Panera coming to Porter Square (where Qdoba was)

[ron_newman]

From February 17 meeting minutes sent to the Porter Square Neighbors mailing list:

Mark Ostow (owner of Zing Pizza and Cafe Zing in Porter Square Books) showed up to introduce himself and to express concern over possible competition from Panera Bread, which is coming to the space previously occupied by Qdoba (and McDonald's before that) in the shopping center. Without taking a position on business competition, we thanked Mark for Zing's high quality and local ownership, and wished him continued success.

Comments

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Oh, that explains why there was an anti-Panera flyer sponsored by the local carpenter's union at the Gentle Dental in Porter Square a couple of weeks ago. It said, amongst other things, that Panera was using non-union carpenters, but didn't say where.

[ron_newman]

Is it illegal for them to use non-union carpenters? I don't really understand the rules for construction trades around here.

I like Panera but would hate to see Cafe Zing lose coffee sales.

[derekp.livejournal.com]

Panera doesn't strike me as the type of place that has the same economies of scale as, say, Wal*Mart. Can't Cafe Zing just compete on the merits of it's coffee, prices, and perks as compared to Panera?

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

do they really get that much in coffee sales, especially with a DD's right there as well? and porter square books?

That said, I really like Zing, and also hope this doesn't negatively effect them.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

I would think Dunkins has been a bigger threat than a Panera will be in terms of coffee sales?

[gruene.livejournal.com]

These guys need to take a page from the IBEW. Don't attack them for hiring non-union workers, that just looks like you're whining. Attack them on some other issue that will resonate with the public.

Google "biotech greed" if you don't know what I'm taking about.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

I dont see how that Qdoba space is even big enough to accommodate a Panera Bread.

[thespian.livejournal.com]

there's a downstairs there, too, just no one ever uses it.

[pakoo.livejournal.com]

Did they mention an opening date?
thanks

[ron_newman]

I did not attend this meeting and am only passing on what was mailed to me.

[bluesauce.livejournal.com]

How terrible for him to have to face any competition.

[koloratur.livejournal.com]

I am excited about the Panera, and terrified about what the parking lot, a clusterf&ck at the best of times, will become when it opens!

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

I actually said the same thing to my husband after reading the post earlier. They are hopefully banking on a lot of foot traffic!

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

Seriously, that parking lot is a DISASTER. I can't think of a solution to it, though.

[ron_newman]

I doubt Panera customers will make it that much more crowded -- they are subject to the same 2-hour limit as everyone else using the lot.

[real-green-tea.livejournal.com]

Panera is a bastion of free wifi and quietude with good lighting. I welcome the possibility of going to such an establishment without having to travel to Fenway or Arlington.

[jamiesquared.livejournal.com]

There is a Panera in Everett, that is the one I usually go to but I am coming from Teele Sq not Porter...not sure if that would be any more convenient for you :)

[alphacygni]

Does Panera even have anything pizza-like? If not, Zing has that cornered. And even if so, it would have to be pretty amazing to complete with Zing. But I'll be very happy to get a decent, fast cup of french onion soup with a piece of crusty bread at Panera, which I don't currently do in Porter Square at all.

And hey, Zing has the invincible weapon of being able to waft pizza smell out over the bus shelter, thus making me crave pizza whenever I'm waiting around for the 77. Priceless!

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Not anymore, they don't have a pizza like product.

[teko.livejournal.com]

They don't have anything to compete with the awesome pizza at Zing; the concern is more that they're going to be competition for Cafe Zing, the coffeeshop inside Porter Books.

[littlecitynames.livejournal.com]

I literally did a double-take and squealed out loud when I saw the Panera sign on that space. It's one of my favorite chains, and as someone who cannot eat pizza or pastries I don't have too many quick options in Porter.

[trtls.livejournal.com]

A little off-topic, but....can you eat Thai food? If so, I recommend Rod Dee which just opened on Mass. Ave. next to Wok 'n Roll. Pretty good (they have 2-3 other locations locally) and fast.

[trtls.livejournal.com]

I am excited that at least it's something different than burritos or crappy pizza (I love Zing!). And they have organic kid's products. Everything else there is meh.

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

I think if I was in Porter and going to spend the cost of a Panera meal, I'd probably go to Gourmet.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

I'd be a lot happier about Gourmet Express if they cut their prices in half. Though it's still a good thing that there's 24-hour hot food in Porter.