The First Whole Foods In Prince George's County (College Park, Riverdale Park: college, casino)

[Ricky93]

Now all PG needs is an Apple Store. LOL.

[Khemistry]

Originally Posted by Ricky93

Now all PG needs is an Apple Store. LOL.

That's the absolute LAST thing PG County needs. A played out brand that's losing marketshare by the bucketloads everyday. That would be a sure sign Apple was going down the drain... if they have to resort to coming to PG County. Give me a Microsoft Store or even a Sony Store.

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by Ricky93

Now all PG needs is an Apple Store. LOL.

I wonder what will be the prime spot for one. Most likely National Harbor or maybe even the upcoming Konterra Town Center. We'll see...

[UrbanScholar]

Originally Posted by tcave360

I wonder what will be the prime spot for one. Most likely National Harbor or maybe even the upcoming Konterra Town Center. We'll see...

Prior to the recession occurring one was slated for the NH (to be located where Peeps is now) so that may be revisited. I could also see it in the college park/UMD area or Konterra. I do agree with some of the others though. I would be better to push for a Microsoft, Sony or even a Google Store. If they go for Apple they need to push for the others. The retail conference is coming up at the end of the month so whomever they try to woo to come to the county they will do it there. I believe that a big selling point this year will be the casino in terms of courting new retail that hasn't been in the county before.

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by UrbanScholar

Prior to the recession occurring one was slated for the NH (to be located where Peeps is now) so that may be revisited. I could also see it in the college park/UMD area or Konterra. I do agree with some of the others though. I would be better to push for a Microsoft, Sony or even a Google Store. If they go for Apple they need to push for the others. The retail conference is coming up at the end of the month so whomever they try to woo to come to the county they will do it there. I believe that a big selling point this year will be the casino in terms of courting new retail that hasn't been in the county before.

Yeah I definitely agree. And that's another thing that surprised me about the retail that would come with the MGM resort/casino last year. I can't think of anywhere in this county or even the entire DC area where there is a Luis Vuitton or Fendi, these two being some of the possible luxury high-end boutiques that will be coming to NH.

Speaking of technology stores, I hope Tanger's Outlets will have an FYI store I love shopping there and I was shocked that one in St. Charles Mall was transformed into a taekwondo studio sometime back in 2009. The only other FYI I can think of are the ones in Tyson's Corner Mall and Arundel Mills.

[Khemistry]

Originally Posted by tcave360

Yeah I definitely agree. And that's another thing that surprised me about the retail that would come with the MGM resort/casino last year. I can't think of anywhere in this county or even the entire DC area where there is a Luis Vuitton or Fendi, these two being some of the possible luxury high-end boutiques that will be coming to NH.

Speaking of technology stores, I hope Tanger's Outlets will have an FYI store I love shopping there and I was shocked that one in St. Charles Mall was transformed into a taekwondo studio sometime back in 2009. The only other FYI I can think of are the ones in Tyson's Corner Mall and Arundel Mills.

"FYI Store"??? So you mean FYE - For Your Entertainment??? There's no such thing as an FYI Store. There's also nothing high end about it either. FYE doesn't hold anywhere near the brand cachet nor do they serve the same purpose as an Apple Store, Microsoft Store, or Sony Store. FYI (no pun intended) there is an FYE Store at the Mall at Prince George's. It's nowhere near as good (feature-wise) as the Arundel Mills location. I don't shop at FYE at all, regardless. Their prices are grossly outrageous and much more expensive than the competition at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart and to boot, they don't offer anything the big box retailers don't.

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by Khemistry

"FYI Store"??? So you mean FYE - For Your Entertainment??? There's no such thing as an FYI Store. There's also nothing high end about it either. FYE doesn't hold anywhere near the brand cachet nor do they serve the same purpose as an Apple Store, Microsoft Store, or Sony Store. FYI (no pun intended) there is an FYE Store at the Mall at Prince George's. It's nowhere near as good (feature-wise) as the Arundel Mills location. I don't shop at FYE at all, regardless. Their prices are grossly outrageous and much more expensive than the competition at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart and to boot, they don't offer anything the big box retailers don't.

Oops That's what I meant say lol. Hmm, so that's why it left. Especially with the presence of a Target and Best Buy near St. Charles Mall in Waldorf. Both stores do offer better deals and discounts over all, even though it seems Target does even better.

[Steelers10]

Originally Posted by EducatedBro82

I have yet to eat at Fogo De Chao, I heard nothing but great reviews.

If we are looking at different cuisines, would anyone consider Benihana (Bethesda) fine dining? Also what about Kobe at the BLVD, or McCormick and Schmicks?

This is not a "foodie" thread but since I ate at Fogo today I guess I'll throw in my two cents. First and foremost to respond to the previous poster, yes, the Cheesecake Factory is loud. However, in no way does that reduce it to the dining experience of a TGI Fridays. The Cheesecake Factory in the Inner Harbor is a festive loud; still enjoy the ambience. White Flint's Cheesecake Factory for example strikes me as a location that would be tame if it weren't crowded with a few inappropriately loud parties.

Out of the places above, I have not eaten at Kobe. However, Benihana in Bethesda struck me as very loud, but I think that is part of the experience. However, last time I was there, some group was a bit too over the top with the noise so we requested to move. But moving in Benihana to avoid noise is about as productive as moving in a concert to avoid noise. The natural clanging and loud noise doesn't necessarily detract from the quality of the restaurant, just people that need to learn how to use their "inside voices".

I'm not a "pinky out" type individual so I don't believe I'm an authority on "fine dining". I will say that I've eaten at a Shula's Steakhouse on Miami Beach and it struck me as far more upscale than Fogo, Ruth's Chris, or Clyde's. But Shula's is the type place that doesn't have prices on the menu and I distinctly remember some poor soul next to us unwittingly rang up several hundred dollars for his party's bill. Quite frankly I'm surprised there isn't at least one, if not two Shula's Steakhouses in the Washington-Baltimore area.

Just because Fogo de Chao is not necessarily on that level doesn't mean it isn't upscale. I don't think there's a way to eat at Fogo w/ a minimum party of two and not ring up at least a $100 bill. I think it compares somewhat favorably to a Shula's, just more crowded and louder. Fogo has a very nice décor and a must do dining experience if you are a meat eater. You get a heck of a lot more food for the money than an upscale Shula's type establishment. I think the DC Fogo location has slightly (but only slightly) better service than the Inner Harbor Fogo but I can't say I have had a bad experience at either. I would go back for either anytime; one of my favorite "dining out for two" spots.

McCormick and Schmick's is by far and away better than a Red Lobster. It's not even close. I would throw Bonefish Grill in there too. Quite frankly, I don't see the allure of a Red Lobster because it is not that much cheaper than McCormick and Schmick's or Bonefish but the latter two are by far and away better in terms of quality of food and service. I tend to go to McCormick and Schmick's when friends from other places want to eat seafood because it's Maryland. I'm sure there are much better places, but McCormick and Schmick's is a known quantity, reasonably priced with an upscale vibe, and the one in Baltimore overlooks the Inner Harbor.

To me, the barometer of what constitutes truly fine dining is its rarity. In the Washington-Baltimore area, there are at least ten Cheesecake Factories, P.F. Chang's, and McCormick and Schmick's. That is not particularly exclusive. Fogo de Chao just has one in every major city (there's not a Fogo between DC and Atlanta) and I think that allows them to focus on quality food and customer service.

The future restaurant prospects do not bode well for PG County because the market is already saturated in MoCo, NoVa, the District, and Baltimore with quality chain restaurants that aren't so pricey they would warrant a new location. If anyone wants to lobby for a franchise, you may want to petition for a Bahama Breeze in PG County. For whatever reason, there is only one in Towson and the next one is down in Woodbridge. Bahama Breeze has good food, and excellent Caribbean vibe that I think would go over well in PG County, and the ambience is nice but the restaurant is not so costly that it would be prohibitive to build a new one. I definitely think the Washington-Baltimore area could handle AT LEAST one more Bahama Breeze, and why does everything have to go to MoCo or Columbia? IMO I think Bahama Breeze would be a good semi-upscale match for PG County.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by Steelers10

The future restaurant prospects do not bode well for PG County because the market is already saturated in MoCo, NoVa, the District, and Baltimore with quality chain restaurants that aren't so pricey they would warrant a new location.

I disagree. I think the fact that PG County is lacking the regular chains you listed opens up opportunities for new unique chains such as the Lettuce Entertain You chains that are penetrating the DC market and a few NYC restaurants that have found their way to National Harbor such as Bond 45. College Park enjoys Bobby Flays Burgers as well as Sweetgreen which are chains that are not so common place in the DC area. As the Casino gets built, look for the exclusive restaurants headed by world renowned chefs. This, perhaps, will be a catalyst for other restauranteurs to proliferate throughout the county that otherwise wouldn't have come. We will see as other major projects come on board. I think now is as good a time as any to attract more upscale dining. I read an article once where Applebee's was the only dining option in the county. Now you have restaurants by nationally known chefs in the county. It took a few decades, but in the last 10 years that has been significant change. Now we're on the cusp of getting a nationally recognized upscale grocer and perhaps retailers only seen in Chevy Chase and Tyson's Galleria. I think the prospects look bright.

[justtitans]

Does PG County have a market to support those types of businesses? I think in some parts the county does, but overall, it would be difficult to convince some of these upscale retailers that PG is that place to come to. I mean not only would they be competing against their other local locations (if they have stores/restaurants in other parts of the area), but they would also have to consider, is there enough money in a place like Bowie, College Park, National Harbor, or maybe even Laurel that it's worth it because you are unlikely to have a lot of people in areas that surround those places that would patronize your establishments. One thing that hurts the county, is the really nice and high income places are near other counties/cities. The things that are desired for Bowie, are places that are already in parts of Crofton or Annapolis, so would it make sense to put another establishment in Bowie, when they are likely already getting that clientele? What about Laurel being close to Columbia/Ellicott City/Silver Spring? What about National Harbor being close to Alexandria/Arlington? College Park is possibly the one location that is far enough away from other places that it could realistically get an establishment that is already in the region, but for the rest, it may make more sense to get some unique businesses similar to how the National Harbor has done.

The county needs to be more strategic in their planning to lure businesses. Don't just try to bring any business, bring business that make sense for the area you are trying to put them in. An Apple Store is probably not going to make a ton of sense at National Harbor when there is a store about 4 miles away and the area around National Harbor doesn't have the income that a place like Arlington has, which has two stores near each other. But even with that said, is that going to really draw people to National Harbor? National Harbor gets business because there are some unique places like Bond45 or Ketchup that are rare for this region, but if you start adding the same stores that Arlington or Tyson's Corner has, what is the appeal of going to National Harbor just to shop/dine? If PG can bring some unique upscale shops, then it will be able to convince people from all over the region to go there instead of Reston, Tyson's Corner, or Bethesda Row.