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Finally Central Hamilton is getting large enough to support many of the same types of establishments. Choice!
 
I'm hoping for downtown to largely continue to skip big chains and franchises. Kinton is probably one of the larger franchises to come to downtown in a while, majority of the downtown spots are local, semi-local, or boutique restaurant groups. I wouldn't want Hamilton to lose local spot to mediocre chains with big advertising budgets and the comfort of sameness but mediocrity.

While I expect the larger new developments to go after larger tenants, I hope they continue to be mostly smaller groups like this. Keeps the city unique rather than just like everywhere else.
 
Chris R. said:
I'm hoping for downtown to largely continue to skip big chains and franchises. Kinton is probably one of the larger franchises to come to downtown in a while, majority of the downtown spots are local, semi-local, or boutique restaurant groups. I wouldn't want Hamilton to lose local spot to mediocre chains with big advertising budgets and the comfort of sameness but mediocrity.

While I expect the larger new developments to go after larger tenants, I hope they continue to be mostly smaller groups like this. Keeps the city unique rather than just like everywhere else.
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There should be room for all. People still do like the chains. And their presence also lends some credibility. For example, it is nutso and a bad sign that downtown Hamilton does not have a single McDonald's.
 
Downtown Hamilton has basically 0 chains of any kind beyond Tim Hortons, Pizza Pizza, and one Starbucks. Like, almost literally none. The few that were operating out of Jackson Square have left in the last few years.
 
Surprisingly, there are actually three Starbucks (the old Royal Connaught, the Sheraton, and at York and Bay) and a couple of Subways and a few other smattered chains. There should be more.
 
BCTed said:
There should be room for all. People still do like the chains. And their presence also lends some credibility. For example, it is nutso and a bad sign that downtown Hamilton does not have a single McDonald's.
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I mean, I've been all around the world, and McDonald's has never been an indicator species for successful urban area to me, if anything it was the opposite. They're often in areas locals and tourists alike lament as "touristy". I wouldn't mind the occasional franchise, though I rarely eat at them since moving out of the suburbs, but when they offer cheaper prices, bigger marketing budgets, and more revenue, they often push commercial rents up, push out local businesses and offer a lower quality product and they're rarely involved in the community.

The Barton Street BIA has struggled with McDonald's and Tim Hortons on Barton who want zero to do with the BIA of the longer term improvement to the street. Westdale has had similar issues with Second Cup. These chains don't care about you, the community they're in, nor the product they produce. They're income generators through and through, a way to extract as much money from a space as possible with no heart. Like buying a dog from a puppy mill rather than a rescue for clout.

I'm not suggesting they ban them, or make them illegal, or that people shouldn't go to them, but I'm going to hope for and continue supporting local businesses who provide better working environments for staff, often pay a living wage, and don't abuse Canada's immigrant worker program.
 
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