Panera Bread

I don't know the details of the "issue" between landlord and (former) tenant, AND... I can hardly imagine what would have been worth losing (another) business in Highland Park, on Central Ave., no less, and one that seemed to be thriving, for good reason. I'm pissed.

A donut shop. Then the cops could give out tickets with the least amount of effort on the part of the officers. We all know that the tickets issued in Highland Park end up in court on Greenleaf and the officers are paid overtime to sit there for hours no matter the outcome. When they retire the package they now receive is base on the average of all pay received. Police line up every season to jump on the Ravinia gravy train.

If there is an attempt being made to not let similar business establishments be in close proximity to each other, then why is Panera going across the street from Michael's? It would be better in the Corner Bakery location.? What space is it going to utilize- the Restoration Hardware location? That seems awfully big for a Panera.
My personal feeling is that our town does not do enough to help owners and tenants resolve their issues and keep business sustainable and profitable. What we, as residents, end up with is a "ghost town" of sorts. There are just too many vacancies, in my opinion. And restaurants that people really enjoy and patronize shouldn't be forced out of town- like Rosebud, too. It's going to give our town a bad reputation as a bad place to open a business, with the track record that we have. I don't think we need another home decor store, and with a Panera's coming to town, we probably do not need another soup and sandwich type of eatery. Perhaps a specialty gourmet food store, such as a Zabars or something- A place where you could pick up food and produce for dinner without having to visit a large supermarket.
However, if we are also going to lose Saks' Fifth Avenue, I think we might really be in need of a chain retail clothing store- I mean, we already lost Gap and Banana Republic, and I wouldn't mind having them back in town.

The Imperial Team
Alfred Klairmont
President
In 1978 Alfred Klairmont joined Imperial Realty Company, a family business his father Larry Klairmont started in 1956. Today, Al oversees Imperial’s portfolio of more than 80 properties in the Chicagoland Metropolitan Area having over ten million square feet of commercial real estate. Under his leadership Imperial Realty has grown to become one of Chicago’s Largest Real Estate Firms. With an established reputation of integrity and forward thinking and with a long-term viewpoint, Al is hands-on in the process of finding, buying, rehabbing, leasing, managing and maintaining Imperial’s commercial properties. Most acquisitions were purchased as distressed properties and have been subsequently guided to success through rehabilitation and repositioning to meet the needs of the respective marketplaces. Al directs a staff of 30 professionals which includes legal, architectural, space planning, brokerage, leasing, management and maintenance expertise.
Al grew up in Chicago’s northern suburbs and still resides there with his wife of 27 years and has three children.

Panera is no Corner Bakery. Seems a problem here that HP thinks can replace one with other. I dont go to HP much even tho live here, but did go to Corner Bakery. Employees were nice. bookstore would be great. Enough restaurants for such small town, esp with Highwood so close.

Foodstuffs or place like Artisanal (in Wilmette) or 1/2 Price Books or Apple Store ... Business must be synergistic with surrounding businesses not just complimentary. The cupcake scenario was a good lesson learned.

Personally, I'm happy Panera is coming to town. I'm sorry to see Corner Bakery go for the people who enjoyed eating there, I do think HP could support another restaurant at that location, if it didn't step on the toes of what we already have. Not sure a Foodstuffs type would be a good fit - Sunset offers similar options, continually evolving to customer requests and has (deservedly so) a loyal following. I think there's an untapped audience for moderate clothing.

But my first choice...... How about courting Athleta?

There is a store similar to Noodles in Iowa City that is looking to franchise. This is in effect a fast food pasta restaraunt with different styles of pasta including Thai and Italian. I will pass the info on to the landlord.
Personally I think we should stay away from national chains as they make decisions remotely from the community in corporate headquarters as opposed to right here at home. For example- look at Borders relative to a store like Citywoods.
While I think the Alliance has done a great job marketing downtown I believe there needs to be a more focused effort on travelling to other successful downtowns in and around the Chicago area to recruit other independent businesses that will compliment as opposed to simply sell to an existing businesses customer base.
Having said this landlords need to be flexible and take a long term view.
Mike Beslky

It is always a shame when greed (math) gets in the way of solid business. Corner Bakery was a nice fit for both the location and city with a good revenue stream for the landlord. I can only suspect that they had a long term lease at lower than current market rates and the landlord wanted to push it up beyond a point that made sense for Corner Bakery. Panera will certainly fill the void as they are similar in nature and hopefully, they will hire some of the corner bakery staff.

As to Foodstuffs and Sunset, Foodstuffs is a specialty store that also needs a strong lunch crowd so the math would have to work. Sunset is in need of a remodel as their store is quite dated and they likely lose some buisness to Whole Foods in DF.

The cupcake issue was about competition and quality of product and most likely would have had the same results regardless of location.

At the end of the day, these issues are math problems.

We need to understand that there is a tug of war in suburban downtowns. To stand out against larger centers, downtowns need a strong component of local businesses instead of large chains. These businesses attract a clientel that is different, and having a local stake running them means a stronger committment to the community.

These types of tenants, however, don't pay the kind of rent, nor do they have the "credit worthiness" of national chains, which is what landlords seek. All one has to do is look at the opposite corner of the intersection. The owner of the former gap property had a letter of intent with a bank that was going to pay much higher rent than any other tenant. When the City took that option away, he stubbornly let the property sit vacant until he sold it to a local businessman. Now we have Uncle Dan's, a local merchant there.

We need more Uncle Dan's and Sunset Foods downtown and fewer Gaps and Dominick's.

All I want, is a quality $7.99 turkey sandwich, quick. Not processed Panera, not waiting in line at the Sunset deli counter. I would love an independant sandwich shop, but the rent won't allow that.
**HP businessmen / will one of you have the guts to try a SEAFOOD restaurant there ? There is a great place in the city. Fish Bar, that would work great in HP.

Like the Noodles idea. We don't have any fast food itallian in downtown HP and there is definitely a market. Would need to have good salads for the lunch crowd.

An Apple store; a mini WalMart or Target; mini Ace Hardware or Craftwood; Bob's Deli; Popeye's Chicken; and our beloved Garnett's.

To paraphrase the owner featured in "Its a Wonderful Life", "serve hard liquor for people that want to get drunk!"

I sorely miss a book store in Highland Park and yes I have a Kindle and use the library

Oh Garnetts. Im remembering a time when my Ma would march me up there the week before school started to buy some stiff as a board, husky pair of jeans. It took almost the whole school year for them to break-in. If we're going there, how about Wolworths? Did I spell that correctly? I don't want to start an argument about how Moe from the Buck spelled "Wolworths". However, what's better than a place that you can get school supplies, a sandwich, fries, and a shake, and a goldfish in the same store.
I would love to see my new controversial place to be welcomed in to the community."Moes Gun Shop And Chicken Wings". A revolutionary new concept in fast food and sport shooting. Where you can come in and browse through a selection of handguns, long guns and accessories all while waiting for the best wings you've ever had, and no, not like Buffalo Wild Wings,cause we got guns. No touching any guns though after downing some of our famous wings. Oh, this isn't a gun control topic some let's try our best not to go in that direction. Thanks.

I was told by several of the workers at Corner Bakery that the landlord increased their rent to the point it was no longer fiscally reasonable to stay in the building.

What about a great Deli?

Saturation of restaurants is not a continued viable future, over the last number of
years, we have seen too many come-n-go. A well run, independent book store
with the double deck former Corner Bakery would certainly add a special image
to downtown.

Ah haa! I've got a great idea. Let's move in a small mom and pop shop bakery, call it"Bakery Corner" (get it, cause It's on the corner.dah) and maybe we won't skip a beat. We make it sort of like the deli at Sunset foods(cause I love the deli at Sunset foods, especially the lobster bisque that Arturo makes in the seafood department). Hey Ed Brill, are you talking about where the old Pennys diner, and Chris's food market use to be for Panera?

I am very excited for Panera Bread to come to town! We have been going to Winnetka for our fix of their Tomato Soup in the Bread Bowl!
A Foodstuffs, Convito Italiano or some sort of gourmet take out with an eat in section would be terrific too. If we want clothing, we need to look at what has worked in Highland Park in the past.

Mariano's Fresh foods!

Points to ponder: In 1996 I opened a bookstore after doing extensive market research and business planning. It failed. Here's one reason. The year was when the Internet gained mass market appeal. In a survey of heavy internet users, respondents were asked what they had given up to go online extensively. TV was #1; reading was second! I'm sure those numbers have gotten worse with the advent of smartphones, tablets, etc. So those in favor of Corner Bakery becoming an independent bookstore need to rethink the idea.
In addition, a recent Tribune article on the restaurant business cited a trade organization who had done a survey and found restaurnant visits since 2007 are down one billion. Yep, that's billion with a "B." So does anyone wonder why restaurants are struggling and closing.or trying to reinvent themselves?
Many who have made suggesstions regarding the Corner Bakery site, may not have any experience with retail business ownership. My Dad owned a meat market in Hyde Park from 1930 to 1954. He only (!) worked 72 hour weeks and finally shut down. The reason was he had more customers outside of Hyde Park than walking in the store.
Retailing is a tough business, folks, Customers can be fickled and demanding. Just because one is a consumer doesn't mean they know how to run an independent retail busienss. Maybe that's why national chains can be successful and independents have a tough oo of it.

I too heard from the staff that Corner Bakery left because the rent was raised. If the rent was too high for a chain, then I doubt an independent business could be successful there.

I too am looking forward to Panera. Corner Bakery was a great place to go with clients where it was nice to sit and talk and there was internet. I'm so glad Panera is coming to fill that void. As for what we're missing in the restaurant department--there is no Greek restaurant since the one that was in Highwood closed.

Business goes out in HP because they are not making money. It is never due to a "lease issue."

Oh, get ready for another BANK. The city council will approve it in a heart beat.

I have several clients in the restaurant business, and they avoid areas like downtown Highland Park becasue there is not enough daytime traffic, especially in the middle of the week. They would much rather be in areas like Vernon Hills and Schumburg with a large number of office buildings.

I also wonder how Panera will support stores in Deerfield and Bannockburn. At some point, these poach off each other and become unsustainable.

Well, if a regular Popeye's won't cut the mustard, how about an upscale one? This would be a fun idea -- fried chicken, red beans and rice, etc., in a nicely appointed atmosphere. It's a win-win for all, don't you think?

My ultimte wish is for a good computer store that offers lessons as well as merchandise.

I like the idea of a Trader Joe's. How about a different kind of restaurant, like a Cuban restaurant?

Foodstuffs!!!!!!!

So, since we are so realistic about what could or should go on this corner, let me make a couple of observations. The space is small. My guess is leass than 4,000 square feet, so you will not get a Trader Joe's or major grocery chain going in there. It's smaller than the average convenience store and laid out poorly.

While some of you may yearn for "comfort food", such as Popeyes, suburban locations are not high priority for these kind of chains. Besides, how would they survive without a drive-thru?

I'll return to my original premise a few posts back, you need to look at what makes suburban downtowns successfull. Local merchants with a high level of knowledge of the community and service. The challenge is getting Landlords (not just this one) to understand that means a different rent structure.

I stopped by Moderno today for lunch, and they have changed format for lunch (only) - "Moderno Pranzo" - it is now counter service, salads, panini, sandwiches. So, basically, Corner Bakery but with better food :-)

Moderno will go the way of Rosebud in less that a year. There is not enough locals who will go there and people from "neighboring" towns will not come because no one wants to drive down Green Bay Road or Sheridan Road OR trek West to 41 THEN trek East into HP to dine. These places are ghost shadows for retailers. Think about it, the only retailers that survive are patronized by locals. No exceptions.

I find many of these comments comical. First of all the owner could care LESS about the type of business that goes into the space- as long as they pay the freight and are allowed, they get the lease. Secondly, while there maybe a "moratorium" on banks, the word moratorium speaks volumes. If "someone knows someone else," get ready for an ATM in the pedestrian walkway. Banks get patronized by locals- that's why they survive. Yes, it is a smallish space that you have to "walk up to"...not exactly a retailers dream...Maybe the Christian Reading Room needs some expansion space.

Foodstuffs would be great. They have a great salad/sandwich bar. The one in Glencoe is always packed at lunch time.

Noodles and Company would be a great choice. It's family friendly, has takeout and there is nothing like it in downtown HP.

Argo Tea!!! Argo Tea!!! Argo Tea!!!

nice English like Pub to get a decent pint

Panera is not going in on 2nd street. Space is too small and there is still a for rent sign in window. Maybe a food stamp office should go in after the election results yesterday.

TJ Don't quite know if you are in favor or are being sarcastic? I haven't been in college for a number of years but I am not too old enough to enjoy a local area pub and hope it will be years before I am.. In Europe pubs are the community center where all ages come together and in case you haven't been to London in awhile, Pubs now offer healthier fare as well.

Will you join me Alice? Actually no sorrows at all, not a big fan of either political party. doesn't seem to matter who is in power .

Daniel,
Will give it some thought if the pub becomes reality..... Keep your chin up, things could be worse.

Let's hope someone will be willing to go through all the red tape and hurdles so we can all enjoy a neighborhood meeting place and a good pint too... I think it would be a great addition to HP.

What about he Solo Cup space, what's going in there? Our town needs some large tax infusion money and employers. A corporate/manufacturing mix is needed rather than yet another yoga/nail/bank/fast food store front. What is our Council doing to attract non-retail businesses?

Where do you go for a button? Needle & thread? Pair of pants? Tie? Underwear? Socks? A blanket?
Wouldn't it be nice if you could go uptown like we use to be able to and get that all in one store? How about that? Maybe we should try and keep it simple?
Moe? You are too young to remember Garnett's!