Saturday, November 14, 2009
‘Just what Boston needs …’
Not to sound too provincial, but do we really want a N.Y. chain-wannabe on Boston Common? I tilt toward Jeff Miller’s plan, if only because it at least strives for a local flavor. But you just know the same types who think “SoWa” is such a cool name will go with the “beloved” Shake Shack – and then they’ll lecture us about having an inferiority complex while they’re off aping everything Manhattan. They’ll never understand that it’s not about New York – or Kansas City. It’s about losing a little local character every time they plunk an out-of-state chain or name on an historic area.
BTW -- It's frappe to many Bostonians, not shake. ... The best reason to avoid the place if they go with Shake Shack.
BTW II -- Do we really need a theme eatery at all? I loved this outdoor café. No Zulu or Afrikaner impersonators in sight. It was just a pleasant place to enjoy a beer or coffee. …
Update -- Right out of the starting gate, MC Slim JB links my views to hating the Yankees and not admiring things from the "country's greatest restaurant town" – as I predicted some Shake Shack supporters would do. … If he read my post a little more carefully, he’d see that my point wasn’t about New York or Kansas City, etc. And Shake Shack is 'not merely one that looks like a chain.’ It’s a chain, owned by a restaurant group. I'm glad he confirmed the restaurant-group fact.
Not to sound too provincial, but do we really want a N.Y. chain-wannabe on Boston Common? I tilt toward Jeff Miller’s plan, if only because it at least strives for a local flavor. But you just know the same types who think “SoWa” is such a cool name will go with the “beloved” Shake Shack – and then they’ll lecture us about having an inferiority complex while they’re off aping everything Manhattan. They’ll never understand that it’s not about New York – or Kansas City. It’s about losing a little local character every time they plunk an out-of-state chain or name on an historic area.
BTW -- It's frappe to many Bostonians, not shake. ... The best reason to avoid the place if they go with Shake Shack.
BTW II -- Do we really need a theme eatery at all? I loved this outdoor café. No Zulu or Afrikaner impersonators in sight. It was just a pleasant place to enjoy a beer or coffee. …
Update -- Right out of the starting gate, MC Slim JB links my views to hating the Yankees and not admiring things from the "country's greatest restaurant town" – as I predicted some Shake Shack supporters would do. … If he read my post a little more carefully, he’d see that my point wasn’t about New York or Kansas City, etc. And Shake Shack is 'not merely one that looks like a chain.’ It’s a chain, owned by a restaurant group. I'm glad he confirmed the restaurant-group fact.
