Gateway, Revisited

By: Mr. Wilson on September 4, 2008
The Wilsons stopped by Gateway last night, and I went in with yesterday's questions on my mind. In particular, I was thinking about Dave K's suggestion that Whole Foods would make a good replacement for Steve and Barry's. I don't think it would work. The logistics are all wrong. Which is too bad, because Dave K's idea is pretty good. I think there is a reasonable alternative. That is, move Circuit City into the Steve and Barry's spot and place Whole Foods in the former Circuit City location. Who's with me? Yeah it'll never happen, but these "what ifs" are always fun to think about.

Comments

See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.

Carnac
September 4, 2008 at 2:18PM

A very honest question…could Lincoln support a Whole Foods?  I was in Omaha over the weekend with the family and we stopped by their Whole Foods.  Does Lincoln have enough of the “Whole Foods”-type shopper?  In my mind there’s a reason why “Super Saver” is popular here, and they don’t seem to have that many organic or healthy food aisles.

foxspit
September 4, 2008 at 2:51PM

I’ve kind of wondered that too. Whole Foods doesn’t appeal to everyone. And, when given the choice, I’ll support the local business (Open Harvest) before I’ll support the national chain, not that the two businesses are identical.

I think Whole Foods would need the visibility of the Steve and Barry’s location. The Circuit City is an awful location.

CP
September 4, 2008 at 3:44PM

You can’t go to any eating place near the mall between 6-8pm on many nights without waiting for a table for 40 minutes. Would another restaurant work? Seems like a huge shell of a building for that though.

How about a local business co-op? Like “Made in Nebraska” on steroids? They could buy the lease and sub divide it into smaller space fees for local entrepreneurs?

How about a “Husker Museum” complete with displays, interactive elements and a movie theater - and of course an officially licensed gift shop?

With that kind of storefront near ‘O’ you would think someone would WANT to be there.

Andrew
September 4, 2008 at 6:11PM

I honestly just don’t make it out that far on O street very often. Once in a while I eat in a restaurant out that way, or go to the cigar shop I like, but unless something really, really cool opened up there it isn’t going to get me out there.

I don’t think Lincoln could honestly support a whole foods in any location, let alone way out there. I do occasionally get things from whole foods in Omaha, but I prefer to shop at open harvest.

There needs to be something different out there that is not anywhere else in town. I need a reason to go out there, and I have not seen one.

Gene
September 4, 2008 at 9:29PM

Open up the view for all the windows and put in a super cool ethnic restaurant.

JT
September 4, 2008 at 11:38PM

The Whole Foods question is interesting. Clearly Open Harvest has a thriving business and as the economy improves so will upper end food businesses. This is why I think Open Harvest needs to move to a bigger location as a deterrent to Whole Foods.

Moses
September 8, 2008 at 9:24PM

Should have an officially licensed beer vendor.  That would bring the people.

Share your thoughts with the community.

Commenting is no longer permitted on this post.