|
Post by Laurie on Aug 15, 2005 17:17:09 GMT -4
I am considering a new business on Kent Island. What kind of business would Islanders like to see?
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Aug 16, 2005 17:18:27 GMT -4
I've noticed that the game room near the Safeway recently closed. Do you know the reason for that? I agree it seems everyone opens businesses over here to supply their own work hours!!
That is "The Market"?
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Aug 16, 2005 17:19:09 GMT -4
oops I mean...WHAT is the market?
|
|
|
Post by Alex H on Aug 19, 2005 8:49:15 GMT -4
I second a movie theatre - but I think that Laurie is going for something a bit smaller scale. If it's food related - I would like a good bagel shop. Otherwise, a Jiffy Lube / Grease Monkey quick oil change place would be great!
|
|
|
Post by Rich Fisher on Aug 19, 2005 9:40:55 GMT -4
Not to sound like a total geek, but a heathy foods store would be nice. I agree about something for kids to do as well. At least we now have mini-golf. Alex - Jiffy Lube?
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 19, 2005 20:02:39 GMT -4
We need a good coffee and bagel shop. The one we have now beno is terrible. We also could use a good high end consignment shop for furniture. The problem here is the landlords. They have horrible leases and keep raising them. I though about a store here but the leases are one sided. Stay away from Safe-way and the old outlet shopping centers. They are the worst.
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Aug 20, 2005 17:19:12 GMT -4
Alex is right! (Although I agree!) I don't have kind of $$ required for a movie theatre!
I do agree that Beanos does not live up to the standard that once was for them (since it has changed hands twice since the original Bean family). I had actually considered a coffee shop and was fully prepared and ready (except for all of the $$ I needed!) to open at the old outlets but I just found out one is opening in the same retail spot I was looking at. Judging by the looks, it should be opened before Christmas. I think that the new truck/security stop will put a little damper on that. It is called The Coffee Spot. It is still on the table for me as my focus would have been a little different.
What is the deal with Kent Town Market (Safeway) and the old outlets? In just your opinion of course!
|
|
|
Post by Don on Aug 21, 2005 21:34:28 GMT -4
If the new Safeway is ever built there will be a Starbucks in it. Looking forward to it!
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Aug 22, 2005 9:28:41 GMT -4
Yes there will be a Starbucks in the new Safeway but it will be much like the others with no seating. And it could be at least another 2 years before that happens.
|
|
|
Post by Don on Aug 22, 2005 12:10:43 GMT -4
What is going on with the new Safeway? Who is holding that up?
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Aug 22, 2005 22:05:49 GMT -4
I am not too sure , more than likely it is the building moratorium but I couldn't be certain.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Aug 28, 2005 19:04:04 GMT -4
Word has it that they will be breaking ground in Sept with a March 10th completeion date. Anyone know anything about Narrows Pointe homes?
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Aug 29, 2005 18:40:58 GMT -4
Alex, what are your thoughts on the Safeway shopping center and both the outlets as far as leasing from them?
|
|
|
Post by Lynn on Aug 31, 2005 19:55:23 GMT -4
I am curious to know what the complaints are about Beanos Coffee & Bagels. I have been the owner for the past year and a half and have worked very hard to fix the problems from the former owner. We are open Mon-Sat 6AM-3PM and Sun 7AM-2PM.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Sept 1, 2005 8:27:17 GMT -4
Lets just say there are 3 large landlords on the island plus other smaller ones. The one that has the Safeway shopping center is prob the worst. I would stay away from them! Just my 2 cents but do your home work. I you look at there leases they are very one sided...
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Sept 1, 2005 8:36:57 GMT -4
I was in the coffee franchise end for several years and all I can say is: 1- Your bagels are the worst. Go with no more than about 10-15 fresh ones at a time. Have 5-8 kinds if space permits. You can but frozen and water boil them with only a 6 min lag time!Never sell one that is over 2 hours old. Plus bring down your price. $63-75 cents max Coffee well that is up to the customer but
|
|
|
Post by Lynn on Sept 1, 2005 19:36:49 GMT -4
When was the last time you were in the shop? I am always open to suggestions and we do have comment cards in the store which I read regularly. We have been getting our bagels from a new distributor for the last 8 months or so and customers are very happy with them. As for the price of the bagels, I know they haven't been raised at all in well over 2 years. We aren't a coffee house, we are a breakfast/lunch shop. We have customers who come in everyday for coffee and chat with friends and neighbors or read the free newspapers that we provide everyday or have breakfast or lunch. Alot of our customers call in their orders and pick it up on their way to work. We also do quite a bit of delivery.
|
|
|
Post by Joey on Sept 1, 2005 20:31:05 GMT -4
Beanos has improved since owned by the beane family. Service has sped up since switching ownership, new jobs have been made and if you are not happy with the speed, you may call ahead [643 - 9955] as I am sure not many people are aware, or we also deliver. If you come in to Beanos and are not pleased with anything, we have comment cards or you may tell us face to face and we will fix what is wrong. If you dont think we meet the standard that you are used to, or we do not carry a product that you would like us to serve, come in and write it on a comment card, we have had very few complaints.
|
|
|
Post by Stan on Sept 1, 2005 20:37:08 GMT -4
you're all simple!!!! Beanos is the best place for berakfast or lunch on all of Kent Island and if you think otherwise, try them again, they always improve!
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Sept 2, 2005 15:22:35 GMT -4
As a transplant to the area from Boston and someone that misses fantastic bagel places, I don't like any bagel place around the DC area that I have tried. They should be made on premises and fresh. No bagel shop worh their salt would ever buy their bagels from a supplier in the other areas that I have been. Sadly, this area just isn't with that. That's why places like Einstein Bagels can thrive in MD. If the chain places are the best, that's not good. While I'm on that rant, we sure could use a good butcher and bakery too. Supermarket stuff just doesn't cut it.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Sept 6, 2005 15:57:00 GMT -4
Talk about the island the biggest problem here is the landlords. I wanted to open a coffee shop on the island we could use a real high end one. Spoke the the landlord at the old outlets( I know it is not the best location) anyway, what a deal. max lease 3 years @ 14 a foot plus cam. What cam look at the place. Why would nybody want a 3 year lease with no build out and not knowing what will be in 3 years. They would not even talk renew. This is the problem. Unless you can get a real good lease or buy,don't! These landlords need a big kick in the butt!! Yes we need more stores. It's good that a CVS is going in and a few more stores but we need more. In 5 years this island could and will be Annapolis East. Hope not as busy though. Watch out it's coming.
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Sept 7, 2005 10:11:49 GMT -4
I agree with Alex the stories that I hear from current merchants on the island they agree as well!! The old outlets have come down a little in price, but I am not sure of their desired lease terms. From what I understand although I could be wrong the CAM is to also include taxes? I am not too sure about that either. Where is the CVS going? I did hear however that another 20k homes are planned between the bridge and Easton within the next 5 years, so yes I do agree that we are already becomming an Annapolis East. We are getting 2 high end coffee shops within the next year both are already in the works and it seems that we have the demographics to support them. Beanos: no need to get so upset! Opinions are just opinions we certainly don't represent the entire market!
|
|
|
Post by Laurie on Sept 7, 2005 13:00:52 GMT -4
Alex, why did you not open your coffee shop here? is it just because of the landlords?
|
|
|
Post by Lynn on Sept 7, 2005 17:38:13 GMT -4
From what I hear the old outlets are going to be sold within 5 years so that's probably why they have lousy lease options. My rent at Thompson Creek is very high but I have a great location.
As far as Beanos goes, I don't worry. I just like to get feedback and am always looking to improve. I feel the island is certainly big enough for more than one coffee shop and as I said before, we are more of a breakfast/lunch shop. Though our customers love our coffee!!
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Sept 7, 2005 18:00:19 GMT -4
I agree with Lynn, I heard there was a coffee shop going in the old outlets, this is the location I looked at. Why he would sign a three year lease is nuts. I was told Waterman Joes was going to put a shop att the location he is at now but they are not sure yet. The island needs shops now. You need to be carefull of who you deal with here. The landlords from Annapolis and DC are well lets just say hard to deal with. Safeway shopping center would be nice but again lousy landlord. Safeway owns the location they are at and will sell it back to the landlord when they move in March. CVS is going at the Jakes beaf location on the east side of 50
|
|