Whither Boomtown?

[Stephendare]

John and I are trying to get some input on this.

If Boomtown does move from our location at the Park Place Building, where would the best of the following four locations be?

1. The Snyder Memorial Building in Hemming Park.

2. Main Street in Springfield.

3. Five Points on the main drag.

4. Bay Street in the so called entertainment district.

?

if you like two locations equally thats cool as well.

[Charles Hunter]

Is there any space large enough in 5 Points? I eat lunch in various 5 Pts locales often, and don't recall any large empty spaces.
I vote for Snyder first, a vote for Bay Street is tempered by the potential of the JTA bus thing

[thelakelander]

I'm in the same boat as Downtownparks. But I'll give my opinion from a business sense instead of my personal bias.

1. Five Points - Connectivity and being within a critical mass of complementing businesses is always best. Clustering means more business for all in a certain area, which makes for vibrant districts. The negative would be that Five Points probably has higher rents and is in the process of going upscale, which means many funky unique establishments may be forced out.

2. Snyder Memorial - As we all know, there's a mix of businesses starting to form a connection between the park and the Landing, via Laura. Snyder is a very important location, the architecture and layout is perfect for Boomtown and with all the loft projects coming online, it sits in the heart of what will become a vibrant urban district fairly soon. The negative is you're dealing with a city government with a pretty poor track record. You see what happened with all those businesses in Springfield going after the facade grant, as well as the River City Band. If I were playing with my own money, the last thing I would want is public involvement (considering this, it could very well sink the Synder to the bottom of the list).

3. Main Street Springfield - With the Pearl, Springfield Station and Shantytown already in the area, along with Cesery's project breaking ground in the next month or so again the clustering/complementing effect starts to come into play. Main is also one of the city's major pedestrian oriented urban streets. Its not Five Points, but it's got more potential than Bay Street, imo and if you like spurring complementing economic development, then Main is the place. Of course the only (really major) negative is the Hionedes factor. However, I still stand by the fact that the guy doesn't own every piece of property on Main. Get the other property owners involved with fixing up their spots and his impact can be overcome.

4. Bay Street Entertainment District - The three bars are great, it's got a wide sidewalk, palm trees and close to the river front, but there are some huge negatives. First, its still a contrived entertainment district (you can't create true entertainment districts this way), its only three blocks (with a huge surface lot in the middle), the rents are probably higher, due to the "vision" in place and the county courthouse and city hall annex buildings will be there for at least another 5 years. All those elements combine to create a major roadblock for clustering similar uses together. Oh and I forgot, if JTA has their way, it's going to be negatively impacted by bus lanes.

[DapperDan]

1) Snyder would be the best bet, but that looks more and more like a tall order.
2) Bay Street would be great. Would help create more synergy there, and you can feed off the alreday built in crowd. Win, win.

[RADIO TALK SHOW HOST]

if there is a none of the above, the old comedy act cafe in murray hill off 17 and edgewood

[danno]

Purely selfish..... Springfield. I cant stomach the ffod at 9th and Main much longer!

[Lunican]

Buying the Snyder Memorial instead of leasing would probably be best, but that doesn't sound like a possibility. Dealing with the city will take forever and I wouldn't be surprised if they changed their mind right after you moved in.

Springfield is a pretty attractive option and it sounds like you would be able to get moved in much quicker.

[Scarlett]

Springfield! For mostly selfish reasons but I think your business fits well here and the future is looking bright for the neighborhood.

[Diane Melendez]

For the success of your business and the potential of making enough money to later buy the Snyder . I vote 5 points first. Definitely.... Boomtown would fit in terrifically as a great place where bohemia meets fine dining. With the recent restorations in 5 points there began a not so subtle change to, well lets say, a atmosphere that was geared for a different type of patron. Boomtown has already shown the great ability to appeal to a wide variety of patrons. Your business would take off there as it would bring the class and entertainment to not only appeal to the more upscale visitor, but the artsy, creative edge that has always defined 5 points.

I love Snyder, but think dealing with the city would be a royal pain in the ass. You still also face the same problems with meters and a next to dead atmosphere on the weekends.

Springfield also has its good points, but does not have the vibrancy of 5 points.

Bay Street, put your fingers in the sign of the cross and back away. IMO Bay street will not see the necessary changes soon enough to move your business there. It will be a long time coming...long time.

[Charles Hunter]

I agree that 5 Points would be great, but I ask again, is there an empty space of the right size for Boomtown? I think Einsteins Kitch-In (an eclectic store) is moving out, but that doesn't seem to be a very big space ... unless ... you take over the Italian restaurant next door?

[Claude91098]

5 Points gets my vote. I love that area and I need an excuse to visit it more often! :-)

[thelakelander]

What about the old theater? Stephen what's your take on the changing atmosphere of 5 Points? What area of the core, in your opinion, has the most potential to become the next bohemain type district? We know downtown has potential, but it's also limited by a large amount of poor public policy that areas like Springfield, Murray Hill and San Marco's Hendricks Avenue (ever consider Hendricks?) don't suffer from.

[Stephendare]

The old theatre would be where we would go if we went to five points.

Its large enough to accomodate our performance crowds and it has room for seating and kitchens.

[Ufrh4]

I say Snyder, just because the atmosphere would be unlike anything you could create elsewhere.

[jbm32206]

[quote=Downtownparks]This is a toughie...1 & 2 tie, then 3 & 4 come in a close second. From a business stand point, five points will be your quickest buck, and Bay st will help you expand a growing "entertainment" area. quote]

I have to concur with DP...and of course, it's what you're wanting...even as far as the clientele... Although I would say that 5 points would be your best bet at this point.

[RiversideGator]

From a physical standpoint, I would say the 5 Points Theater is best.
From an emotional standpoint, Springfield or the Church would be best. Bay Street is my last choice. A lot depends on the rents too.

[Charles Hunter]

OKay ... I didn't realize the old theater was available, being under the impression that the recent building renovation included the theater space. In that case, it sounds great.

[Diane Melendez]

Stephen,

Is there the potential for you to set up business in 5 points and lock into the Snyder for another project?

[Charles Hunter]

He could move to 5 Points, and simultaneously begin negotiations with the City over Snyder. About the time he's ready to move on from 5 Points - about 3 or 4 years - negotiations with the City should be just about wrapped up. Perfect.

[Diane Melendez]

Now that's the truth Charles!!!! LOL