Franchises and Chains

An acquantance met recently with the county planner regarding the new Subway. There are currently no restrictions on fast food along 30-A. However, there are restrictions against drive-thru windows. This, combined with high land costs, seasonal revenue fluctuations, and scarce workforce at this level, will likely keep Mickie Dee's and others out.

Personally, I would rather not have restaurant chains in SoWal. Thankfully we don't yet look like every other place in America. Look at most cities and places, especially along the Interstate highways; they all really look the same with Wendy's, etc. all lined up.

Well Joe, Walton County already has drive thurs on the north side of 98. The difference of having a drive threw on 30-A is a big one! It's right in the middle of homes, Now on 98- most people rather go to the beaches in Destin And I do not think 30-a is zoned for it away. However, 30-A as of right now, Has No drive thurs. This is what I was saying.

Guess again. 30-A does have a drive thru window attached to a restaurant, right in the heart of Blue Mtn Beach. The restaurant even advertises the drive thru on roadside signs.

Doesn't really matter, drive thru or take out, it is the same as far as the effects go.

Just to chime in and agree with those who say "no chains/fast food/Walmart-type places" on 30-A. We come literally more than a thousand miles to avoid this sort of thing--Publix is one thing (and I've always felt guilty that I was endangering Modica's)--but chain/fast food type places would ruin Sowal. I live about an hour and a half south of Lake George in upstate NY--and this famous, and now former posh, lovely place is ruined by the likes of chains and other unregulated fast food and other places. The whole state of Vermont (near me) legislated to avoid ruining their tourist industry with the likes of Walmart (which eventually did build in Vermont--but not in the unregulated, strip mall-type environment usually associated with Walmart.) One of the worst places I've ever gone was in Missouri (we used to live in St. Louis)--"Lake of the Ozarks" was overrun with chains and Walmarts.
SOWAL is so special because it has the human scale of locally-owned stores where people actually smile and thank you for your business. We love the beach, but the whole environment is what makes it truly special and worth the airfare, car rental and the hassle. We come every year for a dose of "niceness" and the beach too.

SJ,
Based on that guy's signs in front of his restaurant, I would guess that he didn't bother to see if his new drive-thru window met zoning regs either.

SJ,
Based on that guy's signs in front of his restaurant, I would guess that he didn't bother to see if his new drive-thru window met zoning regs either.

Maybe not, but who is stopping him? Probably the same people who are allowing the permanent seawalls to be built up and down the beach. I guess those are also the same people who allowed the dumping of the orange dirt at Blue Mtn Beach. Maybe they are the ones in charge of spraying poison all over our beaches to try and kill a few flies in the off season. Okay, maybe they aren't the ones spraying that poison.:idontno:

Hello, Code Enforcement? I would like to report ....

By the way, I have not checked to see if there is an ordinance against drive-thru-s on 30-A, but if there is, how do the banks get away with it?