01-10-2011, 04:03 PM
In this city, you might have better luck getting an establishment going in one of the various shopping plazas (a.k.a. "strip malls") or in a separate stand-alone building rather than downtown. Why? Everywhere else outside of downtown, the parking is free. Unlike nearby Chicago, public transportation isn't so great, and there's still not enough population density or public attractions where many would pay for the parking (even though it's quite cheap compared to Chicago.)
Also you'd also have to get people to know you're good. The Shanty in nearby Wadsworth managed to pull it off (via good press on two or three "foodie" TV shows, and yes their cuisine is excellent), despite their oddball location - so I can't see why you couldn't.
The only thing that might honestly drive some business back downtown is the new CLC development expanding the lakeshore campus, but right now it's a "wait-and-see" kind of deal. Yes, we have a great theater and an o.k. library and one or two specialty shops - but still not enough to regularly draw crowds making it a go-to area.
Also you'd also have to get people to know you're good. The Shanty in nearby Wadsworth managed to pull it off (via good press on two or three "foodie" TV shows, and yes their cuisine is excellent), despite their oddball location - so I can't see why you couldn't.
The only thing that might honestly drive some business back downtown is the new CLC development expanding the lakeshore campus, but right now it's a "wait-and-see" kind of deal. Yes, we have a great theater and an o.k. library and one or two specialty shops - but still not enough to regularly draw crowds making it a go-to area.