What has changed due to the economy?

[maznorm]

I have not been to Florida since 2007. Business appeared to be booming back then. Now that the economic crisis has hit, I was just wondering how it has changed the business in Florida.

Which restaurants have fallen? My dad lives in Sarasota and told me that Steak n Shake is gone. Is it just in Sarasota or all over?

We are hoping to make a visit this year or nest year, bt after hearing about Virgin Megastores, Spoodles & Steak n Shake, I feel like by the time we get there, everything we enjoy will be gone.

What is it really looking like now? I keep imagining empty stores in the malls and I drive being full of closed down restaurants.

Is it really going to be like that? Is it like that now?


Maz

 

[foxlore]

There have been quite a few restaurants going out of business. Although, I don't think you'll need to worry about all your favorite places being closed.

I was dismayed to hear about Spoodles - it was one of our family's favorites and will be missed. The new restaurant sounds worth a try though since it's Cat Cora's... Of course she won't be there preparing the food so we'll have to see...

It's sad to see businesses going under, but others are flourishing... So, I guess what it comes down to is who is doing the best job for the $$. It seems the places that are doing well are the ones offering a special of some sort to their customers while maintaining their quality and service. For instance, Chilis is always packed - they have started offering 2 for 1 drinks. The glasses are a bit smaller, but it's working for them. It was a good business move.

The problem Disney is facing (IMHO) is that they're trying to cut corners and increasing prices. For instance, I had planned to buy a Tables in Wonderland card a month ago (I kept forgetting to buy it), but when I went to GS I discovered they'd raised the price. I left without it. So, Disney not only lost the sale of the card, but they also lost my increased patronage at the TS restaurants.

The other reason I chose not to purchase the card at the higher price was that we've seen portions and quality decrease this year at every place we've been. Honestly, it's to the point that DH and I are wondering if we should even renew the APs at the end of the year.

Sorry if that sounds like a downer, but it is what we've seen this year as locals... Anyway, if some of your favorite places are closed there are plenty of other things to try.

 

[foxlore]

Oh and I was on I-Drive about a month ago - we ate at Bahama Breeze - I didn't notice any closures. That's not saying there weren't any, but most places seemed to be doing pretty well. We also were there a bit before that and ate at Olive Garden. Both places were busy.

Stores in the malls... it just depends where. I think MaM is doing fine. Oviedo Mall has quite a few closures, but really wasn't much to begin with... It's a shame - potential unreached... The outlets have been busy the past few times I've been...

So, you aren't going to come to a ghost town, but businesses that aren't remaining competitive will suffer.

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

We were there in Feb this year and found it unbelievably expensive compared to October last year. Even with the exchange rate being worse, a lot of things seemed to be expensive.

There's not a lot missing form the malls and of course you have the extenstion at premium that is open now.

David

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I was dismayed to hear about Spoodles

Based on descriptions elsewhere on this board, Cat Cora's restaurant sounds like Spoodles with a name change!

Andrew

 

[foxlore]

I thought the same thing, but I'd be surprised if Cat didn't put a distinctive stamp on it... I guess we'll see soon enough... I think it's going to fill the same niche, but have it's own "flavor"...

Based on descriptions elsewhere on this board, Cat Cora's restaurant sounds like Spoodles with a name change!

Andrew

 

[jennikat]

I live in the Florida panhandle and the Steak N Shakes here are still open. According to their website there are 7 open in Orlando, one in Kissimmee, one in Altamonte Springs,(north Orlando) and 3 in Lakeland.