First it was Feldman's, then 9-2-5 and now the City Bistro called it quits at the end of the year. Businesses just can't survive on the Downtown Plaza and the City Bistro will certainly be missed.
Mayor Tilghman talked the talk but never walked the walk on the Downtown Plaza and while she boasts about me, me, me, I, I, I, opened up the Plaza to traffic once again, aren't I so wonderful, she failed to anything other than that. Well, she did spend taxpayers money on studies but NOTHING was ever done to revitalize the Plaza and businesses are failing because of it.
Is it fair for me to blame the Mayor for the downfall of every business on the Plaza, I think so. Look at it this way. If I were Mayor and I ran around telling everyone what wonderful things I did for that particular area and businesses were dropping like dead flies, wouldn't all of you be after me for boasting about things that just weren't true? The answer is, YES. Mayor Tilghman is a HUGE failure to the City of Salisbury and while she made all these promises to people investing major money believing support was on the way, she got you, she suckered you in and then she dropped you like a hot potato and guess what, she couldn't care less. Yeah, some great business person and better yet, what a great Mayor. She's out of there because she SUCKS as a Mayor and deserved to run again so people could have proven to her just how they feel by giving her NOTHING for votes.
I mentioned a couple of months ago that 9-2-5 was closing their doors because the young lady who owned the Shop was scared to death of some of the Customers coming through her door. So much so she started taking in her German Shepard every day. I learned last night that someone who lives on the Plaza was almost mugged a few days ago and if someone hadn't come around the corner the muggers would have been successful.
There is a new Deli supposed to be opening in the old Fireball Deli location but from the looks of traffic down there, well, let's just say things are going to be tough. Hopefully once people read this Post they'll be running to the Owner of that building and securing a lease on that restaurant and reopening with more marketing finances and get people down there. Of course they'll have to serve some really good food too.
Here's yet another challenge for Jim Ireton and Gary Comegys. What will YOU do to revitalize the Downtown Plaza. Heck, Gary should be loaded with ideas since he's been on the Council so long and has seen what those studies told them they should be doing. Nevertheless, I want to hear confident answers, not pie in the sky political talk. Everyone should be preparing to ask tons of questions and let's hear what these people are made of. Force them to PROVE to you they are the person for the job. Enough is Enough! People have invested big money on that Plaza and it's been nothing but a disappointment. I'm sorry to see the City Bistro go.
37 comments:
How about this one? If you move your business to the Plaza and sign a ten year lease, then you get a sizable reduction in county taxes for the first five years.
It's about time we hold the property owners on the Plaza accountable for their blited properties with no tenants.
Action needs to be taken NOW!!
Since Gary Comegys has supported Mayor Tilghman 100% of the time, I don't care what ideas he has.
Gary = Barrie = NO vote from me!
Do you really think either one of them will do anything different? I hope something is done to get more businesses into the city.
but it looks like one is a clone of the previous mayor and the other is the poster boy for his party. nothing ever changes in Salisbury always BUSINESS as USUAL
Anon 9:18 AM - its not 100% the property owner's fault. People don't want to take the risks when they don't have the support of others or the local government. Some of the nicest, recently renovated properties on the plaza are still vacant. Too many investors have played the game and lost, they don't want to lose again...
Salisbury's Downtown isn't the only one failing...scope out the Daily Rag, the Atlantic Hotel and Solstice restaurant closed its doors as well. Here's the key folks-Mixed use and get rid of the friggin' (censored for you Joe)parking meters! Make it easy for people to live where they work-the most successful 'Downtowns'have mixed use with little resistance. If the downtown area is nothing but 9-5 offices, well then you're going to get 9-5 traffic. Bring in more residential living and,look, now you have people that need services-food, entertainment, shopping, etc... The area can run itself with little regulation from the local government entities. In addition, free money is out there for renovations. Go here:
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901050302
Yesterday, the rag actually had some useful information regarding grants for Downtown 'facelifts'. Promote the area and promote the ways that success can be achieved, don't restrict it. Sure, opening up traffic is great and so are all the lovely planters and overflowing trash cans, but people need convenient places to park as they are driving through. Maybe if SPD wasn't so concerned about giving out parking and sitting and chatting with the parking garage attendants all day then maybe we could use them to patrol the plaza and downtown areas at night to ensure safety and rid the area of evening crime. Let's face it, nothing (crimewise) is going on downtown during the day, protect when and where needed! I have lived in Salisbury all my life and I find myself in the downtown area very often at night and I have NEVER seen a SPD officer patrolling the plaza. I have seen them respond to calls in the area, but not once actually 'patrolling' the area. It's not rocket science folks. There are investors out there, but they aren't going to act without support from the local government as well as the people. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES!!! Instead of eating at corporate/chain restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Starbucks, McD's, etc...) Eat at places like City Bistro, SoBo's, Restaurant 213, Adam's Ribs, Catus Taverna, Break Time, Market Street, Rise Up, Viva La Espresso, East Side Deli, Red Door, Fratelli's, Trax, Sub Side, etc... There are plenty of places to chose from to support our local businesses as well as our local economy! Not to mention, it will probably be less expensive and it will definately taste better! Buy shoes from VP instead of footlocker, get your hair cut at Designer's edge instead of the Hair Choppery... Its not that hard...
Its going going gone.... Forget the plaza, too much has been spent
already. Unless a Walmart opened up on the plaza it will never be a place for a viable business.
Have a program to help people who have a proven track record in their area of employment to actually own a business of their own. It takes a couple of years for a business to really take off and exist on their own. There are no profits in the beginning, all investing which many just can't afford. Most people can't afford no income for a couple of years.
If you open up with high prices you're dead in the water.
City Bistro was an AWESOME restaurant! Very sorry to hear it is closing :-(
anonymous 9:57,
That's just ridiculous. With all die respect, that's the cowards way of doing business. Do you see Outback's, McDonald's, Red Lobster, Applebee's and so forth opening their businesses with discount prices the first couple of years? NO!
I have been in the restaurant/Bar business and I didn't discount one bit when we swung our doors. We offered clean environments and a lot of fun.
When I started the Upscale Billiard Rooms on the East Coast, my Billiard Rates were three times what the traditional Pool Hall rates were and we had 100% of our investment back in 9 months. I was in the business, I knew the timing was right and I dove in risking my own cash and it worked.
The answer to the Plaza's problem is PARKING! I can't say that enough. Open the Plaza back up to on street parking and most of the problems there will be resolved. Just my opinion.
You hate to see any Downtown business go under, but it shouldn't be a surprise. These establishments catered to an upscale elite crowd that is a small niche in Salisbury. The vast majority of Salisbury's citizens are Burger King and the occassional Texas Roadhouse variety.Times are tough and the people of this area are downhome normal folks.There is a large segment of Salisbury that live from one paycheck to another. When you figure in the low life thugs that have infiltrated area, there are few others left.
The Downtown was such an exciting place as a child and could still be. There has been a half hearted effort by the Mayor and her task force to revitilize the area. The first step should be to open Main St. to a full street again. Not the obstacle course that exist now. The old firehouse should have a plan on board for some usage before it decays as the old movie house. Bring on Jim Ireton.
Why can Market Street prosper and the Downtown fail??? It was a fun place to go when I was a kid but for some reason it has all gone to heck. Bring back the fun and people will come back.
anonymous 10:08, you say, bring on Jim Ireton. Tell me, what exactly does Jim Ireton have to say about this particular situation, I'd like to know and so would thousands of other people reading this article.
This is not a High School Rally where we yell out a name simply because they're popular. SELL ME on why Jim Ireton has answers, better ideas and plans in the making to make Salisbury a better place to live.
Rather than bringing up topics like, I can do this and we deserve that, this is a reality facing us RIGHT NOW and I want answers from each candidate, not cheer leaders on the outside voting for the young chick because she's got bigger boobs, GET IT?
I have nothing against Jim Ireton but I'll not allow this kind of childish crap here. I was real men and women with real answers. Salisbury has serious problems and NOW is the time to get answers, not at the debates towards the very end.
Anonymous 9:18 said Gary=Barrie. You wouldn't know that from looking at his new website. Looks like he's stolen Jim Ireton's entire platform. Wonder how he's going to reconcile his voting record with his new found platform.
I think the solution is living space on top and retail on the bottom. The living space should have adequate access and parking, and also have regular police patrols for safety. The retail on the bottom should be varied between a few offices, cafes, musical and arts venue, clothing, decorative doo-dads and the like. Also, bring on the gays. They rehab neighborhoods like nobody's business!
Somebody for the love of God please put a real bar on the plaza, not some foo-foo white tablecloth joint. And there already are apartments on the plaza but theyre either old and crappy or new and very very overpriced.
I always heed your opinion Joe, however did you open up those businesses in already economically depressed area's that equal the depressing downtown plaza? Were they opened during times of total economic depression like the whole country is in at this time?
Don't take this personal it's just a question, like I said I do value your opinion. If things were that good people would be buying up downtown, it just isn't happening. That $14,000,000 TIF to the old mall could have been a spring board for many downtown businesses. As an historic area, is is a blight.
What a shame , they had a killer steak sandwich !!!
Good question anonymous 10:56,
I'll never forget when we swung the doors of my first Billiard Room, Desert Storm had just started. Many of us say there watching the multiple TV's throughout in awe as bombs with cameras showed the destruction of the targets they hit.
Times were not the greatest. The space was $16.00 per sq. ft. and I believe the first Room I had was around 5,000 sq. ft. So it wasn't cheap by any means. Other competitors were in Warehouse kind of space at $3.00 a sq. ft. so I'd say times were very tough but it was the marketing and 300 commercials per month on TC that helped us become so successful. We were everywhere. I'd bring in top Professional Players from around the World for exhabitions and they interacted by playing each and every customer one on one. We provided pictures to every customer and we were the talk of many Newspapers, TV Stations and even more so we were being rated at one of the top 10 Billiard Rooms in the United States by Pool & Billiard Magazine. Certainly the #1 Room in the Country not serving alcohol.
The Bar/Restaurant I owned in Crofton, MD. also was a huge success in hard times. Here's a perfect example. We paid $7,000.00 a month in RENT for a 2,500 sq. ft. location and we were VERY financially successful. So when I look at places around here paying FAR LESS rent I'm even more proud of the success we had.
Granted, I worked my tail off for many years, 7 days a week and having 4 businesses operating all at one time. Considering I was able to keep my main bread and butter going, (my manufacturing company) things worked out for several years until I just simply became burned out. Financially we did extremely well, well enough to sell some of the businesses and also well enough to simply close others and sell off the equipment, again for a nice proffit.
Maybe now you can understand why I'm so leary about doing it again. It's very hard work but you MUST be there every single day to make it a success. You also have to appreciate your Customers and give back as often as you can afford to do so.
Anyhow, enough of that. I hope those examples answer your questions.
The plaze died 30 years ago, but the downturn began before that.
People and the market have changed, and it appears that the plaza has served its usefull life. It would take major changes to possibly bring customers back, but would it still be the plaza as we know it? Are we trying to maintain the historical value and change the buildings/streets at the same time?
Salisbury is not Baltimore or St. Michaels. Salisbury is just not ready for a revilatized downtown.
LOL..I agree...A cool bar is what the plaza has always needed. They had one a while back on the same side as Fireballs...downstairs...the name escapes me now....But it was cool. The Bistro was for an upscale crowd that is frankly what....One percent of that crowd....And most of them pee on the bar and get banned for life. If you want to get the crowd down there, we need to lighten up and allow more functions to occur on a regular basis as well.The Sushi is GREAT....and while I love a good hot dog...If I eat another one that is soggy on the inside...I am gonna lose it. :-)
Thanks Joe, that was one of my points. I really don't have the capital to support two businesess in tough times let alone one, so some of us are doomed to be worker bee's the rest of our lives I guess. It's not so bad. Just thinking about bettering oneself is a positive thing.
I'm not a lottery person, I look at it as another tax. However I do put $2 a week into a mega pool at work for the mega millions, maybe ten of us. If I play and win that would be great LoL screw owning a business I'd be sweating in Grande Cayman man! Then Costa Rica for a spell.
My biggest fear for shelling out the $2 is that if everyone else wins my butt (oops almost said a bad word) will be the only employee at work and that would really be a BITE! ; )
Anonymous said...
Since Gary Comegys has supported Mayor Tilghman 100% of the time, I don't care what ideas he has.
Gary = Barrie = NO vote from me!
9:18 AM
I couldn't agree more. Comegys is as worthless as t!ts on a Boar Hog.
Hey bubba remember this line "squeal piggy squeal?"
Can anyone help bubba out with that guess?
Market Street has parking right adjacent to the restaurant. Joe you are so right on this.
I LOVED City Bistro!! When I lived on the plaza, I ate there at least 2x week. But I am not surprised they closed - others moved out around the same time we did, and with no parking, they were always struggling. Such a shame!
The plaza is a dead zone of crime and drunk kids. And the apartment management is a joke.
Anonymous said...
Do you really think either one of them will do anything different? I hope something is done to get more businesses into the city.
but it looks like one is a clone of the previous mayor and the other is the poster boy for his party. nothing ever changes in Salisbury always BUSINESS as USUAL
9:27 AM
I will take that poster boy over the likes of the current mare anyday.
Dave C said...
Anon 9:18 AM - its not 100% the property owner's fault. People don't want to take the risks when they don't have the support of others or the local government. Some of the nicest, recently renovated properties on the plaza are still vacant. Too many investors have played the game and lost, they don't want to lose again...
Salisbury's Downtown isn't the only one failing...scope out the Daily Rag, the Atlantic Hotel and Solstice restaurant closed its doors as well. Here's the key folks-Mixed use and get rid of the friggin' (censored for you Joe)parking meters! Make it easy for people to live where they work-the most successful 'Downtowns'have mixed use with little resistance. If the downtown area is nothing but 9-5 offices, well then you're going to get 9-5 traffic. Bring in more residential living and,look, now you have people that need services-food, entertainment, shopping, etc...
9:38 AM
I disagree with you on this. The property owners are obligated to keep up with there property.
Another thing if you think turning downtown into more residential property you are FOOLISH. This city needs something to attract people to the downtown plaza to shop and spend money. Do you see anyone living in the Malls? Duh!
Strip Maul said...
There has been a half hearted effort by the Mayor and her task force to revitilize the area.
The old firehouse should have a plan on board for some usage before it decays as the old movie house.
10:08 AM
What have you been smoking? The half hearted effort by the Mayor you speak about was nothing but handouts to FOB's.
The old firehouse should stay just that a firehouse. Who is going to protect downtown in the event of a fire or a medical emergency?
I agree with you, bring on Jim Ireton!
Joe, your point that as informed, reponsible voters we need to analyze the proposals of each candidate and not be awed by glib but meaningless prattle is well-taken. However, the analogy about the younger chick and her anatomy is a prime example of how not to make a serious argument.
I agree about the bar scene. People walk between Market Street and Brew River, so why not give them another place to go? Back when Corbin's Gourmet was open they had a good amount of business but what the plaza really needs is a down to earth kind of place that serves beer and bar food and plays sports on tv. Something so simple could make a huge difference! All it takes is a few people to get things started.
It's really unfortunate that City Bistro has closed. Downtown Salisbury has suffered for years and the Mayor and her crew have never had any real, viable plans. To make downtown attactive again you need parking, and businesses that encourage a range of people, not just those on the upper end. And feeling safe is also a big deal. I've visited City Bistro a few times and I made sure I didn't walk out alone.
ANON 12:55,
I still think that property owners need to keep up with their properties; however, what I meant (sorry if I was unclear) is that those who have invested and made improvements are still dealing with vacant spaces.
In regards to increasing residential uses in the area; residential uses increase foot traffic and provide a need for services, thus creating a demand for more business in the area. There is absolutely no way that all commercial uses (both office and retail) will ever be able to fill the vacancies of the area. Retail businesses are not going to
locate on the second and third floors of these buildings and if they do, well then, they won't get much exposure and ultimately go out of business. Why leave vacancies when they can be filled with residences? It is infact FOOLISH to neglect residential uses. You are more likely to use the services that you live near, thus promoting downtown businesses. But you're saying that you would go to a shoe store or get your hair cut downtown over the mall just because it is downtown? I seriously doubt it. You probably go to the business nearest to you. Mixed uses and planned development are a major part of modern planning and development.
Dave C said...
ANON 12:55,
I still think that property owners need to keep up with their properties; however, what I meant (sorry if I was unclear) is that those who have invested and made improvements are still dealing with vacant spaces.
In regards to increasing residential uses in the area; residential uses increase foot traffic and provide a need for services, thus creating a demand for more business in the area.
3:21 PM
Dave, I understand what you are trying to say, but I know what I am talking about.
I travel and I network and downtown "plaza's" such as in Salisbury can survive without residential occupancies. First of all as Joe mentioned where are they going to park. The entire plaza can be created as a new mall with anchor stores as well. I disagree with the Mayor's plan of giving away city waterfront property for cramped apartments to her buddies like Doug Church. Downtown should have stores and shops as a drawing card. What this city doesn't need is more residential areas such as condo's and apartments. Look at the two abortions on the river just a short distance away that are now basically in foreclosure. Do you get my point?
Anon 9:02, Sorry, I have to agree with Dave C here. After an overnight break in and theft of a work trailer in the Pine Bluff area, an officer told me to look around the area where I was standing for any residences. There weren't any, just businesses. He said that since there were no people in the area after 5, that there's no one to witness a crime if it were to happen. It leaves the area a playground for criminals after business hours. This makes perfect sense to me.
The downtown plaza can't be compared to the mall either. There will always be nooks and crannies between streets, bushes and buildings and cars parked not far away in the downtown, unlike the simple expanse of void and visibility at the mall to patrol. This is where residences are needed in such an area as the Plaza, for crime watch purposes. If a criminal has to "shop" in an area where he stands a good chance of getting caught, he would choose to go somewhere else.
i didn't read any of these comments i just wanted to point out that city bistro is over priced and understaffed and the proprietor is NOT a nice guy. His wife who works in the kitchen while he sits around and acts like a bully to the employee's, never looks happy. Well, she's probably happy now that she will only have to cook for him and not everyone who comes in.
Barry G. you are clueless. There is no Anon 902 and the plaza or downtown doesn't need residents they need busnesses. Do you see people living at the mall? DUH!
Crime watch is a joke just like the mare and the chief of police is. We need better police protection, that is what we pay taxes for. Get a grip.
How cool would a brewry/ resturant be if it was in the fire house.
You have to get rid of the Mayor and Comegys first. It's a great idea though.
Strip Maul said...
You hate to see any Downtown business go under, but it shouldn't be a surprise. These establishments catered to an upscale elite crowd that is a small niche in Salisbury.
Have you ever eaten at City Bistro? It was a very reasonably priced establishment I am sad to see it go! I work downtown and could get carry out lunch here for $8-$10 and it was a whole heck of a lot better for me than Burger King and better tasting! I am so sick so people dissing local eateries by assuming they are high priced when they have never even walked in the door... The Bistro was one of the best meals you could get in this town, hands down!
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