Monday, October 15, 2007

New poll: how about Leevers?

Now that Leevers has left the Grand Forks market, their old building on South Washington Street sits empty. Although Leevers was a smaller sized supermarket, their old building is still a fairly large space to have sitting empty on one of Grand Forks' busiest streets.

Personally, I don't imagine that this building will sit empty for too long...at least I'm hoping we don't have another Target on our hands here. Now the question becomes what should fill that empty space. I'm interested to hear what you think about this and that's why the new poll question is "What do you think should happen to the old Leevers building?"

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think a Walgreen's would be good there. It doesn't require heavy traffic. I can't see the building being retrofitted for other uses that well.

Barbara said...

I vote for a Trader Joe's... :)

dale said...

It, as well as the old Hardees building next to it, is a horrible location, traffic wise. I'm sure that the property value is high, given the spot, but, pragmatically thinking, the difficulty associated with getting in and out of there will significantly limit interest.

Strip malls, we've plenty of, and many of them aren't full. The old Menards, the one by Golden Corral, the bit west of Super One, Homestead Grove, they all have empty spots. And the Shops at Aurora is likely to aggravate the situation.

Sad to say, but I see these two buildings staying vacant for some time. If the real reason that Leevers left was because the lease cost was too high, it's unlikely that anyone new would come to town and choose to pay a high rent for that location.

Anonymous said...

Probably another auto parts store.

Anonymous said...

Well, I think what we need is a fun place for kids and families to go to! Maybe a space aliens or a chucky cheese or how about something like a themed birthday party place! Something with an arcade, birthday rooms great food(like pizza), just an all around exciting place that we currently don't have! The Leevers location is excellent for business, it's a high traffic area and theres a gas station right next to it! I mean come on you have to admit, there is no place in town that's fun like that. It would be what we need to truly make Grand Forks a destination center!

Anonymous said...

Dale is right. Getting into either location is easy if you drive north. But try to leave either Leevers or Hardees without going east first and getting to a light back on South Washington. Maybe a body shop?

Anonymous said...

anon@1:32... we used to have Planet Pizza, which pretty much sounds exactly like the place you're describing...I remember going there back in junior high,and I remember it actually being pretty cool...laser tag and that virtual batting cage were awesome. Anyone know an exact reason why that closed?

Still Fighting It said...

I've been saying a good indoor mini golf w/amusement center would do really well here.

Anonymous said...

I vote for a Hobby Lobby, but I'm not sure if the space is large enough. I can see a Trader Joe's thriving here, but not in that location.

Anonymous said...

I doubt you will see a Trader Joe's in this area for a long time. I don't think northern communities of 50,000 people are their core market at this time. On the other hand Whole Market might make a go of it, they are really starting to expand to the level that would make them think of Grand Forks.

Barbara said...

Didn't know I had to be realistic :) Whole Foods would be fine if I have to compromise, but I'd still prefer a Trader Joe's...

dale said...

we used to have Planet Pizza ... Anyone know an exact reason why that closed?

The owners wanted out of the business, and had it up for sale for quite a long time before just shutting it down. It remained fairly popular, particularly with teens, until the end.

I always appreciated the irony of the place having some of the best pizza in town, compared to a similar place like Chuck E. Cheese, which has the worst pizza, as the games and junk counters any reason to have edible food.

Jess said...

I would love to have aplace like Chucky Cheese or Planet Pizza or even Space Aliens... Somewhere other than Happy Joes to throw a birthday party.

elucidarian said...

I sure like having a grocer that close to where I live.

Anonymous said...

I've heard that it is going to be an Olive Garden, but that OG rumor comes around about every other week.

Anonymous said...

Since people already complain about the price of groceries at places like Target, I doubt a Whole Foods (whole paycheck) would thrive here--then again--one never knows.

deadstick said...

I vote for giving it to some high tech company to bring some non-minimum wage jobs into this town.

http://ndoutdoorsman.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Piss off deadstick, you're a dead dick!

Anonymous said...

Olive Garden Refuses to Grand Forks because of our small population.(I called the number on the website)

I already checked on this. I go to Olive Garden twice a month in Fargo.

A different Anonymous said...

A Ballroom Dance Hall... but perhaps that is a level up for the community. Install a nice dance floor for Ballroom dance lessons(ie Swing, Waltz, Tango, Salsa, Latin Dance, Jive etc.) invite guest instructors from the US and International Dance Organizations, formal dances, theme or holiday dances. Ballroom Dance lessons and events for the community and/or allow to rent the hall or a portion for private events. Check out the website for Cinema Ballroom or of the like. This would be a fabulous and needed touch for the community!