As national chains continue to arrive in Flagstaff, the competition local restaurants face could prove to be a helping hand.
The competition brought about by the recent trend of chains arriving is not necessarily something that should worry local Flagstaff businesses. Joe Galli, the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce's Vice President of Government Affairs, said that competition with national chains can be a beneficial factor for local restaurants because it gives them the opportunity to rise to the occasion.
“Competition makes [local restaurants] refine their business model, be more efficient, and provide a better product with a better price with great service,” Galli said. “That's what works in this town.”
More recent arrivals of such restaurant chains include Panda Express and Chipotle this past summer. Five Guys Burgers and Fries is set to open later this year at the Green Tea Shopping Plaza, and a Dunkin' Donuts and Zoyo Yogurt shop is slated replace the recently closed Varsity Gasser at the corner of Milton and Riordan.
Galli said that the arrival of national restaurant chains is natural part of Flagstaff's growth.
“I think the community as it grows is an attraction for national chains,” Galli said. “[The Chamber] thinks we should have choice in the community.”
Although the arrival of natural chains may be natural and the competition it brings possibly beneficial, not all owners of local businesses in Flagstaff are completely sure about the recent trend.
Jen Vallecorsa, owner of YogurtU at 1061 S. Plaza Way, has had her shop open for about two months and is the first and currently only self-serve yogurt shop in Flagstaff. However, that is planned to change. With the Phoenix-based Zoyo self-serve yogurt shop set to open up down the road, the aspect of competition hits a little close to home for Vallecorsa.
“I am from the Phoenix area, and there are certain chain restaurants that I really enjoy,” Vallecorsa said. “But we aren't Phoenix. What we need here is a lot less here than we do down there. I do think we need moderation as far as chains go.”
Vallecorsa's thoughts on competition mainly has to do with what the market of a town can handle and the proximity of similar restaurants.
“Do we need three desert shops within a mile in Flagstaff? I'd say that might be a bit much,” Vallecorsa said. “It may make it harder for each shop to do well.”
Despite the competition, local restaurants – whether they have just arrived or become a staple in the area – have an appeal to Flagstaff locals that can give them the edge.
“I typically choose to not patronize the big chains,” Flagstaff resident Melissa McMaster said. “It's not that I think they're evil or anything, I just think it is better to support local restaurants.”
Jen Vallecorsa notices that even in the short time YogurtU has been open, her shop has garnered support from the locals.
“People come in and say things like 'oh you're local, that's great!' or 'your family here in town will support you!',” says Vallecorsa. “A lot of people like to support people who are local in Flagstaff and keep local people here.”
Joe Galli said that location is also a prime example of what appeal a local restaurant can bring.
“Location has a lot of impact on the ability of a local restaurant,” Galli said. “I think downtown restaurants are all great example of having a local clientele.”
Galli makes it clear that, while the Chamber of Commerce supports business in general and do not play favorites, they do recognize local restaurants as a significant part of the community.
“Do we recognize the importance of having the success of a local restaurant that has been here for years? Absolutely,” Galli said. “We recognize the importance of local business.”
