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Saw the sign up on the service road in front of the old Joe Mallard/Ruston Ford Location. I assume they're going to tear it down and build the Logan's right there.
This North Central boy LOVES how Ruston is leading our region in growth and development. With our new Research Park, I think we've only BEGUN to see Ruston's potential.
that sign has been up a LONGGGGGGGGGGG time. no activity though. did here from someone that Hilton was coming in.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckK3
haha I just noticed it yesterday. Day late...dolla short...story of my life! :D
Im still waiting for that one across the road from Walmart. I think it is susposed to be the Santa Fe Cattle Company or something like that.
What is going up beside Green Clinic North? Will the McAlister's at Tech be available to the public?
Not sure about what's next to GCN, but McAllister's is being built in Tolliver, so it'll be open to the public like Chick-Fil-A. We head to campus once every week or two for some CFA. Ruston really needs a real CFA location.
I want more local joints popping up around town. Chain restaurants are ok...just wish we had places without plastic menus.
So glad you asked that. I've wondered for weeks everytime I drive by the Green Clinic North. Didn't seem like something to start a thread specifically for and didn't feel like digging up the last long thread about Ruston Eating Places, I think it was, that talked about new businesses, etc., around town.Quote:
Originally Posted by LT1
AMEN! Ruston has the potential to be a destination to eat. The places going in are good, but you can go these places in Any City, USA. Need more than just chains. When I go to Ruston, I don't go to places I can eat at in Tyler.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
... and there's a new Scott's Seafood going up (like they have down in West Monroe) going in on Hwy 33 a little north of Kentucky Ave. on the east side.
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
I'll tell y'all this, 10 years ago, most folks in our area who wanted to go "out & eat" drove to M/WM. More and more, it seems like RUSTON is becoming the preferred destination for eating and movies for folks in the U-P...certainly the western 2/3's anyway.
ExactlyQuote:
Originally Posted by champion110
I hope you are talking about Paris or Nikki!Quote:
Originally Posted by Choudawg86
Those two are probably headed to Bernice!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Brasky
At least we are getting more places. It took the alcohol law change to do it,but they are finally here.
What we need is for the blue laws to be gone and Ruston will be more fun. Midnight closing sucks...they should at least extend it to 2AM.
twssQuote:
Originally Posted by qng001
I drive through Ruston on Friday evening will confirm this. there tons of folks downtown to visit one of the restaurants in that area. Its becoming very popular.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckK3
You've already got that on the service road. Why is it important to have it in the city limits too?Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
JMO, but the local eateries need to be part of the down town development while the chains stay out by the interstate. Monroe/West Monroe is proof that a local restaurant will not make it if they are depending on interstate traffic.
When campus stretches to downtown and there is a pedestrian walkway from campus to railroad park, it would be nice to have options for late night dining and drinking without the dangers of the service roadQuote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Why not? Downtown is dead. There is no night life in the city of Ruston. Their are only 2 or 3 options to go for late night entertainment in a college town.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde
Nothin' good ever happens after midnight.
twss
Update on restaurants coming to Ruston:
Santa Fe Cattle Co. - Yes
Logans - Not looking good to probably not
Restaurant that must remain confidential but should excite everyone - being explored and is very likely :D
I'll disclose it as soon as I am allowed.
People always say Ruston should abolish the blue laws.
What would it take to bring that to a vote? Wouldn't take much to get the student population to latch onto that if they had leadership that knew how to see it through.
Its happening in Starkville right now. Mayor can't be 33.
I go out pass midnight on weekends all the time. Always had a good time.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Probably get a petition going to get it on the ballot...kinda like the last alcohol referendum.Quote:
Originally Posted by CChandler
I know. I remember those days.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
How do you eat an elephant?Quote:
Originally Posted by CChandler
One bite at a time -
Pick the NEXT most logical step and proceed to that - which would include a trip and study to Oxford MS and similar towns to see how THEY make it work
And to me that would be the establishment of an entertainment district downtown - get that in existence and the alcohol based laws can be changed quite simply...
Technically - blue laws deals with the sale of all goods on Sundays there fore blue laws are not what this is about...
This problem is the hours of operation of local establishments and the hours they can serve adult beverages - this is a LIQUOR law, not a BLUE law
Try and FORCE it and you will get a wall built up that may never be brought down -
Ruston gossip is that the old Ford dealership location Logans was looking at has some serious environmental issues. Not sure if that is true but that is the rumor. Also heard a rumor that the Davison's are invested in the Santa Fe steakhouse and shut down the Logans plan (I do not believe it). Must be tough being the big mover and shaker in town, you get very little cerdit for the good you do but the blame for everything, regardless if you are involved or not.
DAWGY
Logan's is horrible anyway...cept for the peanuts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RhythmDawg
We're gettin" a Minute Man? :)
Uh, no. But right now it is just in the inquiry phase, with the interested just initiating contact with the franchise and deciding on the choice of property. I've got my fingers crossed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tech77
Are you with the City or Chamber?Quote:
Originally Posted by RhythmDawg
(If you dont mind my asking)
Found subcontractor bid page on the Clark Construction website.
Clark Construction of Mississippi
http://www.clarkinc.com/request_plan_detail.php?ID=103
Request Plans - Job Details:
Job Name: Santa Fe Cattle Company
Size:
Location: Ruston, LA
Bid Date: Mar 24th, 2010
Contact: Alan Blue
DISCLAIMER - Partial Plan Documents furnished by Clark Construction are at the sole risk of the user. User agrees to hold Clark Construction harmless from errors due to the use of partial bid sets, scaling errors or any errors resulting from document distribution. It is the user's responsibility to review and verify any and all bid addenda prior to making a bid.
Note: Documents provided are intended strictly for use in the bid preparation of this project. Any other use is strictly prohibited. Note: You must accept these terms before you can request plans. Click the "Accept Terms" button below to proceed.
Oxford is a good case study in how to make EARLY closing times work, not in how later closing times help:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
http://wikitravel.org/en/Oxford_(Mississippi)
From Wiki: "Remember, bars in Oxford close early. Monday-Wednesday they close at midnight. Thursday and Friday they close at 1:00 AM. They close at midnight on Saturdays except on game weekends, when they are open till 1:00 AM. Still, most bar goers don't go home and go to bed but instead head to the infamous "late-nights," parties at someone's home or apartment. Despite police efforts to crack down on late-nights, they are still going strong, sometimes numbering into the thousands of partiers. Word spreads about the location of late-nights earlier in the night at the bars. Be sure to secure your beer or liquor for the late-night before you go out, because they will have stopped selling by the time the bars have closed (12AM most days, Sunday it's a "dry" city)."
except the liquor laws have been changed recently at the request of the restaurant/bar ownersQuote:
Originally Posted by NathanDarby
Yep. I don't like Logan's either.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Moving The Dawg House next door to Ponchatoulas would be a nice start to a Park Avenue entertainment district next to Railroad Park.
Dawg House, Ponchatoulas, Sundown
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...1_589664_n.jpg
It would be nice to have a weekend trolley route from Sundown/Ponchatoulas to Dawg House to Park Place/University Park to 3 Docs to El Toro/Rabbs and back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde
http://www.island-rhode.com/images/ripta_trolley.jpg
I agree. Logan is not good IMO. Everything is overly salty. I generally do not do chain except maybe PF Changs or Salt Grass.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawg06
Chamber, but the chamber doesn't know about this one. I am friends with the prospective franchisee.Quote:
Originally Posted by Champ967
can you drop some hints as to what it is? :DQuote:
RhythmDawg
I wish I could, and will when it materializes.Quote:
Originally Posted by LThoo
I know they were voting to allow Sunday sales, but as far as I know the bars still have to close at midnight/1:00. The 1:00 is a fairly new thing as well, until recently it was like Ruston where anything in the city limits had to close at midnight every night.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cool Hand Clyde
Did the closing times recently get changed again?
http://www.rustonleader.com/node/9602 (6 new eateries, hotel planning to join parish lineup)
http://www.rustonleader.com/node/9600 (Residents speak out on Ruston 21)
According to that first link, in addition to the places already being built, we are definitely getting a Logan's, Hilton Garden Hotel, and Santa Fe Cattle Co.
The second is about the Ruston 21 meeting last night. Haven't read it yet so can't comment on anything there. Just thought y'all might want to look yourselves after the discussions on here.
I dont think there is anyway both Logans and Sante Fe will be coming to Ruston. Logans will be backing out once Sante Fe starts going up.
Great question by Karl Malone. Please do entice new businesses to any community with tax packages, capital improvements, etc, but don't neglect the ones already there.Quote:
Originally Posted by CutiePie72
Logan's sucks.....
Amen....Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
.... and can we find a place that will stay open an hour or two extra on game nights?!?! During Football season with all the extra patrons in town and we have maybe 3-4 choices in the town. I would ask for that during basketball and baseball seasons as well, but one step at a time.
I've been spending a good bit of time in New Orleans and I love dive joints. I haven't been to any chain restaurants down here except Ruths Chris but that doesn't count since it started here. I'm currently on a po-boy eating tour.Quote:
Originally Posted by DocMarvin362
Man am I jealous!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Brasky
Head out to Metry -- go to the original Danny & Clydes at Clearview & W. Esplanade.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Brasky
Order the "Lory Story". It is life-changing.
Glad to see some new places to eat come to Ruston....I will be coming to Ruston regularly now that my son has decided that he wants to attend Tech.
I like the mom and pop style locally owned restaurants the best, though like Ponchatoulas.
The last time I ate a sit down meal in Ruston was at that Tex Mex place down by Rabbs. I think it has changed hands since I eat there last, hopefully the food and service is a lot better. The food had no flavor and was cold and the service wasn't much better.
I love Ponchatoulas, good food and their beer is always cold.Quote:
Originally Posted by CooperBulldog72
All of the local places we had were very happy to close early and kick you out on game nights. I would love local flavor,but there never was much of that to begin with!Quote:
Originally Posted by DocMarvin362
Cool.... well re-open after the game and make some MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!
Does anyone know what is going in on the Farmerville Highway beside the Spirit station and what is going in beside Green Clinic North?
Agreed. Chains along the interstate are good for Ruston/LP because they provide tax revenue. Local color belongs in the heart of town.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
Funny you should ask that just now. As I opened the thread I was hoping someone would answer what was going by the Green Clinic North. Someone asked earlier in this thread and I asked after that and still no answer. I assumed after this length of time no one must know--a deep dark secret. Went by Spirit today but didn't notice anything going in. I must have been sleep driving down the road. So, to answer your question, I don't know either but hope someone finally fills us in.Quote:
Originally Posted by LT1
It is an office building for a local branch of the USDA -- at least, that is what I have been told by someone who talked to the superintendent on the jobsite.Quote:
Originally Posted by CutiePie72
New construction = federal government. Good stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pitcherjlt
I'm all for economic development and more restaurants near the interstate, but I also like a clean city. Anyone notice the amount of trash along I-20? It's all you see from Ruston to Grambling.
Thanks. Now I can quit commenting everytime I pass it by.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pitcherjlt
I really, really wish Ruston could somehow figure out a way to put into the budget what West Monroe does with their Interstate area. If you will notice, their interstate median and side areas are always free of trash and tall grass. Why? They have paid personnel who take care of it and they use inmates. They also have their own enclosed cab tractor with a finish mower that they use to cut the grass. They don't wait on the state to send the grass mowing contractor through town. It really makes a difference, IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by TECH88
A few years ago, Ruston was getting ready to host a high school baseball tourney at La Tech and the grass along I-20 looked like we were trying to grow corn it was so high. I thought, "Man that looks bad and that will be the first thing someone sees when they either pass through Ruston or come here for this tourney." I mentioned the idea above to a person on the Chamber of Commerce Board and his reply was "Why would we want to be like West Monroe?" I tried to explain my reasoning but it kept going back to "We don't want to be like West Monroe." I said, "Well, in this case we should be striving to be like West Monroe."
As a resident and a business owner, I would gladly pay an extra $5 per month on my utility bills if it meant Ruston could do something like this. I also think it would be great to have a sign like they have for ULM along I-20 as your coming into Monroe westbound. The sign looks to be very nice and is always well landscaped when I pass by. Just a couple of thoughts I had ...
I drove through downtown Friday and Saturday nights, and there wasn't a parking spot available, and there were lots of groups walking around. I really think downtown is doing great. There's more construction going on, and the new sidewalks look great.
Most of those people were at Sundown and Ponchatoulas for the John Simoneaux Memorial Jam. My wife and I went to eat at Ponchatoulas and had to park over by the Dixie Theatre. I expected the restaurant to not have any seating available but it was surprisingly not very busy. Sundown had people coming out everywhere though. Lots of people and I am sure both of those local businesses did very well on their food and alcohol sales. The catfish platter was very good and the little bit of music we heard was good as well. But, I do agree that the downtown restaurants seem to be doing pretty well.Quote:
Originally Posted by splicer
WM does well with litter/mowing on the interstate, but not so much in other areas. Monroe looks like it has folks running it who take no pride in the way things look. Big shocker there. Ruston shouldn't fall into that catagory. With the trash/grass situation in Ruston it appears they depend on the State for upkeep. Those state contracts won't ever spruce things up. Cities have to do it on their own. Ruston lacks leadership in this area. It isn't complicated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pitcherjlt
Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
No its not -
Just one or two employees deputized and trained on handling inmate trustees and a working agreement with the local sheriff's office and dentention center and you can pick up trash on city right-of-ways and control excessive vegitation...
Picking up trash has got to be better than pillow biting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
This is what Ruston has planned for the I-20 corridor:
Establish gateway planting zones along the I-20 corridor and establish planting zones at major highway entrances into the City. Gateway planting zones offer the opportunity for the City to make a lasting, positive first impression on those traveling through Ruston and a lasting impression on local residents. Partnerships with major commercial interests in the TID district are recommended to establish and maintain I-20 planting. Partnerships with local businesses are recommended to establish and maintain planting at designated core gateways.
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l619/dawg06/i20.jpg
Trees blocking everything won't help anything.
I know this will probably never happen,but I wish Ruston would get a really nice baseball complex for tournaments. We are in a prime location and we could easily host 20 events a year. That would be a great boost for our local economy. I don't think that most of the people in Ruston have any idea how many people it would bring into town. The impact would be huge.
Agreed!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sw
They'd be way ahead of the game. WM will never do it because the mayor doesn't want more traffic. Monroe will depend on the nlulm complex. It would be a money maker as a complex and for the city.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sw
The City of Ruston is running two such crews now. This has been done for years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden
I don't think they work them on the interstate. If so, they need new supervision.Quote:
Originally Posted by roughedge
Actually in this Ruston 21 plan it has a picture of a multi-field regional sports complex.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sw
Page 132
http://www.ruston.org/upload/images/...ks_2_18_11.pdf
GOAL
A regional park complex
STRATEGIES
Partner with private interests to acquire property to develop multiuse fields supporting team sport activities
HOW?
Form partnerships, develop integrated plan, and acquire property
TARGET TIMELINE
2012 and ongoing
Good looking complex, but parking looks way short.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
Its not a rendering but some other city's park. It's there to give people an idea what a regional park complex looks like.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
I would also add to this plan a couple of soccer fields.
Finding property to build will be very challenging I assume.
Property in the city limits maybe. Looks like they are expanding city limits to the east though, so there should be property available.Quote:
Originally Posted by qng001
I think they already have a nice soccer complex out by the airport.
Plans were made a long time ago to turn the southern area of the old airport into a few soccer fields, but fell through after clearing started. Problem is, even with all the land in the area, it's not a particularly good neighborhood.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sw
I've been saying the same thing for years. Ruston needs a place like Minden has. And yes, the impact would be huge. The Dixie Park needs to be bulldozed and start over.
I think you have hit on a larger problem. While absolutely true, its a cycle that is hard to break. No new growth or major positive landmarks, business, or attractions have been built in the south side of Ruston for years. The area's residents most likely feel disenfranchised and neglected = perpetuating the cycle. Ruston 21 does a good job in beginning to address a wide range of issues to provide needed balance to Ruston.Quote:
Originally Posted by JuBru
I would love to see Tech (and they already do many great things:Emerson Center,Habitat Houses, [click 4th year-CDAC]...) really reach out to the residents south of campus .
The SOA is engaged in a great project to positively effect this area. I worked on the project for 2 years. Check it out
There is a fundraising 5K run Saturday, April 30 · 9:30am - 12:30pm
Fell through??? you ever been down there on a Saturday Morning or a week night during flag football season??Quote:
Originally Posted by JuBru
Not in a few years. Don't remember that area ever being used for anything once it was deemed too dangerous. They weren't done clearing the place yet.
Glad to see the idea of the sports complex. I actually put that in as an idea in one of the initial meetings. Hope it happens. I have been to tournaments in three stats and there are some great ball parks out there. Johnny Downs in Alexandria is a good one without getting to extravagant.
A couple of more new businesses in the works per today's RDL:
"P & Z OKs plans for coffee shop, auto rental"
http://www.rustonleader.com/node/9807
Unless they've done something new since I left a year or so ago, the old airport IS the soccer complex, and I wouldn't call it "nice." The old runway provides parking. They have a few fields set up for the various U8 age groups and a flag football field of sorts, but it is all far from ideal. Still, better than nothing and not too shabby for a rural southern town.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
PLEASE don't spend money on a soccer complex when a baseball complex is needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian96
Well, in terms of "complexes," the baseball one they already have is much nicer than the soccer one.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
But, I don't have a dog in this hunt. I just wanted to clarify that the Ruston soccer complex is not nice, and it really isn't even a complex.
I know this is really random but I was thinking I would love to open a what-a-burger or jimmie johns in ruston. Students would go crazy for what-a-burger since it stays open 24/7 and is delicious. When I visited Jimmie Johns it was a hit in town with the students since it was very fast and they delivered until 4 a.m.!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sw
Word is that Santa Fe will start construction some time during March. Should be ready for business this summer. Per the article the other day in the RDL.
A Backyard Burger would be awesome too.Quote:
Originally Posted by bdawg34
A guy who owns some BYB franchises lives in Ruston. Not sure why he hasn't tried Monroe or Ruston.Quote:
Originally Posted by odysseus
Didn't the one in Bossier shut down?
yes. probably because Airline drive traffic is the biggest CF I've ever seen.Quote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
I love some Whataburger.Quote:
Originally Posted by bdawg34
he knows not to compete with Griffs and DawghouseQuote:
Originally Posted by maddawg
personally never understood why people love dawghouse burgers so much.
It's good.Quote:
Originally Posted by bdub