Just returned from a quick dinner at I-HOP, then on to Lowes and Office Depot to pick up a few things. The businesses were nearly empty. At I-HOP we were the only customers in the entire restaurant the whole time we were there. We ate alone. Two couples came in as we were getting in our car to leave. At Lowes, there were fewer than 10 cars in the parking lot. Christmas decorations are already reduced to 50% off and the selection was skimpy with lots of bare shelf space. At Office Depot there were 4 cutomers plus us. We did notice however, that the Burlington Coat Factory parking lot had quite a few cars. This doesn't look good for a retailing Christmas. What are you seeing?
Where Are The Customers?
Comments ... #
I-HOP deserves to never have cars in their parking lot.
It was a Wednesday night. Not exactly a hoping time for retailers.
Retail sales this X-mas will be close to, if not as good as last year.
who cares about IHOP, too expensive, nothing to write home about...
Since the recession started last december, I am going to guess this one will be worse...
We'll see.
Waffle House on Reynolds is always empty, also. Someone I know that works at Olive Garden told me it's totally dead, too. The first thing people cut back on is the hospitality industry. They always feel hard times worst.
My guess is that a lot of people (myself included) spent a lot of money on Black Friday and haven't had a paycheck yet.
Plus being the middle of the week, toss in Jeep going under and various slow downs, and the general economy and it's no wonder stores are slower than normal.
Kinda sad really.
posted by INeedCoffee on Dec 03, 2008 at 11:36:52 pm #
I did IHOP. I moved on to Uncle John's pancake House. It was better but I was still unsatisfied. Then I found Sam and Charlie's Waffle House on Central. Do yourself a favor. Eat there.
posted by thetoledowire_com on Dec 03, 2008 at 11:42:48 pm #
I was at the Lowe's on Airport around ... oh? 8:15-8:30ish Wednesday night and I actually thought there were MORE cars in the parking lot than usual. Home Depot down the way, too, where I had been first.
Sort of related: I tried to go to the Sweet Feed Co. on Reynolds at Heatherdowns earlier this week and they were CLOSED. The storefront is up for lease. When did that happen? Did they relocate or go out of business?
Hmmm, close to me-but I had no idea they were gone, so can't answer.
It's been gone for at least a couple of months. I used to get my dog food there (and visit Super Savers while I was there -- one of my favorite stores!). When I stopped out there early this fall, they were closed.
I got the feeling things were not right for a while. Their inventory of the dog food I like was very low (or they were out)for the past year or so. I asked numerous times if they were no longer going to carry it and they said "No, that the shipment was late." It made me think that the shipments were held up until bills were paid.
The one on Secor and Sterns is still open.
I used to go there for aquarium stuff. They carried a lot of the speciality items that weren't availabe in the chain stores. In that particular market segment they couldn't their prices low enough to compete with discount internet sellers. Even though they had two locations they couldn't get chain buying discounts. Most wholesale distributors have one price for the independents and one price for chains, with the chain usually being 4 or more stores. That's why it's so hard for a Mom & Pop store in any category. Often their wholesale cost for an item is higher than the retail cost for the same item at a chain. Been there.
The Sweet Feed on Starr Ave. is still open, however, with shorter hours. Last time I was there the shelves were about half bare. The manager was saying they were "reducing inventory"... looked like the end is near to me though.
What kind of dinner are you getting at I-HOP? Dude. No.
A few weeks ago we had breakfast at the Original Pancake House and there was a card at the table saying they are serving dinner now. I asked the waiter for the dinner menu and it looked like pretty much "old-world" fare. Thought it might be fin to check out at some point, but haven't yet.
Carter closed early this year. 84 lumber still open but not the same service, you can thank the HomeDepot and Lowes price fights for their demise. Give it time Menard's will see HomeDepot and Lowes fold as well. Builders Square and Home Base put Handy Andy's out of business. And after Handy Andy closed both of them folded as well. That whole area makes a sucking sound every once in a while. Tons of shops have gone in done well then proceed to fold under. The biggest sucking noise in the area is Northtowne Mall. The grass is beginning to reclaim the parking lot there.
posted by Linecrosser on Dec 08, 2008 at 03:50:54 am #
Thanks, just drove by Carter and noticed no activity. Only activity along that strip are strip clubs. Only Super Fitness is still at Northtowne.
It is not a good thing to see area business being slow, most chain's are still doing good business (especially teh restaurants) we need to support the local places so they stick around!
posted by msetoledo99 on Dec 09, 2008 at 01:09:23 pm #
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