Noodles & Co. plans to open in the long-vacant former home of Hard Times Cafe,
which is just west of Houlihan's and Steak n Shake on Maryland Street. The Colorado-based chain has six Indianapolis area
locations, including one near IUPUI.
Einstein Bros. Bagels is opening a second downtown location on the north side of Market Street,
just east of Pennsylvania Street. The Colorado-based chain's location along Illinois Street outside Circle Centre mall also
will remain open.
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Any more news on Panera bread coming downtown and is Mcallister's still looking for a location?
But for now we get the same rehashed chains filling the spots of already used up and discarded previous chains... why?
There's no buzz when an Einstein moves, but a new idea or new spot would generate something fresh.
IT WORKED FOR SPICY PICKLE.
Seriously...do you think there will be much independent expansion in this economy?
I certainly hope all of you who complain about chains only shop at farmer's markets, have an oil well in your back yard to refine your own gas, and never ever set foot in a mall or big box retailer. Because unless you completely reject chain consumerism, your harping about local restaurants is just elitist and whining.
I would much rather have a successful chain contributing to my sales tax base than an empty store front cluttering up my downtown.
And I THIRD that, Nick....
It's the serving staff that can make either type of place a great location. Merry Christmas too the folks who read this blog.
The way some people react to chain restaurants 'round here, you'd think that the instant a restaurant opened a second location, all the quality gets sucked out of it.
Who wants to meet me at Cheesecake Factory for dessert?
You guys are playing pretty good defense for chain restaurants
I wonder why?
Do you feel connected to these brands in such a profound way that when someone doesn't like them, you actually feel hurt?
Do you get bent out of shape when someone criticizes a crummy Super Bowl ad about your favorite salsa?
Do you love squirting EZ Cheese onto your Wheat Thins while watching American Idol?
Are you the heroes of mass-production? Is Ford YOUR hero?
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And seriously, yes, helltotheno the quality of life anywhere suffers when there's a lack of independently owned restaurants. If I have to explain why, you wouldn't understand.
WE like what we like. SOME people, 'mmm' need to stop obsessing about other peoples choices in life. What I do with my Wheat Thins n Salsa, is between me and my EZ Cheese.
-We don't fell hurt... just feel that if an independent doesn't offer good service or good food, we're not going to continue going there just to support independents/local business. People will spend their money where they feel they're getting something in return (i.e., in a restaurant's case, good service and good food). And complaining about people just because they frequent chains is an insult.
-No... and does the Super Bowl ad comment have any relevance to this conversation? No one was supporting chains... just saying that just because a business is independent or local doesn't mean we will frequent that place if there is bad service and/or bad food.
-Again, does EZ Cheese and Wheat Thins have any relevance? Just because I go to a chain restaurant doesn't mean I'm poor or lower class (if this is what you are implying). There are actually a lot of chain restaurants that are fairly expensive... Ruth Chris, Eddie Merlots just to name a couple.
-Unless you drive a Ferrari, Lamborgini , Bentley (probably spelled a couple of those wrong) or other specialty brand that has to be ordered and not purchased from a lot... you are driving a MASS PRODUCED car. And don't say BMW or Mercedes because these are mass produced as well. So, just an awful argument.
Finally, no one said that there shouldn't be independent/local restaurants... just that if they don't provide good service and/or good food... why should people continue to spend money at that place? If I get better service and/or better food at a chain... I will spend my money there. I don't know about you, but I'm not giving my money to businesses who offer a bad product and/or bad service.
Maybe Indiana should give a bailout to Steak 'n Shake so our profits stay here right in the Hoosier Heartland.
Just a flame, I mean, thought.
Most of the cost of producing a restaurant meal is in the food, labor, and overhead (rent, insurance, taxes, equipment). Most of that money is spent by the restaurant locally with its employees and suppliers at places like Zesco, Piazza Produce, insurance brokers, and yes...the State and Dome taxes. So it doesn't really matter that much from an economic impact point of view whether a restaurant is local or chain.
When a local entrepreneur has a great idea (like Joe at Yat's) and is present and known in his place and in the community, it will thrive...and become a small chain as Yat's has.
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