General Portland Discussion

PlantArch said:
No one goes to Beans for the food. I do not see the need for any dining establishment ON their campus however all of the noted options should be available within a short distance of the campus. They need to stick to what they are good at not try to become everything to everyone and thus diluting the entire experience.
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People want fun options for food and drink *all of the time*. It's who we have become. Many of the people that come up to LL Bean are (or were) from out-of-state. It's a reason for them to come up to Maine during the colder months. I remember when many or most of the license plates were out-of-state. Today, the LL Bean immediate area is dying. They are going to add food and drink options to increase business. Yes, I know, ironic but truth. And that little outdoor mini-mall across the street is the worst designed retail shopping area in the nation because it's a big yawn. It used to be fun to go to Freeport, but now we want more, and if not, we will buy it online. If LL Bean is the only reason to go, then that's simply the problem. And how does Gen Z get there? They don't have or want or use cars, except for Uber. But if it's a big scene with food and drink and entertainment too, they just might. If Bean were smart, and they are, they would be a kind of wilderness shopping entertainment destination, a la Disneyland. Beanland. Hey, I like that.
 
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PlantArch said:
No one goes to Beans for the food. I do not see the need for any dining establishment ON their campus however all of the noted options should be available within a short distance of the campus. They need to stick to what they are good at not try to become everything to everyone and thus diluting the entire experience.
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I have to strongly disagree with you. The food and drink options outside of LL Bean suck...and the ones that are there close early. Again.....LL Bean is 24/7. If they have evening food options (6-Midnight).....they will increase their business. Even if they lease out their food operations (which I would expect)....they need to be located in the store or on its campus. I've never heard of anyone referring to dining & drink options as "diluting" a 24/7 retail experience like they have at LL Bean. Unless you want to stare at a fish tank or try out a tent.....you may as well stay home and order on-line.
 
I think that another way to draw in people and new dining options would be to build a hotel on LL Bean's campus....there is plenty of space....especially if they integrated a parking structure into the hotel.
 
I'd vote to ditch Freeport and move the LL Bean flagship store to Congress Street (Top of the Old Port parking lot) in Portland! Freeport can maintain the headquarters, warehouse and distribution aspects of the business. Think of all of the fuel that would be saved and emissions that would be eliminated by not running hundreds of cruise ship tour buses up 295 throughout the summer and fall. I'm still annoyed they closed the factory store (Reny's) many years ago and always felt it added a dose of class to downtown from a retail perspective.
 
Portlander said:
I'd vote to ditch Freeport and move the LL Bean flagship store to Congress Street (Top of the Old Port parking lot) in Portland! Freeport can maintain the headquarters, warehouse and distribution aspects of the business. Think of all of the fuel that would be saved and emissions that would be eliminated by not running hundreds of cruise ship tour buses up 295 throughout the summer and fall. I'm still annoyed they closed the factory store (Reny's) many years ago and always felt it added a dose of class to downtown from a retail perspective.
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A Freeport Campus makes sense for an Outdoor Lifestyle brand, but I agree about the buses. A light rail line from Commercial Street, over to the Roux campus, through Falmouth to connect with the ROW of the mainline RR could shuttle passengers directly to Freeport Village Station. And be electric.
 
GIL said:
A Freeport Campus makes sense for an Outdoor Lifestyle brand, but I agree about the buses. A light rail line from Commercial Street, over to the Roux campus, through Falmouth to connect with the ROW of the mainline RR could shuttle passengers directly to Freeport Village Station. And be electric.
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Unfortunately, the FRA has very strict rules about mingling light rail with heavy rail, and I strongly doubt CSX would want to get caught up in the dispatching restrictions that would be necessary to get from Yarmouth to Freeport.
 
From the Boulos 2023 Greater Portland Market Outlook Report:

"These smaller spaces, or flex spaces, have incredibly high demand. If a 2000+/- SF space with a drive-in door and small office hits the market, it has multiple tenants vying for it, and it commands lease rates in the low to mid-teens...

...Landlords are typically able to lease the space as-is and can dictate their terms as it relates to the lease rate and length of the lease term."

If Portland wants to be a place where entrepreneurs can start and grow a company, this needs to change. If there aren't any small, affordable spaces for a start up to use as a stepping stone then growth will be stiffled or the start up/company could take on too much risk. Or worse, it just turns away potential entrepreneurs.
 
nomc said:
From the Boulos 2023 Greater Portland Market Outlook Report:

"These smaller spaces, or flex spaces, have incredibly high demand. If a 2000+/- SF space with a drive-in door and small office hits the market, it has multiple tenants vying for it, and it commands lease rates in the low to mid-teens...

...Landlords are typically able to lease the space as-is and can dictate their terms as it relates to the lease rate and length of the lease term."

If Portland wants to be a place where entrepreneurs can start and grow a company, this needs to change. If there aren't any small, affordable spaces for a start up to use as a stepping stone then growth will be stiffled or the start up/company could take on too much risk. Or worse, it just turns away potential entrepreneurs.
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There was talk once upon a time of developing creative artist/start up living space near Riverton if I'm not mistaken. I'm guessing that went the way of the dodo.
 
If you follow any discussion on PPH article comment sections or social media surrounding development that is getting NIMBY blow-back, the NIMBYs almost always prickle at being called NIMBYs. They tend to then dig in further like ticks. As much as I agree with the terminology and have used it as much as anyone, perhaps it's time to retire it and call them what they really are - the vocal minority.
 
DanielPWM19 said:
There was talk once upon a time of developing creative artist/start up living space near Riverton if I'm not mistaken. I'm guessing that went the way of the dodo.
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And the Port Property plan for West Bayside has that potential start up/incubator space - fine for working out ideas and producing on a very small scale, but what happens when you need to start manufacturing/distributing widgets on a slightly larger scale? Many aren't going to jump right to a 10,000+ SF warehouse. Need stuff in the middle.
 
Dr. StrangeHat said:
If you follow any discussion on PPH article comment sections or social media surrounding development that is getting NIMBY blow-back, the NIMBYs almost always prickle at being called NIMBYs. They tend to then dig in further like ticks. As much as I agree with the terminology and have used it as much as anyone, perhaps it's time to retire it and call them what they really are - the vocal minority.
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I totally meant to post this as a reply to tall building/NIMBY commentary in the 201 Federal thread. I guess that's what i get for trying to multi-task on a Friday. 🤣
 
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Quite the compliment when you are placed ahead of Savannah and Charleston (two of my favorites) seeing that both have a major weather advantage over frosty Portland. Wilmington, NC is also an up and coming port city and should be on this list in my opinion. (y)
 
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Portlander said:
Quite the compliment when you are placed ahead of Savannah and Charleston (two of my favorites) seeing that both have a major weather advantage over frosty Portland. Wilmington, NC is also an up and coming port city and should be on this list in my opinion. (y)
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I think the relatively short drive to Boston also has something to do with it. Boston is becoming the nation's tech center and already is the education center of the world. And Portland is also an easy and comfortable train ride away. Gen Z and much of Y do not want to own a car or drive, so the train is it so they can use their phones. The Brunswick (Bowdoin) to Boston spine. That's some serious brain power located within.
 
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