2120 replies to this topic

[dwfrp2010]

RiverWalker, on 13 January 2012 - 02:29 PM, said:

I doubt it would be much different from when Soby's opens up all the doors across the front of its bar area.

True... but in that case Soby's actual bar is still in the inside portion and there are tables infront of the windows facing main. In this the bar will literally be on the outside(with some tables acting as a buffer). I am guessing more of a restaurant than a late night spot though. Either way... I hope it works.

[RiverWalker]

dwfrp2010, on 13 January 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

True... but in that case Soby's actual bar is still in the inside portion and there are tables infront of the windows facing main. In this the bar will literally be on the outside(with some tables acting as a buffer).

From a licensing perspective, the bar will be well within the perimeter of the bulding footprint and thus would be considered "interior," I guess, even though it can be opened to the outside air. This design, by the way, seems to follow the trend in recent years to take greater advantage of Greenville's generally agreeable weather by blending the traditional concepts of "inside" and "outside." (Think the movable glass roof and walls of Carolina Alehouse as well as the several storefront eateries that already have been renovated to move the front wall back to allow covered "outdoor" seating within the actual footprint of the licensed establishment, as mentioned in my original post.) This layout, however, takes that blending to a whole new level.

dwfrp2010, on 13 January 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

I am guessing more of a restaurant than a late night spot though.

Maybe, maybe not. The last page of the application shows a rendering of the logo that reads: "marks on main | best burgers & fries | shakes - wine - beer - drinks." Clearly not targeting the fine dining crowd, I'd say. (It is curious to note that there appears to be a period in the logo between "mar" and "ks" so that it reads "mar.ks" in red. I wonder if that is intentional or if that is an artifact.)

[RiverWalker]

SouthernYankee, on 11 January 2012 - 06:14 PM, said:

I'm reaffirming my vote for NO CHAIN RESTAURANTS ON MAIN STREET.  There are a million other Chick-fil-A's in the world and no reason to undermine the integrity of downtown Greenville by putting one there.  I'd be fine with one on a side street, but not on the main stretch.

Relatedly, I also don't understand the obsession with getting national chain stores downtown.  I'll admit that reasonable arguments can be made in some circumstances.  For example, Barnes and Noble would be a good addition to Main Street.  Not as good as an independent bookseller, but these are difficult times, so I'll take what I can get.  In general, however, keep that junk in the mall where it belongs.

The Sonoma, California, City Council is currently pondering whether to enact a temporary moratorium or even a permanent ordinance barring retail chains from locating in the downtown area. The irony is that such a move could prevent giant upscale cookware retailer Williams-Sonoma from reopening on the site of its first store. http://www.pressdemo...ICLES/120119677

Williams-Sonoma is an example of the kind of upscale chain that should be welcomed in any downtown area, including Main Street in downtown Greenville: a destination store, much like Mast General Store (which certainly qualifies as a chain, albeit a regional one). A store of the W-S calibre draws consumers of the type that Greenville wants - those with money to spend up and down Main Street. A business that attracts people to Main Street is much more desirable than one that merely provides services those who are already downtown. On the other hand, I do not get excited about the mundane stores that can be found on almost any street corner in America, a category that incudes factory-food franchises like Chick-Fil-A. It's not the organizational structure of a business that matters but the uniqueness and desirability as perceived by people who have many choices as to where they want to shop. So, while the new CVS on Main Street may be beneficial to people who live and work in downtown, it does very little to attract people from outside the downtown area, who can travel to any one of more than a dozen other CVS locations within a five-mile radius or the dozen or so equivalent Walgreens stores within the same area. (Personally, I prefer to go to the Publix just a couple of blocks away, even though the new CVS is closer to my office; I can get more done in just one stop.)

[mallguy]

I agree completely- higher-end chains in particular, or chains in general that don't have other locations in town, are ideal.

Re: no chain restaurants on Main?  Not that Greenville is getting one, but that would exclude restaurants such as Le Cirque, Jean-Georges (part of a chain run by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten), any Alain Ducasse, Mario Batali, Danny Meyer or David Bouley restaurants...and even Morton's.

See a sample of high-end chain restaurants listed here:
http://www.businessw...012_page_2.html

[Birdbrain]

I like the idea of no chains, but if you live downtown, need to grab something quick; you can't beat hitting Subway and getting on your way.  (Not promiting them, just an example.) Unfortunately, reality and our wish list will never meet.  Walk down Main and count the chains. Geez, in the past couple of weeks - I ate at several places that would have to be run out of town: Subway, Bertolos, Grouchos, Wild Wings, Carolina Ale house, Mellow Mushroom -- and those are just a very few off the top of my pointy head.... (heck no I can't cook!)  :-)

[citylife]

[GvilleSC]

I LOVE the difference that the new paint color makes for the old Rio space.

[citylife]

Catama Bar and Grill for old Mojitos space.

[GvilleSC]

citylife, on 22 January 2012 - 01:22 PM, said:

Catama Bar and Grill for old Mojitos space.

Is this by the same owners?

[citylife]

Manna Deli has closed on Coffee Street.

GvilleSC, on 22 January 2012 - 03:01 PM, said:

Is this by the same owners?

Not sure.

[SouthernYankee]

citylife, on 25 January 2012 - 07:37 PM, said:

Manna Deli has closed on Coffee Street.

I peeked in there the other day for the first time.  It's a rough location, easily overlooked.  Serving sandwiches won't get you noticed either.  I didn't really understand what niche they were trying to fill.  Still sad to see them go, I guess.

[citylife]

Stellar Restaurant and Wine Bar has reopened in their old spot between Trio and Rey's.

Edited by citylife, 02 February 2012 - 05:14 PM.

[GvilleSC]

citylife, on 02 February 2012 - 05:13 PM, said:

Stellar Restaurant and Wine Bar has reopened in their old spot between Trio and Rey's.

Interesting. Why did they close in the first place?

Also, what's going in the old ABC space?

[GVLbikeNboard]

citylife, on 02 February 2012 - 05:13 PM, said:

Stellar Restaurant and Wine Bar has reopened in their old spot between Trio and Rey's.

That's awesome! I was only able to go once before, and was disappointed to hear they had closed before I could make it back in there.

[citylife]

GvilleSC, on 02 February 2012 - 05:16 PM, said:

Interesting. Why did they close in the first place?

Also, what's going in the old ABC space?

Not sure on why they closed in the first place. All of the old signage was back up and they were open when I drove by. Looked pretty crowded too.  

No clue on the ABC space. I do know the architect for it is ls3p though.

[citylife]

Charleston Cooks from Mavericks Southern Kitchen for old ABC space.

[adrockc2]

This is the type of retail that is in no way needed downtown. We already have The Cooks Station and Balllentine Equipment Company.

[citylife]

Sweet Dreams for old Lollipop Shop space.

Wool Over Your Eyes for 24 West North Street which is across from Rush Wilson.

Edited by citylife, 09 February 2012 - 04:09 PM.

[gsupstate]

Haven't seen this reported anywhere......Landry's Corporation looking at downtown Greenville.  Which of their numerous brands / formats......I have no idea, as they have so many.  Anyone have info?  I have trouble believing they would bring one of their Oceanaire, Morton's or McCormick & Schmick's chains.  Perhaps the Bubba Gump or original Landry's format?

[Greenville]

gsupstate, on 10 February 2012 - 06:32 AM, said:

Haven't seen this reported anywhere......Landry's Corporation looking at downtown Greenville.  Which of their numerous brands / formats......I have no idea, as they have so many.  Anyone have info?  I have trouble believing they would bring one of their Oceanaire, Morton's or McCormick & Schmick's chains.  Perhaps the Bubba Gump or original Landry's format?

McCormick & Schmick's would be nice!  You can't beat their happy hour menu!