Building up suburbia is what's killing Buffalo (Amherst, Cheektowaga: house, neighborhood)

[FedupWNY]

It was mentioned in a different thread about places to eat in Buffalo and the number of chains, to my thinking, I opened the talking phonebook (yellow pages) to find, of the most popular restaurant chains only 2 actually have locations in Buffalo. Those being Boston Market & Applebee's. I haven't looked up everything yet, other places I know in Buffalo are KFC, Burger King, McDonald's, Pizza Hut.

Further searching found a greater number of chains who build outside of Buffalo:

Ihop: Amherst, Cheektowaga
Chili's: Amherst, Clarence
Olive Garden: Cheektowaga, Blasdell, Amherst
Ruby Tuesday: Blasdell, Cheektowaga
Moe's: Orchard Park, Amherst, Williamsville
Montana's: Orchard Park
Red lobster: Blasdell, Amherst, Williamsville
Red Robin: Orchard Park, Amherst
Old Coutry Buffet: Amherst, Clarence

Imagine if all of those places were to set up shop in Buffalo, like along Main Street or scattered throughout (not just prime locations like Elmwood/Delaware Aves.)

I'd welcome a "chain gang" strip if to bring people into Buffalo. IMO, the more people frequent in the city, the more other independent restaurants may see recurring commerce as well. I think that every time a chain chooses to pass Buffalo up, it keeps the city further behind, making it harder to attract "new business". I think building up suburbia is part of what has killed Buffalo over the past 20 years.

Thoughts?

[aurorawatcher]

I think when they put the rail system in it killed Buffalo and Main St. There use to be so much downtown. And yes the resturant chains open in the suburbs more often. But now every where you look strip malls are poping up. Instead of re-using the older ones that are vacant. Just like Downtown. Why not reuse some of those buildings and reopen main st to traffic again. I use to eat at Swiss Chalet downtown all the time.

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by aurorawatcher

I think when they put the rail system in it killed Buffalo and Main St. There use to be so much downtown. And yes the resturant chains open in the suburbs more often. But now every where you look strip malls are poping up. Instead of re-using the older ones that are vacant. Just like Downtown. Why not reuse some of those buildings and reopen main st to traffic again. I use to eat at Swiss Chalet downtown all the time.

I ate at Swiss Chatel downtown a few times myself, it was a nice break from Burger King and McDonald's. Of which are gone now as well. Even the Buffalo Sabres have a "green" logo of being more energy-efficeint, why not have a city encouraging of recycle, reduce, reuse? Sad as it is, corporate development only happens with strip malls & shopping plazas outside the Buffalo boarders.

What can we do to change this?

[garmin239]

I think brining in a large amount of chain restaurants would do more harm as far as the image goes. I travel to cities for work that are like this (Charlotte, Raleigh, etc) and they are extremely boring and bland places. Its the independent places that give a city its character and image. I'll take a Jim's steakout over an applebees any day.

[MarineFromBuffalo]

Originally Posted by garmin239

I think brining in a large amount of chain restaurants would do more harm as far as the image goes. I travel to cities for work that are like this (Charlotte, Raleigh, etc) and they are extremely boring and bland places. Its the independent places that give a city its character and image. I'll take a Jim's steakout over an applebees any day.

I agree with you garmin. I hate chains... well I don't hate chains, but I would much rather go to a family restaurant then a chain. In Jacksonville NC where I have lived the past 3 horrible years all they have is chains and when you are craving a chicken finger sub from Jim's they don't cut it. Chains make a city look tactie with their huge signs 50ft in the air so everyone can see them.

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by garmin239

I think brining in a large amount of chain restaurants would do more harm as far as the image goes. I travel to cities for work that are like this (Charlotte, Raleigh, etc) and they are extremely boring and bland places. Its the independent places that give a city its character and image. I'll take a Jim's steakout over an applebees any day.

There are so many areas of Buffalo that have had vacancies for more than a decade, excluding downtown Main Street. Maybe having some "footprint" stores would help draw people back into Buffalo. It would create jobs, for sure.

I remember once being downtown and seeing a line forming out the doors for seating in TGIFriday's, the independent restaurant a block away had only a few tables occupied. Anytime I go near the Subway (sub shop) it's busy, the diner around the corner.... empty. I too, feel that independent places gives a city character, though when an area has nothing, perhaps it has nothing to lose by allowing chains to occupy the vacancies. While most would prefer seeing "family owned and operated" restaurants, taking a ride through the suburbs, what do you see? Packed parking lots at places like Applebee's and IHop.

Having corporate money invested in a bleak neighborhood, I feel, would help the city towards changing (for the good).

[MarineFromBuffalo]

Originally Posted by FedupWNY

There are so many areas of Buffalo that have had vacancies for more than a decade, excluding downtown Main Street. Maybe having some "footprint" stores would help draw people back into Buffalo. It would create jobs, for sure.

I remember once being downtown and seeing a line forming out the doors for seating in TGIFriday's, the independent restaurant a block away had only a few tables occupied. Anytime I go near the Subway (sub shop) it's busy, the diner around the corner.... empty. I too, feel that independent places gives a city character, though when an area has nothing, perhaps it has nothing to lose by allowing chains to occupy the vacancies. While most would prefer seeing "family owned and operated" restaurants, taking a ride through the suburbs, what do you see? Packed parking lots at places like Applebee's and IHop.

Having corporate money invested in a bleak neighborhood, I feel, would help the city towards changing (for the good).

I honestly dont think chains would survive in Buffalo, from my house I can get to just about any chain restaurant in at most 20 minutes. I see your point but I don't think that will happen in Buffalo any time soon.

[Dockwalliper]

SubWay and Tim Hortons have multiple locations inside Buffalo.

[mikesuicide]

No one thing killed Buffalo's economy and no one thing will fix it. I do agree that 'anchor' type stores keep smaller businesses in business. look at the Starbucks phenomenon. There should be chainsa on main, The Elmwood Strip could use a Gap or Old Navy, it would help drive business to the area. a good example of this is Queen St in Toronto

[FedupWNY]

Nice point of mentioning retail chains I think it may help draw people back to Buffalo as well.