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Old 08-01-2017, 03:56 PM
 
Location: Blackistan
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It was announced today that a new brewery will be built out along the Eastside Trail next to Two Urban Licks. It's become clear that most, if not all, of the new establishments popping up on the Beltline are immensely popular. So I wonder how long it will take for the major chains like Applebee's, Outback, Cheesecake Factory, etc. to catch wind and establish outposts on the Beltline. The Beltline, or at least the Eastside Trail, is a big hit with tourists, so having familiar places for them to dine while "exploring" the trail seems like a no-brainer. I hope this doesn't happen, but it seems to make business sense (at least to me).
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:05 PM
 
Location: Seattle, WA
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Ansley Mall, Midtown Place, and Fuqua's 2 new Beltline developments are all suburban. All with plenty of familiar chains.

Even Midtown Promenade is suburban-style, even though it has almost all unique places and not many chains.

And eventually the Beltline will also pass near the District at Howell Mill. So between all those, I think most of the Chili's and Panera's and Starbucks will be around those spots.
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:17 PM
 
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Haven't you realized the gentrification cycle yet?

People move to new areas and push up real estate prices to the point where only chains can afford them. Then more condos are built to try to capitalize on rising land value.

Over time, gentrified areas are transformed into the very same sterile environments that their earliest residents were so desperate to escape from.
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:20 PM
 
Location: Blackistan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by primaltech View Post
Ansley Mall, Midtown Place, and Fuqua's 2 new Beltline developments are all suburban. All with plenty of familiar chains.

Even Midtown Promenade is suburban-style, even though it has almost all unique places and not many chains.

And eventually the Beltline will also pass near the District at Howell Mill. So between all those, I think most of the Chili's and Panera's and Starbucks will be around those spots.
I was thinking more like a familiar chain coming in to a place directly off the Beltline, like this new brewery. Imagine Chili's buying an old warehouse and making it into one of their restaurants, with a little path directly off the Beltline trail.
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:22 PM
 
Location: Blackistan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ATLTJL View Post
Haven't you realized the gentrification cycle yet?

People move to new areas and push up real estate prices to the point where only chains can afford them. Then more condos are built to try to capitalize on rising land value.

Over time, gentrified areas are transformed into the very same sterile environments that their earliest residents were so desperate to escape from.
Right, but so far the Eastside Trail has largely staved off the chains despite rapidly increasing land value. I just wonder if it can remain this way or will they eventually break through in a big way.
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:30 PM
 
Location: Seattle, WA
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Originally Posted by Pemgin View Post
Imagine Chili's buying an old warehouse and making it into one of their restaurants, with a little path directly off the Beltline trail.
I mean, it would be awesome.

First of all, the people who work there and eat there would be the in-town types from those local neighborhoods. So it would be like the Chipotle on Ponce or something, not like some random one way up OTP.

The food would be their standard chain food menu, but the location would have a more interesting and unique look and feel and vibe to it I'm sure. It would get a lot of cred just for being right on the Beltline.

So yeah, I don't know if that will happen, but I'm sure it would be successful. Especially since chains tend to be much less expensive than trendy in-town hipster places. You can have a nice sit-down meal at Chili's for $20, with unlimited chips and dip. And that includes a beer. So I think in-town people would go for that.

As long as it's good chains. (Applebee's is crap.)
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:33 PM
 
Location: Seattle, WA
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It's like the difference between "Murder Kroger", and some random generic soulless Kroger up in Johns Creek or something.

Chains can be locally popular and appreciated in-town, if they catch on in the right way, and build up the right culture around it. "Beltline Chili's" could easily become a thing.
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:36 PM
 
Location: Blackistan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by primaltech View Post
I mean, it would be awesome.

First of all, the people who work there and eat there would be the in-town types from those local neighborhoods. So it would be like the Chipotle on Ponce or something, not like some random one way up OTP.

The food would be their standard chain food menu, but the location would have a more interesting and unique look and feel and vibe to it I'm sure. It would get a lot of cred just for being right on the Beltline.

So yeah, I don't know if that will happen, but I'm sure it would be successful. Especially since chains tend to be much less expensive than trendy in-town hipster places. You can have a nice sit-down meal at Chili's for $20, with unlimited chips and dip. And that includes a beer. So I think in-town people would go for that.

As long as it's good chains. (Applebee's is crap.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by primaltech View Post
It's like the difference between "Murder Kroger", and some random generic soulless Kroger up in Johns Creek or something.

Chains can be locally popular and appreciated in-town, if they catch on in the right way, and build up the right culture around it. "Beltline Chili's" could easily become a thing.
Interesting points. A small number of chains could be harmless, even positive, as long as they don't overwhelm the local flavor.
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Old 08-01-2017, 04:58 PM
 
9,008 posts, read 13,996,781 times
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Quote:
First of all, the people who work there and eat there would be the in-town types from those local neighborhoods. So it would be like the Chipotle on Ponce or something, not like some random one way up OTP.
I actually somewhat agree with your point, but acknowledge that it's super hypocritical.

Personally, I would imagine that for a place like the Beltline, a chain like Chili's would be better served by inventing a new concept that is tied in with Chili's. So it would look more authentic and not like a regular Chili's...but still have the Chili's name behind it. Like by my house, Schlotzsky's built a new concept restaurant called Austin Eatery or something like that. I don't really know what it's called, I just call it Schlotzskys...but it has a much better and expanded menu and is a sit-down type joint where they serve you. They've done a really good job with the branding that lets you know it's a unique experience and menu, but it's also brought to you by Schlotzsky's.
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Old 08-01-2017, 05:03 PM
 
Location: Seattle, WA
9,830 posts, read 7,202,567 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pemgin View Post
Interesting points. A small number of chains could be harmless, even positive, as long as they don't overwhelm the local flavor.
Another example, I don't think I've ever heard anything but praise about the new QT convenience store right in the middle of midtown. No local flavor there, just the same gas station except minus the gas.

Chains aren't so much inherently good or bad in concept, but they can be done right or done poorly. And they should never make up everything around, but should be mixed with one-off places.

Now, one idea I've always thought would be cool, is for chain retail and dining in American cities and suburbs, to have a system like they do with pubs in the U.K. Where behind the scenes they're one of a few large chain distributors, but they're allowed to have unique names and local identity.

So maybe you'd have something like "Grant Park Grill", or whatever... and behind the scenes it's owned by Chili's. Maybe their menu is slightly customized and they have a few local unique variations to it, but it's also got the food/beverage distribution advantages and general economy-of-scale perks of being a chain. And therefore able to have low prices.

Try to get the best of both worlds kind of thing. I think in general in this country we should try to do more of that with chains. Just a thought.
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