KCRag Forum

What are we missing?

I'll start. Doughnut shop. I wanted to get some for my office on the walk in this am and there are really zero options.

What else?

I wish there was a taco truck making the rounds everyday at lunch.

I also wish there was a good BBQ joint in the loop.

Bookstore, although those are dying out everywhere.

Frozen yogurt place. Geez, those things are everywhere now. I guess Sheridan's in CC counts.

Fast food.

I don't eat it, generally, but seems like most downtowns have at least a McDonalds.

A YMCA, good gym

Bike trails/lanes

brewcrew1000 wrote:A YMCA, good gym

This would be huge. I thought we were getting a new "Y". Any news?

KC-wildcat wrote:Fast food.

I don't eat it, generally, but seems like most downtowns have at least a McDonalds.

Yeah no mcd is weird. Guess BK bar can get someone's fix.

Need a new urban core mcd franchisee, I know the old one in ccs was convinced he needed a drive through.

KCPowercat wrote:

KC-wildcat wrote:Fast food.

I don't eat it, generally, but seems like most downtowns have at least a McDonalds.

Yeah no mcd is weird. Guess BK bar can get someone's fix.

Need a new urban core mcd franchisee, I know the old one in ccs was convinced he needed a drive through.

In reality, though, a foodcourt McDs franchise can't do very well, considering other McDs are 24-7 operations. plenty of space for drivethroughs in the downtown area, though.

KC-wildcat wrote:In reality, though, a foodcourt McDs franchise can't do very well, considering other McDs are 24-7 operations. plenty of space for drivethroughs in the downtown area, though.

A White Castle or In 'N Out Burger in the vacant lot at 13th and Baltimore would slay. That land is probably too expensive, but there are good places all over the loop.

Food court I agree... Street front w/o drive through I see work all over the country.

Can we at least try to have some semblance of an urban built environment. Not everything needs a drive through.

never forget to remember that more people = more kids and teenagers too.

Target. they have a store in downtown Minneapolis.
electronics sales.
An office shop like a staples.
UPS. I find it strange fedex is downtown but the closest UPS store is at the Plaza
more cell phone stores. Verizon is at Linwood, AT&T at Westport.
mid-range clothing. like a JC Penny, Men's Warehouse and a Gap at least.
sporting goods. there's a couple bike shops but something more generic would be nice
bank branches open on Saturday
better library hours. the downtown branch closes at 5pm which is when parents can take kids...
more gas stations. they will be needed with a population boom even with more transit.
more quick stops. a quick trip without gas could do well in the middle of downtown to complement the CVS
sports facilities. there's a couple baseball fields in bad spots and that's it
parks with modern playgrounds. there's four and they're basically in a line along the bluffs. kid's won't walk far for a park
churches. they're less numerous downtown than other places. a lot of people won't move far from their denomination
a city community center

A City Sports would be great, even for midtown. Right now I have to drive from Linwood & Troost to the Dick's in Ward Parkway, which is ridiculous. Also, a Gary Gribble's in the River Market seems like a no-brainer.

Bookstore

^That. One that has a kitchen with regular cooking classes, including from chefs who release a book. A full bar that does wine or single malt tastings and a coffee bar that is integrated with the bookstore, not a separate section. A place with a sense of a regular gathering space that makes it worth going 1-3 times a week. Or just a regular one.

earthling wrote:^That. One that has a kitchen with regular cooking classes, including from chefs who release a book. A full bar that does wine or single malt tastings and a coffee bar that is integrated with the bookstore, not a separate section. A place with a sense of a regular gathering space that makes it worth going 1-3 times a week. Or just a regular one.

If you are interested in the occasional scotch tasting, I suggest you check out Cellar and Loft. Their stuff isn't exactly priced on the low end, but the number of wine, beer, and booze tastings for club members is amazing.

downtown needs more daycares. the area will never get young families without this

^Agreed. Union Hill Day School pretty much has a monopoly on urban core daycares

KCPowercat wrote:
Can we at least try to have some semblance of an urban built environment. Not everything needs a drive through.

I'm looking at it from the perspective of a franchisee. Assuming McDs w/ drivethroughs perform better than those w/o, I'd rather own a franchise on a highway exit than in the base of an office building.

KC-wildcat wrote:

KCPowercat wrote:
Can we at least try to have some semblance of an urban built environment. Not everything needs a drive through.

I'm looking at it from the perspective of a franchisee. Assuming McDs w/ drivethroughs perform better than those w/o, I'd rather own a franchise on a highway exit than in the base of an office building.

But there are only so many franchises available. If the only option is a non drive through location downtown, and it could still be profitable, why not?