Walgreens is coming to Kendallville

[matt_s]

It was announced today that a Walgreens is coming to Kendallville.

http://www.fwdailynews.com/articles/2007/10/25/news/today/news_sun/doc4720f0ed37822156221664.txt

For more information see tomorrows News Sun.

[Concerned citizen]

I hope this is not another big company that will push out local retailers. Chronister's is by far my favorite pharmacy. A pharmacy with personal service and caring staff!!!

[fought70]

I hope this is not another big company that will push out local retailers.

I guess the only way it will "push out" local retailers is if you and others stop supporting them and start going to the big company.

We complain about the major corporations taking over the world and ruining small businesses, all the while, we are walking up and down the aisles at Wal-Mart. Sometimes it's more than just about price. However, apparently many people don't feel that way.

[photoboy]

I hope this is not another big company that will push out local retailers. Chronister's is by far my favorite pharmacy. A pharmacy with personal service and caring staff!!!

my guess is that it won't push Chronister's out. If anything it will be a way for Chronister's to find a way out or possibly retire. Remember, he owns some of the land that Walgreens has purchased to build the new building. He bought the old Thompson Dental building when CVS made it's attempt to build the same type of building at the same location. If he didnt want to see them there, he wouldn't be selling them the land.

[Big Guy]

Chronister is too shrewd a businessman not to have all his bases covered. He wouldn't have sold the land, if not. My bet is he is the development company, too. What an improvement that will be to the corner and for the community.

[LuciusBeebe]

I guess the only way it will "push out" local retailers is if you and others stop supporting them and start going to the big company.

We complain about the major corporations taking over the world and ruining small businesses, all the while, we are walking up and down the aisles at Wal-Mart. Sometimes it's more than just about price. However, apparently many people don't feel that way.

You took the words right out of my mouth, Fought.

[Night Fire]

The best location for a business is right next door to your competition. In this case, he is bringing the competition to him.

[Catwoman]

This will be a good thing for that now-blighted corner of Kendallville, but may not be such a good thing for CVS and the Fairview shopping center area. When are we going to get someone to occupy the old Scott's building?

As far as Chronisters goes, I will continue to fill my prescriptions there, as they have the fastest and friendliest service in town. I hope they stick around for a long time!

[ebbieday]

As far as Chronisters goes, I will continue to fill my prescriptions there, as they have the fastest and friendliest service in town. I hope they stick around for a long time!

Ditto...and they have a lot of little specialty items you can't find anywhere else.
:D

[photoboy]

When are we going to get someone to occupy the old Scott's building?


not to get off subject, but the best thing for that Scott's building would be on the ground. That building has deteriorated to the point that it would cost someone a fortune to occupy it. The condition on the inside of the building is horrid.

[happygolucky]

Has anybody thought Mr Chronister is getting out of the pharmacy business and he hated CVS so he sold his land to Walgreens??? Lets look at that issue, it may be closer to the truth that you think. Plus why is everybody so upset that a major business is coming to kendallville? It will improve the ugly conditions at that intersection and improves the land value of the surrounding area. Seems to me it's a win win!!! Plus this city needs some businesses bad!!! We are falling way behind every other place.

[happygolucky]

not to get off subject, but the best thing for that Scott's building would be on the ground. That building has deteriorated to the point that it would cost someone a fortune to occupy it. The condition on the inside of the building is horrid.



....Shadow Bowl had some major agreements in the works that fell through the floor. Make you own assumptions why that fell through!!!! It was going to be like Crazy Pins in Fort Wayne!!

[Grape Ape]

I for the most part agree with everyone. It will be nice to improve on deteriorating areas of town. However, it seems we need to be finding ways to get different types of businesses in town. Lord knows we don't need any more gas stations or fast food restaurants. Also it would be nice to see all of these unoccupied buildings start to get filled.

[happygolucky]

I for the most part agree with everyone. It will be nice to improve on deteriorating areas of town. However, it seems we need to be finding ways to get different types of businesses in town. Lord knows we don't need any more gas stations or fast food restaurants. Also it would be nice to see all of these unoccupied buildings start to get filled.

But we do need more food establishments. In another thread I made some suggestions as to what I thought Kendallville needed. Now I hear Angola is getting a Khol's department store. For crying out loud KENDALLVILLE, Angola is a much smaller community than us.

[james_t]

But we do need more food establishments. In another thread I made some suggestions as to what I thought Kendallville needed. Now I hear Angola is getting a Khol's department store. For crying out loud KENDALLVILLE, Angola is a much smaller community than us.

Yes, but Angola is located a lot closer to I-69 (as is Auburn), giving more exposure to retail businesses that locate there.

[happygolucky]

Yes, but Angola is located a lot closer to I-69 (as is Auburn), giving more exposure to retail businesses that locate there.

I understand that Angola and Auburn are locates a bit closer to 69, but honestly, how many people do you think that are traveling 65mph and see a sign decide to stop??????Not many i would suspect. Most people around here use 69 as a way to go to work in fort wayne or vice versa. Not to get off a ramp get lost in a town and get back on.

I know U.S and state highways are not as big as interstates but we have 6 and sr3. two heavily traveled roads and good Ole K-ville can't even keep a coney island. Sorry to say Kendallville is recovering from a bad administration from 4 years ago, prior to Mrs. Handshoe coming to town.

If we dont lure businesses to the city we will never get ahead or pull even with surrounding cities. Kendallville Needs to compete with Auburn and Angola. there is no reason we can't have what these other cities have.

Kendallville is a laughing stock of northern indiana right now. Thank god the election is over and we elected some people who can actually get us out of a slump.

[LuciusBeebe]

I understand that Angola and Auburn are locates a bit closer to 69

a BIT closer?

If you're dismissing the importance of the proximity to 69 then there's not much point in continuing the debate. Kendallville is a nice town, but its just to off the beaten path for me to bother visiting. Auburn? No problem. Ft Wayne? Waterloo? Sure. Coldwater? Yeah, you got it. Kendallville? Whatchoo got that justifies the trip? Walmart?

[james_t]

I understand that Angola and Auburn are locates a bit closer to 69, but honestly, how many people do you think that are traveling 65mph and see a sign decide to stop??????Not many i would suspect. Most people around here use 69 as a way to go to work in fort wayne or vice versa. Not to get off a ramp get lost in a town and get back on.

But if people are already using 69 as a way to get to work it makes sense to locate businesses where people are already going, rather than expecting them to travel 10 miles out of their way to get to Kendallville. Plus it's just a faster process - you can drive 70 mph on I-69 with no stop lights (yes, I know people drive 70 mph on IN-3 but you still have to stop occasionally), hop off, do your shopping, hop back on and be done.

Being already at a competitive disadvantage, I would think Kendallville would have a hard time attracting major retail - and that's no one's fault; you can't move the whole town. What they need to do, in my opinion, is work on bringing other distinctive businesses to the area - stuff you can't get anywhere else that people are willing to drive out of their way for. Also just work on industry in general - if people are coming here to work, then you have a better core for retail. Do those things, and the retail will follow.

[LuciusBeebe]

What they need to do, in my opinion, is work on bringing other distinctive businesses to the area - stuff you can't get anywhere else that people are willing to drive out of their way for.

Exactly. Until Angola got a Dunham's, Coldwater was the only place I could get my hockey sticks. Now they've got the one-two combo of a chinese buffet and movie theater that keeps me coming back. Auburn? Similar deal, great theaters and restaurants. What's K-ville got for me? Nuttin'. Last time I went through Kendallville, it was to get to Noble Hawk. But its not like I can't get my golf elsewhere.

[james_t]

One other thought: Be careful what you wish for.

After visiting family over the weekend, we drove through the town in Illinois we used to live in yesterday - a village that's been right on the front wave of greater Chicagoland expansion. At last census the population was 20,000, but they have been building about 1,500 houses a year and it's expected to hit 50,000 within the next 5-10 years.

Since we left a little over a year ago, the town has added a Meijer's, Super Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Best Buy, JC Penney, Lowe's, Menard's - and that's just what I noticed off the top of my head driving through. This is all land that was cornfield two years ago. It may be progress, but like I told my kids, it's certainly not the town we left.

[ebbieday]

One other thought: Be careful what you wish for.

After visiting family over the weekend, we drove through the town in Illinois we used to live in yesterday - a village that's been right on the front wave of greater Chicagoland expansion. At last census the population was 20,000, but they have been building about 1,500 houses a year and it's expected to hit 50,000 within the next 5-10 years.

Since we left a little over a year ago, the town has added a Meijer's, Super Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Best Buy, JC Penney, Lowe's, Menard's - and that's just what I noticed off the top of my head driving through. This is all land that was cornfield two years ago. It may be progress, but like I told my kids, it's certainly not the town we left.


You got that right. Same with my home town. We left there in '91 and you can imagine the changes in that amount of time. Sometimes I miss it...it used to be somewhat small and cozy, but now it's all about money and business. I am used to a one traffic light town and when I go back there for family gatherings, I am so thankful I don't live there anymore.

[Night Fire]

Unfortuneatly, or fortunatley, whichever the case is, stores generate demographics of those who make purchases at their stores. With these demographics they decide where to place their stores to get the best return on their money.
A factory may locate based on highway location and availability of workers, a store goes to where it can sell it merchandise. In the case of Angola, they get a lot of stores because of the financial demographics of its summertime residents.

[happygolucky]

a BIT closer?

If you're dismissing the importance of the proximity to 69 then there's not much point in continuing the debate. Kendallville is a nice town, but its just to off the beaten path for me to bother visiting. Auburn? No problem. Ft Wayne? Waterloo? Sure. Coldwater? Yeah, you got it. Kendallville? Whatchoo got that justifies the trip? Walmart?

My point exactly, if Kville would establish a better base business then people will come back to kendallville. and yes out wal mart is pretty good. call me a hillbilly but i like our wal mart. If any of you were here in the 80's Kville was the place to be. Industry, shops, retail. Now what??? A bunck of empty buildings.

I don't know what else Kville can do. Kvillecan support some businesses, I know not as much and Auburn but at least throw us a bone here......

[happygolucky]

Exactly. Until Angola got a Dunham's, Coldwater was the only place I could get my hockey sticks. Now they've got the one-two combo of a chinese buffet and movie theater that keeps me coming back. Auburn? Similar deal, great theaters and restaurants. What's K-ville got for me? Nuttin'. Last time I went through Kendallville, it was to get to Noble Hawk. But its not like I can't get my golf elsewhere.

Bring it on. I would love to see a distinctive store......but we are always slow on the draw.....Kville's demographics are not as bad as one may thing. Kville is the largest city in noble county. Noble county is the biggest county in the 4 corner counties.(population) I have relatives that live on the west side that have to drive to columbia city to get some things. However they would really love to drive to kendallville before Col. City. Not knocking Col City, they are running a pretty good ship....but they live 15 miles west of here and would rather drive here that out of the county. Keep our money in our county.

[happygolucky]

One other thought: Be careful what you wish for.

After visiting family over the weekend, we drove through the town in Illinois we used to live in yesterday - a village that's been right on the front wave of greater Chicagoland expansion. At last census the population was 20,000, but they have been building about 1,500 houses a year and it's expected to hit 50,000 within the next 5-10 years.

Since we left a little over a year ago, the town has added a Meijer's, Super Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Best Buy, JC Penney, Lowe's, Menard's - and that's just what I noticed off the top of my head driving through. This is all land that was cornfield two years ago. It may be progress, but like I told my kids, it's certainly not the town we left.

I like the small town feel also. But we have the properties already plowed down and re zoned to commercial or retail development. We just need the stores to come. Kville can't go much farther north....we will spread out east and west and south. Especially east and west. Eventually we will be in Dekalb County and probably all the way to sr 9 north. If we got the land lets fill it up with some good quality stores.

[matt_s]

My point exactly, if Kville would establish a better base business then people will come back to kendallville. and yes out wal mart is pretty good. call me a hillbilly but i like our wal mart. If any of you were here in the 80's Kville was the place to be. Industry, shops, retail. Now what??? A bunck of empty buildings.

I don't know what else Kville can do. Kvillecan support some businesses, I know not as much and Auburn but at least throw us a bone here......

Unfortunatly, Wal Mart is not really a destination for anybody outside of Kville and a few neighboring towns. Why, you might ask? Because the chances are pretty good that the person would be coming from somewhere that already has a Walmart.

[happygolucky]

Unfortunatly, Wal Mart is not really a destination for anybody outside of Kville and a few neighboring towns. Why, you might ask? Because the chances are pretty good that the person would be coming from somewhere that already has a Walmart.

I know wal mart isn't a destination for outsiders so to speak...this is my point.....as i have pointed out before. Give us a business no one else has. Especially to compete with auburn.... Matt u appear to be from Auburn, do you like Buffalo Wild Wings, Home Depot, Cracker Barrell, Sonic, Dairy Queen, Starbucks, Bob Evans, NCG Cinema's? I know if Kville had those I would surley enjoy them! It would save me tons of gas money from driving to auburn avery time I needed a change. Understand I am not saying wal mart is a savior, i don't live or die by wal mart, everybody is missing my point.

[james_t]

... do you like Buffalo Wild Wings, Home Depot, Cracker Barrell, Sonic, Dairy Queen, Starbucks, Bob Evans, NCG Cinema's? I know if Kville had those I would surley enjoy them! mart is a savior, i don't live orIt would save me tons of gas money from driving to auburn avery time I needed a change.

Same problem, though - any of these businesses is only going to locate where they think they're going to make money. It's better for them to build in Auburn or Angola - where there is built in traffic from 69 - and make people like you schlep the 20 miles over.

Kendallville needs to build up the traffic to make the chains want to start looking at it, and that means it needs to come up with something to pull the traffic in consistently.

By the way, I'd made mention of the town I used to live in and the huge buildup there - and that was due to the huge wave of suburban Chicago expansion, something Kendallville couldn't duplicate. Anyway, if you're interested at all about it, there's an article here:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/662947,2_1_AU22_SHOPPING_S1.article

[matt_s]

Happy, I think my point was along the lines that James was trying to make. To most businesses, the "Field of Dreams" expansion model - If you build it they will come - isn't what they are looking for. The owners and shareholders demand a quicker ROI. So they won't set up if they are going to be the "destination". They want the traffic/customer base already in place.

What Auburn lacks in population is made up in the amount of traffic that is traveling up and down I69 at any given moment. This attracts restaurants.

There are a few notable businesses that buck these trends. One is Cabela's. They will build in the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere and create a destination. But don't expect to see them in a field near you anytime soon. It is not a model that many businesses flock to.

[LuciusBeebe]

Understand I am not saying wal mart is a savior, i don't live or die by wal mart, everybody is missing my point.

I think you have it backwards.

[james_t]

We've batted around the idea that Kendallville needs something unique to draw the kind of traffic that would support more retail businesses. What do you think would do it? The Windmill Museum and Bixler Lake just don't strike me as that big of a draw to this point.

Auburn has its museums. Angola has all the Lakes traffic. What can Kendallville come up with to compete that won't be another (Flint, MI) Autoworld?

(For reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoWorld)

I would particularly be interested in hearing a comment from Patty Fisel on this (I'll PM her and ask her to check out this thread), since I'm sure this is something Ligonier is also trying to work on. Hopefully she'll have time to respond, though I'm sure she's pretty busy these days.

[LuciusBeebe]

How about something like an Indiana Beach or Fun Spot? Something for the family to do. Check that, something for the family to do that doesn't suck.

[Night Fire]

Auburn has its museums. Angola has all the Lakes traffic. What can Kendallville come up with to compete that won't be another (Flint, MI) Autoworld?



How about a main street that you can drive down unimpeded.

[james_t]

How about a main street that you can drive down unimpeded.

Not sure what you mean on this one. Are you talking about the US6 construction (which - cross fingers - will hopefully be done next month) or Main Street itself, which doesn't have construction at the moment?

[LuciusBeebe]

You know The Plex, in Fort Wayne? That'd be nice. How about a pavilion style hockey rink, like what they have in Bryan, Ohio? These are things that I don't have access to, and drives an hour to get to. I'm not alone, either. The Plex had over 16 teams in the last summer session of roller hockey.

[pattyfisel]

Just checked my e-mail to find James note for me to respond here. You're right about being busy! Have been putting together my Transition Team and trying to attend all events and meetings.
Attracting business and traffic has been an on-going issue in Ligonier. Future Ligonier Alliance paid for a traffic study done by Region 3A. It showed we have approximately 48,000 vehicles going through our Downtown. South - North U.S. 5. We were very surprised to find there are less going East - West on U.S. 6 The problem is there are not that many that stop. Shipshewana is their destination!
Our past "powers-to-be" have been very anti-progress, anti-tourism and against revitalization of the Downtown. The progress that has been made in the past few years has been done by the efforts of F.L.A. -Operation Foundation, some Department Heads, city employees and volunteers. It is in my plan to do everything I can to --first change the attitude from negative to positive. How can you market your city when all you hear is complaints and negative attitudes?
No one here wants their "quaint little city" turned into a tourist trap with all the houses becoming gift shops so they fight the idea of tourism. If we plan and allow our B.Z.A. and Plan Commission to do their job I believe we can promote tourism and still maintain our residential area.
How do we attract new business? First we have to revitalize and have a plan.
We already have a $50,000.00 marketing plan, we need to continue to follow it. We have to promote the unique things we already have and work to develop new attractions. I believe Discovery Express will become our destination. Our "Legends of Ligonier" brand will serve us well if we continue to work it. We are adding new signage at our gateways and banners on our light poles. We have to look at funding, all signage, marketing material & our parking issue.
Most of all we need to find out what works for others and how they did it!!
I'm open to any suggestions! patty fisel

[james_t]

We have to promote the unique things we already have and work to develop new attractions. I believe Discovery Express will become our destination.

If you aren't familiar with this (I wasn't, so I Googled it):

http://www.discoveryexpress.org/

[happygolucky]

pATTY HAS SOME IDEAS.....ALSO CONGRATS TO AUBURNS ADMIN IN SNAGGING ANOTHER MAJOR STORE.....DUNHAMS SPORTS STORE. I ALWAYS THOUGHT AUBURN WAS A BETTER LOCATION THAN ANGOLA BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE DOING JUST FINE. BIG RED WILL BE OUT OF BUSINESS WITH IN 1 YEAR IF DUNHAMS OPENING. :(