What restaurants do you want in the P&L District?

[Highlander]

yes Cordish is making business decisions based on a few letters from an internet message board.  Lord I hope not or they aren't very smart business people.

I think the point of Famous Dave's is legit....we are the "BBQ capital of the world" and the only BBQ joint we've heard going in the district is from Minnesota? 

While that is definately the case, when I was out at Village West in january, I ate at a rather empty Bryants (but it was so good).  Famous Dave's down the street was packed to the gills.  For shame. 

[trailerkid]

yes Cordish is making business decisions based on a few letters from an internet message board.  Lord I hope not or they aren't very smart business people.

I think the point of Famous Dave's is legit....we are the "BBQ capital of the world" and the only BBQ joint we've heard going in the district is from Minnesota?  I think everybody has the right to look at the tenant mix with a critical eye.....doesn't mean we don't appreciate what Cordish is doing but nothing wrong with asking questions.

Cordish has approached many different local tenants about being a part of the P+L District only to have them laugh in their face about the high price of the leases. I don't blame Corish or the local tenants. It is not in the best interest of a local tenant to dish out tons of cash just to be a part of the downtown tourism district. The biggies(Bryant's+Gates) don't have any reason to locate in P+L as it is so close to their original locations that might actually hurt those locations. The only chains that will be a part of the P+L district are the national ones with cash (Houlihan's, Sprint, etc.) who have a sense of the opportunity this district represents. Cordish needs to make money so I don't think it's fair to ask them to give high profile locations for reduced rates just so Joe Public KC can feel good about having local names in the tourism district. How many local restaurants are found in Hollywood & Highland or Times Square?

[bahua]

I think it will be something of a disaster, regarding local flavor, but that's not what tourists are after, anyway. Tourists want ice cream, the Olive Garden, Outback, and McDonald's.

I think after a while, as the rent comes back down, some local businesses will filter in.

[KCPowercat]

there has been one article written about local tenants and Cordish that even hinted they "laughed in their face".  Don't believe everything you read.

Obviously there are going to be more national chains in this district...don't forget 30% is locally owned as reported by Cordish....so some local companies are able to afford it....assuming of course you believe everything you read.

[Highlander]

I think it will be something of a disaster, regarding local flavor, but that's not what tourists are after, anyway. Tourists want ice cream, the Olive Garden, Outback, and McDonald's.

I think after a while, as the rent comes back down, some local businesses will filter in.

I really do not see what the problem is.  Bristol's, which is for all practical purposes local, will be there and so will some national chains most everyone has wanted to see in KC.....e.g., Hard Rock Cafe (hopefully).  I agree with what
TK says about the locally owned restaurants; plus I suspect a lot of these will either cozy up to the edges of the district or benefit from there already proximal locations (Zin/1924 Main).  I think it will be a good mix when it all sorts itself out.  Crap won't survive but quality will. 

[trailerkid]

there has been one article written about local tenants and Cordish that even hinted they "laughed in their face".  Don't believe everything you read.

Obviously there are going to be more national chains in this district...don't forget 30% is locally owned as reported by Cordish....so some local companies are able to afford it....assuming of course you believe everything you read.

The point I am making is that the people behind businesses like Stroud's, Gate's, Stanford and Sons, and even Planet Sub are not going to pay high dollar even though they are local institutions.

Remember that 30% local includes Bristol, Sprint, AMC, and Cosentino's which all have very large footprints in the district. I'd also expect the 30% local includes stuff like new concepts from established local restaurant groups like Haddad or PB&J. P+L would be a great location for the new, "return to glory" Coyote Grill. I just don't see Cordish bringing in anything that's very mom and pop. It just doesn't work well in terms of revenue for a business that expects immediate results.

[justin8216]

I think Coyote Ugly should locate downtown. Denver's location is right next door to HC, virgin mega store, Wolfgang Pucke Cafe, Lucky Strike, ect.

[aknowledgeableperson]

What about a Steak n' Ale?

[KCPowercat]

Remember that 30% local includes Bristol, Sprint, AMC, and Cosentino's which all have very large footprints in the district. I'd also expect the 30% local includes stuff like new concepts from established local restaurant groups like Haddad or PB&J. P+L would be a great location for the new, "return to glory" Coyote Grill. I just don't see Cordish bringing in anything that's very mom and pop. It just doesn't work well in terms of revenue for a business that expects immediate results.

I agree mom/pops aren't going in this district....I don't think Gates falls in that category.  The footprint of the stores doesn't matter, Cordish states 30% of the tenants are "local"....no doubt that includes local "national" companies.

[kard]

I agree mom/pops aren't going in this district....I don't think Gates falls in that category.  The footprint of the stores doesn't matter, Cordish states 30% of the tenants are "local"....no doubt that includes local "national" companies.

Applebees!

[kcdcchef]

you will not get local places in this district, not going to happen. there will be a precious few at very best. if all we get is famous daves, then who cares. the district is full and that is what i want. not in all parts of kc, but, i want this damn thing packed at all directions, and if that means famous daves, olive garden, gimme sum, i actually agreed with justins post up there, about everyone bitching about everything that goes in there, why?? let it happen.

cordish has a demographic he is aiming for here, and that is not really the locals too much. even if you live in the city, presently, or in one of the new condo towers, they are not counting on you to make the power and light district go. they are counting on subarbanites that come in to catch a game at the sprint center, or who come in for a college event at the sprint center, or whatever they are doing downtown ( first fridays, crown center , haunted houses, whatever they come down for ) to hit the attractions of the power and light district in addition to their reason for coming down. and the end result will be just like the tenants of the power plant, the inner harbour, times square, adams morgan, a lot of chains, and so be it, let it be.

gates, and bryants, and oh yeah, fiorellas, are already too close to the power and light district, they are not going to abandon the concepts they already have that are DOING VERY WELL to be a part of something that they do not have faith in.

[KCMax]

I agree with Chef, although I worry that if this is true, then people will not come to an Olive Garden downtown when there is one right around the corner from their suburban house.

[FreeNachos]

All good points.  It really does come down to: How much is real-estate, how much must rent be to make a profit, how big must a company be to pay that rent etc...  Though, there's an element of bull here.  Maybe Cordish just doesn't offer spaces SMALL enough for a place like Arthur Bryants to do good business.  Maybe they're only renting spaces the size of Home Depot.  I can't defend Joe Suburb, who really runs the show anyway.  Guys who brag about having THREE Starbucks in their neighborhood.  It's really too bad about the barbecue though.  Theatrics or not, it's embarrassing to see your hometown get outmuscled in something we're supposedly good at.  I'd say the same if they opened a Minnesota Vikings souvenir shop downtown.

Now this is just an opinion but Downtown Denver is exactly what I'm talking about when I say a "boring, unoriginal vision".  It's Generica at it's best.  I've often heard the mayor say we've got to "keep up" with cities like Denver.  Denver has some of the worst traffic a mid-sized city could have, a better landscape than any city of that size and only ONE urban area, downtown...which is dirty and uninspired.  Then you've got 50 miles of Corporate Woods type "development".  The Plaza, while not "dowtown", is a way more interesting, better executed urban area.

Times Square has a lot of local stuff, though overshadowed by 20 story movie posters, gap ads and Virgin Megastore neon.  Tons.  Restaurants, shops and Broadway shows.  Hollywood and Highland has the Chinese Theatre, a some local restaurants and again, tons of local shops...sure they all sell plastic Oscar statues but it's still LOCAL.

Here's a good one, Downtown San Diego.  You KNOW you're in San Diego when you're in the Gaslight District.  The streets are packed, several places serve fish tacos (the local thing), tourists flood the hotels and hostels.  With or without a baseball game in their downtown stadium, the streets are packed.  And people get around by "PediCabs", a rickshaw with bicycles.  The area is completely unique to San Diego.

[FreeNachos]

One last thing.  I don't think anyone should be happy with just anybody occupying space downtown.  It's OUR city.  Downtown will survive on it's own.  Tons of new residents, hotel space and government backing.  This is not a desperate situation where we just need ANYONE to fill space. 

The Power and Light District is the head cheerleader finding a prom date, we can have any one we want.  The city should have a little swagger and arrogance here because no tenant is a make or break deal.

[KCMax]

Freenachos, I welcome your swagger. The desire for the best rather than settling for what is available is an attitude much needed in this community.

And I love nachos.

[Thrillcekr]

Here's a good one, Downtown San Diego.  You KNOW you're in San Diego when you're in the Gaslight District.  The streets are packed, several places serve fish tacos (the local thing), tourists flood the hotels and hostels.  With or without a baseball game in their downtown stadium, the streets are packed.  And people get around by "PediCabs", a rickshaw with bicycles.  The area is completely unique to San Diego.

I've spent mucho time in that area and I couldn't agree more.  It's the best place in the city to take a lady on a date as well.  It really does have it all and it's a blast.  I miss it.

[Thrillcekr]

[quote="GRID"]
Never been to the casino Bryants or the speedway Bryants.  Never been to the Barry Road Jazz or the Lee's Summit Jazz, never been to the Lee's Summit Garozo's or the Overland Park Peanut.
[quote]Just now saw this.  I know you won't be going to the Barry Road Jazz.  Cuz that muthafucka is OUTTA THERE!!!  I tried to eat in there a couple times.  It was horrendous.  The only thing good about it was the music.

[KCPowercat]

just because they are chains doesn't mean they are going to be "olive garden" variety....stuff like Hard Rock will draw visitors and locals alike.

[Highlander]

just because they are chains doesn't mean they are going to be "olive garden" variety....stuff like Hard Rock will draw visitors and locals alike.

I agree with that.  HRC is hardly unique but if it arrives downtown, there is going to be hour long waits for months to get in the place. 

[bahua]

bahua's list of preferred tourist restaurants/bars/places:

Hard Rock Cafe
Dick's Last Resort
Howl at the Moon
Trader Joe's
Pat O'Brien's
Flying Saucer
Coyote Ugly
Hustler Store
Cafe Tu Tu Tango

Just to name a few. Not all would be considered, but i would be happy to see any of these places in the P&L district.