Old Hardee's may soon be filled
You know that empty Hardee's restaurant location on the corner of Washington and DeMers? A tipster tells me that it may soon become a Little Caesar's restaurant.
I've wondered why it has taken so long to fill that building. This is the busiest intersection in the city (it has been said "busiest in the state"). Let's just hope that they plan to really renovate the building. This intersection in general - and this building in particular - is in need of a sprucing up.
I also recently noticed that there is no longer a "For Sale" sign in front of the other empty Hardee's in town...the one on Gateway. I wonder if there is a business planning on going into that space too? It's good to see empty buildings fill up.
Update - 5/23/2007
According to a Job Service North Dakota ad, a new Little Caesar's is coming soon to Grand Forks. I guess that must mean that the old Hardees building is indeed going to have a new tenant.
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We need another Little Caesar's or Subway in this town like we all need another hole in the head... Does the Coneran family ever think of diversifying their investments instead of opening more crappy chains?
Actually, it sounds like the Conneran's have sold off some (all?) of their investments. That's how I understand it...does anybody have more information? The Herald article states that a Mr. Neil Ebeling and three other partners make up "G.F. Investments of N.D." which seems to be the company that bought out the Conneran's businesses.
The Hardee on gateway will become Subway AJ
Although this location is at a very busy intersection, it has very poor access. Little Caesar's will be okay, but I had hoped Denny's would look at that spot.
"The Hardee on gateway will become Subway AJ"
They gonna close down the one next to El Roco?
That is all we need another Subway or Little Ceasars. I agree a Denny's would be awesome.
The building didn't sell quickly (and, frankly, should have been razed,) because it has horrible access as a result of the remake of the intersection several (well, ten?) years ago. If you're driving north on Washington, you're semi-okay getting in there. Any other direction, it's a mess. Hardees quickly became the least convenient fast food place as a result.
The first thing the new owner will need to do is figure out how to get traffic in and out of the place.
I say they should build a cloverleaf intersection, complete with overpasses.
Hey, a guy can dream!
Not quite a cloverleaf, but they are planning on a SPUI
http://www.kurumi.com/roads/interchanges/spui.html
Peder, are they really? It seems like that would shut down that intersection for a very long time.
Looks to me like they will need to expand the underpass under DeMers to make it work. Expensive . .
Yes, they would need an overpass to make it work.
I know of 4 locations off the top of my head in the Twin Cities that have SPUI's.
1. I494 & Penn
On overpass
2. I494 & 24th Ave S (Near the MOA)
On overpass
3. Highway 55 & Lake Street
Under overpass
4. Highway 61 & Glen Road
On overpass
They work fairly well and there will be more coming in the future.
GJB
Starbucks should taken the Demers/Washington location instead of the old Beary Best Bakery. There's crappy access at both spots, but parking is better at the old Hardee's (especially since Dairy Queen put up that ridiculous median).
How about a roundabout? Is it just pure stubbornness that makes Americans refuse to build roundabouts?
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UND and NDSU students:
Campus Dakota
I know where one roundabout currently is in the Twin Cities and where several more are going to be built.
I'd guess there are some more, but haven't run across them.
GJB
Bend, Oregon is growing very fast and they have round-a-bouts. There they work well to slow and control traffic.
There is also a couple new ones in Brandon, Manitoba which is close in size to Grand Forks.
Hooray for roundabouts!
We have two round-a-bouts here in Anchorage. At first ppl were very much against them, but over time they seem to grow on you.
I use to work at one of those Hardees many, many years ago....so many memories. Can't wait to see it gone! :D
coffee guy, yes, the plan is to rip up the area and put in a SPUI. The Grand Forks City Council approved a Demers/Washington SPUI over a 32nd Ave. bridge.
A SPUI, by the way, is fairly compact and would not impact the area very much; I've seen a few drawings and it doesn't look to be very invasive.
Does anyone remember when that Hardee's was a Sandy's?
Speaking of empty buildings, I noticed the Floor to Ceiling store appears to be closed. I drove by it today and it's no longer open.
I can tell you, as a person that worked for both owners at Subway (and is having trouble logging in to their account -- sorry about the anonymous post), Niel Eberling is one of the nicest and most creative guys that I've ever worked for. The Conerans, you could say, blow balls in comparison. :D
His company, Investments of ND, is just setting foot in Grand Forks. They're Fargo-based, and have only recently set up shop here in town. In fact, as far as I know, Niel still lives in Fargo and commutes everyday.
In other words, yes, we probably need another Subway like we need a hole in the head, but give the guy a chance to settle in before he starts doing some good things with this city.
Besides, I'd like another Caesars. There's only one in town, and it on the complete opposite end as my house. And I LOVE the $5 Hot and Readys. ;)
Nevermind. I was able to log in. Wasn't anonymous after all.
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