We have confirmed the rumor about a new ice cream store restaurant and gelato shop coming to town. It’s called the Southern Ice Cafe and it’s in Quizno’s old location by Bed Bath & Beyond. We’ll update you after our meeting with the owners next week.
And, we have quasi-confirmed a rumor that’s been circulating about a certain national restaurant coming to town. Still hunting down the facts, but it looks like it’s going to happen. We’ll name names the second we get official confirmation.
Wait, Quizno’s closed its location by Bed, Bath & Beyond? Wow, I had no idea. Did they move or something? What happened?
is it an exciting restaurant chain?
Of course! And, it’s favorite destination for pickle-eaters and pickle-haters alike.
now that just threw me off
ok one last question, is it a nicer place like Oh Charlies or like fast food.
It’s in the fast food restaurant category. Any other hints would give it away, so I’m going to keep my mouth shut until I get confirmation. But you are welcome to keep guessing on here.
I would speculate Pickle Barrel restaurant. It would be somewhat appropriate if they built in the lot behind Cracker Barrel.
How bout this place?
http://www.mrpicklesinc.com/
maybe Schlotzky’s deli? (no idea how to spell it)
I hope Krystals comes..I love their sandwiches and fries
Sounds like it might be Schlotzky’s Deli. I hope so, my mom loves that place!
My favorite one on the “wish list” is Jason’s Deli.
Correct if I’m wrong, but didn’t Schlotzky’s Deli open and close in a doomed location on Industrial Drive about five or so years ago? I say doomed location because it seems as if no business ever survives in that spot (Near Willow Bend Village, if I’ve got that strip center’s name correct). It’d be great to see such a chain locate here and thrive, but, as has been shown twice now with Quizno’s, it needs to have the right location (and obviously a well capitalized investor or group behind it) in order to survive.
Tupelo23 I remember several things being in that doomed location you are speaking of. It started out as Little Caesers Pizza in the late 80’s and most recently it held Bill Hamburgers. I can remember several things over the years but I don’t recall Schlotzky’s Deli being one of them. Quizno’s original Tupelo location was there and could be what you are remembering I am not sure.
Yeah, Scholtzky’s has never been located in that building. The only deli restaurants that have been there are Quizno’s and Pan D’or (or however you spell it)
Before it was Quizno’s I believe it was a smoothie place…like back in 1999 when I moved here. But what about the Southern Ice Cafe? Tell us more about this one!
I’m meeting with the owners this afternoon, but here’s what I know now.
Southern Ice Cafe will serve homemade sandwiches, soups and salads, along with coffee, espresso and pastries.
The motto is “Made fresh. Made here.” There is no microwave oven in the restaurant.
And, the cafe will focus on gelato and sorbet. Doesn’t look like ice cream is on the menu. Gelato is Italian ice cream that’s made with milk, cream, sugar, fruit, nuts and natural flavorings.
Just got an e-mail from the publicist from our mystery restaurant. He didn’t confirm or deny the plans for a Tupelo location, but he asked for another day or two to locate some information.
And, we still haven’t heard a peep from the half dozen execs we left messages for last week.
On a positive note, Southern Ice Cafe is planning to open in April. As we reported earlier, ice cream isn’t on the menu, but a lot of other items are. Check tomorrow’s paper for more info.
Maybe I am thinking of Quizno’s, but I could’ve sworn sometime within the last 10 years there was another chain deli-type store there. I do remember when it was Little Ceaser’s, but what I can’t remember is if it was the location that killed Little Ceaser’s or if that restaurant went down when the national chain went down. It used to be Little Ceaser’s was everywhere, and they had good pizza. Then something happened, the company blew up, and shut down those down. It’s only been within the last five years that Little Ceaser’s has made a comeback. But I digress. I just know that in the 14 years I’ve worked/lived in Tupelo, that building, for one reason or another, has been doomed. I don’t even think a check cashing outfit would last there.
Yeah I think that building is just doomed too. I rarely ever go near that area of Industrial Road, but whenever I do there is a completely different business in that building. Maybe one day some business will achieve longevity there.
Also, after Little Ceaser’s failed in that location, didn’t they move out to Thompson Square next to Kroger for a short time?
I don’t think anything down that street does great (Is it rankin extended?) As far a little ceaser’s, it didn’t do well even when it was located next to kroger at thompson square, but I don’t see any other store (except kroger) in that area busy. Does anybody know quiznos(the one by Logan’s)went belly up? I thought it was a great location and always seemed busy.
Tim, I have no idea what happened with Quiznos at Barnes Crossing. It was a surprise to me, too, when I saw it was closed a few months back. Restaurants have the highest failure rate of any new business startup, but usually these chain franchises screen their franchisees pretty well to make sure they’re capitalized well enough to withstand the first two to four years of the business’ life. Undercapitalization is the number one cause of new business failure, and that’s why many franchising companies require those licensing their stores to be well-heeled, or at least have investing backers who are.
I can give you a hint as to why they closed - I went in there for lunch one day and employees were sitting on the back counter where meats are sliced and food is prepared. The tables were dirty and the floors were sticky. I sent a strongly worded e-mail to Quizno’s and within a month they were closed.
We need a Fuddrucker’s here. Not sure how well it would do, but it is a great place for burgers. They cook and give you the burger, then you get to dress it at an awesome condiment bar. PICKLES GALORE!!!
I’m not sure how big of a chain it is, but I enjoyed the one that I ate at in Atlanta.
that one location doesnt do well, but danvers, yummy yogurt and IV’s both do well. heavenly ham is at gloster creek and does well too. the street is industrial dr. not rankin ext.(thats one st. to the east)
fuddruckers? something tells me we wont be getting one, but ill get you a shirt next time im around one.
The difference between Yummy Yogurt, IVs and Heavenly Ham is they’ve persisted, been in business for several years, and developed a following. That’s got to be the case for any restaurant that opens — the owners have to have the financial and physical wherewithall to stand behind it in those first months and even years when it struggles and works to develop a following. But Greg, you’re right — even a restaurant with great national marketing support and a menu people like will struggle if the quality in food, presentation and service isn’t there.
WOW I wish Southern Ice Cafe wasn’t so far away from where I live!!! I fell in love with Gelato when I was in Italy. I just hope it tastes the same and has the same texture. A lot of people try to copy gelato and it just doesn’t work. I’m always disappointed. Sounds like a fun place to go though!!
HOOTERS!!!!!!
NO BEER ON SUNDAY!!!!!!
NO HOOTERS!!!!!!
Tupelo23, all those restaurants you mentioned are also locally owned.
Well, that’s sucks. Conservatives and their silly rules!
I look for that to change soon.
Tell draws to make it happen.
what to change soon? alcohol on sunday? please, not until there is a big shift in the age demographics of our city council there wont be. maybe you see that coming, i dont.
i think its a silly rule personally…sort of goes along with todays article concerning new albany and alcohol. people that want to drink are going to drink, period. the perception that your town is somehow better, safer, whatever without being able to buy alcohol on sunday or anyday is just ludicris…….but thats how far behind the times many of todays citizens are.
As more and more restaurants locate in Tupelo due to this industrial boom we a seeing in association with Toyota, alcohol will be sold on Sunday’s by default. There will be too many dollars in lost revenue and taxes for not selling. Plus as you so aptly point out, the sale or lack thereof, of alcohol on Sunday will keep certain establishments from locating to Tupelo period. Dollars has nothing to do with the age demographic of our city council.
the money has always been lost on this point, however all of our surrounding counties have remained dry….how come? how come weve held onto sunday?…but i do agree with most all of your points. however, our city council is currently made up of several citizens that are steadfast in their ways and would never vote for such a thing……folks of older generations view alcohol and alcohol sales in a different light than folks, say in there 30’s.
i hope youre right BD, just afraid its still several years away from happening.
The surrounding counties have remained dry because there is absolutely nothing to draw in people to their area that would persuade them to change their alcohol sales or Blue Laws. Drive around Tupelo after 5:00 pm on Friday, count the out of Lee County tags. If one of the chain restaurants so happened to want to locate in Pontotoc, they’d be selling beer before the sun went down.
As for us holding onto Sunday, I guess there’s just too many Baptist on the council.
see there……now youre starting to see what i see.
I still say money will grease those wheels.
and ill stick with it being a new council(or two) before the squeeking stops.
hope your right though BD.
Me too BWM. The city can’t live up to it’s own expectations as long as it keeps trying to play big city in a small town.
It doesn’t matter to me at all, I don’t really drink much, and I am not a Baptist either.
http://www.cheeburger.com/ - I would absolutely LOVE it if we got a CheeBurger CheeBurger - one of the best hamburgers I have ever had and a HUGE milkshake list. YUM!!!!!
We could also use a good seafood resurant like a Landry’s or Joe’s Crab Shack.
And how about a return of Dairy Queen?
I would love the Queen back! And a Steak and Shake!
WELL WHEN ARE WE GOING TO KNOW WHAT IT IS BUZZ?
You just like Queen’s Farley.
I’ve been pestering the publicist every day and I still haven’t heard anything of substance. He still hasn’t confirmed or denied the rumors. Waiting on more information - that’s the only thing I can get out of him.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking.
And BD - play nice now.
He’s right, I do like Queens. Love Elton John and Eddie Izzard. Quite fond of Houston Nutt too!
LOL!
I’m on a roadtrip from Indianapolis to Baltimore making pitstops in Johnstown, PA; Harrisburg, PA; Philadelphia, PA and finalizing the trip in Baltimore, MD on Saturday. Monday night I ate at a new place, Weber Grill in downtown Indy and the food was good. I just hope this is the type of place that’s coming to Tupelo. I am so tired of the old chains coming like Joes Crab Shack, LoneStar, etc… We need something new!!!
Bizz, What ever happened to Dixie Creek? I thought the owners were going to reopen that place.
BD, remind us what Dixie Creek is/was….
That seafood/buffet style restaurant, in the old grocery store, in the Indian Hills neighborhood. That is the intersection of Old Saltillo Road and Barnes Crossing Road. They had a kitchen fire approximately 2 years ago. It seemed to be a very popular place.
Indygirl, my wife and I ate at Weber Grill in Chicago in November and it was really good, too. I agree with you about the type of places that we need here. We don’t need more prototypical chains — but at the same time this is not the size market that Weber Grill — let alone Macaroni Grill — would consider at this time. It’s just not big enough. Well, maybe Macaroni Grill, but . . .
I believe dixie creek owner Skip now works as a sales manager for GSK in oxford or Arkansas.
I knew they had another version of Dixie Creek in Oxford as well.
The Dixie Creek in tupelo was Skips only one, when it burned he said he was done. He had already been working for GSK at the time of the fire. I do not know what they have in Oxford but was not Skips.
Someone told me it was his dads, but I may have been misinformed.
Well you may be right! he always said it was his but that doesn’t mean it was. He also told me he had sold that property but i do not recall to who?
His Dad’s being the Oxford location on Jackson Avenue, sorry for the confusion.
the two dixie creeks had nothing to do with each other…..the only thing in common with them now is that they are both closed.
Has anyone heard who the other vendor is going to be?
Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.
I had to look that one up for myself because I didn’t believe it was a real place but it is! It’s from Los Angeles…
Gus’s Fried Chicken
Roscoe’s! Nice.
I put in another round of calls this morning about our mystery restaurant. The publicist said he thinks the fast food company hasn’t bought the building yet and that’s why he doesn’t have any details. Methinks he is stalling, thus, why I’m not relying solely on him for info. Muahaha.
i know of a new quick/casual restaurant coming out by the mall as well….one that many folks have been wanting and one that i feel will do excellent in our area.
not allowed to say who just yet….but wanted to start the guessing game
now I think you guys are just messing with us
im not messing, just not at liberty to say…..promise ill tell you in a few weeks…..but youll find my info is legit.
OK OK. Yes, it appears we jumped the gun on this. The problem is people in the community are talking about it. We’ve heard from a handful of reputable sources that a certain burger joint is entering the Tupelo market. Rumors have been swirling for months, and we heard about a particular location on West Main so we wanted to get the info out there.
Turns out, our mystery restaurant is a bit reluctant to comply.
We’re not toying with you - at least, not on purpose. We figured you’d rather know that something was going on (even though it was shrouded in secrecy), rather than us ignore the rumors until we had official confirmation.
One would guess because you say “entering” instead of “re-entering” it would be a company that has not been here before…..
Red Robin?
Steak and Shake?
Whataburger?
Rallys?
Checkers?
In and Out Burger?
Johnny Rockets?
ill take red robin outta your choices….since theyve been laying the advertising on pretty solidly lately.
checkers used to be where guthries is now….before it was krystal, but i could be confused.
I will say steak and shake
OK, after keeping you in suspense for a week, we’re going to go out on a limb here and say that all signs are pointing toward Krystal.
We hear the company wants to re-enter our market and has zeroed in on a location on West Main.
However, we don’t have any official confirmation from Krystal. The publicist said the company hasn’t purchased a building, but is looking in our market. An official company statement is supposedly on it’s way to us right now.
By “quick-casual,” I think of Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday’s and Chili’s. And since they’re here, that would leave somebody like, oh, TGI Friday’s….?
But then again, Schlotsky’s Deli and Jason’s Deli is probably falls more into “quick casual” upon further reflection. Bigwooly, now you’ve given us more stuff to track down.
applebees and such would be classified as casual, not quick/casual…..just to help in your searches.
Yep, which is why I mentioned the two delis. And the previous list including Red Robin and Steak & Shake sounds awfully tempting, too.
More snooping to do now…