kickstarter for kevin sousa's new restaurant in braddock (Pittsburgh: garden, safer)

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by mckeesport_alum

They burned through all the money and are now seeking more funding to finish due to unforeseen problems...

Braddock mayor, chef confident upscale restaurant will open | Local News - WTAE Home

If Mayor Fetterman had pursued Applebee's or the Olive Garden to occupy the space, there wouldn't have been any financing problems and the place would probably be up and running and doing a good business already.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

If Mayor Fetterman had pursued Applebee's or the Olive Garden to occupy the space, there wouldn't have been any financing problems and the place would probably be up and running and doing a good business already.

I highly doubt such a chain would have agreed to open up in Braddock

[Rocket88]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I highly doubt such a chain would have agreed to open up in Braddock

True. One of the ideas of this restaurant was that Sousa and Fetterman wanted to help bring Braddock back. Olive Garden and Applebee's hardly have the same aspirations.

[Geeo]

Places like Braddock have been written off by corporate America. People like Sousa and Fetterman at least try and spark some interest in these communities. They're actually doing something that may improve their community, which is more than most of us do.

I'm sure chain restaurant formulas are pretty set in stone, which is why they congregate around strip malls with the same stores you can find anywhere, slap up some cheap cinder block restaurants, lay some blacktop for parking, and offer their warmed-over cuisine.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I highly doubt such a chain would have agreed to open up in Braddock

You can find chain restaurants in other distressed towns like McKees Rocks, McKeesport, Homestead and Wilkinsburg, I don't see why Braddock couldn't attract new joints as well.


Braddock has enough vacant land available, assembling enough space for a restaurant shouldn't be that terribly difficult- particularly with the cooperation of Braddock borough hall.

[safak]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

You can find chain restaurants in other distressed towns like McKees Rocks, McKeesport, Homestead and Wilkinsburg, I don't see why Braddock couldn't attract new joints as well.


Braddock has enough vacant land available, assembling enough space for a restaurant shouldn't be that terribly difficult- particularly with the cooperation of Braddock borough hall.

Wilkinsburg has a couple fast food places but what applebees or olive garden? Also its a huge traffic area on Penn Ave, and like Homestead isn't even remotely comparable to Braddock.

[BigPizzaHutFan]

Originally Posted by safak

Wilkinsburg has a couple fast food places but what applebees or olive garden? Also its a huge traffic area on Penn Ave, and like Homestead isn't even remotely comparable to Braddock.

I love engaging with my favorite brands.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

If Mayor Fetterman had pursued Applebee's or the Olive Garden to occupy the space, there wouldn't have been any financing problems and the place would probably be up and running and doing a good business already.

I'm glad he didn't pursue something so foolish as your suggestion. Braddock is clearly improving, and if this restaurant is successful, the chains will come on their own. No corporate welfare needed.

[UKyank]

From the pictures in the news about the place it doesn't even look remotely finished - hope it doesn't become another taxpayer black hole

[Geeo]

Don't worry, our tax dollars are safe. We only give subsidies to really big corporations and sports teams with nary a peep.