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Post by rf1 on Nov 14, 2022 10:01:28 GMT -5
The expectation that the opening of Polar Park would immediately spur more Canal District growth is presently in question. Five district restaurants have just in the last several weeks announced that they will close - Maddi's Cookery and Taphouse, Smokestack Urban Barbecue, Buck's Whiskey and Burger Bar, Broth, and the Hangover Pub. This is not good news for Worcester taxpayers as officials promised all the additional tax revenue from new development in this area would more than cover the $100M+ in public funds to construct the stadium. It would appear that early on, things are not exactly going to plan.
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Nov 14, 2022 11:00:47 GMT -5
The expectation that the opening of Polar Park would immediately spur more Canal District growth is presently in question. Five district restaurants have just in the last several weeks announced that they will close - Maddi's Cookery and Taphouse, Smokestack Urban Barbecue, Buck's Whiskey and Burger Bar, Broth, and the Hangover Pub. This is not good news for Worcester taxpayers as officials promised all the additional tax revenue from new development in this area would more than cover the $100M+ in public funds to construct the stadium. It would appear that early on, things are not exactly going to plan. And there are other restaurants buying property, expanding and spending 7 figures in their restaurants. Every restaurant listed here never even bothered to open on game days. It would boggle my mind when I would go to a Saturday 4:00 game, get to the area around 2:00 and Bucks, Hangover Pub and the Smokestack would be closed. The owners of the Banner and the White Eagle were more than happy to have an over capacity crowd before and after the games. The opening of the Worcester Public Market has given more of a parking challenge than the ballpark. People can’t use parking meters when going to the game because you are limited to 2 hours.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Nov 14, 2022 11:03:01 GMT -5
Why would those establishments close on game days? It sounds self-destructive to me
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Nov 14, 2022 11:05:20 GMT -5
Why would those establishments close on game days? It sounds self-destructive to me Exactly
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Post by rf1 on Nov 14, 2022 11:08:41 GMT -5
Why would those establishments close on game days? It sounds self-destructive to me
I have read that many Canal District businesses have complained about many non baseball customers being driven away on game days. There is little parking available during a several hours span while games are going on and the increased traffic also keeps many non ballpark people away. While some business may see an uptick pre and post game (depending on game times) with WooSox attendees, the area businesses are mostly dead for several hours while the games are being played. The effects of having the ballpark there cuts both ways.
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Post by Wormtown Railers Fan on Nov 14, 2022 11:17:12 GMT -5
Why would those establishments close on game days? It sounds self-destructive to me
I have read that many Canal District businesses have complained about many customers being driven away on game days. There is little parking available during a several hours span while games are going on. While some business may see an uptick pre and post game (depending on game times), the area business are mostly dead for several hours while the games are being played. The effects of having the ballpark there cuts both ways.
Bunch of BS. Again, Polar Park fans don’t use the parking meters. And if you don’t open you won’t get business. I’ve been to plenty of games and parking is not an issue at all. I was down there a couple Sundays ago, nothing going on at Polar Park. The whole district was mobbed. Found a parking space but had to walk a few blocks.
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Post by sader1970 on Nov 14, 2022 11:30:00 GMT -5
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Nov 14, 2022 11:37:38 GMT -5
The arrival in your neighborhood of baseball fans from far and near would give local businesses a tremendous opportunity to "sample" new users. John and Mary, from Auburn, get to the game early to find parking, end up trying Buck's Burger Bar simply because it is near the ball park They like it, and then come back on a non game night to enjoy it again. John and Mary would otherwise have never left Auburn to go to the Canal District. It should be that simple.
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Post by bfoley82 on Nov 14, 2022 12:07:26 GMT -5
The expectation that the opening of Polar Park would immediately spur more Canal District growth is presently in question. Five district restaurants have just in the last several weeks announced that they will close - Maddi's Cookery and Taphouse, Smokestack Urban Barbecue, Buck's Whiskey and Burger Bar, Broth, and the Hangover Pub. This is not good news for Worcester taxpayers as officials promised all the additional tax revenue from new development in this area would more than cover the $100M+ in public funds to construct the stadium. It would appear that early on, things are not exactly going to plan. Expected that those claims would be exaggerated greatly from day 1
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Post by CHC8485 on Nov 14, 2022 13:09:55 GMT -5
In a Telegram story from November 2 specifically about Buck's closing, there is a statement by the owner of Buck's in his Social Media post announcing the closure
And from the Telegram story above:
Might the manner of not helping business be coming in the way of higher rents? Not great for the current businesses, correct, but perhaps not a sign that Polar Park and the WooSox are not delivering growth. If spurring gentrification of the neighborhood was not expected, well, I guess those expectations are in question as well.
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Post by timholycross on Nov 14, 2022 17:29:37 GMT -5
In a Telegram story from November 2 specifically about Buck's closing, there is a statement by the owner of Buck's in his Social Media post announcing the closure And from the Telegram story above: Might the manner of not helping business be coming in the way of higher rents? Not great for the current businesses, correct, but perhaps not a sign that Polar Park and the WooSox are not delivering growth. If spurring gentrification of the neighborhood was not expected, well, I guess those expectations are in question as well. The area, especially w/respect to parking, does remind me of the Yogi Berra-ism "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded"
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Post by longsuffering on Nov 14, 2022 20:52:58 GMT -5
It gets late early there, too.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jan 26, 2023 21:42:10 GMT -5
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