A martini is a terrible thing to waste.

Abort Starbucks.

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Sep 20, 2010 45 Comments

So in case you haven’t heard, there’s no longer a Planned Parenthood on Lark Street anymore.

Over the years, I’ve gotten to know a few of the people who worked at Planned Parenthood because that’s where I get my abortions.   That’s a bad joke.  In actuality, they would come into the restaurant for lunch.  I am going to miss Rob and Amy the most.  I love those two.

(However, I can say that I will NOT miss those crazy offensive picketers who used to show up in front of Planned Parenthood on Saturday mornings.  Those people gave me nightmares.)

But anyway, I was reading a story in the TimesUnion.com about the Planned Parenthood leaving Lark Street, and how the vacant building is now for sale, and the reporter wrote the following:

Tom Cairns, a broker for NAI/Platform, which is handling the sale and helped Planned Parenthood find its new location on Central Avenue, said the firm has been approached by developers seeking to build a mix of apartments and stores on the site.

“It would be ideal for an upscale coffee shop — a Starbucks or something,” Cairns said.

Is that guy Cairns kidding?

The last thing Lark Street needs is a Starbucks.  It’s unfortunate that the sale of this building is being handled by someone who thinks a “Starbucks” is what Lark Street is missing.   Gross.  Plus, there’s already like 4 coffee shops on the street.

I have always loved Lark Street, probably because there’s a bar every 4 feet.  I love the independent flavor of Lark Street.  One exception being Dunkin Donuts at the end of Lark, most of the stores on Lark Street are small businesses owned by local people.  It’s great!  I love that you can have a great meal at McGuire’s, and then 3 blocks down the street I can buy a one hitter or get a neck tattoo.  I also love that Lark Street is sandwiched between the capital building, and one of the greatest city parks in the country, Washington Park.

What do you think would make a good addition to Lark Street?  (and please don’t say, “a good burrito restaurant” ;(

I vote for a butcher.  A very sexy butcher.

Or maybe I’ll open that plumbing store I’ve always wanted to own.  ”Matt’s Plumbing.  We do shitty work.”



Comments

  • Larry
    Sep 20, 2010 at 12:20 am

    Albany probably isn’t big enough to support one but how about a cheese shop.

  • Amy
    Sep 20, 2010 at 12:33 am

    I had the EXACT same reaction to that article! I hold out hope, however, that if a Starbucks were to worm it’s way onto Lark St., the good people of Albany would politely boycott it.

    I’m all for a butcher, or an old fashioned hardware store… like the one I used to love tagging along with my father to when I was little; where the screws and nails are sorted into handmade plywood compartments on handmade plywood shelving.

  • bryan
    Sep 20, 2010 at 6:57 am

    I would love to see it turned into some kind of parking structure. When I want tequila wings I hate that I have to search forever just to find a place to park for 15 minutes.

  • DB
    Sep 20, 2010 at 7:47 am

    mrs fields cookies

  • Hopeful
    Sep 20, 2010 at 7:51 am

    No Starbucks! I only know Bombers on Lark Street, but is there a book store (privately owned of course) or a bakery?

  • Jeff
    Sep 20, 2010 at 8:29 am

    What makes Washington Park one of the greatest city parks in the country?

  • scooby
    Sep 20, 2010 at 8:41 am

    My dream was to open a small video rental shop on lark. It’d make a killing.

  • Ferfer
    Sep 20, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Some discussion of this here:
    http://blog.timesunion.com/realestate/what-does-lark-street-need/4607/

  • Mark
    Sep 20, 2010 at 9:05 am

    I agree that we don’t need a Starbuck’s but I also wouldn’t want to see yet another bar/restaurant on Lark Street. It’s already saturated with those businesses. How about something that doesn’t serve alcohol and attracts a more savoury crowd than the drunks and drug dealers we already have far too many of? I guess that precludes another “Bum deBum” enterprise.

  • Dan
    Sep 20, 2010 at 9:37 am

    I was on Lark Saturday night with my girlfriend and a few buddies and the subject go brought up about some how turning that building into the new “Lark Street Tavern” maybe?

  • Lauren
    Sep 20, 2010 at 9:39 am

    Bombers should move there so it’s big and nice like the one in Schenectady!!!!!!

  • Theresa
    Sep 20, 2010 at 10:05 am

    Being a resident of Center Square and a pedestrian, I’d love to have deli/bakery grocery store. Ya know, one that would fit with the ambiance of Center Square without hurting any of the local businesses. Being from Dallas, my specifc preference would be Eatzi’s Bakery and Market or a Sprouts.

    (I don’t know if the links will work, never posted here but I’ll try…also, that first one has music attached to it…hate that.)
    http://www.eatzis.com/market.html
    http://sprouts.com/home.php

  • BettysDaughter
    Sep 20, 2010 at 10:41 am

    How about a pharmacy – like Marra’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment in Cohoes or Lincoln Pharmacy on Delaware and Morton/Holland in Albany? They usually have stuff that is unusual, plus your aspirin after you’ve been to Bomber’s too long…he, he.

  • Kerosena
    Sep 20, 2010 at 10:49 am

    Maybe a drugstore of the mom-and-pop variety.

  • Wendy Sue
    Sep 20, 2010 at 10:50 am

    A very good bakery. If not a nice upscale disco place for the middle age crowd.

  • Martin
    Sep 20, 2010 at 11:02 am

    Matt, I agree. What makes lark street such a destination is the vareity and independance of the businesses nearby. The market doesn’t need to be oversaturated by competing coroporate interests, and I’d have to see a national chain move it, but would it be a shinging example of situation where a chain could be successful AND exist in downtown, thus spurring other returns to downtown for more businesses? It seems that when these operations come to the table they swear up and down that the communities needs don’t match their cookie cutter agenda and unless they get everything they want they’ll look elsewhere. Convincing a chain to move in, and play by the same operation and design standards as the rest of the establoishments… wouldn’t that be a coup? An opportunity to say to other retailers that proclaim the suburbs as paramount because of parking “look, there ARE markets here!”

    Personally I’d rather the site not be a starbucks or a pizza place. God forbid a parking lot…. awful.

    Mixed use with apartments on the top… best way to go!!!

  • Nate
    Sep 20, 2010 at 11:23 am

    Well, I think the Starbucks idea was a suggestion and not a declaration. I don’t think Starbucks would move in because there are already so many coffee shops but they have been known to do such things in the past. More importantly, their sort of corporate nonsense wouldn’t garner them a ton of business on Lark.

    So let’s not get ahead of ourselves on any boycotts. These developers sound like they want to put a lot of money into refurbishing this property (creating more storefront & apartments). Let’s celebrate that because it really is a win, regardless of what comes in, for the neighborhood.

    Also, I’d hate to see the pro-life wackos replaced by anti-Starbucks wankers.

  • Hopeful
    Sep 20, 2010 at 11:34 am

    A fancy homemade candy store?

  • CAC (aka Robby’s mommy)
    Sep 20, 2010 at 11:47 am

    What about a bread store? Like those Italian bakeries with the delicious meat breads? Yum! I got some on LI this wknd. Delish.

  • EJH
    Sep 20, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Now I want it to be a disco that sells cupcakes.

  • C.J.
    Sep 20, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    I believe Lark St. DOES need another cafe. One that is spacious, has a lounge area, isn’t claustrophobic, and has later hours.I can proudly say I’ve never given a dollar to Starbucks though. I love Lil Buddha but that space is limiting. I also 110% back someone’s idea of an independent video store. An Ethiopian restaurant would be lovely as well.

  • BettysDaughter
    Sep 20, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    I don’t know who this Kerosena is, but I like her/his way of thinking!

  • Paul
    Sep 20, 2010 at 12:17 pm

    Matt,
    When I was a kid my friend’s father had a business which rented port-a-potties. His slogan was “your shit is my bread and butter”. This would apply to your new plumbing store.

    You should buy the building and do something cool. Keep out of the hands of corporate chains, but that is me just saying that since I do not have two nickles to rub together.

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  • Jon Lively
    Sep 20, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    How Sarah Palin of you Matt! ;o) Hooray for the small business owner!

  • DB
    Sep 20, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    well ive heard nothing better than Mrs. Field Cookies

  • Ferfer
    Sep 20, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    Video store? You guys realize this isn’t 1989, right? People need to think before the launch some of these businesses… like that cell phone accessory store that was there for a few months recently. Did anyone other than me think that was doomed to fail from the start?

  • Cori
    Sep 20, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    Lark Street is cool, but it is hard to find a non-food business that will thrive there. The center square area isn’t large enough to self-support things like hardware stores and small grocery stores- and it isn’t convenient enough for non-walkers to go there to shop. It has to be a “destination”…a place to go that is worth dealing with parking for. Might I suggest something like we stumbled upon in Somerville, MA. It was called Vinny’s On Broadway. It was a crazy good Italian deli by day (totally yummy old school), but after dark it became “Vinny’s at Night”- serving some amazing homemade italian fare in a dining room behind velvet (ick) curtains. We waited in line in the closed down deli front (with low expectation) and then we were seated and served a really amazing meal. Homemade breads, sauces, pasta and meats (including amazing veal without apology). This idea gives center square residents a great deli and the restaurant becomes the destination worth driving in for. Its oddness only made it cooler that the food was so damn good.
    http://www.vinnysonbroadway.com/

  • Laura
    Sep 20, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    I want a place that sells chopped salads – like Greenhouse on Pearl St. – that is actually open past 2 p.m.

    Also – an Italian Imports/Deli like Ragonese would be a nice addition to the neighborhood.

  • C
    Sep 20, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    How about a fancy deli/sandwich shop, featuring great import beers? Matt I’ll run it and create the menu if you fund it.

  • D-Dub
    Sep 20, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    How about a cool/funky pet store?

  • Miss SJ Albany
    Sep 20, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    I like the disco with cupcakes idea, cause that’s what us middle age folks need – disco with a side of cupcakes…also doesn’t that have a parking lot (albeit a small one) attached to the property?

  • Kisha
    Sep 20, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    Starbucks- are you kidding me? I LOVE MY DAILY GRIND! I wish they opened earlier but I may be the only loser up that early. I love the idea of a butcher shop or a real delicatessan- you know the ones where the deli (wo)man has authority and we all bow down to their skills. I also like the Ragonese type place although I am more in favor of a Cardona’s Market II- mainly because it would be great to have a place near by that has fresh produce. I hear Price Chopper has blocked every attempt and a grocery stand.

    What I would really like is a place with a shit ton of vegetarian options- can someone bring back Fields of Greens. I love beer and I love pubs but I am so sick and tired of eating a grill cheese, cheese fries and a salad with 2 tons of parmesan cheese to cover up the fact that the lettuce is gross. For all you restaurant owners out there- more veggie options please :)

  • Kisha
    Sep 20, 2010 at 6:43 pm

    Oh and about that accessory store– I smelled a front. You know like the 1990′s bodega with one dusty can on the shelf :) Oh wait– we have one of those already…

  • bugman
    Sep 22, 2010 at 9:04 am

    Garden Bistro 24.

  • Summer
    Sep 22, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    How about moving the Daily Grind to a new bigger, better facility, with outdoor patio lounge, bigger indoor seating, and such? Then the next question would be, “what will go into the Daily Grind’s old location?” I vote bakery.

  • BIDBlueBoy
    Sep 22, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    I am so glad that I live near Lark Street!
    Matt–Thanks for the shout out=) You’ve done so much to help make Lark Street the “destination” of choice for many people.
    I’ve enjoyed seeing you around, and observing your vision for Lark Street and your success and your business(es) grow and succeed!
    You are my favorite “burrito boy”. And–I think plumbers are kinda sexy, too!=)
    (PS I think it’s great that everyone is thinking about good use of that prime UHPP property!)

  • Tess
    Sep 22, 2010 at 3:45 pm

    satellite of the Co-op! With good local foods and veggie stand! Room for local foodstuffs! And local artists. Maybe a venue for music/poetry as well….

  • Joe
    Sep 22, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    A mixed use development that includes a small grocery store, similar to Trader Joe’s, that supports the Center Square community and residences above.

  • Kate
    Sep 23, 2010 at 9:14 am

    Are there a lot of people roaming the streets after 2:00 a.m. looking for chopped salads?

    How about a “fast” food vegetarian restaurant? Not a drive through per see, but a place where you could get something healthy that did not break the bank and was semi-quick (just for those days/nights) when you were not having a burrito?)

  • Laura
    Sep 23, 2010 at 11:11 am

    That’s 2 p.m. Kate…all of the salad and sandwiches places downtown (meaning below Center Square) close around 2 p.m. after the State-worker lunch rush. I would love to be able to get a salad like that for dinner.

  • kate
    Sep 24, 2010 at 11:11 am

    my bad.

  • Cait
    Sep 24, 2010 at 7:28 pm

    Lark Street and downtown Albany for that matter need to move away from bars and restaurants and towards retail. We need a reason other than restaurants for people to come downtown. I would love a boutique of some kind like in Saratoga. I am sure it will never happen but a girl can dream…

  • BARV
    Sep 25, 2010 at 10:27 am

    You will all probably think I’m crazy ~ but what about a multi vendor establishment? Where some small businesses can’t afford the rent, but together as a group they can? For instance, each would have a room or booth type area, or counter if you prefer. There could be a butcher, a bakery, produce, maybe a tea spot, a boutique, a herb place, Deli, a Mom & Pop pharmacy & convenient shop for small items, etc. The list could go on. I know parking is an issue, but this would keep with the theme of Lark Street and keeping it local, it would be a win-win for local businesses and could employ more employees. There could be court yard for meeting up ~ maybe a little wine/beer bar and a coffee bar. Similar to a strip mall, but call it Lark’s Local Yocals or something, corney, but whatever, just a thought…….

  • Benji
    Oct 1, 2010 at 6:05 am

    Cardona’s Center Square – http://www.cardonasmarket.com

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