FreshCo will be moving to a commercial development on Hanes Road and will be joined by Taco Bell, Burger King, Firehouse Subs, Popeyes, and Osmow’s Shawarma.
On January 18, planning consultant John Gallagher and New Urban Retail Inc. President Jamie Chisholm were before Huntsville’s planning committee meeting (held remotely) asking for a site plan approval for the new commercial development.
The development will be situated on an estimated area of 3.6 hectares. The lands are bounded by Hanes Road to the north and Centre Street to the west and will comprise about 2.1 hectares once the Town assumes the future extension of Shay Road and Ott Drive, which make up the southern and easter boundaries of the proposed development.
“Once completed and assumed, these roads will establish the limits of development for this application, as well as a primary means for provision of access and servicing,” said Huntsville manager of planning Richard Clark.
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Speaking for myself, I think most people do realize that developers simply build and from there it goes how it goes. I was merely commenting that I was hoping for a restaurant that offers nutritious, real food. If the ingredients are local, that’s a bonus.
I know a number of vegetarians; their choices are few and far between in Huntsville. We do have a few fine dining restaurants in Huntsville that offer vegetarian choices -thank you. To be clear: a salad option at a restaurant is not what the average vegetarian wants. Vegetarian cuisine is not all about salads. I do know; we have several vegetarians in our family and amongst friends and, we were vegetarians for two years.
An Aside: To be clear, fish eating is not vegetarian. Fish and seafood are flesh and are classified under the animal kingdom. If you profess to be vegetarian but eat fish/seafood, you are a pescatarian.
I appreciate that we have this platform to voice our opinions and/or concerns.
When I was a lot younger, I remember the Kernelsandersfingerlikin’goodmanchicken coming to town. With all it’s herbs and spices. Where the south entrance is today, and about where the building supply store stands. It was a big deal, and for a long time, was the local fast food. Then we got Tastee Creem and that became the primo go to fast food. When I worked in Toronto, the Harveys out in Scarborough put out some good food.
But though I found some fast food to be good back in the day, today’s offerings stir up a rather strong gag reflex. I can’t get too excited about a lot of the preheated and boil-in-a -bag stuff some of these ‘restaurants’ offer as food. And the price! Hell. For the price of a couple of burgers and fries with a drink, I might as well get a steak and barbeque it up at home. It’ll save money and what you get is actual food.
I remember getting off work early, calling Tricia and telling her I’d pick up some burgers for supper that evening. She’s always happy when she doesn’t have to cook. I went into the burger joint and ordered from the pictures over the counter.
“Two of those with some fries, please.”
“Anything to drink?”
“No. I’ll make coffee at home thanks.”
The stuff came, the grease already soaking through the paper wrapper. I opened the paper and looked at, what may have one time been food.
“This isn’t what I ordered. I ordered two of those.” I pointed at the picture.
“That’s what you got.” There was an edge to the lads voice.
“Thanks, but I don’t want that.” I prepared to leave.
“But you have to pay for them.” He gestured to a lady standing nearby. “He won’t pay for the burgers.” Like I was in for it now.
“You have to pay” she said “or I’ll have to call the authorities.”
“Maybe that’s what you should do” I said, “And a reporter too. Headline should look good. ‘Customer will not pay for crap burger’.” We exchanged a few more unpleasantries and then she’d had enough.
“Maybe you better leave” and she pointed to the door. “And don’t come back here.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s a given lady.” And I left. Maybe that’s why they want the money up front today. So you are denied the option of not paying for some of the more ‘retchables’.
They can add as many fast ‘food’ joints as they want. They will see little of my money. But there will for sure be a significant amount of litter added to the streets and roads. All in the name of progress.
And Peter Zychowski: Is it lonely in that “mind boggling”, “so confusing”, “no sense at all” and somewhat sarcastic world of yours?
Better days ahead I hope.
The complaining is mind boggling.
Here’s an idea, how about Brenda, Rufus, Ralph, Paul and Joseph team up to open a new healthy-food restaurant. Pool your capital and take the risk. There’s plenty of space in the new development for your new enterprise.
Again, do people not realize that the developer merely builds it and then waits to see who’s interested in buying and renting? No one is prevented from being there. The town cannot say “Only healthy food allowed”. It’s supply and demand. No one can conjure up out of thin air whatever it is you want to see.
If you want a vegan restaurant, open one yourself because clearly there isn’t an existing business that a) actually, you know, exists, b) wants to be located in that development.
The whining is so confusing to me. Do you people actually believe that a developer will invest millions and then say “Only eye doctors and healthy food restaurants allowed!” Or, that the Town has the power to discriminate against businesses in that way?
These arguments make no sense at all and are completely detached from reality.
Just what we need! More junk food for better health?
If these establishments have to bring in cheap labor are
they supplying housing and medical needs?
Running new hydro lines for this development. Who pays for this? The Developer?
Huntsville citizens can look forward to a hydro rate increase?
Some are already calling Huntsville “the Toronto of the north” I pray not!
To Joseph R.
I too, was hoping for at least one ‘real’ food restaurant – preferably vegetarian or vegan, but food made with nutritious, fresh ingredients (i.e. not those disgusting, highly processed, salty, plant-based frozen meat substitutes).
To Rufus: It will be nothing short of a miracle if these new fast food restaurants are staffed. Wages are low; cost of housing is sky high.
We cannot hire people for existing fast foods and we are adding more junk food restaurants. What Huntsville needs is mid and higher end restaurants. Huntsville will continue to look like the “ARMPIT OF LAKE SIMCOE” thus Huntsville will be come the “ARMPIT OF THE NORTH” This council needs to get their act together FAST.
Are we not short on worker’s already. Good luck with that. FYI skilled workers are moving away because we can. Cost of living is too high in Huntsville aka Hamptons of Muskoka. Minimum wage trying to pay rent or mortgage hmmm!!.. $900.00 for a bachelor apt. $1800-$2300 for a one bedroom. Iam going to be paying $600.00 a month where iam moving too plus a very good wage. People don’t struggle here other towns are capping rent and real-estate and a good wage at $20.00hr. Google it, be careful for scams always call the town hall to confirm it. Opoide addiction and drug problem is at it’s worst here so there goes another % of the work force. No housing available either. The town is dying a slow death. Get out before its too late. Born and raised here love my home town just can’t afford to live here. Why struggle and be unhappy. Cheers!!..
Great , just what we need , more highly processed junkfood.
How about some decent restaurants and other services that are needed
Darn! pretty soon there will be no reason for me to go to Barrie, Orillia, Toronto etc. it will all be right here.
Probably with the traffic too!
I’ll just bet they can’t outdo the Pickerel burgers offered on the first nations band land to the west of North Bay though…. yumm!
I don’t understand why people like Ms. Shinkar post/think such things.
This development is not limited to anyone or anything. If there were doctors, dentists, clown schools, etc. that wanted to be there, they could be there. Is the developer supposed to say “Sorry, Burger King, this space is reserved for an imaginary eye doctor who has yet to reveal themselves.” or “Nope, you’re not allowed to be here Taco Bell, we’re crossing our fingers for a mom and pop retail store that’s not yet in existence.”
Is someone supposed to magically conjure up these professionals to rent space in this development?
I don’t understand how people can seemingly go through life without understanding how things work.
As I get older I’ve come to realize that the basic concept of supply and demand is lost on a lot of people.
Wow! More fast food! What about doctors, dentists, eye care professionals, another Shoppers? We lost our Mall, clothing stores. We are being forced to shop out of town or online. More homes being built and less professional care. I don’t get it!
Fantastic! Finally Huntsille gets a Taco Bell, Burger King, Firehouse Subs and Popeyes! We’re too big a city to not have these restaurants. We have a Whataburger and Chik-fil-A, time for these others to come here.
Nice we need a swarmmer