New Businesses Coming to Southern Maryland

[NorthBeachPerso]

First I don't think what people want is a redo of the above listed locations, I think what people want is quality and service without having to drive 40, 50, 60 miles or more. Something above the crappy Food Lions and stinky Walmart

Ironically in fighting to stop development St. Mary's in particular has recreated Rt 301 through Waldorf wiht the endless string of strip centers and other standalone outlets - creating hundreds of seperate driveways off the highway.

That may be. But what a lot of people don't seem to understand (or want to understand) is that businesses have sound business and market share reasons to not expand to some of the areas.

Two whatevers in a 50 mile radius (say) means that neither is successful because the population can't support both.

And once again, you move to a rural area expect to have to drive to get __________. This isn't suburban DC down here.

I wish there was a decent gun/hunting store in Calvert. There isn't. Because the County can't support another one (even if it's better than the couple we have).

I go to PA to buy shotguns and mail order shells. Why? Because I've gotten tired of being told that "they don't make that gun" (when they do) or being told that here, in the middle of waterfowl hunter paradise, that the ammo needed isn't stocked.

 

[luvmygdaughters]

Any new of a Bonefish Grill coming to St. Marys? I would love my BangBang a little closer to home.

 

[BernieP]

That may be. But what a lot of people don't seem to understand (or want to understand) is that businesses have sound business and market share reasons to not expand to some of the areas.

Two whatevers in a 50 mile radius (say) means that neither is successful because the population can't support both.

And once again, you move to a rural area expect to have to drive to get __________. This isn't suburban DC down here.

.

On part 1, we are in violent agreement. It's not only the size of the poplulatoin, it's not income, it's spending patterns. Why do we get fast food, all you can eat chinese buffets, liquor stores all over? It's because that's where people spend money.
Now the part about this being rural...
Maybe 20 years ago, but this is not anything like northern PA / southern teir of NY (for a close by example of rural). That's where cows out number people and three counties share a McDonalds.
You have a couple of employers, the power plant and Navy, that have attracted a decent size workforce. A workforce that is drawn from all over.
These aren't jobs that people off the farm can fill, though if the Obama administration has it's way those jobs will be replaced with an Amzaon warehouse. It's not only driven the increased population, but the demand.
What those people have to realize is that they are in the minority. That their demand is not enough to attract the type of business they think should come.

Take for exeample Trader Joes. I've only had a brief exposure to the stores in the LA area. Their primary demographic looked to be singles, couples without children - people who wanted something different for dinner but didn't have the time to prepare it. Almost gourmet foods and wine. Not meatloaf and mac'n cheese type meals. People who had the descretiomary income to spend. Contrast with what you find in SFW.

 

[fatratcat]

First I don't think what people want is a redo of the above listed locations, I think what people want is quality and service without having to drive 40, 50, 60 miles or more. Something above the crappy Food Lions and stinky Walmart

Ironically in fighting to stop development St. Mary's in particular has recreated Rt 301 through Waldorf wiht the endless string of strip centers and other standalone outlets - creating hundreds of seperate driveways off the highway.

I couldn't agree more. As I've said before, rather than build a single Lowe's or Home Depot in Mechanicsville, we've built an 84 Lumber, True Value, Southern States, and a building supply joint, and what does that get me? No where. Everytime I have a home project, I still have to drive 20-30 miles to get everything that I need. This scenario plays out over and over because none of the businesses have a comprehensive inventory, in fact, they often duplicate each others market share. For example, last project was refinishing a cabinet, I found everything except for the concealed replacement hinges I needed. The result, I wind up driving 25 miles to La Plata's Lowes. My point? We have 4 buildings of sprawl rather than 1 AND I STILL HAVE TO DRIVE 25 miles to get what I need. So, all I want is a SINGLE home store worth a damn...

 

[fatratcat]

That may be. But what a lot of people don't seem to understand (or want to understand) is that businesses have sound business and market share reasons to not expand to some of the areas.

Two whatevers in a 50 mile radius (say) means that neither is successful because the population can't support both.

And once again, you move to a rural area expect to have to drive to get __________. This isn't suburban DC down here.

I wish there was a decent gun/hunting store in Calvert. There isn't. Because the County can't support another one (even if it's better than the couple we have).

I go to PA to buy shotguns and mail order shells. Why? Because I've gotten tired of being told that "they don't make that gun" (when they do) or being told that here, in the middle of waterfowl hunter paradise, that the ammo needed isn't stocked.

Don't know where you got your MBA, but go demand your money back! You don't get your business in a market demand knife fight in a phone booth, which is exactly what you're suggesting! READ or at least try to sound out the big words:

"Blue Ocean Strategy is a business strategy book first published in 2005 and written by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne of The Blue Ocean Strategy Institute at INSEAD. The book illustrates what the authors believe is the best organizational strategy to generate growth and profits. Blue Ocean Strategy suggests that an organization should create new demand in an uncontested market space, or a "Blue Ocean", rather than compete head-to-head with other suppliers in an existing industry." ~Wikipedia

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

You misread what I meant. Should have been clearer.

I was thinking along the lines of say two Macy's within an area like southern Charles and northern St. Mary's, not two different companies.

But also here's the reality: you get another major grocer, for example, down there someone is going to go under. I don't know how the Food Lion in Prince Frederick stays open as an exemplar. But Giant, Safeway and it did run the A&P out.

Twenty five years ago Upper Marlboro had zero McDonald's. Now there's two, one where there used to be a tobacco warehouse and one next to Marlton. Why? Population density.

 

[MarieB]

Take for exeample Trader Joes. I've only had a brief exposure to the stores in the LA area. Their primary demographic looked to be singles, couples without children - people who wanted something different for dinner but didn't have the time to prepare it. Almost gourmet foods and wine. Not meatloaf and mac'n cheese type meals. People who had the descretiomary income to spend. Contrast with what you find in SFW.

Not at all the experience that I have had in 4 different locations. The prices are good (most times cheaper than any grocery store) and you can buy anything from wine to peanut butter and jelly, and yes even frozen mac and cheese.

I don't know anyone who lives by one who doesn't shop there, and most have kids.

 

[fatratcat]

You misread what I meant. Should have been clearer.

I was thinking along the lines of say two Macy's within an area like southern Charles and northern St. Mary's, not two different companies.

But also here's the reality: you get another major grocer, for example, down there someone is going to go under. I don't know how the Food Lion in Prince Frederick stays open as an exemplar. But Giant, Safeway and it did run the A&P out.

Twenty five years ago Upper Marlboro had zero McDonald's. Now there's two, one where there used to be a tobacco warehouse and one next to Marlton. Why? Population density.

Oh, sorry about the misunderstanding. Actually, I don't think the Mechanicsville market is all that much about slicing the same pie, as it about market displacement. In other words, rather than drive 20-30 miles to Wegman's or Lowes, which I already do, the money would stay in Mechanicsville. I just get tweeked when we settle for the second string players like 84 Lumber, True Value, Southern States, and a building supply store rather than just build a SINGLE Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[fatratcat]

Not at all the experience that I have had in 4 different locations. The prices are good (most times cheaper than any grocery store) and you can buy anything from wine to peanut butter and jelly, and yes even frozen mac and cheese.

I don't know anyone who lives by one who doesn't shop there, and most have kids.

Yep! I second your thoughts. TJ's does a pretty good job of covering the full spectrum from simple to gourmet. I've been shopping there for a few decades and they're fairly consisitent. Besides, what's wrong with an upscale grocer? Before someone disingenuously whines about the "simple country folk" with moderate incomes in St. Mary's, let me say, "I don't give a rat's ass...I live here too and I like nice stuff!"

 

[MarieB]

Yep! I second your thoughts. TJ's does a pretty good job of covering the full spectrum from simple to gourmet. I've been shopping there for a few decades and they're fairly consisitent. Besides, what's wrong with an upscale grocer? Before someone disingenuously whines about the "simple country folk" with moderate incomes in St. Mary's, let me say, "I don't give a rat's ass...I live here too and I like nice stuff!"

Giant and safeway carry many of the "upscale" items that are carried at TJ's. in fact, i would say giant carries even more specialty items.

 

[fatratcat]

Giant and safeway carry many of the "upscale" items that are carried at TJ's. in fact, i would say giant carries even more specialty items.

I like Giant too! A Mechanicsville Giant would be a huge asset. It would really be a boost!

 

[Urbanite]

I like Giant too! A Mechanicsville Giant would be a huge asset. It would really be a boost!

I 100% agree

 

[Disney4845]

Pizza Hut Carry out now open in La Plata at Rosewick Crossing.

Burger king is now open in Dunkirk

Buca di Beppo is now open at the St. Charles Town Center Mall

Black orchid Bakery is now open in the festival shopping center next to Cafe rio

Silver Diner is under construction at festival as well. (shops at Waldorf)

Red Oak Bistro is coming to la plata in the former town mouse location

You already know about Aldi in st Marys and TJ Maxx coming to Calvert village

Been very busy!

 

[fatratcat]

Pizza Hut Carry out now open in La Plata at Rosewick Crossing.

Burger king is now open in Dunkirk

Buca di Beppo is now open at the St. Charles Town Center Mall

Black orchid Bakery is now open in the festival shopping center next to Cafe rio

Silver Diner is under construction at festival as well. (shops at Waldorf)

Red Oak Bistro is coming to la plata in the former town mouse location

You already know about Aldi in st Marys and TJ Maxx coming to Calvert village

Been very busy!

Any word on higher end grocery stores like Wegmans, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods? They would all be welcome additions in SOMD.

 

[glhs837]

Oh, sorry about the misunderstanding. Actually, I don't think the Mechanicsville market is all that much about slicing the same pie, as it about market displacement. In other words, rather than drive 20-30 miles to Wegman's or Lowes, which I already do, the money would stay in Mechanicsville. I just get tweeked when we settle for the second string players like 84 Lumber, True Value, Southern States, and a building supply store rather than just build a SINGLE Lowe's or Home Depot.

You should understand, 84 isnt a "second string store". It's not really a consumer store, anymore than R.E. Michaels is. It's real business is builders, and it's focus isnt on selling homeowners stuff to maintain a home, it's on selling contractors stuff to build houses. And those guys dont come there for plumbing, they have subcontractors, who go to plumbing places, they dont go to 84 for electrical, they have subs who go electrical places for that. The stuff to build houses, thats what they sell. Thats why prices there suck for Harry Homeowner, becuase you are not buying enough for them to make it up on quantity. You order 2,000 2x4s, you get a great price. Even buying a whole house package doesnt really get you much knocked off.

 

[sockgirl77]

You should understand, 84 isnt a "second string store". It's not really a consumer store, anymore than R.E. Michaels is. It's real business is builders, and it's focus isnt on selling homeowners stuff to maintain a home, it's on selling contractors stuff to build houses. And those guys dont come there for plumbing, they have subcontractors, who go to plumbing places, they dont go to 84 for electrical, they have subs who go electrical places for that. The stuff to build houses, thats what they sell. Thats why prices there suck for Harry Homeowner, becuase you are not buying enough for them to make it up on quantity. You order 2,000 2x4s, you get a great price. Even buying a whole house package doesnt really get you much knocked off.

Priced out deck and shed kits. Lowe's and Home Depot could not even come close to matching 84's price. Dyson's and Dean's came a little closer, but even with the bf's contractor discount they couldn't match it either.

 

[fatratcat]

You should understand, 84 isnt a "second string store". It's not really a consumer store, anymore than R.E. Michaels is. It's real business is builders, and it's focus isnt on selling homeowners stuff to maintain a home, it's on selling contractors stuff to build houses. And those guys dont come there for plumbing, they have subcontractors, who go to plumbing places, they dont go to 84 for electrical, they have subs who go electrical places for that. The stuff to build houses, thats what they sell. Thats why prices there suck for Harry Homeowner, becuase you are not buying enough for them to make it up on quantity. You order 2,000 2x4s, you get a great price. Even buying a whole house package doesnt really get you much knocked off.

So, basically it's a useless store to me (the average home owner AND all of my neighbors AND pretty much the whole residential community), which is the point that I was making. 84 Lumber, along with the 3 or 4 other wannabe half stepping home stores take up a bunch of real estate to meet a need that could be met by a single Lowe's or Home Depot. That is exactly the definition of "sprawl:" a bunch of nothing that doesn't add value to the community.

 

[Urbanite]

Any word on higher end grocery stores like Wegmans, Trader Joe's, or Whole Foods? They would all be welcome additions in SOMD.

Absolutely agree 100%

 

[glhs837]

So, even though it contributes towards jobs and bringing associated business (that gas station gets some extra) and pays taxes that go toward the services the county provides to you, if you it's not for you, it's worthless. Seems a bit narrow to me. Sounds like you want the whole area tailored to what you want If Lowes of HD thought they could make money up there, they would be there..... you need to live near more people........

 

[fatratcat]

So, even though it contributes towards jobs and bringing associated business (that gas station gets some extra) and pays taxes that go toward the services the county provides to you, if you it's not for you, it's worthless. Seems a bit narrow to me. Sounds like you want the whole area tailored to what you want If Lowes of HD thought they could make money up there, they would be there..... you need to live near more people........

No, I'm perfectly comfortable where I am. Change is inevitable so the inertia of reality is on my side. It's coming whether you like it or not. Don't believe me? Think about how many fastfood restaurants were in CH 20 years ago. I can tell you, about 1: McDonald's. Now take a count. My point? Things changed. They have and always will. The only question is whether the change is for the better or worse. Since I have no use for 84 Lumber or any of the other stores that do not meet my needs and cause me to drive 40-50 miles round trip, they go in the "worse" category. As for you point about jobs, please give me a break. A single Lowes or Home Depot probably has more employees than all of the existing stores combined AND meets my needs and local contractors. That's called a win-win. The deal we have now is the "hooray for me (contractors) and the Hell with you (homeowners) deal!