Next to Go: Quiznos?
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| Silver Spring's Quiznos, Always Displaying an Abundance of Signage |
Chain retailers and restaurants, oft-maligned by commenters on this blog and elsewhere, do serve a purpose. They employ proven business models and generally have the financial wherewithal to survive the losses associated with an initial start-up period, of particular import when opening a location in a "developing" area such as downtown Silver Spring circa 2003. One downside of chains is that that their fate is inexorably linked the corporate parent's fortunes, regardless of how successful an an individual store might prove to be. From what I understand, Silver Spring's Borders was a top performer among stores in the now-defunct chain.
Denver-based Quiznos told lenders July 8 that it would soon violate loan terms, which would put the chain in default and could trigger demands for immediate repayment of its debt.Perhaps known more for their bizarre commercials than their food, Quiznos doesn't really stand out among sandwich options in Silver Spring or elsewhere. There was a brief period preceding the opening of most of the current restaurants in DTSS where Quiznos was one of the few sandwich alternatives to Panera. As a result, I ended up there perhaps once or twice a week for lunch. Now, with all the options that have become available since that time, it has exited my consideration set.
I probably wouldn't miss the food if Quiznos folded, but I'd feel bad for the franchisee, and no one wants to see yet another empty retail space. The adjacent Ritz Camera closed two years ago and somewhat surprisingly a new tenant has yet to move in to its corner space. Another retailer on that block, American Apparel, is in perpetual financial trouble and has an uncertain fate. (Now, that I would miss.)
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23 comments:
I've been there twice just to try something different for lunch and the food just wasn't that good and the wait was long considering I was the only person there. The staff seemed to be reading the recipe for the first time while making my sandwiches/salads.
I have sympathy for the franchisee as well, but I'd rather dine on dust and the shattered fragments of my broken dreams on the sidewalk in front of their empty storefront than consume another Quiznos sandwich.
Yeah...definitely wouldn't miss them. Talk about a brand that needs to reinvent themselves if they want to stay viable. I've probably eaten out in DTSS a thousand times (no, I'm not a beached whale, NoVa lover guy), but have never come close to considering going to Quiznos.
Hate to see empty store fronts, but Quiznos' sandwiches suck! in every way that Potbelly makes the toasted sub work, Quiznos makes it fail. Maybe we could get a Taylors. Not as good since they changed their bread, but still a damn fine sandwich.
I would provide custom to a Jimmy John's.
Can't say I ate at Quiznos much with Potbelly's around, but losing a business is still sad for the community. Empty storefronts beget more empty storefronts, so any business leaving DTSS is bad for all business in DTSS.
Just my .02
No one will miss Quiznos if it closes, its not even worth a blog posting.
I dont mind quiznos and this one isn't DTSS' fault but it's another empty storefront.
If Ritz Camera hasn't been filled why would this location get filled?
That side of the street will look like a ghost town in a few years if something isnt done to be revitalized.
I'm a little surprised there's nowhere to go in DTSS for a quick burger. (Ray's has great ones but they're not quick, and Quarry House is also slow and not open Sundays.) I wouldn't mind seeing something like a Five Guys/Elevation Burger/Shake Shack move in.
I disagree about the ghost town. Once the Fillmore begins putting 1.000 - 2,000 people on the street before and after a concert, they will want to eat somewhere and many will look for something cheap-ish and fast. I really wish we'd get an Amsterdam Felafel like in Adams Morgan, but it wouldn't survive with several other places closeby to get (inferior) felafel.
Will the last person to leave Silver Spring please turn out the light.
I have been waiting for Quiznos to close for several years now. Every time I walk by, the place is empty. Every time I have ventured into the store, I have always received poor service.
More coverage of the curfew issue as it relates to DTSS:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/concerns-about-silver-spring-spur-consideration-of-curfew/2011/07/26/gIQAXiYobI_story.html
It's weird that Quiznos is offering a Groupon today - I guess it's a last-ditch effort to win some new customers.
In re burger suggestions - Elevation Burger is opening at Wheaton Mall on Sept. 1st; I doubt they'd also put one in DTSS.
Everyone think I'm a DTSS hater, but I'd love to see the Filmore bring a higher demand for good food choices nearby and bring attention to the area.
Quiznos out, Papa Johns in? I was walking up East/West Highway towards Georgia today and I saw a "coming soon" sign in the window of the retail space at the bottom of the Veridian, next to the liquor store. When I first saw it, I saw the word "Dough" and I thought a bakery might be coming i, which could have been cool, but as I got closer, I saw a picture of Papa John himself. Love it or hate it, once that goes in...it will be there for eternity.
Papa Johns is nice but back to the topic: that area near quiznos needs some revitalization fast
Wow. Congratulations on the insight, Sligo. You've evolved from childish posts blaming Silver Spring itself for every failed retail effort (see past series of embarrassingly stupid "SILVER SPRING RETAIL FAIL" posts) to demonstrating an understanding that, more often than not, larger forces are at work. I guess everyone really can grow up.
Can't believe that Ritz space hasn't been leased yet. Owners need to stop asking for so much $$ and fill the darn space. Or at least let Art Spring use it!
"Papa Johns is nice but back to the topic: that area near quiznos needs some revitalization fast"
Anon, 1:29, Since you want to get back to topic so much, please provide some useful or informative insight rather than your obvious and pretty much useless one-liner above.
My point being that that strip as well as the strip on 29 is not doing well and that's something that the blog and comments should foucs on.
Elevation Burger franchise time baby.
To the comment about lack of fast service burger joints: There is a rat infested Burger King in the food court of Shitty Place (or has it closed) and there is overpriced FUDDRUCKERS. Honestly, I am amazed as well that 5 Guys hasn't opened in downtown SS being that it's EVERYWHERE ELSE. Fatburger is also a good option. That American Apparel "shopping strip" needs to be re-vamped yesterday. When American Apparel closes, it's going to be a huge eyesore. I suggest a WALGREENS should combine most of the spaces and a 5 Guys go in next to it on Fenton where Ritz was. (I hate CVS and it needs competition where ever it lands) Quiznos has always had poor service at every location I've been to and the subs are horrible. We already have 100 Subways anyway.
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