Will a Taco Bell Cantina replace iYO Cafe in Davis Square?

[ron_newman]

The former iYO Cafe/Bistro at 234 Elm Street has a big new RESTAURANT AVAILABLE sign in the window. The QR code on the sign leads to a blank page, but I found the restaurant listed for sale on this page

SOMERVILLE, MA 
Café / Restaurant Location 
Common Victualler License 
Busy High Traffic Location. Sales History of $14,400.00 per week. 
Approximately 2,510 SF. Rent $50 - $55 PSF. 60 Seats. 
Beautiful Buildout with Exposed Brick Walls. Great Opportunity.

with more detail available here if you login to the nerest.com website. I'll include that detail below the lj-cut.

At an informal meeting with a few local residents Wednesday evening, Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis said that Taco Bell has expressed interest in this location for their new Taco Bell Cantina restaurant format, which includes alcoholic beverages. Only a few of these exist so far, in Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

RESTAURANT FOR SALE – GORGEOUS DAVIS SQUARE CAFE

Location : Somerville, MA

Type of Business : Café / Restaurant Location

Sales : History of $14,400.00 Per Week

License : Common Victualler License

Square Footage : 2,510 Square Feet 

Established : 2 Years

Lease Terms : New 10 Year Lease Available

Rent : $50 - $55 Per Square Foot

Parking : Street Parking

Reason For Sale : New Business Opportunities

Comments : High Traffic Location
Gorgeous Buildout with Exposed Brick Wall
All New Equipment
Income Producing Private Room for Functions and Parties
Landlord Prefers Operator that Owns Multiple Stores
Great Opportunity 

Asking Price : $50,000

Comments

[keithn.livejournal.com]

This sounds like a good use of this space. I have to admit that Taco Bell is the one national fast food chain that I regularly enjoy... even to the point where I go to the CambridgeSide Galleria a few times a year just for their food. The Cantina format seems well suited to Davis Square.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I've honestly wondered why there isn't a Taco Bell somewhere between Davis Square and Tufts, it's such a college mainstay. Having a Taco Bell one door down from Anna's and across the street from Painted Burro would be a bit bizarre, however!

[ron_newman]

And a couple of blocks from Tenoch

[jesseh.livejournal.com]

But honestly, those four are practically four different cuisines, they are so different from one another.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

A Taco Bell, seriously??

[teko.livejournal.com]

From the sound of it, it'd be more 'upscale' than Anna's. We had a McDonalds, a Family Dollar, and a Subway; why not a Taco Bell? I think a lot of people would welcome a another place to get lunch in the square for less than $10 these days.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I think the key word is had. I wonder if they will make enough to cover rents.

[ron_newman]

Seems to be a hipster version of a Taco Bell, based on three of the four existing locations (Austin, SF, Wicker Park in Chicago)

Please...no...

[francescadavis.livejournal.com]

Brightly colored booze infused slushy's? Seriously? A fast food booze bar? Watch out when walking on weekend mornings, Friday and Saturday night leftover detritus will increase...

What is wrong with good, independent restaurants with unique takes on food? How can we preserve the heart and character of our urban neighborhood? Do the visitors to Davis outnumber the residents? I fear Davis Square is turning into the party capital of Somerville.

RE: Please...no...

[teko.livejournal.com]

Why is it that every time a place mentions alcohol, there's someone who assumes it'll be drunky partyville?

Davis Square is chock full of good, independent restaurants, and no shortage of unique takes on food. Within one block, we have two Indian restaurants, a taqueria, an upscale bistro, a Oaxacan fusion restaurant, a poke restaurant, a sushi place with sushiritos, a Japanese soba/itsayaka place, a Korean restaurant, a Greek deli, and a Himalayan restaurant. I'm okay with an upscale-ish fast food place being another option.

RE: Please...no...

[kdsorceress.livejournal.com]

Wait wait, where makes sushi burritos?

RE: Please...no...

[teko.livejournal.com]

The new O'Ginger, between Pokeworks and Dellaria Salon in Davis Square. I haven't tried them yet, but they look tasty!

RE: Please...no...

[ron_newman]

The Chicago article I linked to discusses measures they took to ensure that patrons didn't carry their alcoholic drinks out of the restaurant. I expect they will be required to do similar things here in Somerville if they are approved.