Gateway Challenge? Can it be done?

With all the recent activity on this polluted, ugly, and trashy corridor, two new restaurants have opened right in the Simplot vicinity. North Side Cafe and Al's Catering have set up shop, and the funny part is that they couldn't have picked the worse locations on the corridor to open. North Side Cafe is located just East of the Simplot factory, and Al's Catering picked the "cursed" vacant building just South of Simplot.

Now, there's no reason to down play these two new restaurants because it's looking like they have a good flow of business right now. I can't say that the business is coming from Simplot associates, or if it's getting business from people in the city, if you know what I'm saying.

I just hope for the best for these two new restaurants on the Gateway corridor. We all know that this road-way needs to be cleaned up and develop new businesses to fill the ugly gaps. In my opinion, we need to fill the ugly gaps in town before we worry about west of the interstate.

Although this process will take planning and years to come, are you happy to see two new local restaurants take on the Gateway Challenge? Are you looking forward to seeing Gateway being redeveloped with brand new businesses, and hopefully local businesses? This is the only way I see it being done.

Throw out your thoughts on the Gateway Challenge.

I'm still here

Sorry folks about leaving you in the dust and not showing any signs of life. I've gotten pretty hammered with lots of work for the time being and totally forgot about posting. I haven't even got the chance to read up on our local blog community in the past month.

Please excuse my slacking, but I'll try getting back into the swing again. I haven't abandoned nothing!

Open talk: Long-term Living Campus

It would be a mini-city within the city with housing, stores, recreation, access to transportation and much more. The location they would like this to happen is next to King's Walk near the corner of Columbia Road and 47th Avenue South.

Personally, I would like to see the blueprints to see how big they would like to build this area. But I like the idea for our long-term residents which we lost after the flood of 97'.

What do you readers think of the possible Long-term Living Campus? Do you really think it would keep long-term residents here for good? Is this the ideal location for a long-term living campus in Grand Forks? Any other thoughts?

Random business talk: Darcy's Cafe

I thought this little restaurant deserves some credit for doing well for our local people. All the times I have been to eat at this place; it's always been a good experience, and good food.

What do you think of Darcy's Cafe? Did you enjoy it when you stopped by to grab a bite to eat? Good service? Do you like the atmosphere? Any other thoughts?

Update - 3/21/2007 - 5:58PM

I have included a map where Darcy's Cafe sits since some people are confused about the "hidden" location.

We're missing: Krispy Kreme

Once again I like to try keep things new here and start brand new topics.

Today we start a new series called: We're missing

The basics of this topic are simple. I will pick a business Grand Forks is missing and perhaps the community would love to see come here. All you have to do is discuss about this business, if you think Grand Forks could really use one, and if it would be successful. Criticism is welcome as usual!

My thoughts? I really like Krispy Kreme donuts. It's really not the same when you buy them at the local gas station, you know? It would taste much better if we could receive them off the belt nice and warm. Wouldn't you love that with your morning coffee? Lately, it looks like any new chain business that have landed roots in Grand Forks have had successful business. I think if Krispy Kreme came, it could do the same.

Tidbit: Closest Krispy Kreme to Grand Forks is in Fargo.

Open talk: EGF 12-plex

Give your thoughts on this new proposed theater in the Riverwalk Mall. How do you think it's competition with Carmike would play? Do you think this location would be fantastic for this area of both cities? How do you think it would improve the East Grand Forks side?

These type of businesses coming into a small town like East Grand Forks just spells "fail" to me, especially a 12-plex theater complex. But since it would be a heavy competitor to Carmike I could actually see it do good. And it would be close to downtown Grand Forks also.

This is what both downtown's really need. It would draw more people to the downtown area and spur more business. I am just wondering how well they would keep their prices lower then Carmike's outrageous prices.

And once again, I apologize for lack of posts this past week and a half. I was busy on a trip and couldn't log on for some odd reason. But expect more updates as March rolls on.

Poll change

It appears it's time to switch up the poll to something different. I was a bit surprised with how many votes I got this time. Typically I average about 30 votes per poll. So I appreciate the extra votes this time. (60 votes!)

Do you support frontier airlines potentially flying into GFK?
49 - Yes
11 - No

So it looks like a lot of area residents would in fact love to see another airline carrier out of GFK. We have until this summer to find out if we convinced them enough.

So now it leaves us with the next question.

Would you like it if Grand Forks had more suburbs?

This question is quite random but I thought about it since we don't really have any suburbs, besides East Grand Forks. Merrifield doesn't quite count, Thompson and Manvel are each 9 miles apart from the city. I'm not saying we can have random suburbs to pop out of no where but it's going to take years for Grand Forks to reach Thompson if our growth continues to the south.

So just go ahead and give your thoughts along with your choice.