Trader Joe's

[rdj]

I don't see liquor laws changing much.  It is a constitutional change that requires a supermajority vote of the people.  If the liquor wholesaler and store lobbies can't kill it at the capitol I bet the religulous folks will kill at the ballot box.

[joiei]

There is a TJ's in Leawood, KS with no liquor sales and it is full of shoppers evert time I have been there.

[DowntownDan]

It's pretty clear to me that the reason they refused to "confirm" the deal was to avoid the backlash of tearing down a really cool strip of old storefronts.  Someone did their research and saw the Turkey Mountain backlash and the general backlash that occurs when corporations propose demolishing old structures (see bus depot in OKC) and wanted to avoid it to the extent possible.  I find it interesting that less than a month has passed from announcement to demolition.  There are plenty of other spots that they could have built on and avoided tearing down this unique strip.  The vacant spot on Cherry Street where the carwash recently was demolished comes to mind.  It's closer to downtown for increasing residents there, and would have little competition from Whole Foods.  I like Trader Joes and am glad that they are moving to town and not to the suburbs, but its just a shame they have to tear down that neat little strip of storefronts.

[carltonplace]

I hope they build to adhere to the Brookside plan, but I'm afraid they won't.

There is already a building going into the car wash space.

[Conan71]

It's pretty clear to me that the reason they refused to "confirm" the deal was to avoid the backlash of tearing down a really cool strip of old storefronts.  Someone did their research and saw the Turkey Mountain backlash and the general backlash that occurs when corporations propose demolishing old structures (see bus depot in OKC) and wanted to avoid it to the extent possible.  I find it interesting that less than a month has passed from announcement to demolition.  There are plenty of other spots that they could have built on and avoided tearing down this unique strip.  The vacant spot on Cherry Street where the carwash recently was demolished comes to mind.  It's closer to downtown for increasing residents there, and would have little competition from Whole Foods.  I like Trader Joes and am glad that they are moving to town and not to the suburbs, but its just a shame they have to tear down that neat little strip of storefronts.

That strip was somewhere between 60 and 70 years old.  It may have had structural and mechanical issues which made a complete re-do more attractive.

And then again, sometimes the owner is simply ready to cash in and does not care what the buyer does with their new purchase.  I think Joe's will have something which will compliment the area nicely.

[Townsend]

That strip was somewhere between 60 and 70 years old.  It may have had structural and mechanical issues which made a complete re-do more attractive.

And then again, sometimes the owner is simply ready to cash in and does not care what the buyer does with their new purchase.  I think Joe's will have something which will compliment the area nicely.

This would be painful

[Conan71]

This would be painful

Gads! That looks like an old Handy Dan, re-branded.

Other renderings have been posted here which were brought up to the street front with parking in back.  I suspect it will be more Brookside-friendly than, ahem, Quik-Trip's remodel.

[Townsend]

Gads! That looks like an old Handy Dan, re-branded.

Not sure why they titled this design the "tulsa special".

[sgrizzle]

I hope they build to adhere to the Brookside plan, but I'm afraid they won't.

There is already a building going into the car wash space.

That a Compadres?

[Breadburner]

It's pretty clear to me that the reason they refused to "confirm" the deal was to avoid the backlash of tearing down a really cool strip of old storefronts.  Someone did their research and saw the Turkey Mountain backlash and the general backlash that occurs when corporations propose demolishing old structures (see bus depot in OKC) and wanted to avoid it to the extent possible.  I find it interesting that less than a month has passed from announcement to demolition.  There are plenty of other spots that they could have built on and avoided tearing down this unique strip.  The vacant spot on Cherry Street where the carwash recently was demolished comes to mind.  It's closer to downtown for increasing residents there, and would have little competition from Whole Foods.  I like Trader Joes and am glad that they are moving to town and not to the suburbs, but its just a shame they have to tear down that neat little strip of storefronts.

Those really cool store fronts....Were outdated pos fire traps at best......

[carltonplace]

That a Compadres?

part of this Building on Cherry Street in the former car wash space will have the R-BAR folks' new concept.

[DowntownDan]

Those really cool store fronts....Were outdated pos fire traps at best......

So were most of the warehouses in the Brady and East Village that are being renovated.  That strip could have been renovated to address whatever issues were present.  I know cost is an issue and its not my money, I just wish there had been a way to save those storefronts.

[cannon_fodder]

I hope:

1) Trader Joes conforms to the feel of the neighborhood
2) someone sees the demand from the stores that are moving out and expands Brookside, conforming the the frontage code.

I'd hate to see Brookside be a victim of its success. Because it is a vibrant, eclectic, walkable district in a sea of cookie cutter commuter retail - it attracts national retailers. Who then turn it into cookie cutter commuter retail.

Could be great. I'm hoping so. But I have zero confidence that any planning commission or zoning commission in this city will dictate the ideals of the small area plan. (que "private property warbigable" argument)

[Breadburner]

part of this Building on Cherry Street in the former car wash space will have the R-BAR folks' new concept.

Nope...They not goin in there....

[rdj]

Nope...They not goin in there....

Is that a new development?  One of the investors in the building told me that about 45 days ago.