What's Missing?

So in another thread, SchwarzFamily said:

I've been thinking about what other types of specialty stores this area could use.

I'd love to be entrepreneurial enough to get together the resources to open a nice tea shop nearby, something that sells quality, fair-market teas that you can't always find in the grocery stores. It's a nice niche market that isn't really catered to in the area, I don't think. And who doesn't love their cuppa'?

I've also thought a decent locally-owned bakery could do well, though I know bakeries are sorta suffering since the whole "no Carbs" boom tanked the doughnut industry.

What else does Broadlands need?

 

a DRIVE thru bakery- where I can pull up and just get a slice of cherry pie, or a piece of chocolate cake... my mind would love it, my thighs would hate it...

a NON CHAIN diner with reubens, homemade soups, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and fresh pies daily...

 

I'm going for just a sec. Two things from our recent trip to the Adirondack Mountians:

1) The little town of Old Forge stuck it to "The Clown." The folks refused to patrionize the McDonalds, so it shut down.

2) If you ever find yourself at Burk Town, on rt 28 by Raquette Lake, stop by Jen's Diner by 2PM for one of the best Reubens you will EVER set your teeth on. I gotta get that recipie!

OK back on topic.

You COULD combine the bakery & tea shoppes & add a good coffee section. Then at 10 switch over to a deli. I've seen this work, but can't for the life of me remember where.

 

I would like to see a real bar. My idea of a bar would be something that people in this area would not like. No Huge screen tv's, no food(cept the pretzels and peanuts), no kids, and just a pool table or two and some dart boards for entertainment. A bar should be a place to escape...not a place to take the things you want to escape from.

Think Moe's from the simpsons minus the health code violations.

 

A huge problem in this area is the real estate rates are astronomical. The shopping centers want $35-$45 a square foot for retail space. You'd have to sell an awful lot of tea to pay the rent.

Broken Skull: your description of a bar sounds a lot like the VFW in Winchester.

 

Re: What's Missing? Perhaps an Amish/Mennonite Restaurant??

Fellow Foodies--

I just could not figuratively "sit on my hands" any longer! All this talk of "foodie" places to dine has my husband and I curious. We are conducting an "informal poll" to see what "y'all" would think of an Amish-style restaurant and a bulk foods store opening up in Loudoun County, VA? Any takers?? By that--I mean--do you think it would a worthy endeavor? Of course, we know about food marketing, test markets, etc.--appreciate any feedback.

Since our backgrounds includes Mennonite foods, farming, etc., we are considering opening a "local foodie" place for Loudoun County (right now--I am talking to some contacts to consider this possibility for Loudoun County).
We are in the very "early phases" of this type of business. Judging by the interest in some of my threads on Amish/Mennonite foods, nutrition, etc.--there may be a "special niche" for this type of business. Possibly a bulk foods store would be included with Amish/Mennonite cookbooks and a kids' section related to organic and nutrition foods, etc. There would also be a bakery, fair-traded coffees/teas, deli, and some Amish products, etc. Breakfast and lunch would be our primary meals. ( I cannot give away "all my trade secrets"!)

Our thoughts are of a place of business (restaurant/cafe) that would be open from 5:30 or 6:00 am to 3:00 or 4:00 pm Monday through Friday; Saturdays 8:00 or 9:00 am to 3:00 or 4:00 pm. Closed on Sundays always--of course.
After all--we farm and love to spend time with our family members. The cafe would serve the early commuters and lunch crowds. Possibly cooking classes, education on nutrition for kids and families, and other activities related to food.

If anyone has any contacts in the restaurant business, please PM me with information. We, of course, have alot of contacts already. Thanks for your help.

Please moderator move this post to another thread if applicable. We are serious about this possibility of opening this "style" of cafe/restaurant.

Good eats??

Foodie

 

Have wondered if a local restaurant could make it serving grass-fed burgers and steaks. The quality and taste (not to mention health benefits) are so far superior to regular beef, just don't know if people are willing to pay the extra money for it.

Obviously, all other ingredients and foods would be organic, farm-fresh or home-made.

 

Re: What's Missing? Perhaps an Amish/Mennonite Restaurant??

Silence Dogood99 and others--

Yes, organic and grassfed meats would be served. Actually, we raise grassfed beef for ourselves on our farm too. Also, I know of several Mennonite/Old Order Cooperatives (in the Shenandoah Valley areas, PA areas, and OH areas) that sells organic and sustainable produce, meats, cheeses, canned goods, dairy, and other foods that we would purchase our products from for the restaurant.

Bulk foods is another possibility because of the low overhead for setting up this type of business combined with a cafe-style restaurant. Since I have a Consumer Education/Food Science degree (with an emphasis on Nutrition), we thought this might be a viable option for us to expand our farm business also. If not, a web-based business may also come about in the near future.

I know of all the food purveyors that the organic farms uses; and the "middle-men" that the Amish/Mennonite Markets purchase from for their businesses. This is still a "grass roots" inquiry for now. Just to "test the waters" for interest in this idea.

Thanks again.

Foodie

 

I would wait to see how American Flatbread fares as they also use higher quality, healthier ingredients.

 

There is a bakery coming to the new Brambleton Town Center, next to the movie theater.

 

i think we all agree.....less chinese, more mexican

 

oh, and good sushi would we great too!

 

I believe in Virginia you have to sell a higher % of food to alcohol. This essentially does not allow pure bars/pubs to exist. That's why they are always attached on to a restaurant.

 

Dare I say..... 1)Dunkin Donuts !!!

Others I'd like to see closer to us:
2)Baja Fresh (although I am equally as excited and can't wait for Chipotle)
3)Einstein Bagels
4)Rubios
5)Starbucks Drive thru - I hate that I have to drive by 6 other Starbucks just for the convenience of the drive thru in Ashburn Village but with multiple kids in the car it's worth it.

 

a good breakfast diner. Like Amphora or something open 24 hours.