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The intersection of Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road — an intersection that touches the F.Q. Story, Willo, and Encanto-Palmcroft historic districts — has been neglected by developers ever since SideBar, Pei Wei, and Starbucks moved in a few years ago. Not anymore. Progress is back, baby, and it (still) doesn’t seem to care for the whole preserve the past thing.
This week, the Republic reported a group of 60-year-old buildings on the southeast corner of the intersection (and former location of the Historic Antique Mall), soon will be the new home to a Five Guys, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt.
Yay! Wait — what?
Look, I’m no hotshot developer and I’m all for making Phoenix a thriving, kick-butt city, but, seriously, are a bunch of chain restaurants in a historic district the best solution? Do we really need another Chipotle or Five Guys? I would have liked to see the neighborhood go more the route of SideBar (go SideBar!) — mom-and-pop joints that would have truly created something unique and interesting for the area.
According to the Republic, there’s still room for more businesses in the buildings. Maybe there’s still a flicker of hope for a few bits of local flair in a historic district that’s starting to feel anything but.
