This is fourth Taylor-Crossing discussion thread at Idaho Falls. Obviously the Taylor Crossing development is that big of a deal in Idaho Falls. The previous discussion threads were Why Idaho Falls needs Taylor Crossing, Taylor Crossing Unveils Largest Bronze Eagles, and Do You Want a 13-14 Story Marriott Residence Inn Hotel/Condo at Taylor’s Crossing?
This thread may prove to be a little more interesting because McNeil Development’s President Lorin Walker has thrown out a first-ever-of-its-kind offer in Idaho Falls:
We’d like to involve our blog friends in a contest. If you want to help us get connected through someone you know in the restaurant or retail industry by sharing an important contact name and introduction, we will bring them to IF and have you join with us in a special dinner meeting where you can be involved in the actual negotiations. If we ultimately sign your restaurant or retailer, we will pay you a $5000 finder’s fee. You will actually be the person that “cuts” the ribbon at their grand opening, along with the owner.
Here’s some retail ideas we are toying with. If you have any special connections, please let us know: Sporting goods; spas; medical/dental; running shoes; golf; book store; specialty furniture; coffee shops; bridal shops; computer store; and more and more.
Good luck,
Lorin Walker
Office # (208) 524-3341
I have confirmed this offer is real with Lorin Walker.
If you think about it, why does it take so long for some establishments to open in cities like Idaho Falls? It takes awhile because they are not sure how well the business will do here.
Our discussions here at IdahoFallz.com about the restaurants and shops we want to see can be uniquely helpful to convince those corporations that our city is receptive to them.
The more folks talk about those things here, the better tool that IFz can be to developers like Lorin Walker when trying to convince those companies that Idaho Falls really wants them. They can point those corporate decision makers to these discussion forums as a fairly independent and honest source of local opinions. It’s one thing to hear it from a developer or chamber of commerce, it’s quite another to see residents banging the table for something.
Now it’s not like you need to be golfing buddies with the CEO of a franchise, you just need to come up with contact information to somebody fairly influential in an organization. This opens up the potential to many more players, all of whom want to do well at their jobs and be the ones to help establish successful new markets, hey like maybe Idaho Falls.
The Linked-In social network may prove valuable in this circumstance, or the vast family networks around here. It will be interesting to see how the contacts come about, from new media connections or traditional connections? I will also feature the story(s) and photos of those who earn their way to a ribbon-cutting ceremony (respecting privacy of course).
So let us discuss what restaurants and shops you want to see brought to Idaho Falls, especially after you visit other cities. More eyes and ears are paying attention than just those in our city.
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{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d like to see a Dick’s Sporting Goods in IF, but that’s too big to go in Taylor Crossing, I would think. I’d also like to see some of the higher end clothing stores like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, etc.
Space and design are issues for certain businesses.
I like Dnix’s question on the other thread asking when the Army Surplus Building will get blown away.
Also, because one person absolutely refuses to say we are correct, despite the news releasese etc., is the Marriott Residence Inn going to be 13 stories combined with Condos? Or, will it be a separate building with a 13 story condo tower as its neighbor?
I’d like to know if the Army Surplus is being relocated or being closed for good. I do alot of shopping there before I go camping. It would be ashame to see it go.
The Army surplus building that will be taken down is the old one that is falling apart. Not the new location.
Thanks Dave
Now that Olive Garden has had instant success, its time to bring in Red Lobster…
Olive Garden sucks! And RedLobster isn’t much better. IMO
If you’re going to bring in “chain” restuarants, at least bring some in some higher end ones.
Such as PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Spagetti Warehouse, Macaroni Grill, etc. I’ve never had good food at an Olive Garden, no matter which one I’ve eaten at. And the only thing Red Lobster has going for them is their cheese bisquits. If I want good bread before my meal, I’ll eat at Texas Roadhouse.
Bring in higher end restaraunts and that in turn will bring in more money to the city in the long run.
oh wait Slim, you forgot to mention The Grilled Cheese Gourmet…
Ada County has 330,000 people, Bonneville County has 90,000 people. Boise just got a PF Chang’s! Look around for communities that are similar sized to see what might come here. Cheesecake Factory needs several times more people than we have in our area!
I don’t imagine there is room anymore for this in Taylor Crossing, but somewhere on the west side we need to get a Super Target store to provide better competition to the Super Walmart.
Maybe in Snake River Landing?
How about the site of the old K-Mart/Ernst building on West Broadway? What a waste of a big chunk of prime real estate. It should be ample space for any kind of superstore and plenty of parking too.
I wish Walmart did have more competition. I don’t understand how so many shoppers are blindly allegiant to them. I believe they are more responsible than any other company for the trade deficit and loss of jobs to overseas manufacturers. There are many other options for shoppers, and if you shop around you can find things just as inexpensive at other stores. It’s so frustrating because a lot of people I know refuse to shop anywhere but Walmart. I think it’s partly psychological. It’s like the experiment where children thought vegetables tasted better when they were served in McDonald’s wrappers. It’s called marketing (or brainwashing). Walmart acts like they are your buddy and will give you lower prices than anyone. At what cost?
Here is just one link that describes some of the effects of Walmart’s policy of exporting jobs and importing junk.
http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/ib235
So yes, some competition for Walmart would be a good thing if it takes customers away from the evil empire.
Westside:
I would encourage you to put your thoughts and opinions regarding Walmart in the form of a new topic. Your recent point is not in-line with the current topic thread.
Excuse me, but I’m not the one who brought up Walmart.
It has always been my opinion that the local mom and pop stores provide better food (most of the time). But we flock to the chain stores. How many of us have eaten at Gators or Big Als or Brownstone or some of the other local restaurants downtown? We should give them a fighting chance by trying to support them.
Dave,
From Post #9, I respectfully disagree with you about the P.F. Changs. When did you last look at their website for critieria for franchising? I did last month – has something changed?
Bonneville County has 103K residents, but the service area is 335,000 – 350,000 residents. Every time a helicopter lands and someone who lives in another area is hospitalized in Idaho Falls, any family members here have to eat somewhere.
Also, certain businesses that serve southern MT and western WY as well as all of eastern ID are located in Idaho Falls. Commercial business trips to Idaho Falls also yield people who want to eat.
Have you seen the car traffic county at Sunnyside Crossroads Center? They underestimated it by at least 2K cars/day.
There is plenty of traffic and people who either live in Idaho Falls or are traveling through who cwould support a P.F. Changs.
Please look at their homepage and then update me about what must have changed at P.F. Changs.
One reason I’ve had to take a real vacation from this site is how negative people are. Why does a business have to open in Boise or Salt Lake City before Idaho Falls?
Ruby River will open in I.F. before Boise.
Thanks to everyone for your interest in Taylor Crossing on the River. I read this blog regularly because we take your ideas seriously. We won’t edit your wish list for tenants here, regardless of their demographic requirements, until they have been fully researched.
All the best,
Lorin Walker
I would like to see a natural foods or specialty foods store brought here. I love to cook and there are so many items that I cant find in the grocery stores here. My first choice would be a Trader Joes and if not then a PCC would do too….I have talked to many people who have just moved her in the past year like me and they all feel the same way….give us a good grocery store please!!!!!
I forgot to mention in my last comment that a Cost Plus World Market would do well too. They not only have household furniture and decor but a great foreign food section.
I would like to see a nightlife spot develop in TC, either a nightclub or even a bar or two.
If we are putting up all these hotels and trying to bill this as “the spot” in Idaho Falls, we will soon hear visitors saying, “…and there’s nothing to do at night in your big spot?”
True….IF has a nonexistant bar scene. Bars close at 1am, (what few dives that there are in this town) and that’s something that should definately be changed. Like most towns, it should be 2am during the week, 4am on wknds.
I do know at least one company external to Idaho Falls is looking at creating a club. Can’t say more currently, as I haven’t been in touch for months, so not sure what they are currently thinking.
Let me preface my next remark by first saying I see nothing wrong with people wanting a more diverse night life in Idaho Falls.
That comment being said, I’m not sure a “night lift” will really happen at T.C. Being blunt, which probably will offend some so I will apologize in advance, I don’t think the desires of McNeil Development head in the night life direction. Each owner/developer does have the right to have businesses s/he is comfortable having in his/her development.
That being said, which other developments might be a better match for more of a bar scene than T.C.? All that newly designated Urban Renewal District leaves a lot of land elsewhere.
I might be wrong, but given what I know about McNeil Development, I don’t think they want to head down that lane. I respect McNeil and others for are uncomfortable with certain businesses stating it.
That would allow other developments who are trying to create more of a night scene to advertise/develop different businesses to add in a specific area.
I hope this all makes sense. I tried to be diplomatic. I respect the Walker Brothers and their rights to their beliefs.
I tend to agree with you on that opinion, it doesn’t look like they want those type of businesses in their development.
Wherever the nightlife businesses spring up should be visually close to where the hotels are and/or where they can be seen from the freeway. Snake River Landing could still be a decent location if the signage is big enough.
I hope someone creates some nightlife down there. Three or four different bars in a walking area would really be best, the tourists would love to be able to walk between them, and spend lots of money.
If a mini bar/nightclub district cannot be located within sight of the hotel row, then they could still operate by running shuttle buses past all the hotels each half hour or hour. All the bars in the district could collaborate on the bus costs.
In fact the bus could be great for tourists anyways, so they could get crocked without worrying about driving back.
The buses are an interesting idea. Perhaps one could accomodate locals within 1-2 miles of a central designated nightlife area as well, encouraging more bus service in general (pay for travel for locals).
While hotel guests could be given complimentary tokens, maybe this is one way, with limited parking and local residents wishing to be responsible about driving and drinking could benefit as well.
If current citizens would support the local bus service both day and especially at night, who may not otherwise, more possibilities for bus routes may appear.
The buses would having paying customers for hours they currently don’t offer service.
I think there are basically a few areas downtown that could be developed into the night scene, and be close to the hotels. There could be many more offerings than just bars, such as dancing, singing etc.
The most obvious to me would be the area on Lindsay Blvd. where the buildings owned by British Nuclear Fuel and other past INL contractors (presently CH2Hill, I think?) have worked.
Why the city has allowed that prime land to stay as a semi-industrial area boggles what neuronal cells I have.
The buildings are for sale. Whether or not tenants have long-term leases, I don’t know.
If that is not right at that location, then perhaps elsewhere on Lindsay Blvd. I’m not convinced every building currently standing on Lindsay Blvd. should be. But, I like progressive and never did excel in history or old buildings.
I have read the comments of posters who work in the Lindsay Blvd area that traffic can be dangerous. However, if Joe’s bus idea were implimented, everyone could be much safer.
My other thought would to center nightlife around the Willard Arts Center, with the Coloniel Theatre/Carr Gallery drawing the various shows and displays they already do. With Vino Rossi there, it wouldn’t take too many more businesses opening to start a more vibrant downtown.
IMO, cafes with a high end menu, coffee shops open much later than the Villa currently is, a comdey club and other offerings found in larger cities, could compliment a couple of clubs nicely. That being said, since that area is already deemed the “Cultural District,” I don’t know if that limits what businesses may or may not be encouraged to open in that area.
Just for the bonus round, I’d personally watch what Rod Bishop has planned for Destinations Inn and the coffee shop next door.
I’ve read a couple of pieces regarding which restaurant is moving downtown to join his growing project. But, I’m not sure I should write them at this time. If someone else wishes too, be my guest. Just think of what high end restaurants already exist in Idaho Falls and potentially don’t have adequate or updated enough facilities.
Besides, Destinations seems to be primarily a romantic getaway. I don’t know how many people are out bar hopping when booked for a night at the Destinations Inn.
I predict downtown Idaho Falls as we know it now, since so much has now become eligible for the redevelopment perks, will look somewhat different in even 5 years. Look at how much has changed in the last 5 (or less) with TCOR and the beginning of SRL.
Did we know about Iggy’s Sports Bar and Hard Hat?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdzVEulztIY
Apparently, there is a Hard Had in Rexburg or coming. Nothing too special.
Iggy’s is a Sports Bar, that has a restaurant portion for families.
dreavill, if Iggy’s is true to form, they will have the Jazz on as they originated in UT about 2 blocks from what was the Delta Center.
Fun and good. Not sure about the prices and what is currently on the menu.
The bar area is clearly separated from more family dining. Sort of like the design at Outback.
My husband has alot of experience with the resturaunt/retail industry. He is currently managing the construction of various hotels, retail centers and resturants. We live in a large city with a very stable economy. Though he is overwhelmed with the amount of development here, we would give anything to be building and developing in the idaho falls area. How can someone know whether there will be sufficient growth before packing it up and hauling the family half way across the country? I guess I have been looking for some kind of certanty that there will be enough development in Idaho Falls to support our family for years to come. Aside from that, I believe a Plato’s Closet would go over extreamily well in Idaho Falls.
I just looked up what a Plato’s Closet is, and yes I think it would do well in Idaho Falls. A gently used clothing store for hip teenager clothing, heck yes it would be very successful here.
How can someone tell if Idaho Falls will continue with sufficient growth for the next few years? I don’t know how anyone could answer that, but given the strong economic Idaho Falls engine I doubt it will completely sputter out anytime soon. We don’t have any major issues we are deciding now that could influence our growth. Possibly the events center decision in a few months, but I foresee that passing and fueling Idaho Falls’ economic engine.
Maybe the fact that one more time (probably 6-7 times in the past six months) Idaho Falls was #1 in the nation for unemployment is a place to start.
Don’t people tend to move where jobs are available?
Check out the demographic info available for new businesses and other charts that show projected growth patterns.
I hope it works for you and your family, Anonymous, whatever your decision is.
Thanks for the information about Idaho falls being so highly ranked for unemployement. We are really leaning towards moving to the area. My husband has all the experience necessary to build and develop but there are no big commercial construction builders highering. Does anyone know of an investor association in South East Idaho? Having enough cash flow is the only thing holding us back from building and developing in Idaho Falls. There are so many great ideas on what to bring here. One other thought…We lived in the area a number of years ago and always wished there was a large pet store such as a Petsmart. Thanks.
There is a PetsMart here. It’s located on 17th Street, across the street from the Grand Teton Mall.
There’s also another large pet store on 25th, although I don’t remember the name right off hand. (its one of the other larger chains)
For those of you who still like to support the decreasing number of locally-owned businesses there is also a Peaches Pets store on North Yellowstone. Maybe they aren’t as shiny and new as the chain stores but they are very friendly and carry your purchases to your car for you.
Hey we really need a movie place that serves beer, just like Brewvies in Salt Lake City, there is nothing better than a beer a movie !
Rover you found the switch with that comment. I just logged on to say the same thing!
Just to specify, the one on 17th is a PetCo and the one on 25th is the PetsMart. PetsMart is owned by Banfield, who is basically Wal-Marting the entire pet industry. They are trying to monopolize the whole thing, including veterinarian care and training.
Thanks for the clarification BobbyD. I knew there were two large pet stores, just wasn’t sure which was which.
How about a nice piano bar, a great pub and grill, a nice seafood eatery, etc., next to the river where the courthouse is now. Throw a few dancing lights in the river, maybe a violinist on warm nights or at least music of some kind……..oh I’m sorry, I’m awake now.
If we had all that here, we’d have nowhere different to go for vacation. Then I’d never have any reason to visit my relatives in (shudder) California
I like traveling as much as the next person, but it would be nice to have a few of those things Abby mentioned here.
But if I had to choose just one……I’d have to pick the seafood eatery, I can deal without the rest if I had to! (And I’m not talking Red Lobster, Long John Silvers or Crab Shack…..Fresh is best!)
I still like the vending idea along the greenbelt during the summers.
lol humor! But hey, they have the ocean!