get me started.

Slowest. McDonald's. Ever.

Posted 11 months ago #
Graybeak
Hunky Town
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Oh, and I do miss the Arby's as well.
And the Skyline.
And even Jersey Mike's while it was there, because that is a very different sandwich experience that what Subway pumps out...

Posted 11 months ago #
YoderMan
Easton Area
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Graybeak said:
Oh, and I do miss the Arby's as well.
And the Skyline.
And even Jersey Mike's while it was there, because that is a very different sandwich experience that what Subway pumps out...

You can't beat the Cafe Brio experience $6.00 for Smoked turkey sandwich, but the sneers from the sandwich maker are free!

Posted 11 months ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
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Arby's next to the COTA building was great and for awhile they were open on Saturdays. The Quiznos across the street use to give out free stuff at closing. I guess it came down to rent + franchise fee is too much.

I think technically, the Chipotle on Front is also in downtown.

Posted 11 months ago #