What National Chain Would You Most Like to See Come to NEPA in 2008? (Scranton: school, prices)

[W-B proud]

I wish they would bring back Top Dog!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Mofal

Why this whole thread? Why would you want more chains in the area just to look like everywhere else? Especially all the restaurant chains - overpriced, gross food! I live in a mid-sized, mid-west city now with nothing but chain everything and this place has no soul! It's part of the reason I'm excited to move to Scranton.
I suppose if they really planned well and put them all in the same place -- far far away from downtown....

Unfortunately a number of folks who left our region for "greener pastures" and then continue to bash it use the "lack of good chains" as one of their top reasons to degrade and belittle us. Miamiman did this in the past. So do some of my relatives. Some of my own peers whine about having to drive to Greater Philadelphia or New Jersey to enjoy some of their favorite chains. Hell, I don't even like heading to King of Prussia whenever I wish to shop at Armani Exchange either.

I myself am a huge proponent of the independent merchants and eateries that have served as our region's backbone for generations and have made our area "unique" instead of just being as homogenized as the rest of suburban America. I am also a realist though in that most Americans are SHALLOW LEMMINGS who may very well decide to NOT move to our area because it lacks an "essential" chain (in their eyes at least). This is where the fresh New York transplant clients of mine whined that Scranton didn't yet have an Ikea back in 2006. We've seen legendary local businesses go under one after another in recent years due to "competitive forces" (i.e. big-box chains overpowering them). Most recently the Tudor Bookstore & Cafe in Kingston, one of our metroplex's last independent book sellers, closed its doors after the second Barnes & Noble in Wilkes-Barre opened its doors just two or three miles away, drawing away even more of its business. Poochie, a short-lived gourmet dog bakery in Downtown Scranton that I loved to frequent, closed its doors due to intense competition with less expensive big-box stores. I fear that once the Pittston Township Home Depot opens in 2009 or 2010 that 84 Lumber and Petro's Hardware will both take a huge financial hit. If you want to see just what unchecked urban sprawl can do to a community, then compare the largely-vacant and collapsing downtown in Pittston to the rapidly growing commuter-belt corridors in my adjacent hometown of Pittston Township, where land is selling at a premium.

I'm with you 100% that if given the choice between Wally World, which is sued seemingly bi-monthly for some sort of ethical dilemma, or Grandma & Grandpa's General Store, which sponsors my son's little league team, I'd wholeheartedly pay more to patronize the latter. Why? The money I pay to the latter stays in our community and helps it to remain vibrant while the money paid to the former heads to Bentonville, AR, where it lines the billionaire pockets of the Walton family who think nothing of selling out mom-and-pop operations in their incessant quest to maximize profitability. However, if attracting chains like Ikea, Dave & Buster's, Buca di Beppo, Armani Exchange, etc. will shut up our area's detractors and possibly encourage MORE people to think "Hey. Scranton's an up-and-coming city. Let's move there," then I'm all for it.

The old whine of "our area can't afford these chains" is obviously moot as I'm surrounded by newer $250,000+ homes adorned by BMWs and Audis here in Greater Pittston (and many of THESE folks don't even have college degrees). Just look at the rapid growth near me of Glenmaura, Blueberry Hill Estates, Gable Crest, Willow View, Highland Hills, Quail Hill, Insignia Pointe, Stauffer Pointe, and the dozens of other upscale subdivisions within a 10-minute drive of my home. There is PLENTY of wealth in NEPA to support upscale chains, contrary to what the local Chambers of Commerce may be telling prospective new employers. This is no longer a "poor" area.

[61scout80]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

I wish they would bring back Top Dog!

YA! but Mirakuya can't leave, top dog will have to find a new place. Mirakuya is way to good to give up. its one of my staples when i visit the area.

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

There is PLENTY of wealth in NEPA to support upscale chains, contrary to what the local Chambers of Commerce may be telling prospective new employers. This is no longer a "poor" area.

i agree with that. there is a lot of new groth there, and real estate pricing has been creeping up over the last few years. sometimes it seams like the locals are either content being considered a depressed region. no one wants to make that step forward and realize things are changing in north east Pa.

[W-B proud]

Boston Market!

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

Boston Market!

They already have one in the Scranton area along Business Route 6 on the way "up da Eynon," and I think they used to have one on Kidder Street in Wilkes-Barre, but it went under.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

I wish they would bring back Top Dog!

I loved that place when I was a kid. How can you beat 39 cent hot dogs and an arcade?!!!

Top Dog was in its last days around when I was in college. Being a poor college student at the time, I ate at Top Dog pretty often.

"Top Dog...top diggity dog!" I can still hear that commercial....

[CHS89]

Originally Posted by W-B proud

Boston Market!

There was one on the O'Neill Hwy in Dunmore a few years ago (where Scooters is/was, in the same plaza as Price Chopper) that didn't last long at all.

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

They already have one in the Scranton area along Business Route 6 on the way "up da Eynon," and I think they used to have one on Kidder Street in Wilkes-Barre, but it went under.

As far as I know Paul there is no Boston Market on Route 6. I think you're referring to the one CHS89 mentioned in Dunmore that went out of business years ago.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

As far as I know Paul there is no Boston Market on Route 6. I think you're referring to the one CHS89 mentioned in Dunmore that went out of business years ago.

You're right. There never was a Boston Market in Eynon or anywhere on Rt. 6. The only one that ever existed in the Scranton area was in Dunmore. He might be thinking of the old Arby's in Eynon across from Sugerman's, that's all boarded up now.

I liked Boston Market....much better fast food than just greasy cheeseburgers.

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by MrKrabs

You're right. There never was a Boston Market in Eynon or anywhere on Rt. 6. The only one that ever existed in the Scranton area was in Dunmore. He might be thinking of the old Arby's in Eynon across from Sugerman's, that's all boarded up now.

I liked Boston Market....much better fast food than just greasy cheeseburgers.

I liked Boston Market also for something different to eat. I do remember the prices being a little high for what they offered. I suspect that is why they went of business here. Everytime I was there the place was not that busy.

I never understood why both Arby's on Rt.6 went under. The one you mentioned in Eynon and also the one in Dickson City where the Viewmont Diner is now. I always liked Arby's once in awhile, so I'm glad we still have one here in Scranton by Redners.