The City Council met on Tuesday to discuss the latest in the developments on the South side of the Rayzor Ranch development. Many of been hoping this development would be the start of upscale retail and dining – the type of project that would keep local dollars here and serve to attract outside visitors at the same time. After all, the project is receiving significant economic development incentives from the city.
After an extensive discussion of placemaking, site plans, elevations, and building materials, I asked what sort of commitments Red Development had lined up to move-in to this project, knowing that a particular grocer had already filed pre-application materials to the city to be there. What is the grocer that will serve as an anchor to drawing all the other upper scale retail and dining outfits?
WinCo Foods: The Supermarket Low Cost Leader
I’m sure this is a fine establishment. They don’t take credit cards and you get to bag your own groceries. It’s just that the number one question I’m asked regarding bringing retail establishments to town is, “How can we get a XXXXX grocery store in Denton?” Central Market, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, you name it – the feeling is that Denton is in need of more variety in our grocery options.
If WinCo wants to come to Denton, that’s fine. But I’m not sure we need to be in the business of offering economic incentives for this. I’m also not sure how a WinCo Foods draws the upscale development everyone has been expecting from this Rayzor Ranch project.
It reminds me of one of my favorite scenes from “So I Married an Axe Murderer.” Charlie is trying to gracefully exit the home of his new lady friend’s house when he runs into her sister the next morning. She convinces him to stay by offering a particularly enticing breakfast menu. Once he agrees, this is what he gets…
What do you think?