Although high rent on State Street threatens the security of small, privately owned restaurants, local owners and the Greater State Street Business Association are confident that chains and independents can coexist to bring diverse dining opportunities to the downtown area.
'I think we take for granted how fortunate we are to have such an eclectic mix of restaurants in a town of our size,' said Stephanie LaBelle, president of GSSBA.
State Street is peppered with locally owned restaurants from many different cultures, including Himalayan and Middle Eastern. But over the last 10 years, many of the unique facades of these restaurants have been replaced with the familiar storefronts of chain restaurants, from Starbucks, 661 State St., to Noodles and Co., 232 State St.
Yet, according to restaurant owners and the GSSBA, the presence of these franchises is not necessarily a sign of corporate conquest.
Qdoba Manager Don Heinz claimed the ambiance of his restaurant is more of a draw than its name.
'It's a friendly type of thing,' he said. 'A lot of people will come here to interact with friends, even if they're not ordering food, just to hang out.'
In some cases, the chains are even a part of State Street history.
According Scott Hingiss, manager of Pizzeria Uno, 222 W. Gorham St., chain restaurants bring valuable contributions to State Street. Hingiss said Pizzeria Uno has been in its location for approximately 25 years, giving Madisonians options they cannot find elsewhere.
'It's got a great Chicago grill look to it,' he said.
LaBelle said chain restaurants act as anchors to bring people into the downtown area, where they also frequent local businesses.
She said she does not feel these chains are evil and they do not take away from the independent enterprises.
'I think people in Madison love that we have small, independent family-owned restaurants on State Street,' LaBelle said.
Faycel Belakhdar, owner of Mediterranean Caf??, 625 State St., said his restaurant is proof that independents can succeed in the face of corporate proliferation.
'I think the people who walk and work on State Street cater to small restaurants,' he said. 'Everyone feels comfortable being here. My customers leave happy.'
LaBelle said the chain restaurants have proved to be an important and beneficial addition to the State Street community.
Restaurant owners said they feel the variety of restaurants will continue to bring patrons to the downtown area.
Sunroom Caf?? owner Mark Paradise also said he feels the community enjoys independent restaurants. He said patrons can find things in independent restaurants they cannot find in chains.
'It's always a concern, but it hasn't affected us yet,' he said of the spread of chains. 'The people here realize that independents are important to the whole fabric of the area and make State Street unique. And you need to support that.'
