Will they come?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Despite Emporians’ desire to have an Olive Garden and a Target come to town, the town isn’t likely to see either of those anytime soon.
Recently on www.emporiagazette.com, voters said they wanted Olive Garden and Target to come to town. Corporate spokespeople from both companies shared their procedures for moving into a new community.
Joshua Thomas, spokesman for Target, said stores are located in towns with populations of 100,000 or greater. Emporia isn’t anywhere near that figure at less than 30,000 estimated population.
Thomas said when Target thinks about growing their company, there are lots of things they consider.
“Realistically when we think about growing as a company, it really boils down to growing smart,” he said. “Growing in a way that helps our business objectives. But also serving that community. Are we a good fit for the community and is the community a good fit for Target?”
Target also takes other retailers into account.
“What other retailers are in the area?” Thomas said. “That could include competitors.”
Target also looks at the economy in the area and the town’s ability to support a Target store. Transportation also plays a factor.
“How convenient is it for our guest?” Thomas said. “How easy is the store to get to. Things like that.”
Mara Frazier, spokeswoman for the Olive Garden chain, said she is pleased to hear that Emporia wants the restaurant in the community.
“First, it’s always great to hear that people want us to come in their community,” Frazier said. “We always like to hear that.”
Frazier said the company doesn’t always look at numbers when looking to grow.
“In terms of number, there’s not necessarily a magic number or silver bullet,” she said. “We do look at population numbers and growth, but we’re also going to look at new business development and how those two things support each other. I will say, however, that more and more we are looking at smaller markets.”
The Olive Garden also looks at other restaurants in the area.
“We’re going to look at other restaurants in the area, especially casual restaurants in the community, which we fall under,” Frazier said.
Frazier said that, although it can’t be ruled out in the future, there are no plans for the restaurant to come to Emporia.
“In the next two years we have not set a contract to come to Emporia,” she said.
bdprotheroe (anonymous) says...
I think Emporia can do better than Olive Garden. Everytime I return home to Emporia, I make certain that I get a big, hearty serving of local flavor: House of Ma, El Palenque, Coach's, Coburn's, Bobby D's.
Don't be so eager for the "Corporate Food," those places which plague the roadsides of the suburbs. After a while, not only does the food become boring at places like Wendy's, Chevy's, Olive Garden, etc., but you will find that you have lost your tasty Mom & Pop shops amongst the neon glare of roadsigns promoting the Golden Arches and Whoppers.
Brian Protheroe
San Francisco, CA
February 27, 2007 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abc123 (anonymous) says...
You said it :), why use the cookie cutter when you can make your own?
February 28, 2007 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )