Future Franchise Ideas - Hamilton Ontario

[Pearlstreet]

So if we want renewal, let’s talk renewal...

I have been curious to observe discussion of what Hamiltonian’s think they would like to see in their downtown, particularly the downtown core area.

Recently a friend of mine, unaware of how good of a friend I am and would appreciate this ‘plug’ for his business, decided to open a Smokey’s Poutinery (http://www.smokespoutinerie.com/) in downtown Barrie. Knowing how seemingly well the Hamilton, George Street location seems to be doing, it inspired me to think of another fresh niche. What would you like to see Hamilton? What do you often wish was closer to you? What would you frequent?

[mattgrande]

This doesn't really fit in with the "franchise" idea, but it is something I'd like to see in the city. I'd love a craft brewery. We have the population to support it and craft beers are at an all-time popularity high. Every year, macro brews are losing market share.

Burlington has a brewery. Oakville has one. Toronto has several. Hell, even tiny St Thomas has one! Why not Hamilton?

[north 42]

Here in Windsor, Walkerville Brewery just opened with major expansion plans for the near future. I'm hoping it will eventually become a full fledged brew pub one day.

[drpgq]

I think a Chipotle Mexican Grill would do decent in Jackson.

I think an Apple store would do fine even with the Burlington location.

[CaptainKirk]

Chapters/Indigo (perhaps on a revamped side of City Centre on James or in Gore park area)

Big, modern movie theatres.

an NHL team.

[SteelTown]

Would love to have a Benihana, Japanese restaurant where a chef prepares dinner at the table.

[mattgrande]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Would love to have a Benihana, Japanese restaurant where a chef prepares dinner at the table.

It's not Benihana, but if you like that, try Hibachi in Burlington (Appleby & Upper Middle).

[fuller]

I'm not sure if they franchise but Quebec's Trois Brasseurs is a small chain of brewpubs that would be a great addition to our city.

They recently opened the anglicized Three Brewers on Yonge St. in Toronto, so they aren't Ontario averse.

We had dinner in the downtown Montreal location last year. The food and beer both were tasty and the brewpub environment wasn't too contrived seeming. I was surprised to later find out it was a chain as it felt pretty original to me.

Maybe Glen Norton over at EcDev could call them up and put us on their expansion radar.

Of course even better would be if a local person, or group, would start up a Hamilton original brewpub and then maybe export it to places like Montreal and Toronto.

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

This doesn't really fit in with the "franchise" idea, but it is something I'd like to see in the city. I'd love a craft brewery. We have the population to support it and craft beers are at an all-time popularity high. Every year, macro brews are losing market share.

Burlington has a brewery. Oakville has one. Toronto has several. Hell, even tiny St Thomas has one! Why not Hamilton?

100% agree. Hamilton certainly has the population numbers to support this. Hell, Fredericton NB has one, with a population a tiny fraction of Hamilton.

Anyone want to meet up at The Winking Judge to discuss?

[mattgrande]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

100% agree. Hamilton certainly has the population numbers to support this. Hell, Fredericton NB has one, with a population a tiny fraction of Hamilton.

Anyone want to meet up at The Winking Judge to discuss?

I've said this elsewhere, but it is something I'd like to do if I could get together the right group of people.

[movingtohamilton]

The right group should include brewery operations knowledge, marketing and sales folk, and investors?

[northender98]

Two colleagues of mind suggested they would love to see a Yogurty's (http://www.yogurtys.com/Default.aspx) here in Hamilton. There is one in Brantford apparently. They said you get to make your own Yogurt treat and have a wide variety of toppings to choose from.
Northender98

[matt602]

Another vote for Trois Brasseurs. I also went to the one on Ste-Catherine and it was amazing.

[thistleclub]

Conceptually, it'd be neat to see '90s-era Jackson Square franchises return to the roost. Names like Jacob, Benneton, Club Monaco, Mark's & Spencer's and Sbarro's. City Centre can join in with HMV, Moore's and Eddie Bauer.

Maybe throw a Bell store in for oughties kicks.

And a craft brewery would be a great addition anywhere in the city.

[mattgrande]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

The right group should include brewery operations knowledge, marketing and sales folk, and investors?

I'd settle for just brewery operations knowledge and investors! Marketing can be handled by other firms and I truly believe that sales will come if you have a good product. Maybe I'm naive, though.

[Pearlstreet]

What would you call this brewery? 'Bay Front Brewery', 'Hoptical Hamilton'?

When going to school in Barrie I made sure to do a very good job of checking out the Flying Monkey Craft Brewery (used to be called Robert Simpson Brewery named after their first mayor) in their downtown. It is a fun, Willy Wonka like place with firehall rear doors, tours available, event bookings, a gift shop and samples of 'Hoptical Illusion' to be had! Many avenues to make money, also Barrie Beer Fest sure helps.
http://theflyingmonkeys.ca/

Put it in the church off James St S. (that is for sale) and ride the free advertising of controversy haha. http://www.icx.ca/propertyDetails.as...Key=1666469869

[Pearlstreet]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Would love to have a Benihana, Japanese restaurant where a chef prepares dinner at the table.

Certainly a great market for that.

I love Mongolian Grill in Waterloo, they are between the Laurier and Waterloo Campuses. They whip up the selections of meat and veggies you have selected from their buffet and cook it for you on their massive grill.

[Frankenrogers]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

I'd settle for just brewery operations knowledge and investors! Marketing can be handled by other firms and I truly believe that sales will come if you have a good product. Maybe I'm naive, though.

I'll do the marketing. Been looking for an exit plan to stop commuting haha.

[mattgrande]

Originally Posted by Pearlstreet

What would you call this brewery? 'Bay Front Brewery', 'Hoptical Hamilton'?

When going to school in Barrie I made sure to do a very good job of checking out the Flying Monkey Craft Brewery (used to be called Robert Simpson Brewery named after their first mayor) in their downtown. It is a fun, Willy Wonka like place with firehall rear doors, tours available, event bookings, a gift shop and samples of 'Hoptical Illusion' to be had! Many avenues to make money, also Barrie Beer Fest sure helps.
http://theflyingmonkeys.ca/

Put it in the church off James St S. (that is for sale) and ride the free advertising of controversy haha. http://www.icx.ca/propertyDetails.as...Key=1666469869

Funny you should say that, Pearlstreet. My "basement brew" is called Bay Water Breweries.

Flying Monkey is one of Ontario's best. I haven't been up to visit them, but if I'm ever in the area, I'm going to stop by.

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

Funny you should say that, Pearlstreet. My "basement brew" is called Bay Water Breweries...

I suggest Bay City Brewery® as the name of this about-to-be-founded microbrewery. (Bay Water has some unintended problems, from a marketing pov. )

Brews could include Pearl Pale Ale, Main 4-Lane IPA, Lister Lager, Bayfront Belgian Dubbel, I Mix Up North And South ESB, ........