One of the interesting tables in the winter 2010 survey the City conducted is the “Top Most Requested Stores or Restaurants in Santa Clarita.”
Why is this important? Well we all recognize the value of shopping locally -within City limits!- and the more selection and variety of stores and restaurants we have, the better it is for our city’s coffers, which makes nice things like parks, law enforcement and new libraries in Newhall possible.
That said, you all have some strange tastes. Really, what’s up with our Cheesecake Factory fascination? Nearly 20% of respondents in that survey said they’d like to see one in town, and that was up almost 6 points from 2006. Can someone explain to me why we need another chain restaurant? Especially when one of the options in the survey was “Boutique/Chef Operated restaurant”? Didn’t CPK in Bridgeport scratch this particular itch?
As for the others, it’s interesting to note that support for a Nordstrom’s dropped between 2006 and 2010. I’d bet this is related to the economy. It’s safe to say that if a Nordstrom’s did come to Santa Clarita, it’d make a big splash initially, but would it be successful over the long run? Outside of the richer areas of town, how many SCVers regularly shop at a Nordstrom’s to begin with? Aren’t we more of a Macy’s type of town?
I like the idea of having a Fry’s in town. Since Circuit City closed shop, our valley of 250,000 people has just one place for electronics: Best Buy on Bouquet Canyon. That’s ridiculous. Don’t these e-retailers know the SCV is pretty internet and tech savy and willing to spend big bucks on home entertainment, iDevices, and more?
Along with a Fry’s I’d really like to see an REI move into Santa Clarita. REI isn’t just another Sports Chalet clone; it’s a really cool co-op that gives customers dividend rewards (I got $40 this year) and the employees there really know what they’re talking about on many subjects from bicycles to mountaineering to camping to kayaking. But Santa Clarita may be more into ball sports than outdoor pursuits so maybe it wouldn’t be successful.
As far as clothing goes, I’d like to see an H&M. I think the ladies would love to see a DSW Shoe Warehouse store; I know some women who make special trips to the Valley to go to that store. In general, I’d like to see more respectable clothing stores for men; I think the women in town have it made.
As for Crate & Barrel, I offer only a shrug. My knowledge of and interest in interior design stands just one notch above my knowledge of the mating habits of beetles, so I’m officially agnostic on that. Isn’t one Pottery Barn enough?
Finally, I’m surprised no one bitched about the lack of movie theaters in Santa Clarita. I’ve beaten this dead horse several times over the course of 4 years on this blog to no avail, but it still makes me angry we have only 24 screens for our 250,000 movie-going residents. Many on this blog have wished for an ArcLight or other “mature” cinema, but let’s be honest, there probably wouldn’t be much demand for foreign or art house films in the SCV, which trends more towards the explosion-y summer blockbuster than the dour films of Sundance and Cannes.
On a side note, I’ve been really pleased lately with the activity in Newhall. A new coffee shop opens near my house on Friday, the banner for Round Table Pizza at the old Pasta Grill location is back up, the Walgreens on Valley & Lyons is under construction, and every roadway in Newhall is being torn up in preparation for the new library. It feels good to see at least part of the SCV under construction again. And we’re just a few months away from the opening of Sprout’s at the old Mervyn’s space (and rumors of a Trader Joe’s in Stevenson Ranch still persist, by the way).
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An arthouse theatre would die so quickly in this suburban environment it would be like a fruitfly!
An REI would be amazing (my refund this year was $75). How about a Preformance Bike (the good one not the one we have now)
Agree the Cheesecake factory is not needed, but how about bringing back a Fatburger, Bobs Big Boy or Flamers (was in the old food court)
Fatburger…. yuck, again we need some mom and pop type restaurants not chains
People say that and never support them.
I agree, would love to see some mom and pops but let’s afce it, the reason a Chessecake factory makes perfect sense is that people will go there, they tend towards that which they know with built in marketing. Getting a solid mom and pop one off up and running is difficult at best… I will still keep my hopes up.
If we are going with a name though i would prefer Ruth’s Chris to Cheesecake factory, but the fact that it’s a little spendy probably keeps it from being feasible up here.
How about some mom and pop stores and restaurants, small cozy restaurants instead of those big ugly chain
Meant that here…
People say that and never support them.
I would like to see a marijuana dispensary open in the industrial park.
WHAT!? We don’t need the tax revenue?
So long as we have sidewalks and bike lanes for the pot heads to use. Maybe we can use the tax revenue to tear up Rye Canyon and start over?
That’s like saying every drinker is a drunk!
Is this true Joe?
Good point Brian. My may intent was to say once again that Rye Canyon NEEDS SIDEWALKS AND BIKE LANES.
That’s good, because while dui is wrong on anything, alcohol makes you Speed Racer and fearless while pot makes you slow way down as not to exceed your abilities.
There should be protections for bikers, although a line of paint never stopped anything before and driving on a sidewalk is even more dangerous.
Well, Jeff, since you dumped politics and bicycles from this column you got me to agree with you 100%. How often does that happen? A few holdouts from the old REP would like an artsy film house but that would be building a skyscraper the day before an 8 point earthquake.
I’m trying to be more moderate and I’ll try to write about different subjects. Thank you for sticking by the site even when you disagree.
Disagreement has never bothered me. I have always been able to agree to disagree. I don’t always have to be right, I just need someone to prove to me why I’m wrong.
Hallelujah!
I DEFINITELY would like to see some access to less mainstream films, but I agree that it could have a hard go of it in our community. If you kept the place small though, maybe only 3 or 4 small screens with smallish seating capacity and didn’t have huge overhead MAYBE you could pull it off??? I don’t know, I’d love to try but it’s tough.
I don’t think a real arthouse theater would ever survive, but a mainstream multiplex that put indie or arthouse films on a few screens would probably do both!
Maybe just the presence of an additional multiplex would open up a few screens for less mainstream options once in a while.
Obviously an “art house” wouldn’t fly, but if we had more screens, period, we’d get more variety.
Naturally disheartened by the lack of enthusiasm for an Apple Store.
There has never been a good men’s clothing store, period. Long overdue. The cause, or the effect (or both), is that most men dress like golfers or douchebags (or both).
Cheesecake Factory? What the hell? More popular with big earners, too. Lends credence to my hypothesis that in the SCV, the more money you make, the less class you have.
J. David is a great men’s clothing store.
never heard of it. Custom suits? I’m shocked.
Jeff, what about a Floyd’s Barbershop (Andy Grifith Show circa 1965)that way Bill R. can have a place to hang out and tell everyone about his wacky ideas and show his videos,oh wait, if he hangs out there it might be out of business in 2 weeks
scvfictionsquad, try toning down your obsession with me; your sanity is becoming questionable…
So you obsession with Frank Ferry should make us call your sanity into question… oh too late.
Oh Dama Genic, you’re so witty, but please stop obssessing on me.
Hey Bill what did you think of the D-Day pictures?
Huh?
How about your obsession with video taping young children… and trying to take away their enjoyment, is that questionable?
Arclight is not about the “arthouse flicks.” But its about a higher level of experience.
Go look at whats playing at Arclight Sherman Oaks. Same things at the Edwards Valencia. I personally enjoy going to the Arclight because I can reserve my seat. Also the carmel corn is pretty nice!
Floyd’s is not necessarily like an old-school barbershop… But it is nice to have a place to go for a straight razor shave (although mine was somewhat lacking in quality). The pool table in the waiting area is a nice touch in the Burbank store.
Todd:
I think Jeff was probably confusing Arclight with Lammle.
Perhaps. But an Arclight would be great. Or maybe even an AMC.
In fact, AMC should look at the vacant furniture stores in SR. Oh wait… Thats outside of awesometown.
But seriously… I’ve always enjoyed AMC (and worked there as my first and 4th job). They are on a different level than Edwards. Much cleaner.
I’ve had 2 passes to AMC for about 2 years now and I’ve never been able to use them since we don’t leave the SCV for a movie. Wonder if they’re still good.
Listening to FM radio today (switched back from satellite) I heard my first commercial for “Awesometown”. Just what we need. Bring more people here.
Both Arclight and Laemmle are enjoyable. Arclight, while more commercial than Laemmle, will at least make a token effort at some outside of mainstream documentaries and smaller films along with the big titles. Also love the 21 and over movies, no teen texting and enjoying an adult drink with the movie.
Arclight plays a much wider variety of movies. It also has several foreign & indie film festivals.
Oh and I love the Bar and 21 and over only showings!
Indeed!
Sorry, just repeated this above, but yes, I agree!
Maybe not a full on arthouse theater, but how about a non-Edwards theater! Seems the only independents we get are of the Christian/LDS variety. It’s totally ridiculous that we have to drive to Sherman Oaks to see acclaimed independent films.
I’ll skip the Cheesecake Factory, thanks, but I’ll take a Yard House
I doubt we’ll ever get an REI, but I’m game for that as well.
Nordstrom. Oh sweet Nordstrom. Even if only for the childrens shoe department (seeing as how we have no decent childrens shoe stores in the SCV), this one is at the top of my list.
H&M, I’m sure we’re not large enough to warrant an H&M the likes of Northridge or Topanga. We’d get some half ass tiny store like they do in east coast malls. No thanks, don’t waste your time.
Laemmle please. But not if I have to go to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner after. God deliver us from any more chain restaurants.
My wife tells me (regularly) that there are NO good clothing stores in Santa Clarita (none). And that a Nordstrom’s would only improve that sitch slightly. But she’s a bit of a snob in that direction.
I like our current Performance Bicyle Shop.
Let’s see, anything else(?) … hmmm … oh yeah … Walmart. We need another Walmart.
Maybe they could open a Cheesecake Factory takeout INSIDE of the new Walmart … yeah … that’s the ticket!
If only our respondents were educated enough to know it is Nordstrom, not Nordstroms, not Nordstrom’s. Kind of like Stevenson Ranch which is usually referred to as Stevenson’s Ranch even by those who live there.
They must be the same people who think they live in the City of Santa Clarita
Theaters have priced themselves out of my patronage.
Copy That! I paid $31.00 last night for 2 tickets to Shrek 3D…. never again.
They have priced me out based on the experience they currently deliver, however I will pay more at Arclight. But I use to be a rabid fim goer, the 6 years I have spent in the SCV have made me a netflix patron with an occasional trip out of the valley to an independent film or going to our local cineplex with my kids for something they want to see, but rarely get out to movies anymore.
The lack of independent films has lead me to attend a lot more live theater.
Have you been to CTG to see The Producers yet?
Yep, HI-Larious! Really a great show.
What is REI?
Recreation Equipment Inc. It’s a sporting goods store w/super knowledgeable staff that tailors to the outdoorsy crowd (camp, climb, bike) rather than the organized sports crowd (Dicks/Sports Chalet).
We need a Hooters!
lol. then our white trash transformation would be complete… evil laugh.
How about bringing Harbor Freight back to town?
A George Webb would be great!
http://www.georgewebb.com/
Jeff, great blog. I stumbled upon this doing a search for info on those low flying jets a few months back.
I am starting an “REI” type store in the Valencia industrial center currently. It’s more of a website/warehouse/will call than it is a retail store. However, I would hope to offer a rather large selection of the outdoor sporting products in the future. It’s going to take me several years to have the amount of brands that REI has, however, I have high hopes. I should be launching the website towards by next week, but you can check it out at http://www.activelifestore.com. I hope to have our site set up so customers can check the current in stock inventory of all products and stop by to purchase.
How soon will you have tents available? Need to purchase one in the next couple of weeks and would prefer to support a local small business owner.
“Shopping SCV”
“…we all recognize the value of shopping locally -within City limits!”
Ummm, the SCV consists of more than the City. Just ask the “Think SCV” folks.
Your bias is showing. Just the sort of divisive regionalism that breaking up Castaic (Hasley Hills vs. non-HH) will create, despite the City denials.
Babies in their sandbox, fighting over toys. One Valley my a$$.
…because Antonovich drinks our milkshake.
Join or die!
I live in HH, please annex me, I’m ready to go the mothership now, I do not share Spineflower2′s aversion to it.
WE NEED A HOUSE OF BLUES BABY!
Oh god, talk about a chain, House of Blues, i would gladly settle for a little no name venue (Bigger than the VU) that we could have bands and stand up comedy, you know night life.
I think a MAC store is coming to the mall. I would love Sephora, LUSH, and a Crocs store.
Frys = hell yeah, also REI, and Arclight/Bridge type of theater (reserved seating rules and an actual Imax and not a liemax screen) would be great. Fatburger I love, surprised the SCV locations vanished.
Ah yeah and a Hooters! They’re fine, good place to watch games. House of Blues would be nice too. Hopefully it would attract more of the anaheim crowd than the la crowd. Quite a difference when I go to those two.
I agree, there’s a reason chains are successful, people want to know that what they are getting is basically what they are used to elsewhere.
No tents in the near future. Probably by next season. Thanks for asking.
Jason
I’d LOVE an H&M up here!
I have it on good authority that work on the design for a new TJoe’s in S. Ranch began but was put on hold due to issues related to the lease. To be continued…