Five Guys looks nice... all the tile work is done.  They are doing job interviews in the unfinished space next door.  Looks like it could be ready to open very soon.

 

No additional word on the space next door (still believed to be Donato's).

I understand Five Guys will open June 15th.

Yep, Five Guys is now open.

I will now recite a prayer and bless this holy ground that is Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

 

Anyone want to do lunch there next week?

 

_{If I was only Christian.}

Ate there today.  Great burgers and fries---beats any fast food joint easily.

Had dinner at 5 Guys today.... amazing... I ate at about 4pm and I'm STILL full.... got a Bacon Cheeseburger and split the fries with a buddy. Next time I'm doing a Jr. Burger. Delicious food. Best I've had at a fast food place in a while.

It looks like they are doing some work on some of the remaining empty spaces on Calhoun.  One of the small, narrow spaces near GameStop has been drywalled.  Some workers were going into the old Ben & Jerry's space with buckets of paint last week.  And the space next to Five Guys, believed to be a Donato's, has been drywalled and sitting there unfinished for some time now.  Can't wait to see what new businesses we'll be getting.

The empty storefront to the left of Five Guys just got tagged with graffiti:

 

The City Lights laundromat on Jefferson got hit by the same dude this weekend. 

A few changes over on McMillan...

 

It looks like the bank at West Clifton & McMillian has closed (I believe it was a Cincinnati Federal, and previously Clifton Savings & Loan).  That is unusual because they just did a very nice renovation of that building about 2 years ago.  Even more strangely, Chicago Gyros is moving from their current location into the old bank branch (directly across the street).

 

Also, the Spicy Pickle on W Clifton has changed names.  The sign says "same food, new name" so I assume they just didn't renew the franchise.

 

Finally, the new Adriatico's location on McMillian is coming along nicely.  The building is nothing spectacular but it comes right up to the street and blocks the ugly Mr. Tuxedo building.

^The Spicy Pickle decided to change names as to not associate themselves with the (in their minds) decreasing quality/freshness of the Spicy Pickle foods.

 

Also, a Foot Locker is opening in one of the two spots that made up the big gap in UPA next to Five Guys. If my math is correct this leaves just three fairly small spots left in all of UPA. This should be good for increasing demand for the upcoming U Square at the Loop.

^The Spicy Pickle decided to change names as to not associate themselves with the (in their minds) decreasing quality/freshness of the Spicy Pickle foods.

 

Also, a Foot Locker is opening in one of the two spots that made up the big gap in UPA next to Five Guys. If my math is correct this leaves just three fairly small spots left in all of UPA. This should be good for increasing demand for the upcoming U Square at the Loop.

 

My understanding is that Spicy Pickle corporate wanted to switch to more of a traditional fast food model using more frozen and pre-made food vs. made fresh to order.....the owner was not down with this and opted to exit the franchise. Also, the chain never really grew enough in the midwest to have any name recognition to justify the franchise fees. Most people thought it was a local business anyways because it was the only one in Ohio.

^Yeah, that's what I meant by decreasing quality. The firm I work for has them cater lunch and learns and that was the story that was told to us when we went to order and some of the items had changed.

Also, a Foot Locker is opening in one of the two spots that made up the big gap in UPA next to Five Guys. If my math is correct this leaves just three fairly small spots left in all of UPA. This should be good for increasing demand for the upcoming U Square at the Loop.

 

Yeah, from what I saw over Thanksgiving there appeared to be only one to three very small retail spots left. I know that at least one, maybe two, are actually owned by Panera Bread who is in turn trying to sublease them. Unfortunately, I believe there are some legal restrictions preventing this from happening, and even if it could, I've heard potential tenants have been turned off by the rates Panera is looking to charge.

By the way, here are a couple of photos of the development from Thanksgiving weekend. I really do like the mixture of retail that has opened up at the street-level of this building. Hopefully a couple of clothing retailers can open up across the street once U Square @ The Loop opens.

 

1.

 

2.

I'm not sure anything has been announced yet, but yesterday I noticed work happening in the small space next to Panera. It's just drywall at the moment, but it's definitely becoming something. I'll be curious to see what.

Yeah, from what I saw over Thanksgiving there appeared to be only one to three very small retail spots left. I know that at least one, maybe two, are actually owned by Panera Bread who is in turn trying to sublease them. Unfortunately, I believe there are some legal restrictions preventing this from happening, and even if it could, I've heard potential tenants have been turned off by the rates Panera is looking to charge.

 

Interesting; I wasn't aware that Panera owned those units. I guess that's why they store some of their outdoor furniture in those units.

 

Also, a "House of Brows" is opening in one of the units closer to GameStop.

^With that and whatever is happening in the space next to Panera, that leaves only one spot left before all of UPA is rented out. That would be fantastic for when U Square opens.

Not that anyone really reads this thread, but the space next to Panera is an expansion of Panera itself. It appears that it will be more of an expansion of the kitchen than anything, maybe with a couple hightop tables similar to those already found by where you order.

Not that anyone really reads this thread, but the space next to Panera is an expansion of Panera itself. It appears that it will be more of an expansion of the kitchen than anything, maybe with a couple hightop tables similar to those already found by where you order.

 

I find that almost impossible to believe. I helped open that restaurant when it was built out originally, and was shocked at the time that they didn't build it out all the way west right at the beginning. The place never had enough room, but even though an expansion could be used, I just don't see them coughing up the cash to do it. Do you have something official supporting your claim, or are you just making an educated guess?

^It being already finished is pretty good evidence ;)

 

It opened a few weeks ago. It has four or so additional tables and then the rest is back-of-house stuff. It only took them a couple months or so from start to finish. The additional seating is kind of odd. It doesn't jive well with the rest of the flow of the restaurant, but that definitely seems to be less of the reason for the expansion.

^It being already finished is pretty good evidence ;)

 

It opened a few weeks ago. It has four or so additional tables and then the rest is back-of-house stuff. It only took them a month or so from start to finish.

 

I'm in total shock. With Panera opening a downtown location, and expanding their uptown location, I get the feeling that maybe franchise management has changed recently. Or they just hit a wall and realize that a strictly suburban growth model wasn't cutting it. Thanks for keeping me in the loop!

The Dimebag Darrell estate and Phil Anselmo must have pitched in to take that Pantera to a new level.

I've yet to see anything official, but it appears Roxx's Electrocafe has closed. I've walked by a few times and the lights are all off and all signage appears to have been removed. Not surprising. Based on how large the place was I doubt rent was cheap and they never seemed to do that great of business. Unfortunate to see something close since UPA was THIS close to being completely rented out but hopefully something will take this spot and the one remaining vacant spot quickly.

I've yet to see anything official, but it appears Roxx's Electrocafe has closed. I've walked by a few times and the lights are all off and all signage appears to have been removed. Not surprising. Based on how large the place was I doubt rent was cheap and they never seemed to do that great of business. Unfortunate to see something close since UPA was THIS close to being completely rented out but hopefully something will take this spot and the one remaining vacant spot quickly.

 

They moved from Blue Ash to Clifton Heights, which was a good choice, but I know they were paying a lot for that location. Maybe another location in the area would have worked out for them. Typically you don't see a lot of non-chain businesses in the UPA/USquare type of developments.

Yeah there was definitely a customer base and the idea could work well in Clifton Heights, but I think a smaller space in an older building would be more appropriate. Hopefully they haven't given up and have found a new home as I hate to see any business fail.

Yoga Alive is taking the spot formerly occupied by Roxx's Electrocafe. Walked by today and saw their banners covering the storefront.