138 replies to this topic

[tgianco]

Had dinner at Pachanga's tonite and have to admit, that bldg does look really nice and its seems that the upper sections are being occupied already - or prep'd for it.

R.E.Y. Engineers moved in there last Friday from the business park off Blue Ravine.

[cw68]

First let me say that I don't think the Starbucks was the best choice out there. However, I can see some benefits. First to the landlord!

But Starbucks is also used as a vehicle for revitilization. After Kevin Johnson got involved in cleaning up Oak Park, having a Starbucks move in there was a huge sign that it could be a viable area in which to put a business. Now granted, to say the least, Old Folsom doesn't face the same issues as Oak Park, but I'm sure some businesses will see Starbucks being in as meaning something.

How about we as a City pressures Starbucks to make it look more like their first store in Seattle (outside) than the typical store?

[DalOwnerX3]

It's interesting to hear the comparsion to old Sac and other historical towns. My question is what draws tourists to those areas? Is it the shops or the general area?

I go to old sac on the average of once every other year. One time was to the railroad musuem and another time was to dinner at Fats. Based on my limited data points, Sutter street needs some sort of musuem and a high profile restaurant. Hacienda and Yaegers don't quite cut it.

[mylo]

Yeah, I keep going back and forth on Starbucks, too. It's not historic, but is a viable business that people go out of their way to visit.

It certainly should fit the look/feel of the area.

I hear it's going into the right side of the building, nearest light rail.

[Sonny]

It's interesting to hear the comparsion to old Sac and other historical towns. My question is what draws tourists to those areas? Is it the shops or the general area?

I go to old sac on the average of once every other year. One time was to the railroad musuem and another time was to dinner at Fats. Based on my limited data points, Sutter street needs some sort of musuem and a high profile restaurant. Hacienda and Yaegers don't quite cut it.

That's true, if there's no draw people won't walk around to shop in the smaller places. Can you imagine how much more business Sutter Street would do if there was a draw.

Too bad they couldn't fit an Ikea in there

[watstein]

The bank is called Folsom Lake Bank which is going to be at 905 Sutter St which is the new building. All I know is that it is going to be run by the ex-ceo of Western Sierra Bank and was originally going to be called Folsom lake Community bank but dumped community in November and was approved by the State Department of Financial Instutions also in November. Should be opening soon.

[Steve Heard]

That's true, if there's no draw people won't walk around to shop in the smaller places. Can you imagine how much more business Sutter Street would do if there was a draw.

Too bad they couldn't fit an Ikea in there

SUTTER STREET should be the draw!

It isn't one shop that does it, but the collection of them.

What has kept tourists away, IMO:

* Crappy 'curb appeal' - it just doesn't look well maintained
* Accessability - traffic circulation and parking can be a problem
* An unfriendly atmosphere in some of the shops - you just don't get 'warm and fuzzies' from most merchants. Notable exceptions are the Wine Gallery, Ms. Teaz, and Snook's.
* Lack of a theme and marketing message - what's it about?

I can't imagine someone saying, "Let's head to Old Folsom today. I hear they've got a Starbucks!"

I CAN imagine someone saying, "Let's head to Old Folsom today. I'm sick of all of the chains at the malls, I want something unique"

[Dave Burrell]

SUTTER STREET should be the draw!

I can't imagine someone saying, "Let's head to Old Folsom today. I hear they've got a Starbucks!"

I CAN imagine someone saying, "Let's head to Old Folsom today. I'm sick of all of the chains at the malls, I want something unique"

[cw68]

SUTTER STREET should be the draw!

It isn't one shop that does it, but the collection of them.

What has kept tourists away, IMO:

* Crappy 'curb appeal' - it just doesn't look well maintained
* Accessability - traffic circulation and parking can be a problem
* An unfriendly atmosphere in some of the shops - you just don't get 'warm and fuzzies' from most merchants. Notable exceptions are the Wine Gallery, Ms. Teaz, and Snook's.
* Lack of a theme and marketing message - what's it about?

I can't imagine someone saying, "Let's head to Old Folsom today. I hear they've got a Starbucks!"

I CAN imagine someone saying, "Let's head to Old Folsom today. I'm sick of all of the chains at the malls, I want something unique"

You've hit it Steve!

It doesn't look well-kempt at all and traffic is confusing.

We lived in Sacramento five years before moving to Folsom and went to Sutter St exactly once before to mosey around. It was just a few months after we moved here. We walked through a few antique shops, but weren't grabbed by anything. Even though we used to buy a fair amount of antique when we lived in a house built in 1927, there wasn't any store or store-owner that made us want to come back. We had lunch and left.

Now we only go when we have something specific to do down there, whether it be Chicago Fire, MNF, Scarlets, Snooks or the interpretive center. That's all we ever do there.

[folsombound]

There's a meeting tomorrow night.

Here's the schedule:
Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 5:00 p.m., Community Development Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 50 Natoma Street

Is it just Starbucks everyone doesn't want or is it anything later than the 19th Century?

[Dave Burrell]

Is it just Starbucks everyone doesn't want or is it anything later than the 19th Century?

We don't want any chain restaurants or business' there

there's plenty of other places in town for that - and they're there already

Do we need to have chain's in every single location in town??

[cw68]

We don't want any chain restaurants or business' there

there's plenty of other places in town for that - and they're there already

Do we need to have chain's in every single location in town??

I agree, but people here like chains. They do! The get tons of business, lots of support and people look forward to their openings. I don't get it, but you can't deny it. There's got to be some way to work with/around it. (Preferably around it.)

[nj78]

In response to an above post, there is a Starbuck's on Main street in Placerville. It's next to Quizno's. This wasn't a very hot topic since it went into new construction on an empty lot. It's not in the main area but past the courthouse. I'm sure the coffee shops in Placerville are eating it since the independent places are super duper expensive.

It seems to be the popular thing to bash chain restaurants, but the fact of the matter is people like the expected when paying for a meal.

[Dave Burrell]

We lived in Sacramento five years before moving to Folsom and went to Sutter St exactly once before to mosey around. It was just a few months after we moved here. We walked through a few antique shops, but weren't grabbed by anything. Even though we used to buy a fair amount of antique when we lived in a house built in 1927, there wasn't any store or store-owner that made us want to come back. We had lunch and left.

Now we only go when we have something specific to do down there, whether it be Chicago Fire, MNF, Scarlets, Snooks or the interpretive center. That's all we ever do there.

We go to Sutter Street several times a week to have dinner, mostly at Pachanga's but we also go to Balconey Bistro, Hop Singh's, Hacienda, Chicago Fire and Pizza Classico and sometimes Yagers too. We go mainly for the good food

When I first started coming to the Sacramento area 7 years ago on business travel, the entire place bored the heck out of me.... until I found Folsom and Sutter Street and discovered the live music scene there. I've always enjoyed hearing the bands at Yagers, Pachanga's and sometimes at Powerhouse too, although I consider that place more of a meat market so we don't go there much.

When ever we have family or friends visit, Sutter St is one of the first places we take them to show them the history at the train depot, the museum and the street and shops and we have lunch or dinner there at least once or twice during a visit.

[Dave Burrell]

I agree, but people here like chains. They do! The get tons of business, lots of support and people look forward to their openings. I don't get it, but you can't deny it. There's got to be some way to work with/around it. (Preferably around it.)

There's already 3 other starbucks in town (maybe more) for those folks who love that chain, AND there's already the Black Rooster coffee shop on Sutter Street.

I just don't get the need to have a Starbucks on Sutter St - I think its going to take away from the charm of that area. (IMO)