Comments on: A McDonald's in Downtown Frederick?

By: Annette

Annette — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:33:28 +0000

Yes, we need a Trader Joe’s!

May it’d help if more people requested Frederick as one of their locations here:

http://www.traderjoes.com/contact_us_selection.html

I’m also happy to see the new ALDI store open up on 40 – good quality food for really good prices – ALDI actually owns Trader Joe’s.

By: Darrell Russ

Darrell Russ — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:35:01 +0000

I have heard that Frederick is on Banana Republic’s radar. I must agree that Trader Joe’s is missing an opportunity here anywhere in Frederick.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:40:30 +0000

I had date wrong–it’s next Sat
http://www.cityoffrederick.com/sql/press/mediaadvisory.php?ID=553

and from what I know of the last one not that well attended–I don’t think the city publicizes them as well as they could–

maybe this one will be different now that it’s posted here! Hope everyone here can attend–for a little bit at least.

By: FrederickFan

FrederickFan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:31:18 +0000

Hey Anonymous….So McDonald’s is no longer associated with Chipotle, which is probably better for Chipotle!

Re the planning meeting you refer to…if I understand you correctly and it’s indeed on the first Saturday (?) in November, that’s day after tomorrow! Seems like a good chance for the public to hear directly what the decision makers are thinking, and (hopefully) give them direct feedback on what WE’RE thinking in terms of shaping downtown development. I wonder what kind of public turnout these meetings get.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:56:05 +0000

McDonald’s sold their investment in Chipotle in 2006. But more importantly, how do we voice these interests to the city r.e. downtown development? I know there is a planning meeting on the first (I think) Sat in Nov that is open to the public.

By: FrederickFan

FrederickFan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:38:50 +0000

Banana Republic seems to be on the Wish List of many contributors here. Wonder if Frederick even exists on their corporate radar screen.

I’m not the biggest fan of Chipotle (owned by Mickey D’s by the way) and can easily visit the one in Westview Promenade when the spirit moves me. But it does seem like the type of more affordable food alternative many folks would welcome downtown.

Sheri/Cookingmom, Trader Joe’s has been mentioned here a number of times, especially by those who’d like to see a grocery store downtown. BUT it’s been pointed out that Trader Joes looked at locating here (not sure how recently) and–as crazy as it may seem–concluded that Frederick didn’t meet its demographic requirements. As a big Trader Joe’s fan, while I’m not sure about a downtown location, I think they’re missing a great opportunity to open somewhere else in the Frederick or Urbana area.

By: Darrell Russ

Darrell Russ — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:57:41 +0000

I would love to see a Clydes along the Creek….Banana Republic and J. Crew would be awesome. I would also like to a J. Pauls or a Dave and Busters! Now that woudl ROCK!

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:40:50 +0000

Uh Eli, “for your information” when I eat at Chipolte I have the crispy tacos, black beans, fresh tomato salsa, corn salsa and lettuce. The only “bad” part of that is the taco shells and I’ll take them any day over fried choices at more traditional fast food places. Or the processed pseduo Mexican food at some of the local independants. Or a hot dog stand. I know what you are saying about chains, but I think the argument here is, if it is done, a chain like a Chipolte’s (which keeps food fresh and simple, supports organic suppliers like Niman’s pork) is preferable to mcsandwiches. As for limiting chains to the creek, the North End of Market desperately development, –we’re all excited for Cakes for Cause to open next year. And now I am hungry.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:10:35 +0000

One thing I will congratulate the ‘group of officials’ for is this: going to visit other cities who have had success. Sometimes in the past Frederick officials have been narrow-minded about solutions. My husband has often commented over the years, “you know, there has to be a bigger ‘brain trust’ outside Frederick County from which we could draw, others who have found solutions to the problems we face.” I, for one, would love to model our downtown after aspects of Alexandria, or Georgetown, or other cities.

The only thing I can imagine being trouble is the ban on first-floor residential…that might be a fight waiting to happen with some owners.

By: Eli

Eli — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:00:32 +0000

I agree that due the current economic conditions, we need more affordable food options downtown. I do not believe, however, that we should invite any food chains north of the creek. With the exception of Starbucks, all of the chains are on the Promenade, and there they should stay.

For your information, Chipotle is still bad for you. Just because it’s not as bad as McDonalds’ or similar doesn’t mean it’s not bad for you. We shouldn’t be feeding our kids this garbage.

I think Beth is right that there should be a pizza by the slice type place (NOT Pretzel and Pizza, which charges way too much $$) or maybe a hot dog type place (The beer store on the corner of Mkt and 2nd sells hotdogs for a buck or two on Thursday-Saturday). But I know that landlords are charging way too much money for these businesses to stay in business without charging exorbitant prices for their products.

Oh, there is a great little convenience store on the 300 block of Market street. We go there all the time for the basics, and they are super friendly.

What we need is community leadership and building owners who truly identify with the needs of the community. Then, businesses wouldn’t have to turn such a huge profit simply to remain where they are.

I say NO food CHAINS downtown (north of the creek)

I am all for upscale retail chains. Maybe that’s a double standard, but whatever. The Paulo Vista men’s store charges $75 for a regalar shirt. I can’t afford that. Bring on Banana Republic!