Vince Furlong wrote:Sports bar with big TVs (ho hum, yawn, sigh)
Windows on that wall along 50th would be great for watching Ted+Wallys, the Amsterdam, and the outdoor drinkers at the bar and for
pedestrians ogling the customers inside.....
What is the best retail option for that space?
I am thinking a place that attracts women and a place where people hang and a place that says Dundee or Omaha and a place that has outdoor activity just outside its walls and .....
Vince
...."The Omaha Chocolate Company" ????????
BTW, about the parking garage option, I had heard at one time there was a possibility of someone trying to buy the land where Grandpa's or Grampy's deli place is - and placing a garage there up against the KFAB building. But someone shot that idea down - probably the owner of the old 7-11. Remember when you could hop off the bus from Lewis & Clark Jr. High & cruise over the 7-11 & pick up some treats? And, when Baskin Robbins 31 flavors was on the corner? And way back, when the hardware store was in a successful space on the opposite corner from where they ended up?
I'm all for Dundee & maintaining a neat little family atmosphere w/ destinations that people would love to walk to - I could have pictured making chocolate right up against the front glass of a bay up there for passers' by. But, something happened and building owners thought they could start getting $16+ per sq.ft. for rents up there. I loooooooove Dundee, but let's be honest here - people don't drive up there and support those businesses enough to cover the cost of rent & operations, for the most part. Â I've heard from several sources that the Ted and Wally's isn't doing too great, either - and, judging it froma 100 degree day in the summer isn't a fair time to make the assessment. It has to be consistent, frequent business. We almost rented that exact bay, but the landlord couldn't make up his mind on what he was going to charge for rent & what he was willing to put into the space for TIA. I can tell you that Blimpies, Scooters, Starbucks, and many other shops were in discussions or talks with him originally, but everything kept falling through.
And, to not offend those who would argue that people do support those businesses, yes, they do - to some. The Dell is awesome, Trovatos packs them in still, from what I've heard. But, they're almost iconic places in the neighborhood. You couldn't have lived within a couple miles of that part of Omaha and not have probably been to both of them a few times, minimum. But, they also probably don't have the increasing rents, because I believe they both own their properties. The space where this new bar is going is or was for sale - I don't know if these guys are buying or leasing, but they originally wanted almost a $1 million for it - no way. The last I saw it was listed at about $850,000, but still. All that property across the street (Dundee Hardware, KFAB, etc.) just sold last year for around $2 million, and that's a much better piece of real estate, with parking, and a ton of space that can be divided.
Also, does anyone know if the gas station up there sold yet? I saw it listed on Loop Net about a month ago, and again, is this due to the amount of business they lack, or just getting out of it, or what? They tried a second location near 156th & Q a few years ago, but that didn't stay open for about a year - now it's a Kabredlo's (I think?) - but it sat closed and vacated for months inbetween names. I went to high school w/ the Bakhits (again, spelling?) - very nice people - sorry to see them go if it's due to business performance.
I miss WC Franks! Someone go into business with me opening up WC Franks around town again! I've often thought about it - it would be tough to simulate the arcade games again, unless one went into it w/ the idea of the pizza shop on 120th & Maple w/ the retro arcade. I don't know if they're busy out there, but damn it, I miss them! Remember the one on 48th & Center? Or, 120th & Center? Or, wasn't there one on Dodge where Children's Hospital is tearing away stuff? |expletive|, I wish I were a millionaire - I'd put a lot of money into bringing back "fun" stuff from my childhood that kids from here on out will never get to see.
OK, that was some rambling, but - who wants to re-open some WC Franks? 'Cause for real, where can one go when they truly want a tasty beef frank in Omaha???
D