‘Donut’ development
June 28th, 2007 3:32 pm · 5 comments
Went down to Place Marie to interview Jack Howell of the Lancaster Alliance earlier this week, they’re still pushing the streetcar idea in Lancaster (so there’s a head’s-up for you, that will be in this weekend’s paper).
Hadn’t been to Place Marie for a while - since Cafe Aroma Borealis pulled out, actually - and was sort of stunned at how empty the place is. The front store to the right as you enter - don’t know what it was most recently - is empty, debris left behind the glass window. The space where Isaac’s used to be is still empty. The coffee shop is gone. It’s empty storefront after empty storefront, with the Downtown Investment District and Lancaster Alliance being two of the only remaining tenants on that level. Something sadly metaphoric about that, I think.
After the interview - it was stinking hot - I went down to the new Dunkin’ Donuts at the corner of Queen and Orange for an iced coffee. Here was a different situation. There was a line - five people long - and as I left more people were coming in. The place was booming.
And I thought: Dunkin’ Donuts?
Why is Dunkin’ Donuts doing such bang-up business, while others on the block are struggling? I mean, sure - you can get a cup of coffee. You can do that at Jerry Keys’. You can get a “donut” - but are they such a big draw?
I’m honestly kind of perplexed about this. Do we need to stick Burger King or Wendy’s into Place Marie? Is that the answer - is that the only thing that can be successful on that block?
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Tags: Lancaster
There are currently 5 comments on this blog postView Topic | Comment on this blogcyberscribbler
6/28/07
3:45 PM | QUOTE Do we need to stick Burger King or Wendy’s into Place Marie? Is that the answer - is that the only thing that can be successful on that block? There was a Burger King on N Queen St, years ago. It failed
Why is the McDonald's on Water St still in business?
The drive thru & Parking lot meshes with our car culture.
That block is long overdue to become condos, like the Hager Building. The one thing that might help it is the street car idea. That or parking spaces, like the 300 N Queen block.
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Save-the-Land
6/28/07
3:58 PM | I often thought Gil smart was fool....this really proves it! What a stupid idea. I like the posters idea above....we need more condos first....then there will be plenty of people looking for a place to eat donuts, and hopefully not at some boring, unimaginative chain store.
I worked in an office close to Place Marie back in the 80's, it was such a nice place......this area around the square is now a desolate, depressing void. Now I can take a walk down to the 0.99 Store a block off the Square....Wow! What fabulous shopping opportunities Lancaster offers.
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Lancaster
6/28/07
4:15 PM | Unfortunately I think that people generally go with what they are comfortable with - Dunkin Donuts is a known quantity, for better or worse. People know what they are getting, how much it costs, etc. Gil included I suppose.
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Daisy Lee Myers
6/28/07
4:32 PM | can someone post this article? i can't open it.
thanks |
Lancaster
6/28/07
5:23 PM | QUOTE(Daisy Lee Myers @ Jun 28 2007, 04:32 PM) [snapback]300567[/snapback] can someone post this article? i can't open it.
thanks
Went down to Place Marie to interview Jack Howell of the Lancaster Alliance earlier this week, they’re still pushing the streetcar idea in Lancaster (so there’s a head’s-up for you, that will be in this weekend’s paper).
Hadn’t been to Place Marie for a while - since Cafe Aroma Borealis pulled out, actually - and was sort of stunned at how empty the place is. The front store to the right as you enter - don’t know what it was most recently - is empty, debris left behind the glass window. The space where Isaac’s used to be is still empty. The coffee shop is gone. It’s empty storefront after empty storefront, with the Downtown Investment District and Lancaster Alliance being two of the only remaining tenants on that level. Something sadly metaphoric about that, I think.
After the interview - it was stinking hot - I went down to the new Dunkin’ Donuts at the corner of Queen and Orange for an iced coffee. Here was a different situation. There was a line - five people long - and as I left more people were coming in. The place was booming.
And I thought: Dunkin’ Donuts?
Why is Dunkin’ Donuts doing such bang-up business, while others on the block are struggling? I mean, sure - you can get a cup of coffee. You can do that at Jerry Keys’. You can get a “donut” - but are they such a big draw?
I’m honestly kind of perplexed about this. Do we need to stick Burger King or Wendy’s into Place Marie? Is that the answer - is that the only thing that can be successful on that block?
|
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