64 replies to this topic

[tgianco]

Personally, I love how Sutter St. has transformed. The bars and restaurants are what draw a lot of the foot traffic. The younger adults (25-45) crowd that is drawn to Sutter St also has the disposable income. If you provide goods and/ or services that appeal to that crowd (and a good head for running a business), you've got a good opportunity to thrive.

 

Like the idea of a small bookstore. Karma Cafe had seemingly been more crowded after new ownership but abruptly shut down, which was a bummer.

 

As far as trouble goes, you can look at the Powerhouse on Tuesday nights. That would be the one night per week I'd avoid Sutter St.

[4thgenFolsomite]

As far as trouble goes, you can look at the Powerhouse on Tuesday nights. That would be the one night per week I'd avoid Sutter St.

 

Actually Murray does a pretty good job down there policing things.  All of the late night establishments try to.  The problem is you have big bars at Powerhouse, Hacienda, Folsom Hotel and Sutter Club, so you have people going from one to the next as they get shut down for drinking.  It is hard for the bartenders to see who is being overserved.  None of the current operators are negligent.  I think the trouble comes from the type of people who want to go to a bar scene.  It could be much worse than it is now.  I know when the contractors were working late at night during the street renovations, some of them said to me they were shocked what it was like at 1 and 2 am.  Whole different world than what I see.

[Redone]

 

Actually Murray does a pretty good job down there policing things. ******Yet, if he knows the Tuesday night DJ attracts gang members from out of the area, why book this person ****

[redman]

I moved to Folsom in late 2005 and just between then and now I'd say Sutter Street has changed dramatically, and for the better. I'm really impressed with what the City and business people have done. The streetscaping made a big difference, as did the opening of Chicago Fire, Sutter St Steakhouse, Fat Rabbit, and other top-notch businesses. The streetscaping included the new amphitheater and space for a bigger farmers market and other events, which attracts families on the weekends. I see a lot more activity on a regular basis.

 

While the suggestion for more daytime specialty shops (gourmet food, etc.) is appealing, I'm not sure how it will work in practice. Because Folsomites gravitate to Target, Walmart, WinCo and Trader Joes for food and household items. Most have several kids and try to stretch their dollar to a certain extent. We are not San Francisco (where I used to live). I wish we could bring more unique stores like that, but we don't have enough population or big spenders to support what it costs to run a business like that. Just my opinion.

[4thgenFolsomite]

I moved to Folsom in late 2005 and just between then and now I'd say Sutter Street has changed dramatically, and for the better. I'm really impressed with what the City and business people have done. The streetscaping made a big difference, as did the opening of Chicago Fire, Sutter St Steakhouse, Fat Rabbit, and other top-notch businesses. The streetscaping included the new amphitheater and space for a bigger farmers market and other events, which attracts families on the weekends. I see a lot more activity on a regular basis.
 
While the suggestion for more daytime specialty shops (gourmet food, etc.) is appealing, I'm not sure how it will work in practice. Because Folsomites gravitate to Target, Walmart, WinCo and Trader Joes for food and household items. Most have several kids and try to stretch their dollar to a certain extent. We are not San Francisco (where I used to live). I wish we could bring more unique stores like that, but we don't have enough population or big spenders to support what it costs to run a business like that. Just my opinion.

You are right that most people will shop uptown for staples, but I still see a lot of women shopping during the day at the unique stores, like melange, not too shabby, Katrina's, bag lady, and bees and burlap. Their prices are in line with the chain stores and people can find things there that they won't find In the chain stores you mentioned. Stores like clouds and pacific western traders have things of great quality you won't find anywhere else. Same thing with the local artists at the wine gallery, etc. I think sutter street has the perfect location for a specialty market place. I do agree that really expensive stores are better suited elsewhere.

[The Average Joe]

It seems to me that the only way a "unique" store can survive the volatile swings in old town patronage is to also sell their products online. There just isn't enough market in town to consistently drive sales, and the events don't seem to provide the local businesses with much extra revenue.

 

As for the alcohol establishments, it seems to me they all cater to different crowds. It does seem a bit saturated though. For example, I haven't been to Fat Rabbit, but Lockdown and Samuel Hornes have pretty decent beers, while The Cellar and Wine Styles are great for a glass (or bottle). The other venues aren't really my style (although were I younger...). Since I have a finite amount of time,desire and resources for drinking out I can only patronize a couple venues.

[Steve Heard]

I think sutter street has the perfect location for a specialty market place. 

 

 

I think there is real opportunity for 2 types of shops:

 

A specialty or general grocery/convenience store that could serve the residents of the area as well as visitors. 

 

A gift shop featuring unique Folsom gifts. Stuff referencing the lake, the prison, Johnny Cash, bike trails and the like. T-shirts, mugs, photos, and thangs. 

 

 

As for the alcohol establishments, it seems to me they all cater to different crowds. It does seem a bit saturated though. For example, I haven't been to Fat Rabbit, but Lockdown and Samuel Hornes have pretty decent beers, while The Cellar and Wine Styles are great for a glass (or bottle). The other venues aren't really my style (although were I younger...). Since I have a finite amount of time,desire and resources for drinking out I can only patronize a couple venues.

 

I love the variety down there. 

 

My opinion on some of the watering holes:

 

Fat Rabbit  - Nice atmosphere and I recently had some great fish tacos.

 

Sutter Club - Old dive. I prefer it earlier in the evening before it gets too crowded. Great jukebox. Strong drinks. Reasonably priced.

 

Sam Horne's - Fun and often crowded. I didn't give it a snowball's chance when it opened, but then again, I thought Starbucks was a fad.

 

Folsom Hotel - Prefer it on a Wednesday night when they have their blues jam and the crowd is older. Nice bartenders.

 

Hacienda - I rarely go, but like the balcony on a sunny day. My sister in law was visiting recently, and after dinner at Chicago Fire (still one of my fav's), she and my wife wanted to hang out a bit. I walked them to Hacienda and went home, telling them to call me when they were done. When I went back to get them, I found them on the dance floor. They'd been quite popular with the young dudes. The crowd was mostly male, about half sagging their drawers, but seemed well-behaved.   

 

Lockdown - I don't drink much beer anymore, but they have a great spot above the street. I can grab a sandwich at Beach Hut and hang out for a bit. Great owners, too. 

 

Hampton's - I really want to like the place. Service is spotty. People don't seem well-trained. I once told the bartender that the club soda in my drink was flat. He argued, 'I just changed it this morning!' I asked him to make me something else. Was with my daughter. Ordered fries. They came out warm. Wife arrived. Ordered fries. They came out hot. I guess the first batch was sitting unnoticed. 

On the plus side, I love the superfood salad, and if you are served by Tyson and the server who has the same name as one of my daughters (is it Jennifer or Stephanie?), you will get great service. 

 

Sutter Street Steakhouse - Good happy hour. Good bartenders. Tiny bar, and even if it's crowded and the restaurant is empty, they refuse to let people sit in the restaurant section unless they are ordering from the dinner menu. Can't beat their sliders and fries at happy hour though. 

 

The wine joints:

 

Wine Gallery - I haven't been but once or twice since Wayne Procissi left. I preferred his wine. Maybe it's time for me to give the new one another chance.

 

Wine Styles - Lots of choices there. Cozy, friendly.

 

The Cellar - Love going there. Have a little wine and a meat/cheese plate. Comfortable, casual, nice folks.

 

Other than that, absolutely no opinion. 

[4thgenFolsomite]

women do most of the daytime shopping. 

[Steve Heard]

I forgot to mention that Starlight Starbright has moved to Sutter, and 'We Olive' is moving there as well. 

[AMETHYST PRODUCTIVITY]

Don't forget Black Rooster which has a new owner.

[Rich_T]

Having lived here over 17 years, and formerly having visited Sutter St. about once a month, I have by now almost forgotten that it exists, and have probably been there only twice in the past year, and then just to walk around and go to Snook's, plus one time when I checked out Open Mic night at Lockdown Brewery.  We go to Palladio instead.  I don't care about buying stuff in the stores on Sutter St., and I don't do the bar scene.  I suppose the Saturday Farmer's Market sounds good in theory, but I always seem to be doing something else on Saturdays. I don't know if I'm representative of others or not.

[caligirlz]

I forgot to mention that Starlight Starbright has moved to Sutter, and 'We Olive' is moving there as well.

The We Olive from EDH is moving to Sutter St, I think mid-Sept. I really can't imagine why. They are currently located in an extremely busy shopping center, sandwiched between 2 successful restaurants. I rarely go to Sutter St, so looks like I will need to find a new olive oil shop.

[Steve Heard]

The We Olive from EDH is moving to Sutter St, I think mid-Sept. I really can't imagine why. They are currently located in an extremely busy shopping center, sandwiched between 2 successful restaurants. I rarely go to Sutter St, so looks like I will need to find a new olive oil shop.

I think their view is that they are tucked away into a small shopping center with poor access and almost no foot traffic. 

 

They are trading that for a prime location on a busy street in a tourist destination where they will get hundreds of people walking past every day.  

 

That shopping center is hit or miss. Kinnee O'Reilly's lasted less than a year there.  

[4thgenFolsomite]

If you build it they will come. I know Starlight Starbright has become a destination for my nephew and his wife. I constantly see women shopping at Melange, Not Too Shabby, Bag Lady, and Bees and Burlap. Planet Eart Rising also has its own clientele, as does Clouds. By the way, if you have never been to Pacific Western Traders up above Snooks, GO NOW!!!!!! Seriously, they may close and this place is legendary and unique.

[ambrno33]

I love the theory of Sutter Street and what it could become, but the lack of businesses and the hours of the current businesses is all wrong. Our family went last Sunday morning to walk around and stores did not open until 11/12 noon. We went again this past Saturday for the farmers market, and stores didn't open until 10:30, some not until noon again. Don't people get up and do anything in this town? We have to drive across town to get to Sutter Street, so when we venture down there for the farmer's market (which is great, by the way), we would like to be able to shop in some of the stores as well.