506 replies to this topic

[Jimmy]

I received a yet-unanswered invitation to 'like' a Facebook group called Say NO to Hooters in Downtown Fort Worth.

 

It has 648 likes so far, FYI.

[mmmdan]

I don't seem to recall the same kind of uproar when Ojos Locos moved in.  Maybe it's because no one knew what it was at the time.

 

As far as "those" types of restaurants are concerned, Hooters is probably the most tame of them all.  As some of the comments in the article point out, a lot of women wear more revealing clothing than a Hooters waitress.

[JBB]

There's a lot of gold in the comments on that Facebook group.

My two favorites are the one saying that parking downtown is a "nightmare" (hasn't been in the last 25 years I assume) and the one pointing out that the waitresses at Ojos Locos and Flying Saucer dress just as skimpy (add Jake's and Del Frisco's Grille (slightly more subtle than the others) to that list).

[Russ Graham]

There are reasons other than than squeamishness at the waitresses attire (or lack thereof) for people to push back on "this kind of establishment".  There's been a recent tendency for shootouts at breastaurants (Waco last May, Ojos Locos in DTFW last August)... So there might be a public safety case to be made. 

[Austin55]

I think that's just a bar/club thing in general. There was a biker gang shooting last year on Race, and someone was shoot not long ago outside the club in The Tower's basement. 

[David Love]

Well they get my VOTE!

 

The only conflicted part I have is that it would take longer to get the Hog out of parking garage than walk over

[David Love]

I think all the fuss is simply free advertising, nothing more.

[Austin55]

There's a "Say Yes to Hooters downtown", which has already garnered more likes the the "no" page.

[Jeriat]

lol.

This is all just dumb. But I guess I saw I coming...

[johnfwd]

My last comment on this (thank heavens!)...a rebuttal to the notion that this will be another "breastaurant" attracting some potentially violent biker gang.  I guess anything is conceivable, but a bunch of grungy looking motorcyclists hanging out at City Place?

[Russ Graham]

My last comment on this (thank heavens!)...a rebuttal to the notion that this will be another "breastaurant" attracting some potentially violent biker gang.  I guess anything is conceivable, but a bunch of grungy looking motorcyclists hanging out at City Place?

 

Meh, I could frankly care less, and I know two data points don't make a trend; just pointing out that there's possibly more to think about than the strawman of morality police "clutching their pearls". 

[mmmdan]

I haven't looked at the facebook pages but this is one of my favorite comments from the article.

 

 

 

My father-in-law took my mother-in-law there once. My mother-in-law told me "That place is obscene!"

[Russ Graham]

How is that a straw man?  Having perused the comments on the "no to Hooters" Facebook group, one gets the impression that that is precisely the motivation of a large array of the supporters of blocking the place.  People calling it a sexually explicit business and all that.

 

 

(Didn't you know, any argument other than the one I'm currently espousing is a straw man? /s)  Okay I didn't go to the Facebook page to check it out, I'll take your word for it.  I would call that a very weak argument as presented, so I that respect I'd agree with you.  It's a "straw man" precisely because it is such a weak point.

[Jimmy]

This situation could be good news for Hooters, as it has definitely given this new location a fortune's worth of free advertising.

 

It could also be to City Place/downtown's benefit, as it may have brought the location and the FW public's apparent passion for the area to the attention of other restaurants or retailers that might not have otherwise considered or known about it.

[JBB]

http://www.star-tele...le57156233.html

Hooter's gets the go-ahead with less and smaller signage and logo-less patio.

[renamerusk]

Hooter's gets the go-ahead with less and smaller signage and logo-less patio.

 

 Considering the potential for litigation, it was smart of the City to give the go-head to Hooter's. 

 

Hooter's, like other similar establishments, will have to make certain that the concerns raised by those who were in opposition do not become a reality.

[JBB]

The review board had no power to stop it. They could just force the changes to the design.

[Jeriat]

And they SHOULDN'T stop it. 

If this was a strip club, I would understand, but some of these people need to get a life. Or get out more. Or get... well, I'll just stop there since this is a "PG" site.

[Austin55]

 

 

One City Place should be a hotel 

 

 

Well, sounds like the South Tower is going to be an Aloft. Guessing the oil decline probably has had a big impact on office space. 

[renamerusk]

 

 

One City Place should be a hotel 

 

Well, sounds like the South Tower is going to be an Aloft. Guessing the oil decline probably has had a big impact on office space.

 

 Which is becoming a blessing in disguise - the current misfortunes of the O&G industry. 

 

Our neighbor to the east seems to be weathering the misfortunes better than any of the other big Texas cities (exceptions being Austin and San Antonio) by positioning itself as a regional/national hospitality center.  Fort Worth is wise to follow suit.  Hospitality and its support industry can be a stable source of economic activity; and is environmentally friendly.

 

As for the re-purpose of the City Place South Tower to either residential or hospitality, it was an original consideration of the current CP developers that was smothered.

 

Awesome news to learn of a CP hotel rebirth.

[Austin55]

Wild Salsa has made some progress, I think I heard May opening?

 

Avanti opened last week. 

 

No movement on Hooters yet. 

[Austin55]

Aloft has applied to install signange

 

 

DG16-17 300 W. 3rd Street/ Aloft Hotel Owner/Applicant: Throckmorton FW3, LLC. Requests a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior alterations and to install signage.

[Austin55]

Aloft will be 180 rooms. 

[Austin55]

Bud Kennedy on the delay of Hooters- 

 

Hooters had to re-file paperwork and may have been headed off

 

https://twitter.com/...835236372484096

[RD Milhollin]

Some bad losers are holding up the TABC license approval process for the downtown Hooters location:

 

http://www.star-tele...le92114687.html

 

I am not an attorney but it looks as though this is going to result in a delay "at best". The city has verified that the "brestaurant" complies with zoning requirements and the owners have already modified their signage plans to comply with neighbor's wishes. Apparently when a protest is filed the commission is required to hold a local hearing prior to deciding whether to approve the license request. The protest group's spokesman says "he couldn't discuss the grounds for the protest". Why? I seriously doubt if discussing the nature of the protest, why the group doesn't want this lawful food establishment in this particular location, is improper or restricted by the commission.

 

What a crock.

[Austin55]

Construction on Aloft is getting going. An exterior elevator will be placed at the Southwest corner along Taylor to allow construction access.

[John T Roberts]

Austin, it is funny.  I have been downtown working for one of our clients, and I wondered what all of the activity was on Taylor Street.  I was thinking it had something to do with Wild Salsa.  I guess I was wrong.

[Austin55]

Wild Salsa is finally opening

http://www.fwtx.com/...quare-wednesday

The Aloft is also officially UC with the construction elevator having been installed.

[John T Roberts]

I knew Wild Salsa was close because I have been downtown on an almost daily basis due to work.  I also had noted the installation of the construction elevator.

[John T Roberts]

A judge has ruled that Hooter's can get a liquor license.  Below is a link to Sandra Baker's article in the Star-Telegram.

 

http://www.star-tele...e114643438.html

 

Some friends of mine have already eaten at Wild Salsa, and they liked it.

[rriojas71]

Some friends of mine have already eaten at Wild Salsa, and they liked it.

I have eaten there twice and I really like it as well. I love the outside space. Although, it is difficult seeing Avanti really struggle. The food is good, but I think Italian is a dying cuisine for restaurants.

[Jeriat]

I still think the location kinda hurts.

[John T Roberts]

Jeriat, you are saying the location hurts for Avanti, Wild Salsa, or both? 

[Doohickie]

 

Some friends of mine have already eaten at Wild Salsa, and they liked it.

I have eaten there twice and I really like it as well. I love the outside space. Although, it is difficult seeing Avanti really struggle. The food is good, but I think Italian is a dying cuisine for restaurants.

 

The thing about Italian food is that for a lot of people it's thought of as "common" or not especially top shelf.  So you see a lot of "Joe's Pizza and Pasta" places in local neighborhoods, but it's hard to market it as premium in the downtown area.

[Jeriat]

I feel like both. Although Wild Salsa JUST opened and I haven't seen the number of patrons who go there, I just think it's tucked away on that section of Throckmorton.

Idk... maybe give it some more time or maybe wait until Hooters opens to see what's up.

[Doohickie]

maybe give it some more time or maybe wait until Hooters opens to see what's up.

 

After all the objections to Hooters, wouldn't it be ironic if the other restaurants there benefited from foot traffic generated by Hooters?

[renamerusk]

 

maybe give it some more time or maybe wait until Hooters opens to see what's up.

 

After all the objections to Hooters, wouldn't it be ironic if the other restaurants there benefited from foot traffic generated by Hooters?

 

 

 It may also be detrimental to the foot traffic of other nearby restaurants for reasons that we probably understand.  I suppose it will be a wait a see situation.

[Doohickie]

It may also be detrimental to the foot traffic of other nearby restaurants for reasons that we probably understand.  I suppose it will be a wait a see situation.

I don't see that at all.  I simply can't imagine that anyone would avoid from that area just because of Hooters.  Ojos Locos is essentially the same concept with less brand recognition and you don't hear any outcry against them.

 

On the other hand, because Hooters *does* have the name recognition, I can see visitors to the downtown area seeking them out, and once they're in that general area, deciding on an alternative restaurant.

 

I also think its proximity to Panther Island Pavilion will produce a lot of foot traffic.  If you're staying downtown for a Panther Island event, Hooters (and neighboring restaurants) will be on the way to and from the venue.  I could see it spurring economic activity as a Panther Island Gateway.  I don't think it needs to be a Hooters per se, but since they're coming in, they'll do.  I think Buffalo Wild Wings, Dave and Buster's, Bar Louie, BJ's Brewhouse, etc., would have been other restaurants that would have the same effect.  Hooters just happens to be the first one that jumped in.

[rriojas71]

I feel like both. Although Wild Salsa JUST opened and I haven't seen the number of patrons who go there, I just think it's tucked away on that section of Throckmorton.
Idk... maybe give it some more time or maybe wait until Hooters opens to see what's up.

I feel like the plaza between the buildings is a good addition to the area. Also, with Studio 80 doing really well it feels like the area west of Throckmorton is showing signs spot activity and will help stretch the downtown entertainment district over a couple of streets west. It may be a slow process, but there it is progress.

[renamerusk]

....On the other hand, because Hooters *does* have the name recognition, I can see visitors to the downtown area seeking them out, and once they're in that general area, deciding on an alternative restaurant.....

 

 If this scenario plays out as you are outlining: Good; We can all hope for the best situation.

[John T Roberts]

Austin55 joined me to take a few pictures last night and we went to Wild Salsa afterwards.  Unfortunately, Austin already had eaten, but I did order the "Wild Tacos".  Wild Tacos are that you can mix and match any of the tacos they serve.  I had one beef, one fish, and one shrimp.  A side of black beans, rice, and Mexican slaw came with the meal.  Thought the food was very good and flavorful.

[PeopleAreStrange]

What happened to the November / December forum meet?

[John T Roberts]

It didn't happen.  I got busy, as usual with every holiday season.  By the time it was all said and done, I had one day free and that was Monday.  Austin and I hooked up more or less on the spur of the moment.  Even with that happening, I had some family issues come up and I was about one hour late from the time that we agreed to meet.

[Austin55]

Austin55 joined me to take a few pictures last night and we went to Wild Salsa afterwards.  Unfortunately, Austin already had eaten, but I did order the "Wild Tacos".  Wild Tacos are that you can mix and match any of the tacos they serve.  I had one beef, one fish, and one shrimp.  A side of black beans, rice, and Mexican slaw came with the meal.  Thought the food was very good and flavorful.

I can say the decorations are very interesting, I liked the atmosphere a lot. The chips & salsa were solid to. 

[Jeriat]

Wild Salsa has the BEST chips & salsa (verde) I've ever had... by far. 

[John T Roberts]

I will admit the chips and salsa were good.  However, I thought my tacos were extremely tasty.  The beef one had a lot of flavor and it was tender.  These were not ground beef tacos.  I love shrimp, so all they had to serve me was that taco and I was in heaven.  The fish tacos were some of the best that I had recently.  I'm definitely looking forward to my next visit.  The waitress also recommended the chicken enchiladas, so I will have to try those.

[Jeriat]

So, remember the Chop House Burger that was proposed to go in this space like 3 years ago or so, but never happened?

Well . . .

http://imgur.com/a/dr3R2

[John T Roberts]

I knew they were actually going into that space because I had seen they had been working on it the last time I was eating at Wild Salsa.

[rriojas71]

I knew they were actually going into that space because I had seen they had been working on it the last time I was eating at Wild Salsa.

Is the Chop House Burger place going in where Hooters was going?

[panthercity]

They cancelled Hooter's?