The decision to close Starbucks at the Crowne Plaza Hotel should come as no real surprise to anyone who witnessed the volume of daily business during the past three years.
In sharp contrast to how one employee assessed the situation, most observers would probably describe the flow of trade there as a dry creek rather than a steady stream.
There were a number of days when the staff outnumbered the customers.
In all fairness, the coffee was as strong and as flavorful as you would have found in any of the nearly 600 company-owned stores that closed this year because of the hard-pressed economy. It was obviously geared to the tourist market as evidenced by a glance at the generally pricey menu.
The timing of this shutdown though is questionable.
Starbucks is pulling out just as Falls Street should experience a kind of rebirth with the demolished Wintergarden opening up the entire street between the Seneca Niagara Casino plaza and the entrance to Niagara Falls State Park.
Countless visitors — especially those exiting the park — will now see for themselves that there is something else downtown besides a high-rise roadblock and a vacant shopping mall that resembles an abandoned warehouse.
In a word, there is bound to be a better flow of pedestrians between Prospect Park and Third Street.
But, for some reason, Starbucks obviously didn’t want to wait even for another tourist season.
•••
FOLLOW THE SIGNS: If you’re headed to the French & Indian War events — the 250th anniversary of the battle — at Old Fort Niagara next weekend, you should note the detour starting with the Robert Moses Parkway exit at Youngstown-Lockport Road (Route 93). Turn right at the exit, proceed to East Avenue and Blairville Road for another right to the village and Veterans Park (across from the fire hall) for free parking. A shuttle service to the fort will be available every few minutes. Due to the expected influx, parking in Fort Niagara State Park will be strictly limited.
•••
REAL HOT SPOT: If you’re looking for a quiet place to read and relax these days, you’ll certainly want to avoid the Earl W. Brydges Library, especially the Local History Department.
On Friday, the third-floor room that houses a treasure of area history and documents, was 92 degrees.
“We don’t have air conditioning in this building and it could be that way for the entire summer,” Library Director Betty Babanoury said.
•••
THE 19TH HOLE: If the operators of Mulligan’s (the former Greens Restaurant at the Hyde Park Golf Course) want to build up their business, they’ll need to have more than one waitress on duty for the lunch crowd. Last week — it wasn’t the first time — one young waitress was rushing to look after nearly 30 customers including a busy bar.
Despite all that pressure, customers noted she kept her cool and pleasant manner. By the way, the food is good, too.
•••
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “ I’m going to bring high energy ... all the time. I’m going to bring personality and be somebody that comes in all the time and works hard. I can defend. I can put the ball in the basket. I can make my teammates better” — Jonny Flynn, ex-Niagara Falls High School and Syracuse University basketball star and No. 6 pick of Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA draft.
Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.
Columns
GLYNN: Starbucks closes before Falls St. opens up
- Columns
-
-
HAMILTON: The SPCA and the pineapple upside-down pie
It is said that, as free Americans, we often get the things for which we ask; we also often get exactly what we deserve. Sometimes it works out to our good, and sometimes it doesn’t.
-
GLYNN: Slim chance now for a real thick ice bridge
If you’re not convinced about the unpredictability of Western New York weather, consider that this area was experiencing temperatures in the mid-40s on the 100th anniversary of the ice bridge tragedy in the gorge.
-
BRADBERRY: Is Black History Month Still Relevant?
I am uncomfortably recovering and slowly recuperating from a relatively minor, but medically necessary procedure which has kept me out of circulation, out of touch and essentially on my back for a lot longer than I have personally believed was justifiable; however, in this case my opinion matters not; the doctor’s diagnosis and promising prognosis trumped mine, so here I lay almost completely befuddled, nearly unable to pen a clear sentence.
-
CONFER: Time to end the NFL’s blackout rule
Long ago, in a much simpler time, ticket sales accounted for the majority of revenues for professional football teams.
-
CITY BEAT: Stuck on traffic
Sometimes I feel like the traffic signal reporter in Niagara Falls.
Traffic signals have been making a lot of news around here lately. There’s the whole flap about what to do to improve public safety near the Como Restaurant in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue. -
HIGGS: Discussing crime and punishment in the Falls
Have to take a detour off Pine Avenue in 1956 this week to report on an event held by the Niagara Falls Block Club Council for its member clubs and other interested citizens.
-
GLYNN: Hotel Niagara plan exciting for the Falls
It all sounds like a re-run of a TV program you’ve seen a dozen times. This time, however, there is every reason to believe that the landmark Hotel Niagara on Rainbow Boulevard will be restored to the splendid atmosphere that guests enjoyed for decades.
-
HAMILTON: BOE and kids, or the SPCA dogs?
There is example after example of otherwise qualified Niagara Falls’ board of education members and staffers lending their time and efforts to organizations outside of the school district’s core business.
-
GLYNN: Trust in SPCA shelter must be restored
Stories about the operations at the Niagara SPCA shelter shape the image of sickening and disgusting treatment of animals.
-
BRADBERRY: Old medicine and new challenges
Having suffered and recovered from my fair share of illnesses and injuries over the years, I have come to believe that sometimes the treatment and the cure of my condition can seem to be far worse than whatever I may think is ailing me at the moment.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
