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I've been to Marina's, which seemed nice enough, and The Hive, which I recognize could be intimidating.
I still have never gone into Caper's or Frankie's... I feel like I need to know someone before going in.
(02-07-2017, 11:03 AM)Markster Wrote: [ -> ]I've been to Marina's, which seemed nice enough, and The Hive, which I recognize could be intimidating.  
I still have never gone into Caper's or Frankie's... I feel like I need to know someone before going in.

I had friends who played (a band) at Caper's and Marina's. The former is definitely a contender for least appealing bar in K-W, though I've never been to Frankie's so can't say for sure. Marina's wasn't bad at all. Clean, well kept, and I saw her (Marina) cut off several people. The rule there was you were not allowed to mention Caper's. Smile
I worked at a (now the only) bar in Elmira that had no shortage of power drinkers and fights.
These types of places have a very simple rule; don't be a dick and trouble won't find you. At the bars heavily frequented by students who have not yet learned to "handle their high", I can guarantee the code is a lot less simple.

My last words on this matter is, the vast majority of people who frequent places like Frankie's are none violent just as are the vast majority of students. Businesses that cater to both groups and who abide by the law are equally legitimate and valuable.
Does anyone know what happened to McCabe's new location in Uptown Waterloo? From the outside at least, they seemed like they were 90% done and now there appears to be no activity whatsoever. I think even their liquor license application is gone. Was the location scrapped last minute?
A&W is wanting to build a location at Ottawa and Strasburg (Old Petro Canada property) but most of the neighbourhood doesn't want them too. http://m.therecord.com/news-story/710835...idents-say
So a drive-thru is not a good fit for a location....that was a gas station....because of cars?
(02-08-2017, 11:13 AM)Viewfromthe42 Wrote: [ -> ]So a drive-thru is not a good fit for a location....that was a gas station....because of cars?

I think they make a good point about cars idling vs a retail use where you park and stay for a bit (or shut off to pump gas). I know I wouldn't want to live next to a business with the possibility of cars idling all night. Was the old gas station 24 hrs? That would also be a big difference as you at least know there's no overnight traffic if the station closed at 10 or 11 p.m.
Would be interesting to check in on the use of the Drive-thru A&W at University and (Lincoln?), which I believe is also all-night.
Well, a 24-hour drive through doesn't have idling cars all night. They make it past the order box pretty quick.

Like... exhaust fumes are annoying... but gas stations in general are also pretty smelly. Just a difference of pre- and post-combustion.

I can't see a good reason not to allow a drive through. But I would suggest that the neighbour decide what is their biggest concern, which problem must be addressed, knowing that the solution will mean different (but lesser) issues.
(02-08-2017, 12:05 PM)Viewfromthe42 Wrote: [ -> ]Would be interesting to check in on the use of the Drive-thru A&W at University and (Lincoln?), which I believe is also all-night.

That one is also not right next to houses. But I do think this is being exaggerated.
From a perspective of traffic, not of being next to houses. Ottawa and University both have decent amounts of traffic. How closely one is analogous to the other, I can't say, but more data is better than less.
They are also raising objections to the expected volume of the drive-up speaker.

Edit: Actually read the article this time! I see the restaurant has arranged for high fences and for the intercom to face away from houses, so that's good.

They're also saying that traffic would increase in the intersection, and cite the Alpine and HW intersections as troublesome. Those very intersections are getting roundabout upgrades this summer...
Stopped in for a sandwich at Yeti Cafe. I was hoping to try their veggie burger (beet, chickpea and quinoa), but it wasn't available today. I had the Smokie instead - grilled halloumi, smoked apple sauce, caramelized onions and greens. It was delicious. If all their food is this good, I can't recommend them enough.
Somewhat relatedly to the A&W controversy:

A&W launches big expansion in Ontario, Quebec
Quote: Mallhi moved to Toronto from Winnipeg to take advantage of the new franchise model, which offers millennials the opportunity to own a restaurant with an initial investment of $125,000 to $150,000, or about half the cost of a typical franchise.

"We launched it last year to really recruit younger millennial franchisees, who have energy, a lot of business experience, but really didn't have all of the business background and maybe not all of the capital that our traditional franchisee might have, and we wanted to create a program that really worked for them," said Susan Senecal, A&W's president and chief operating officer.

[...]

Founded in Winnipeg in 1956, A&W is planning to expand by 200 restaurants in Canada over the next few years, from the current 879. The expansion is focused on Ontario and Quebec, where the chain is under-represented relative to Western Canada.
That's a big expansion plan, considering it's very much a mature market.
(02-08-2017, 04:38 PM)jamincan Wrote: [ -> ]Stopped in for a sandwich at Yeti Cafe. I was hoping to try their veggie burger (beet, chickpea and quinoa), but it wasn't available today. I had the Smokie instead - grilled halloumi, smoked apple sauce, caramelized onions and greens. It was delicious. If all their food is this good, I can't recommend them enough.

I'm also a big fan of the Yeti. Other sandwiches I can recommend are the Terry Pender and Country Club; for breakfast the BOB, Brunchie, and Cowgirl are all excellent as well.