Business Comings and Goings: Feedback Friday

At 1,166 “likes,” the Homewood-Flossmoor Patch Facebook is moving ever closer to the 1,200 benchmark.

Of course, we have all of our readers to thank.

Overheard on Facebook

Yesterday, in our latest installment of Minutes with the Mayor,

Here's some of our Facebook readers had to say:

• Maybe it's time for our own Bring Trader Joe's to...FB page!
• that would be WONDERFUL!!!!!! keep working on it please!!!!!
• I know a lot of people would love Trader Joes in the neighborhood, including me!
• I don't even know what a Trader Joes is???
• Trader Joe's is the most awesome grocery store in the west next to Whole Foods. I sure hope you get one. You'll love it.
• This is great news. I had almost given up. What can we do to help?
• Love it! I'm with Sue, what can we do to help?

Comments on - Patch

. Monday's subject involved the closure of Caribou Coffee. Here's what some of our readers said in the comment section:

• I appreciate the Patch for keeping the community informed with the video response from the Mayor as opposed to quoting him. I'm also grateful that the Mayor is willing to work with Caribou to find another location do they can be more competitive and continue to serve our community.
• ... this was short, to the point, and we heard our Village President say it all in his works. Thank you!
• I know that I have suggested the Southgate Pharmacy location to Caribou directly, but I wonder if that location is on the list that the Mayor is promoting? And if not....why not?
• They didn't want to move across a wall to space that would accommodate a drive-thru, but gosh maybe they'll take a whole different property? I don't believe them. I believe they told the mayor that, but I don't believe they meant it.
• There is not adequate turn room and space for cars waiting in line at the Southgate Pharmacy location or the Caribou location for a drive-thru. The Starbucks location used to be a Taco Bell that already had a drive thru lane. I'm not really sure where thay could go.
• I agree with Chris. Caribou is just blowing smoke...as evident by their cut and paste responses on their website and via email. Also, it is obvious to me that they knew they were leaving a long time ago. The sad part is that they chose to only give their employees 1 weeks' notice! Put another Starbucks where Caribou was. It will get just as much use as Caribou. It was the atmosphere I liked the most (and the employees!)
• Starbucks won't take over that location because no drive-thru and little foot-traffic, plus they have a store less than a mile away by the train station. The brutal reality is that you can't turn a profit in the coffee business without a drive- through. Just like you can't turn a profit in sit-down food business without a liquor license. And Starbucks is starting to roll out beer and wine service in their stores, starting on the west coast. Honestly, the best location in Homewood for Caribou would be the old Arby's on Halsted. Not only has a drive thru but is on the right side of the street to get morning commuters into the city. Not holding my breath, though.
• Did anyone read the Mayor's letter in the Village Key? he totally contradicts himself. He keeps stating that Caribou is moving out due to this being an under-performing location, but in his letter Mayor Hofield states there are plans set in motion for a new business in that location. He skimmed the topic, and if you weren't paying attention you would have missed it. Why else would Caribou close up so quickly. It looked like Caribou NEVER existed in that location by the afternoon the day after they closed.
• With all the talk of Trader Joes, I wonder if anyone is considering Walts Food Center that has served Homewood well for many years. If I were Walts, I would consider all this campaigning by Hofield for a Trader Joes a slap in the face.

Thanks, once again, to all of our readers for your continued loyalty and support.

—Ryan, editor.