[RP TownTalk] train cafe, cont'd

[bruce.wernek at mindspring.com]

All

I'd like to have a cafe and I'd also like to have a million bucks.  Before we can get anything, the buildings in the Town Center have to be leasable.  Right now they are just shells with nice facades.  There is no plumbing, wiring, walls, bathrooms, etc.  in most of the buildings.  You can't have a cafe until you have a decent place to put it.  In addition, a cafe will require a significant amount of walk in traffic.  The amount of this traffic is directly related to the draw brought about by other businesses in the Town Center.  There are two businesses that I am aware of, these being the Second Time Around Consignment Shop and Emiley's Doll Shop, both of which are open part time.  The draw resulting from these businesses is no where near enough to support a cafe.  I don't think the train station will make a difference either.  It didn't help the Riverdale Bookshop when it was there.

This cafe thing is putting the cart before the horse.  We as a body need to focus on getting the Town Center completed and leased and taking whatever steps are necessary toward this end.  It can be done, but we are going to need the help of the Mayor and Council.  I propose we let our elected officials know how we feel and get the ball rolling.

Bruce

-----Original Message-----
>From: Sue Collins <wheadle at yahoo.com>
>Sent: Sep 27, 2006 10:33 AM
>To: TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
>Subject: [RP TownTalk] train cafe, cont'd
>
>Well, nothing is easy, I agree that money would be
>needed, and whoever would set up such a business would
>need to research what's been done in the past, etc. 
>However, that would be true of ANY new business. 
>Whatever is put in those empty stores, I would hope it
>would be something unique to the town, and not just
>more Starbucks, etc., that people could find
>elsewhere.  I mean, not that there's anything wrong
>with Starbucks or other chains, but say I'm a person
>living in Bowie, if I have a Starbucks in Bowie, why
>would I want to travel out of the area to go to
>another Starbucks?  However, if I knew there was a
>store/cafe/whatever that I could only find in one
>location.....   My point being, something like that
>would make people come to town who might not otherwise
>be interested.  
>
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