Raise the Hammer

hey fastcars...nice feedback. I agree with you about the fact that if major companies like Shoppers, Staples, Keg and Starbucks are actively looking downtown -all of them currently are - that is shows our core is improving. I guess I see streets like Main, York, and even James or John South as more suited to those types than Hess, Locke, King William or James North. Talk to ex-Torontonians and they'll tell you what happens - the large chains move onto a street that was made cool by the independents and galleries. Soon, rents go up, the cool eateries are forced to leave due to much tighter profit margins (they don't receive billions of dollars in government subsidies each year like McDonald's does) and the rest of the chains flock in to settle in 'another strip' like any other strip in North America. They have an unfair advantage due to the fact that North American governments take billions of taxpayer money and continue throwing it to these huge chains. The family businesses are pretty much on their own - good service, proper price points and high quality keep them alive. Once Starbucks shows up on Locke it will hurt Bad Dog and Locke Street Bakery, not help them. If the 'more traffic' arguement was true than we wouldn't see small businesses all over North America forced to close when Walmart shows up with all their 'traffic'. It's certainly an interesting discussion. I would welcome them into Jackson Square or other main streets, but certain areas need to retain their charm and viability for Hamilton businesses. As for Pete and Marty's I was VERY disappointed to go by there today and see that they've ripped up the beautiful floor. Don't know if you ever saw it, but it had wonderful tile mosaics. I'm not sure if they've saved it for reuse or tossed it...hopefully they'll bring it back out. Cheers Jason