Hot diggity dog! This town is growing.

[wx247]

Sorry... hold me back while I get excited, but I just found out tonight that Lowe's is planning to build a store in town. In addition, Applebee's, Starbucks, and Target have all expressed an interest in building here, too. Wouldn't that be something?? I don't usually get wrapped up in posting local town development stuff on here, but this is super news that I had to tell someone. Not that anyone cares! lol

[Miss Mary]

You'll love Target. Never does a week go by that we are not up there. Especially around the holidays! We joke we always run into someone we know up there each visit, from the kids' school, their clubs or a neighbor. It's crazy but we all shop Target in this community. It's just one busy store.

I'm hoping for the Old Navy someday soon.

mary

[azskyman]

Garrett, that is BIG news. And I for one am always glad to see Target come to town. I've been on commissions and boards for a zillion years, I have always found them to be a good addition to the communities they serve.

Kathy and I were just commenting tonight on how quiet our neighborhood is on a Friday night, and yet we live within 7 minutes of everything...almost everything that can vacuum money from your wallet.

As a person on the planning commission here, I have learned how important GOOD development really is but also know the importance of trying to preserve opportunities for the small business operator. Not an easy thing to do.

When I say it is interesting stuff to see what's happening there, I really mean it. I get really pumped up over zoning issues, land use, and right now we have a world class project about to begin here that will be a destination of its own.

You've found someone who, like you, can get excited about those kinds of things.

[wx247]

Yeah Steve, that kind of thing has always interested me. My family has a friend who is on the zoning board so occasionally I will get a little insight into what is going in town. None of the things besides Lowe's is a sure thing, but just the thought of someplace like Starbucks interested in coming here is hard for me to believe.

[Miss Mary]

Steve - I wish you could sit in on my community new 'mall'. They tore down the old mall, circa 1970. To build an outdoor, shopping center, which is all the rage now (unlike closed in malls). First thing they did wrong was build the largest Kroger store ever. Of course Kroger's is based here in Cincinnati. So that made sense. But no one wanted a grocery store at this new shopping center. We wanted upscale shopping, cafe's, outdoor eateries, etc. Well, what we've ended up with this this huge grocery store, complete with it's own jewelry store and furniture section (yes at a Kroger's!), gas pumps, Starbucks inside the grocery store, a zillion restaurant choices and aside from a Macy's, virtually no shopping outlets. My community is called Anderson Township and the nic for this center is The Anderson Food Court, not the Anderson Towne Center (it's real name). The last store added was Cold Stone Creamery, a good choice, different from Moe's, Roly Poly, Mama somebody's Asian House, an Italian eatery, TGIF, etc. I just keep telling my kids, let me know when you see an Eddie Bauer sign go up and I'll be happy. Until then, not so happy. We'd all LOVE an Old Navy at this center too - not going to happen. I should add our Target store is a mile away, but in good spot with other stores that are popular.

You're got smart people on your township trustee board Garrett! Pat them on the back sometime. In my community, we all just continue to shake our heads. We didn't want an eatery oulet for this center, we all wanted a few eateries, mostly shops and a few cafe's (Starbucks not in a grocery store!).

Mary

[azskyman]

Nice to see you got a Cold Stone, Mary. Their international headquarters is almost within walking distance of my house!!!

Here in Phoenix, what has happened is that we gain some 6,000 new residents in the state every month...and many of them come from places where they are used to various stores and outlets and unique shops. They want to live the Arizona lifestyle, but also want the conveniences of all the places they "used to shop" when they lived back east or in the Midwest or California. Before long, those corporations make decisions to put stores in here.

For example, a major Chicago Italian restaurant named Maggianos recently opened their wonderful restaurant nearby in a prime location.

Garrett, your community's association with Target and potentially Lowes will do a lot to interest others to locate nearby. Good luck with it all.

I have a publisher friend here in Fountain Hills, Arizona, who helped bring Target to their town...and it has become a real asset for those residents there. If your town officials seem to have any questions, I could sure steer someone to a great resource.

Steve

[therock1811]

Steve - I wish you could sit in on my community new 'mall'. They tore down the old mall, circa 1970. To build an outdoor, shopping center, which is all the rage now (unlike closed in malls). First thing they did wrong was build the largest Kroger store ever. Of course Kroger's is based here in Cincinnati. So that made sense. But no one wanted a grocery store at this new shopping center. We wanted upscale shopping, cafe's, outdoor eateries, etc. Well, what we've ended up with this this huge grocery store, complete with it's own jewelry store and furniture section (yes at a Kroger's!), gas pumps, Starbucks inside the grocery store, a zillion restaurant choices and aside from a Macy's, virtually no shopping outlets. My community is called Anderson Township and the nic for this center is The Anderson Food Court, not the Anderson Towne Center (it's real name). The last store added was Cold Stone Creamery, a good choice, different from Moe's, Roly Poly, Mama somebody's Asian House, an Italian eatery, TGIF, etc. I just keep telling my kids, let me know when you see an Eddie Bauer sign go up and I'll be happy. Until then, not so happy. We'd all LOVE an Old Navy at this center too - not going to happen. I should add our Target store is a mile away, but in good spot with other stores that are popular.

You're got smart people on your township trustee board Garrett! Pat them on the back sometime. In my community, we all just continue to shake our heads. We didn't want an eatery oulet for this center, we all wanted a few eateries, mostly shops and a few cafe's (Starbucks not in a grocery store!).

Mary

We have Old Navy over here in Florence on Mall Road. We didn't have Panera Bread, but that's being built along SR 842/Houston Road right now. There's LaRosa's there and a Hooters went up there too. That area is being set up for major development.

[pojo]

Wow.. that's amazing Garrett You're city is definitely growing! Enjoy Applebees and target.

[wx247]

Actually... after going to Springfield today to the mall I think I would like a Ruby Tuesday. They are very good! I didn't realize what a huge variety they had.

[Miss Mary]

Jeremy - yeah, Kentucky sure is doing something right over there! Best example is Newport on the Levee - shops, eateries all along the Ohio River. What does Cincy have - two very expensive stadiums tax payers helped fund! No shops, no eateries, they're blocks away. Well, anyways, that's great Jeremy! I'm glad your area is growing. I can remember shopping at Florence Mall when it first opened - farm land all around. Now of course it's developed.

Garrett - I love Ruby Tuesday's salad bar! One of the best around.

Mary