You just mentioned Lucky Strike; we're getting one here actually. And what about Sprint center events (hopefully Penguins games)? There have been some places announced that will draw. I suspect that they are saving many of the biggest drawing tenant announcements for closer to the opening date too (Hard Rock and DKNY are rumored to be locks). You're certainly right that there needs to be some unique destinations but some more mundane places need to exist for daytime office traffic (largely suburban dwellers that are already in the area for work, not needing to be drawn in) and resident daily needs. It has to draw from the area AND serve its immediate surroundings as well. Concerts/live music/Sprint center will bring people in and expose them to the district. Places like Hard Rock will draw heavily from the region and surrounding rural areas. Places like Lucky Strike will bring people from all over the metro. Some of the other restaurants like Gordon Biersch and the Miami Lounge place will provide destinations that people will visit on subsequent visits. The shitty chain restaurants and cheaper, lunch-line places will provide the depth of affordable options that is required for DT workers and residents to visit day-in and day-out. Unique and non unique retail will do the same. I think it will do well, and bring people to the area that will eventually branch out and visit the other, more unique urban bars and restaurants that have popped up the last few years in the vicinity (like JP, Nara, Bulldog, Willie's, the coming SkyBar etc.) I'd expect to hear the best, biggest drawing tenants announced closer to opening anyway, once a buzz exists and people are actually listening.MidtownCat wrote: Blake is right, this definitely won't be competing with the plaza. At this rate we're going to have a tough time competing for tourism dollars with Crackerneck Falls.
I really have a hard time buying this argument of we need more mundane suburban bullcrap downtown. I thought the intention was to establish a world class dining and entertainment district.
You talk about building infastrucutre, and how downtown needs this stuff. You really think downtown dwellers are going to support a place like this, much less be able to entice Joe Shmoe in Olathe or Lee's Summit to load up the minivan to head downtown when he's got the same thing a block from his house. Hell, if Applebee's couldn't survive downtown, why is this place going to? People living downtown want places of interest. Most of them are affluent, discriminating clientelle. Given a choice, they'll spend their money at a place like Nara of the Cashew 9 out of 10 times over a place like Fred P Ottes.
When we visited 4rth Street Live in Louisville this summer we went to the Maker's Mark Lounge and Lucky Strike. Why, because we all wanted a fun and unique experience.
It's like expecting visitors to Baltimore to eat at Joe's Crab Shack. It won't happen.
PS, I have been wondering for a while what your avatar is. I've been betting on it being the side of a beached oil tanker.