Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 8, 2006 Sonic boom By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — While the owners are celebrating an overwhelming turnout at the valley's newest fast-food restaurant, neighboring businesses and the local drivers are hoping things slow down. And soon. Oregon's only Sonic Drive-In opened quietly on May 23. Within a day, the area faced daily traffic backups onto Highway 99 and into neighboring parking lots, cramping sales and parking access for neighboring businesses. "It's been really frustrating because the Sonic sign — the big, huge 60-foot sign — is at the entrance to our little mall complex," said Quizno's owner Donna Freeman. "So everybody that comes down by the road thinks they should come in there — and I would probably make that assumption, too — but we've got nowhere for our customers to park." Neighboring businesses are suffering slow sales, Freeman noted, and traffic has yet to slow down. The owners say they were expecting a big turnout in Sonic's opening weeks, but nothing like they've seen so far. In fact, the spectacular popularity highlights the need for more outlets in the Rogue Valley, said Doug Phillips, spokesperson for franchise owner SDI. "We are pleasantly surprised," Phillips said. "From what we're hearing, this has been one of their strongest openings they've ever had. We figured, since it's the first one in Oregon, that people were going to be receptive to it — and they have, on an entirely unexpected level." First proposed in August, a condition of approval was that developers had to update an existing master plan for the city's business core and consult with city planners on traffic patterns. City Administrator Phil Messina said the business had been developed according to city regulations but city officials — nor anyone else — could have anticipated how "wildly successful" the drive-in would be. "I'm not aware that there's anything the city can do if a business is incredibly successful," Messina said. "I would imagine some of their business partners are somewhat upset, but I don't think anybody expected it to be as successful and as busy as it has been. Maybe they need a second location in Central Point." Medford resident Whitney Corrales, who stopped by Sonic Tuesday evening to pick up "an easy dinner," wasn't too excited when she had to wait nearly 25 minutes to place an order. She joked that the urge to leave was stifled only by her desire to try the restaurants famous cherry limeade. "I've waited this long so I'm not leaving," she said, waiting in her car behind four other vehicles. "But it better be good because my kids will be in bed late tonight waiting for their food. Gold Hill resident Tim Kiersted waited 15 minutes in line, then signaled to a flagger that he needed to leave. "I wanted to check it out because I heard it was pretty good, but I guess I'll have to wait," he said. "I don't have time to sit and wait. I could get served faster in a sit-down place." Sonic hired the flaggers in an attempt to ease traffic, but they have no plans to expand parking or dining areas. "What we're hearing is its going to continue to be gangbusters," Phillips said. "We're hoping to respond to that demand by developing other locations in Jackson and Josephine counties." While Sonic is enjoying unexpected popularity, Quizno's Freeman and Curves manager Lona Fisher say their customers are staying away. "I've had some comments from members that almost just go by and not come in because of the hectic traffic," Fisher said. "We're hoping it slows down. I don't know what they'll do if it doesn't. All I do is come to work and then try to get out when it's time to go home." While Curves is membership based, Freeman said her regular customers have avoided the sandwich shop, hurting sales. "The reality of it is our regular customers, a lot of them, are staying away," she said. "And the ones who come in, the people they've got directing traffic are pointing them away from our driveway. They're not happy about that, and neither are we. I've had to go out and play the wicked witch and tell Sonic customers they can't use our parking lot." Central Point police Lt. Chuck Newell took a wait-and-see approach to the traffic congestion. Despite rumors of accidents or injuries to the restaurant's skating "car hops," Newell said nothing had been reported. "Thank goodness we're able to report no accidents," Newell said Wednesday. "In fact the only calls we have received from that have been from some of the businesses talking about parking problems at their location around the Sonic which is on private property. "Sonic has brought in private security people to help that situation out and I think that once the newness of the place wears off, it should go back to normal in that area. At least that's what we're hoping." Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy