City Council to decide food vendor contracts

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130922/BUSINESS/309220025/Who-will-land-airport-deal-

The number one selection committee is a vendor out of St. Louis. The Missouri firm has a proposal to construct and operate five nationally branded franchise locations in the airport: Chick-fil-A, Corona Beach House, Surf City Squeeze and two Einstein Bros. Bagels.

I am surprised to see that a New York vendor who proposes using local foodies is recommended as choice number two.

Quote :

The local group, which has partnered with Creative Food Group of New York, includes Robert de Varona, who has held the airport concession contract since 1995, and Collier Merrill, who owns several popular downtown restaurants, including the Fish House.

Creative would pay Merrill for the right to open and operate a Fish House restaurant.

The company would sublease to de Varona for a restaurant that would feature a Cuban sandwich.

Two other spaces would feature food from Bagelheads on Gregory Street and beer from Pensacola Bay Brewery in the Historic District.

The article went on to say that Mayor Hayward favors the number one selection... not the locals. Big surprise to me. You would think that Merrill would get whatever he wanted. Makes you wonder how he seemingly fell into disfavor...

Much as I don't care for the GOB system in Pensacola, it makes better sense to me to use local businesses as vendors. Their selection certainly sounds superior to Chick-Fil-A and two bagel joints.

I, too was surprised to hear our dear Mayor supports the St. Louis vendor. Why would he support them over local businesses? Hmmm......

How soon can Mayor Hayward be voted out of office?

Eric wrote:

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130922/BUSINESS/309220025/Who-will-land-airport-deal-

The number one selection committee is a vendor out of St. Louis.  The Missouri firm has a proposal to construct and operate five nationally branded franchise locations in the airport: Chick-fil-A, Corona Beach House, Surf City Squeeze and two Einstein Bros. Bagels.

I am surprised to see that a New York vendor who proposes using local foodies is recommended as choice number two.  

Quote :

The local group, which has partnered with Creative Food Group of New York, includes Robert de Varona, who has held the airport concession contract since 1995, and Collier Merrill, who owns several popular downtown restaurants, including the Fish House.

Creative would pay Merrill for the right to open and operate a Fish House restaurant.

The company would sublease to de Varona for a restaurant that would feature a Cuban sandwich.

Two other spaces would feature food from Bagelheads on Gregory Street and beer from Pensacola Bay Brewery in the Historic District.

The article went on to say that Mayor Hayward favors the number one selection... not the locals.  Big surprise to me.  You would think that Merrill would get whatever he wanted.  Makes you wonder how he seemingly fell into disfavor...

Take the best deal....IT'S AIRPORT FOOD ---OVERPRICED!!!!....

The employees will have to be Pensacola people, so much of the money will remain in Pensacola, no matter what.

Eric wrote:

The employees will have to be Pensacola people, so much of the money will remain in Pensacola, no matter what.

True, but I'd rather see a local business provide the service. Perhaps I just don't want a flippin' Chick-Fil-A in there......I don't think the first thing out of town passengers see to be a Chick-Fil-A, considering all the controversy it's owner caused.

Welcome to Pensacola.....the city that supports Chick-Fil-A values!

Melissa (PB) wrote:

Eric wrote:

The employees will have to be Pensacola people, so much of the money will remain in Pensacola, no matter what.

True, but I'd rather see a local business provide the service. Perhaps I just don't want a flippin' Chick-Fil-A in there......I don't think the first thing out of town passengers see to be a Chick-Fil-A, considering all the controversy it's owner caused.

Welcome to Pensacola.....the city that supports Chick-Fil-A values!

There are fast food places in all airports around the country....If you don't like their product of the way they run their business----DON"T GO..How Chick-Fil-A is linked to Pensacola supporting their values is quit a stretch but is a little hypocritical for those that oppose Chcik-Fil-A because of their not being open minded about an issue or the companies religious views and yet those that are opposed are so open minded that they don't want a 'flippin Chick-Fil-A' because they don't tolerate their freedoms and choices about running a business...again DON"T GO....Haven't seen where Chick-Fil-A has gone bankrupt from their way of doing business....Should Starbucks face the same scrutiny for entering into a political/social issue?....

Yep. If the owner of Starbucks gives his/her views on a specific political or social issue, the owner is responsible for the fall-out from same.

And yes....I choose not to do business with flippin' Chick Fil A, just like I don't do business with Cracker Barrel. Haven't been to a Cracker Barrel in decades.

You are so right.....we all have a choice.

Like it or not, Pensacola is a seasonal gathering point for gays and lesbians from all over the country. And we greet them at the airport with a Chick-Fil-A?

And before you ask, MW, I am straight.

It would be a great place for a little McGuire's, Franco's, Joe Patti's Seafood, or any other LOCAL restaurant to have a partial menu of quick and easy items along with advertisements including the full menus of the regular restaurants.. The food courts at the malls can have 2-3 restaurants with the same people serving food over the same counters, so what's the problem with the dang airport??

Melissa (PB) wrote:

Yep. If the owner of Starbucks gives his/her views on a specific political or social issue, the owner is responsible for the fall-out from same.

And yes....I choose not to do business with flippin' Chick Fil A, just like I don't do business with Cracker Barrel. Haven't been to a Cracker Barrel in decades.

You are so right.....we all have a choice.

Like it or not, Pensacola is a seasonal gathering point for gays and lesbians from all over the country. And we greet them at the airport with a Chick-Fil-A?  

And before you ask, MW, I am straight.

My comments were not intended to be of a personal nature they were in general....so because gays and lesbians come here from all over the country the city should employ which vendors? Is there a litmus test for businesses?...there may be some upset if it would be a gay supporting vendor are there concerns not important?...No matter what is done in these instances there is always a chance that someone will be offended...It's time for this society to stop being so weak kneed and politically correct....Further have never asked anyone their specific orientation or race and it doesn't matter in this instance either...But if we make decisions based on who/what issue is offended....problem solved the airport area will be empty!....Which will give way to more room for transgendered restrooms etc., in order to attempt to make everyone happy and comfortable....

Perhaps this is a bit off-topic, but here in Hoover (outside Birmingham), there is a Chic-fil-A that is so busy, they have a guy directing traffic in the parking lot. I'm not kidding, they're slammed!

I like the taste of their chicken bites, but it is a bit too greasy.