Thursday, January 5, 2023

Shake Shack

Shake Shack
DC location courtesy Mike Mozart (he's the king of these kind of snaps!)

 Downstate based chain Shake Shack are coming Upstate, but mainly on the NYS Thruway, from the bedroom communities of Sloatsburg and Ramapo to the WNY small town Angola, replacing McDonalds and other chains, along with Chick-Fil-A, Applegreen and Starbucks.  While we have the GA Capital Region and King County (albeit fewer in recent years) chains in CNY, Shake Shack are new 200 miles northeast of NYC.  With my new crystal ball (I finally got one that seems to work, but it's not all like it is on TV), I asked it what will be in the food court at Destiny USA where Popeyes used to be, and I wrote it down in a semi-trance like I was drunk (and I'm a teetotaller, mind), and I got Shake Shack of all things.  I'm still just going to do this like I have been, since it's more creative and speculative than trying to be the Walter Mercado of retail! Back on I-87 & 90 meanwhile (switching off in Albany, like I've known forever), some are open now and being slated (heavily criticised), while others are being built and slated (planned) to open later this year or next year.  Henrietta in Monroe County is confirmed so far.  I'm focussing on malls, plazas, and other run-of-the-mill locations in town.


Syracuse - Destiny USA, former Popeyes et al, Arbys or Cantina Loredo

New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A

Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, NY 5 & US 20

Cortland - Riverside Plaza, NY 13; former Naples Pizza

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall, NY 3; former Titled Kilt

Camillus - Camillus Commons; former Bon-Ton (remaining vacancy)

deWitt - NY 5 & Bridge St; former Friendlys (in progress in 2024; Rachels Mediterranean Grill deal cancelled)

Baldwinsville- NY 31 & 370; former Jreck Subs

Amherst - NY 78; former restaurant (name TBD)

Oneida - NY 5; former fast food chain (name TBD)

Ithaca - College Ave.; former Starbucks

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Whealthy Fusion Stir Fry

Fantasy location in North Syracuse

 West coast based Whealthy Fusion Stir Fry have been on the back burner for some time because of the lack of free images, so once again, I had to make my own, cutting and pasting (I just used a location near Atlanta).  Most of their restaurants are near LA, yet one is coming to Crossgates in our Capital Region this year, so it could work its way further around the state and ultimately rest of the northeast, but I'll just try spots that I know. CoreLife have competition if they get close to one another.

Syracuse (north side) - Destiny USA; former Cantina Laredo

North Syracuse - Northern Lights Plaza, US 11; former Michaels/various (pictured)

Auburn - Fingerlakes Mall, US 20 & NY 5

New Hartford - Sangertown Square, NY 5 & 5A

Cortland - Riverside Plaza, NY 13; former Naples Pizza

Ithaca - NY 13/34/96; former CoreLife

Syracuse (east side) - NY 5; former Red Lobster

Amherst - NY 78; former restaurant (name TBD)

Henrietta - NY 252; former Calios

Watertown - Salmon Run Mall, NY 3; former Tilted Kilt