What are they building at the old Alamo lumber place on Veterans Blvd (Hwy 90W)?
By ralph_DR - Posted on April 2nd, 2008
Does anyone have any info? I noticed that they have been cleaning up the area. It is the building located between Quiznos and Chili's??
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Still no feedback from Red
Still no feedback from Red Lobster Corporate. I took a break just now and tried their corporate number and all I got were voice mail boxes. So for now I can neither confirm nor deny the Red Lobster rumor.
I got the response from
I got the response from Olive Garden.
Despite nsrong's getting his or her underwear in a bunch over this, wishful thinking will not bring in a major chain operation. Also my saying that any particular business will not open up shop here is more of a business statement and not a personal attack upon our community however much nstrong would like it to be. So nstrong should you would wish to continue to live in a world of Peter Pan fantasy where if you just believe hard enough things will happen, then don't read the rest of this post.
Here is their response. Oh and please notice that they referred to my question as an invitation. [nstrong]
Thank you for taking the time to contact us at olivegarden.com.
We appreciate your desire to have an Olive Garden restaurant in your community.
Thank you for the invitation. At this time, our expansion plans do not include
locations in Del Rio, TX. However, we are always looking for new sites for
future expansion. Your suggestion will be shared with those responsible for
site selection. In the meantime, please view our future location list on our
web site at http://www.olivegarden.com/company/contact_us/faq.asp#future_Olive_Garden
If Guest Relations can be of further assistance, please write us again through
olivegarden.com (www.olivegarden.com/company/contact_us/ ) or call us at
1-800-331-2729. We look forward to serving you with Hospitaliano at any of our
Olive Garden restaurants.
Oh thank god. You can get
Oh thank god. You can get better Italian in your grocer's freezer.
Now someone email Red Lobster so everyone will shut up about that one too.
Well Crunk, no response as
Well Crunk, no response as of this evening. I will let everyone know if and or when I get one.
Consider it done. Here's a
Consider it done. Here's a copy of what I sent.
Wendy
I am a businessman in Del Rio TX 78840. Recently there have been a lot of rumors of "future" incoming businesses. Would you be able to either confirm or deny the rumors that there is a Red Lobster coming to our community as one would be most certainly welcome.
Thank you for your time
Hopefully this is bland enough to avoid the flames. I never ever expected to receive any type of thanks for quelling a persistent rumor but what I got was definitely unexpected. Sigh, ya just gotta love people. Maybe they can just run around and call me "hope killer".
AP, Seeing that you are a
AP,
Seeing that you are a businessman and seem to keep your ear to the track on what is happening around town? That is meant as a compliment. You have made many interesting posts.
I have a question for you and the other readers of LIVE!
It looks like a new restaurant may be opening on Hwy 90 just west of the Laughlin main gate, the old Border BBQ place. Would you know anything about that? Heard anything?
There is a sign up if I remember right that says, "Mason Jar Cafe" It sure would be nice to have a place open that is close to Laughlin again. Julio's is great but closer is better for some folks.
Mason Jar Cafe will open
Mason Jar Cafe will open Monday October 27, 2008 and advertises itself to serve "country cooking". Highway 90 just west of Laughlin Main Gate, the old Border BBQ place. Looks like a good place.
Honestly you know as much as
Honestly you know as much as I do at this point. I saw then putting the sign up the other day and honked and waved as I passed [the guy waved back] If I had to hazard a guess they are awaiting permits and such. My wife had me drive out there today to see if it was open for lunch, but no luck.
If I hear anything I will post it here. I'd bet that Bill is going to try to track them down for a story though.
Just got back and it was
Just got back and it was great, I had a French Dip and was very satisfied.
Right now it's basically sandwich and burger fare with a few dinner plates such as Chicken Fried Steak, Grilled Chicken and similar dishes.
Great to see a familiar face greet me...anyone remember Texas Rose? Same folks.
They are friends of the family going way back and I didn't even know they were running the location until I stepped in for lunch.
Get out there and support the Mason Jar! Especially those who live near or work at Laughlin.
WOW you had me at chicken
WOW you had me at chicken fried steak. is there cream gravy? And Tabasco?
Thanks for the info. We will
Thanks for the info. We will certainly be part of the lunch crowd. Mmmm Chicken Fried Steak:)
I got the exact same type of
I got the exact same type of response from Academy Sports and Outdoors, but before nstrong goes on another tirade, I mostly built the town up in my email. I told them about the wonderful fishing and hunting opportunities the town offers, the multitude of people very interested in sports and fitness (including the base) and so on. I also let them know that our selection of places to buy things for said hobbies is severely lacking, so their business would most likely do well.
I honestly don't think they give a damn about what one person in the town says; they make their decisions based on many different variables. If they did take one person's opinion to heart, we'd have an Academy, a hobby shop, a toy store and an Best Buy here from my own desires.
However, while I have no real facts to base this on, only hearsay, it does seem nstrong has a point about people in this town running big businesses out when they show an interest. That's a little disheartening, but I'm pretty sure it's done somewhere above Amor's level.
Anyhow, it doesn't matter to me that much; I'm on my way out the door. I really hope this town brings in some more businesses for the folks who live here permanently.
Computer Speakers, I have a
Computer Speakers,
I have a brother that works for Academy Corporate as a buyer and he told me they are very interested in border communities. Some of there best stores are in border towns. Now, he is not high enough on the food chain to place a store, but he has been to Del Rio and says there merchandise would do very well here. He told me the odds are good we will get one, but he could not give a timeline. Hope this helps.
That's great news for Del
That's great news for Del Rio! Unfortunately, it doesn't line up with what they told me, but I sincerely hope your brother is a better source, because their kind of merchandise is what this town needs! Too bad I'll never see it happen here, as I'll be gone before too long, but it sure would be nice for those who come here after me (or are already here with plans to stay) and share my interests.
Well Amor I am glad to see
Well Amor I am glad to see that you received a response from Olive Garden, but I hate to burst your bubble but it is probably an automated response from their cooperate office.
They managed to get my name
They managed to get my name right I just deleted it from my post. Also if it were an automated response I would have thought I'd have gotten a response yesterday afternoon when I sent it and not this morning.
A lot of these big cooperate
A lot of these big cooperate businesses just have someone that reads emails like yours and then responds with a generic email and they just fill in the blanks.
It's going to be an Olive
It's going to be an Olive Garden! 100% sure
Would you be so kind as to
Would you be so kind as to tell us how you know that? Do you work in the City's plans and permits department? If someone told you they saw Olive Garden on any paperwork they may have been mistaken. Darden Restaurants Inc., is the parent company and contracts under that name, and not Olive Garden from what I understand.
I just tried to call the Olive Garden Customer Relations Dept but they closed at 4pm EST. So no definitive answer there. So here is a copy of the Email I just sent them. If I'm lucky I will get a response in a day or so.
olivegarden@olivegarden.com
To Whom It May Concern;
I'm a resident of Del Rio Texas 78840. Here locally there has been a persistent rumor that someone is going to put up an Olive Garden Restaurant. While if this were true I as well as many many others would do back flips I am personally doubtful that our town of 30k people would be that lucky and that our population could support the existence of such an establishment.
Is there any possibility of your providing either verification or denial for this rumor straight from the horses mouth as it were?
Thank you for your concern
Another example of high
Another example of high intelligence here in Del Rio! You guys are killing me with your actions, you actually sent this email to Olive Garden to include "I am personally doubtful that our town of 30k people would be that lucky and that our population could support the existence of such an establishment." Boy if I was making a decision to bring my franchise to Del Rio, this comment would stop me at my tracks.
Your population figure of Del Rio is distorted, you are not taking in account the county population, you are not taking in the transient population of Laughlin, and you certainly are not taking in account Acuna's population, if your theory is right, we would not be seeing apartment complexes go up, furniture stores come in to town, and certainly Eagle Pass would not have gotten all they got in the last several years for their population is even less than ours.
Go ahead and tell them about the poverty rate, bump it up a few points while you're at it, how about schools, you have been long standing against the schools, why not let them know that their management simply won't want their kids in school here. Oh by the way, while you're there, why not go ahead and spell out that our city and county don't get along, that city is not pro business, and hospital is not worth a flip. All are issues that you have been very strongly against here on LIVE. So go ahead, sure they like that kind of added feedback as they are doing their research.
Some of you have posted harsh comments when I, as an outsider, pointed out that this town is very lacking, that this town needs a major overhaul, now you see why my impression of your wonderful town is what it is, you love to wallow in the mud, you like to keep down and even when good news comes your way, you run it off. You don't believe in yourselves and you don't believe in your town, but you always want to complain about why you don't have this and that. There you have it, one of your own simply does not believe Del Rio could or should have an Olive Garden.
Here's a positive comment, go out in the next several weeks and eat at every nice restaurant here in town and drive the numbers up so that when they do their research, they see activity in restaurants. Hope they miss your email and still come!
Honestly, you really have a
Honestly, you really have a problem. Absolutely nothing pleases you. You dislike this community because it won't roll over and beg for you. It just isn't "you."
No one here wallows in mud. There are fine folks here, and specific opportunities for some people. Why do we have to look like every other town in America? Why do Olive Garden and Best Buy and other "plastic places" have to be here? I, for one, am sick and tired of going to a new town, only to be met with the same huge shopping centers with the same huge chain stores and restaurants along the same divided highway. Del Rio is unique. If you fail to find something here that you can appreciate, you have the option to leave at any time. Your negative diatribes are ruining some good discussions. Blow your smoke somewhere else.
Whirlwind, that's your
Whirlwind, that's your prerogative, and while I am one of the people who would love to see a few more "plastic places" in Del Rio, I doubt it'll ever happen because of holdouts like you. As bad as that sounds, I don't mean it as an insult or slam; it just seems the people here who desire no growth whatsoever hold all the influential positions, and the folks who want a few more options for shopping other than Wal-Mart or the joke that is Plaza del Sol have to suffer. And yes, for the most part, shopping for anything in Del Rio can feel like suffering at times. But that's the same tired old argument I've seen presented here countless times, and I'm not trying to revive it as it doesn't seem to ever change a thing.
Also, please remember that any town with a military base undeniably has a lot of residents who don't "have the option to leave at any time," and they must be taken into consideration. Just food for thought.
Why do you want this town to
Why do you want this town to stay so dead? I am from Del Rio was born and raised, but that does not mean that I wouldn't like a little more variety here. If you want to go somewhere, where there is nothing than go to Loma Alta. There you won't find any "platic places" as you put it. Well to each there own, but I don't feel that you should be telling people to leave Del Rio just because they are voiceing there opinion. Has it ever crossed your mind that some of these people that you are talking about do not have a choice on whether they want to be here or not? Maybe you should think before you speak.
Have a Good Day!
Did you graduate from Del
Did you graduate from Del Rio High School?
If you are asking me. Yes, I
If you are asking me. Yes, I did graduate from Del Rio High School. Why do you ask?
Just that it is obvious.
Just that it is obvious.
Honestly, you don't get it.
Honestly, you don't get it. I will be out of here, much like SPEAKERS just as soon as I'm done, I have stated this numerous times, but hey it's your mud hole, do with it as you wish.
By the way, if you haven't noticed, I was quoting Amor's words. Maybe you should get the locals sold on their town before you spout off to outsiders that see things much more clearly than you; the old cliché can't see the forest.
Look the first thing we teach is that we have to recognize the problem then we implement solutions, living in denial is not healthy, Whirlwind!
No denial--only perspective.
No denial--only perspective. I do not see a major problem. If you see o ne, why do you think making us like so many others is a genuine fix? Growth of chain stores and chain restaurants does not equate with progress for me. I, for one, do not care to walk in lock-step with the crowd.
"By the way, if you haven't
"By the way, if you haven't noticed, I was quoting Amor's words. Maybe you should get the locals sold on their town before you spout off to outsiders that see things much more clearly than you; the old cliché can't see the forest."
This is so true. I know of so many people gloating that Del Rio is the best of the border and we should stay here and spend our money but, in their next breath the first thing they do is run to San Antonio to shop.
Well put Nstrong, very well
Well put Nstrong, very well phrased.
Wow! It sounds like you're
Wow! It sounds like you're scaring them away! If they ARE planning on building an Olive Garden there, then it's for a reason. Don't companies like them do extensive research before setting up an establishment anywhere. No offense but I guess if they do put up shop here, then they saw potential YOU may not see.
Lord knows I've been wrong
Lord knows I've been wrong before and I could be wrong this time. When I was working on my BS out at the University of Maryland University College I worked on a piece about the large franchises. Yes you are correct about large franchises doing extensive research, it's one of the pillars of their success. I have a pretty shrewd idea [although an imperfect one I do admit] of what they are looking for in a local market economy and we ain't it.
One thing that may have changed since I looked into it is the incorporation of extra U.S. territorial business. However if that were the case [as much as I hate to say it], and I was in their shoes, I'd put it into Eagle Pass and not here.
So rather than argue the point I sent them an email to see if I'm wrong. If they are planning to open here I seriously doubt that anything I could say would chase them off so I didn't tone my question either way in that regards.
Anyway, here's to hoping that I eat crow so that we can all eat Olive Garden :)I love that place.
i hope you are wrong also
i hope you are wrong also but think they would be committing the business to failure by putting it in del rio. the county has not only a small population but also a 22 percent poverty rate.
i look forward to the reply to your inquiry.
I also wondered about the
I also wondered about the new building going up on Bedell. I have never lived in a place like this where they keep new constructions secret. Every other place I have lived they always put a sign out front, even before construction starts, saying what the business is going to be.
As far as new restaurant rumors I have heard nothing, which in itself is a surprise.
the advertising of a new
the advertising of a new business on a daily basis as it is being built appears to be a no brainer. it's free and people are interested, what could it hurt? maybe somebody can explain why it isn't done here.
Maybe a check of building
Maybe a check of building permits at the City of Del Rio would solved the problem...Shouldn't one also be posted on the job site?
Good luck
if i were building a site
if i were building a site for a new business, i would want the free advanced publicity that such a sign would create. people would know where i was opening my new business before the official paid for advertising started. it is called advanced planning. is there a reason for secrecy when you go into business in a given area?
The one on Bedell..didn't
The one on Bedell..didn't someone say it was going to be a liquor store?
That is what I last heard,
That is what I last heard, it is a valid point about the secret squirrel goings on in town with everything. Why is everything in the city limits so close hold?
I was shocked when Rudy's had a sign up before it was even close to opening.
Any new rumors on new fast
Any new rumors on new fast food restaurants moving in??
It would be nice to have:
- Chick-fil-a
- Red Lobster
- Olive Garden
- Waffle House
- Dennys
- Capt D's
Some of my favorites...
Anything but another mexican restaurant. No offense but we have one on almost every corner of the city.. We even had a nice Italian restaurant change to a mexican restaurant?
It's about time for some more variety and affordable places... MHO...
Any updates on this? It
Any updates on this? It looks pretty lonely there.
You know I was wondering the
You know I was wondering the same thing the other day. I'm still wondering what that terracotta colored building on Bedell is as well. I'm now thinking Dry Cleaners? But who Knows.
This location seems too
This location seems too close to Mexico for it to be a drug store - they would be competing with the new $4 prescription drug policy that Wal-Mart is starting, and competing with Mexico for cheap drugs without prescriptions. That doesn't make alot of sense.
I have heard the Red Lobster rumor most often.
http://www.enterpriserealtygr
http://www.enterpriserealtygroup.com/_documents/DelRioPresentation.pdf
Not sure how old it is (though Rudy's is on the map), but is interesting to say the least...
Also... this is not at the site where Alamo is, just nearby.
I'll place my money on a Red
I'll place my money on a Red Lobster
I am 99.9999998% sure that
I am 99.9999998% sure that it is a walgreens drug store. We could start a pool on what it is going to be. All you have to do is go down to the apprisal distric offices and ask them what they know about it. They might say it is a walgreens.
The proposed new
The proposed new Walgreen’s, in Uvalde, is hampered by trees – Del Rio has no trees (except south DR)– bring ‘em here.
http://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/2008/04/17/news/news1.txt
Keeping trees at root of
Keeping trees at root of concern over proposed site for new pharmacy
Posted: Thursday, Apr 17, 2008 - 08:54:40 am CDT
by Carol Kothmann - Managing editor
SINGING TOGETHER - Aaron Underwood (right) as Seymour and Martin Vasquez as the voice of Audrey II Twoey sing a tune together during the Uvalde High School theatrical production of Little Shop of Horrors. The play was staged on Friday and Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon in the UHS Auditorium.(Staff photo by Jessica Chavez)
Trees located on what could be the site of a future Walgreens store at the corner of Main and Wood streets are part of a growing controversy.
Members of Uvalde city council will hold a special meeting tomorrow at noon to consider and act on the adoption of a tree preservation ordinance that would regulate future development.
In the meantime, developer Jeff Spann of Signet LHC, LP, who is working on the project to construct the store, says he is making efforts to save as many of the live oak trees on the site as possible.
Those efforts, in response to community concern, include multiple revisions to plans for the store and getting bids for moving trees.
We are very sensitive to the trees, Spann said in a telephone interview Tuesday. We've made significant efforts to save as many of the trees as we can and we are saving as many of the trees as we can.
Walgreens has given this a great deal of attention …#045; and our development company has given it a great deal of attention as well, Spann said.
That attention has included revising site plans several times, a process that Spann said came at significant cost to the company.
I'm not saying it is or
I'm not saying it is or isn't, but this would be the first Walgreens I have ever seen not on the corner of a somewhat major intersection.
Word to LIVE! from a
Word to LIVE! from a high-ranking and respected city official is that the former Alamo Lumber site has been purchased by a holding company that only tells the city that it's developing it for a 6,000-square-foot restaurant and a collection of retail space(s).
Bill Sontag
Feature Writer
Southwest Texas LIVE!
I've heard this from several
I've heard this from several people, but as I've said before, I've heard several different things also. I guess we all can hold our collective fingers together and pray for something other than a fast food chain ;)
Doesn't seem like a good
Doesn't seem like a good location for a drugstore. So what else is new? "Location" in Del Rio doesn't often make any real sense.
Actually I asked the City
Actually I asked the City Permit people and all they said was that they had a permit for destruct. When I asked if the destruction included cleanup for all the trash blown around I got a blank look. I really do feel sorry for the lady they have at the front desk there. I have backed her into a corner a number of times, whatever they pay her prob isn't enough.
Nothing but rumors. The
Nothing but rumors. The waitresses at Chili's were telling me that they were told it's going to be a strip mall [just what we need]. Others have said a TGI Friday's is coming in. One inquiry about buying the property that I know about was politely rebuffed a few years ago. I also understood at the time that a holding company had possession of the property, the very company that does purchasing for Red Lobster and Co. thus the Red Lobster rumors [ I could have that one wrong though]. I really don't think that's what's going to come here though. I haven't eye balled the size of the lot too closely but another rumor is that a certain hotel chain is looking to move in.
Whatever they are doing is worth the cost of tearing down the old building and the money passed up from the sale as it was. Also chain restaurants feed off of each other location wise so another may indeed be on it's way in.
I do know for a fact that over the past two years both Wall Green's and CVS Pharmacy have been nosing around but they are both looking for really high traffic count and I'm also not sure if parking themselves in front of a Wall Mart that has a Pharmacy is the route they would want to go.
I am almost sure that it is
I am almost sure that it is going to be a Walgreen drug store.
We need a major chain type
We need a major chain type drug store. We need a bit of diversity in products.*
I had heard that a strip
I had heard that a strip mall might be going there also.But,I was just told by someone who has been right in the past about stuff like this that it's going to be The Olive Garden. Lets wait and see till we see the signs put up I guess :)