Open Thread #5
Ok, with the last open thread already at 44 comments as of this moment, it's probably time to start another one, huh? These are getting to be pretty popular...
Topics covered: Discontent, local entertainment scene, Segways on sidewalks
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21 comments:
I'll start it off. Longtime staple Discontent (formerly Disc 'N Tape) is moving from the old Best strip mall (corner of 24th Ave. S. and Columbia) to the 1400 block of South Washington.
Another casulity of the record business? (Although they pretty much have been decreasing their music section for a number of years in favor of clothing.) Can anything survive in that old strip mall? What's left ... Perfect Pages Plus and a karate school? When will they start over? Can anything survive in the building they moved to? Will the good customers of Gramma Butterwicks stop over to peruse the "Used B-D" section?
I was going to say something along the lines of "it's a casualty of that forsaken strip mall with poor visibility and bad access."
For what it's worth, the used record industry is in major trouble. Unless you have an ungodly collection of used stuff you're not going to be able to compete with iTunes, et al. Used shops in larger markets will probably continue to fare well, but up here, I'd reckon there's maybe room for one.
I used to shop at Budget until iTunes popped up.
The last time I was in there (and it's been a while) there was hardly any music -- it was all pron and head shop type stuff. I buy pretty much everything off of iTunes, amazon or other Internet sites (for the more obscure stuff I listen to.) I'm not going to pay $17 a cd for the priviledge of buying mainstream music locally.
As for the mall, isn't the gungy $1 grocery store still there? They sold some pretty frightening stuff in there. And, as strip malls go, it's a pretty bad location, and always has been. Just getting into the parking lot is an exercise in maze running.
That whole strip mall is so sad. It really seems like it would be better if it was just torn down. BTW, does anybody else remember back to the days of LaBelle's (or however it was spelled). I was really young, but I remember the store a little bit. I think it is terrible how that trashy dollar store/grocery store that is in the old LaBelle's/Best/Herald/Office Depot spot never bothered to paint over the Office Depot outline on the side of the building. It looks ridiculous.
On a positive note (if I may move away from the shabby structures and the lackadaisical nature of waitstaff)...sure been a lot of good stuff going on in GF this week: UND's "The Doll's House" and Firehall Theatre's "On Golden Pond" both offer a wonderful night out---and cheaply, too. Talk about getting one's money's worth!
Hmm...
So much for any attempts at discussions even approaching culture.
It's funny you mention the shows going on in town. I'll contrast that with the folks who constantly lament that there's nothing to do in GF: there was a stretch about two weeks ago where I got to watch a really good latin jazz ensemble, conduct musical theater, play country music in front of a sold-out Chester Fritz audience, and watch two comedians - all within a couple of days.
GF is certainly what you make of it.
If anyone's interested, our jazz trio is playing at Sanders on Friday night from 9:30 to midnight - stop by after you hit up one of the theatres.
Mattfacingsouth---must be a good direction to look: things sure appear positive from that view!
There IS much to find in Grand Forks on a Friday night. A half-filled Empire Theatre, with an exellent, energetic cast in ON GOLDEN POND (even the popcorn was good) and a nightcap with some great music afterwards.
It was affordable, too, making it even better.
Ever notice how many more entries an open thread gets when folks simply complain about something? Or so it seems to me...
I agree with Matt, I work weekends in a local bar and I'm in school during the week. I'm often disappointed that I can't make it to shows and other happenings around town. All it takes is a open mind and one can find many things to do in GF.
Just wondering if anyone had heard of a wine and piano bar going in downtown?
11 freaking comments? You guys can do better! Other weeks, you've been hitting the 40+ mark. Try harder!
The whole "there's nothing to do here" complaint is just an excuse from people not willing to find out what the city really does have to offer.
Also, I've noticed that if the city lacks one thing and that's the one thing you want, you act like the entire city is a waste of time.
No Olive Garden?=Horrible restaurant scene!
The (fill in name of band) concert didn't schedule a stop at the Alerus?=We never get any good concerts!
Skatepark not big enough for your needs?=Grand Forks offers nothing for the youth of the community!
Please, no city offers everything that you're ever going to want. Some people will never be satisfied...
Here's a topic: Segways on city streets and sidewalks...your thoughts? I was just walking to class at UND and I just about got run over by a woman riding her Segway down the sidewalk at a very fast speed. Ever heard of walking?
What are the regs concerning Segways and horns/lights? It seems they should have to follow the same sort of right-of-way rules just as a bicyclist or pedestrian would.
Wine and piano bar? Where? I need to try to book my group there if this is the case.
It seemed the open thread got snagged in a knot when someone mentioned the positives of the entertainment scene in Grand Forks. An anonymous poster dropped some mumble-jumble (since deleted), obviously scaring people off.
Criminy, is crabbing about things all we're made of, people? Take a look around; it's easy to see the "grand" in Grand Forks. We're darned lucky to be here.
And GFG...thanks...for being the one blogger other than Tuey who is willing to bust his butt to give all of us a chance to have a dialogue.
How much are tickets to these shows?
Is there a website that lists all the concerts/plays/etc. that are happening in Grand Forks?
http://www.culturepulse.org/index.php
Congratulations to Stephen/Argyle...the Storm picked up their fourth consecutive state nine-man football championship this morning!
I spent every summer from 1975 to 1985 with my grandparents in Grand Fords (parents are UND alum). Is Valley Dairy (off of Washington Ave.) still in existence? How about LaBelle's?
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