Wendy’s arrival at Duval spurs more chain-store debate
By Christie Phillips
cphillips@keynoter.com
As the fast-food franchise Wendy’s opened its doors at
Duval and Eaton streets in Key West this week, it also re-opened the
floodgate on the issue of chain stores in the Keys.
"Last Stand is sponsoring a Keys in the Balance session on
Big Pine Key July 23 on the subject of chain stores in the Keys," said the
organization’s vice president, Nancy Klingener. "I know lots of people in
Key West have talked about chains for a while, but certainly the convergence
of Wendy’s, Eckerd, Walgreens and Starbucks all opening at once is
newsworthy."
The new Wendy’s on Duval is owned by local franchiser Sam
Nekhalia, who owns the Wendy’s on North Roosevelt Boulevard as well as one
in Key Largo and another in Marathon.
"I wanted to be on Duval to serve breakfast to the locals,
for the people who work in the court house and the other businesses down
there," Nekhalia explained. "And to cater to the cruise-ship traffic during
the day, as well as late night for the people coming out of bars."
The full-menu fast-food restaurant will be open from 7
a.m. to 2 a.m.
"I chose that location because it’s a corner space which
gives maximum exposure and because of its size, which allows seating,"
Nekhalia said.
The exclusive leasing agreement for the Duval site took
more than two years to complete, and Nekhalia started construction on the
site May 1. The space was formerly Chums, a retail clothing store.
The fast-food chain’s opening is fueling continuing
controversy about development in the Keys. Many see the influx of chain
stores as detrimental to the uniqueness of the islands.
The village of Islamorada’s incorporation in 1998 was
sparked in part by a community fight to keep out a McDonald’s, and now the
village has a formula retail ordinance that is "restrictive" to chain
operations. The law bans more than 2,000 square feet from being used for a
"formula" retail store or restaurant.
This year, Publix had sought to put a store in the
village, at the current Fish Bowl bowling alley. But the grocery chain
apparently has back off those plans, choosing not to fight the ordinance.
And just last month, locals on Big Pine were up in arms
about Walgreens coming to that island.
The Monroe County Planning Commission denied the chain’s
proposed plans to redevelop the old Scotty’s Hardware store on Big Pine, so
instead the company bought the property and building with the intent of
moving into the existing structure. Walgreens is also appealing the Planning
Commission’s decision.
Klingener said the session on Big Pine later this month
will cover Keyswide issues.
"The immediate spur for this was the Walgreens-on-Big-Pine
issue, but we are also going to include some Key West folks as well as
speakers from Islamorada."
The meeting is
open to the public. For more information, contact Last Stand at 296-3335.
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