I agree the Gallery's a B mall, but it's a relatively successful one. They're not going to start scubbing the concrete walls until someone else drops some competition across the street.

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The idealistic are no longer concerned with influencing public opinion and creating a free world of responsible and ethical social choices, but rather imposing opinion through legislation, mandating these ethics, and outlawing choice in what the loudest sample finds offensive.

Ban the Bans. It's a slippery slope between Idealism and Fascism.

...great point there. However, let it be known that I'm opposed to the current Girard space proposal. To be honest, it seems like Shop(pes) @ Liberty Place: East Market, to me. Something a little more bold could really shake things up. That hotel proposal from CREI on Chestnut? Yeah...something a little more like that would be sweet.

does that mean I'd oppose a stack of big boxes either? Hellz no. The strip has thrived on dept stores that everyone can utilize. And if you've ever been to a big box in Philly you'll know they're a cash cow waiting to happen. Find one that's not mobbed constantly and you'll seriously win a prize.


I will sleep soundly one night knowing something good is happening at 8th Street. Till then, I'll continue to tear up.

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“Man who run in front of car get tired.”

You two make more or less the same point here, and while I wish the "wide bodies from the breadbasket" were more adventurous -- maybe they would be if they knew they could get real barbecue here -- I don't think that adding a Cheesecake Factory would really hurt the local restaurant scene any more than Maggiano's, Olive Garden, Buca di Beppo or the chain steakhouses (ALL the ones currently operating here) have, whatever I said upthread about ambivalence notwithstanding.

And I do note that where CF enters a city with a healthy downtown or popular centrally located entertainment/shopping district, it locates in precisely that district with very few exceptions (I don't think Chevy Chase in DC falls into either of these categories; I would have expected to find the DC CF in either Georgetown or near Union Station).

In Chicago, they're on North Michigan Avenue.
In Kansas City, on the Country Club Plaza.
In Seattle, right downtown and directly across Pike Street from the Washington Convention Center.
In Boston, in the Prudential Center in the Back Bay.
In Atlanta, in Buckhead.
In San Francisco, on the 8th floor of Macy's on Union Square, fer Chrissakes (talk about thread-tying!)

So sfjoeynphilly isn't talking through his hat. They'd do well here, and they'd probably fit right in on Rittenhouse Row or east Walnut near the theaters. They might get less convention business here than they otherwise would, however, simply because the Reading Terminal Market is directly under the convention center and there's a Maggiano's right across from it, not to mention the Marriott restaurants, which are unexciting but offer consistently good quality at fairly moderate prices.

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Sandy Smith, Exile on Market Street, Philadelphia
“Basically I figure guns are like gays: They seem a lot more sinister and threatening until you get to know a few; and once you have one in the house, you can get downright defensive about them.” --Theresa Neilson Hayden

speaking of the marriott. you should all know that the hotel is going under a complete reno. Phase I is the lobby - which should be open in a couple of weeks. Phase II are the restaurants. Champs is becoming an Au Bou Pain (sic) and they are opening a restaurant called "Thirteen" (as in the thirteen colonies) which will be Contemporary American cuisine. I believe room reno is soon to follow.

From where I sit, the conversion of Annie's American Grille to Thirteen is well under way while work has yet to begin on the Champions transformation. However...

They're converting Champions into an Au Bon Pain?

You all know what this means, don't you?

CENTER CITY NEEDS ANOTHER SPORTS BAR!

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Sandy Smith, Exile on Market Street, Philadelphia
“Basically I figure guns are like gays: They seem a lot more sinister and threatening until you get to know a few; and once you have one in the house, you can get downright defensive about them.” --Theresa Neilson Hayden

LOL!!! Let the parades and marches begin. The slogans will be: Free Center City From Yuppiedom! We need another damned SPORTSBAR.


Fine.

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wait. everyone's kidding right? sports bars are the demise of modern day society imho.

Seriously? How so?

To understand my post, and Hgirl's reaction, you need to review this thread, also in this forum.

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Sandy Smith, Exile on Market Street, Philadelphia
“Basically I figure guns are like gays: They seem a lot more sinister and threatening until you get to know a few; and once you have one in the house, you can get downright defensive about them.” --Theresa Neilson Hayden

Yes, people can't do anything without their cell phone in their pocket. People's attention spans are held by losers singing/dancing on FOX or ABC. People believe practically anything they find online...but the sports bar is the demise of modern society.