Is Crestview Shutting Down?

Am I the only one noticing that there are many businesses closing in our town? Furniture store,
Athlete shoe store, to name a few. Everywhere I go I see going out of business sales. Its sad to see, when there are more people living in Crestview that Ft. Walton beach. I keep hearing malls, Olive Gardens, new this and new that. Lets start supporting whats here, and the larger companies will come. Anyway, can the area between
Big Lots and I-10 handle anymore traffic? Its a war zone now.

It's because people don't support non-local's in Crestview. A business can't stay in business without customers, and when people figure they can go to Wal*Mart and buy a plastic chair and a pair of sneakers for a total of $20, they won't take the chance of buying something three or four times better, just because it costs more. In Crestview, only cheap buffets, Wal*Mart, and WinDixie can survive. I'm surprised Publix is still around!

Loco Local wrote:

It's because people don't support non-local's in Crestview. A business can't stay in business without customers, and when people figure they can go to Wal*Mart and buy a plastic chair and a pair of sneakers for a total of $20, they won't take the chance of buying something three or four times better, just because it costs more. In Crestview, only cheap buffets, Wal*Mart, and WinDixie can survive. I'm surprised Publix is still around!

Yes you pretty much nailed it, that is why we will never have anything like Target or anything of that nature.
I hate the buffets that are every where and please let us get a decent movie theater, stores.
I have actually started going to Pace to shop more as they have a wide variety of stores, eateries.

One more thing, the economy is bad now so that may have something to do with it.

It probably wouldn't be as bad as it is if people in Crestview would actually take value in their jobs and put forth effort to make their buisnesses appealing to customers. Too many times have I walked into a place where I got terrible service or the place was dirty. I stick to Walmart and Publix. If I need anything else I'll drive to Ft. Walton. Soon I'll move there too. I've lived all over this country, and never have I lived somewhere as bad as this.

Publix is still around because they have good customer service and they are clean. Unfortunatly you can't say the same for most of the other places around here. Hell even our walmart is terrible. If it wasn't for the prices I wouldn't even go there. It's small, crowded and dirty.

Like I said, more effort, more success.

Mollie wrote:

<quoted text>
...... that is why we will never have anything like Target or anything of that nature.
......

Actually, the Target thing is a done deal in Crestview, just a matter of time.

According to the Store Manager of the Pace Target, there will be a Target in Crestview. When I was talking to him last week, he told me that Target has assigned a store number to the Crestview store. This only happens after the project has been approved by the Target capital committee. Which means it is definitely going to happen. He added that the state of the ecomomy may push things back slightly but it was slated to open in 2009. Of course, until I see dirt moving, I won't plan my shopping trip.

On another note, anyone know what is going to be built near the I-10 overpass on the north side of I-10?

That would be great if at some point we could get a Target. It would certainly bring more jobs in. I just hope it isn't built on the siuth end to make traffic even worse there.
Funny I haven't paid much attention to anything being done at the I-10 overpass.

thank you Starbucks for giving us a place to chill!

The economy has really slowed things down for small local businesses,however if we spend locally we will improve the LOCAL economy. Gas is high as well as everything else...why drive outside of crestview unless you just have to. I try to support the local small business as often as I can so the money will circulate here in the view.
I agree that customer service has gone down...but that's not new. We have become to complacent gone are the days when we demanded good service. What ever happened to making formal complaints to the manager and them actually taking action. On the other hand I went into that new beauty supply near
sexy Lady and was greeted with a warm welcome as soon as I walked in and the lady behind me never even acknowledge the clerk and just grunted her way around the store.
If we get bad service we must complain...If we get good service we must compliment so that people know it doesn't go unnoticed. Money is scarce so why pay for crummy service. And why spend $20.00 for the 4.7 gallons of gas to improve the local economy some where else.

Beauty supply places don't exactly have big time competetors so that was kind of a bad example.

Yes the economy is crap, and because it is crap we don't want to spend 5 dollars on a pack of pens from a little office supply store that price gouges just because it's local. I could get the same pens over at the Dollar Tree or Walmart for 4 dollars less. Thats a gallon of gas right there.

I would rather spend the 10 or so dollars to drive out to Ft. Walton to eat at a good, clean, NON BUFFET restaurant, do some shopping to get things at good decent prices in clean stores with helpful clerks and then be able to go to a movie without being afraid I'm going to have to be rushed to the hospital. Yea you heard me, I can't go to Crestview's theater because I am deathly allergic to mold, dust etc. and it's bad in there. Last time I went I couldn't even make it through the previews because I couldn't breathe. This was after the huge hassle of trying to even pay for the tickets since the movie theater.. DOESN'T EVEN TAKE DEBIT! Do you realize how simple it is to get a little debit machine? Don't tell me they don't do enough buisness, because I am sure they do more buisness then the new hotdog shop that opened up - and THEY have debit machines.

Your statement about demanding good service is ridiculous. We are paying customers. Without customers then there is no store. In my case, I do most of my grocery shopping at Publix. Why? Because I love the clean store and the great people they have there. Those people are so bright and friendly that you can't help but feel good after leaving.

I can list a billion examples of why I don't support this local economy, and also the medical part either. I mean after three doctors tried to do in your whole family by just prescribing random drugs and then the hospital telling you that you just needed mucinex when in fact you had the flu and pnemonia in your lungs.. you sort of lose faith.

I'll be taking my business to Ft. Walton, and then soon my home as well - Counting down the days.

I can only speak for ME...and as a paying customer why wouldn't you demand good service no matter where you are...why is that such a ridiculous idea? Your experience here seems to have been pretty bad and If that were my experience I would probably feel the same way.

I too shop at Publix because it is clean and the selection of food is great as well as the service.If there were a smaller locally owned business that offered the same I (Just speaking for ME)would shop there. I do shop at the Crestview Publix as opposed to going to Publix somewhere else.

This is not a personal attack on amanda...I'm just saying whether it's Crestview , Ft. walton or where ever we need to demand good service. If and when it is possible support your local businesses, why not.
If you choose to live in FWB the same rule applies. There is good and bad everywhere you go you can either accept it or change it. Hopefully you will have more good than bad experiences in FWB...atleast you will be happier there.

I said your statement was ridiculous because I had actually misread it before - I was still a little upset over seeing that the giant pit behind my house could be a landfill... that idea didn't make my day very bright.

In all honesty I wish that some of the buisnesses were better. I really hate driving so far - I have fibromyalgia pretty bad and sitting all cramped up kills me, so trips out at kind of a pain.

Three things that would make my day as far as crestview buisnesses go -

1: Bigger walmart - Ours is WAY too small and crowded.

1: Krispy Kreme - No explanations are neccesary..

3: A Best Buy - This one is purely personal :)

However non-personal/selfish suggestions are basically CLEAN UP THE CITY. Knock down these disgusting buildings that put a smudge on the only road in Crestview just about.

Less buffets, more actual restaurants. We don't actually have a very good selection of food out here and I am forced to drive out to Ft. Walton.

Clean up the places we have. KFC finally stepped in line.. only took me about 500 emails and calls to the higher ups. Sorry, raw chicken just doesn't do it for me. Neither does burnt corn. But they finally got their butts in gear.

More strict policies on clenliness. That Chinese food place was closed and reopened in a day. Are you going to tell me that they really learned their lesson this time and truly got their butts in gear? Doubt it.

OH OH I forgot! I have a huge suggestion! STOP WITH THE DONATION PEOPLE THAT MOB EVERYONE AT EVERY STORE! I'm so sick and tired of having to swim through a crowd of cheerleaders, church people, tennis players, shelter workers and god only knows who else.

Higher standard of customer service. This applies to a number of things, not just the food industries and shopping centers. But also to our medical centers. You've probably seen my complaints about the medical part of our town, so I won't repeat myself. However something really needs to be done.

There are a few suggestions. Highly doubt any of it would help and it probably all sounds like rubbish. I'm off to go try and find out more information about my landfill :)

I just re-read the post I made the other day. What I ment to ask was:

Does anyone know what is being built on Antioch Road just north of the I-10 overpass?

Thanks!

Mollie wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes you pretty much nailed it, that is why we will never have anything like Target or anything of that nature.
I hate the buffets that are every where and please let us get a decent movie theater, stores.
I have actually started going to Pace to shop more as they have a wide variety of stores, eateries.

I think if we had a nicer movie theater, people would pay a little more to go to it than the other one.

I would pay more to go to a decent movie theater.
Right now we drive to Pensacola or Destin to go to a movie. Since gas is so high now we only do that every couple of months or so, so yes please, a good movie place.

Agreed about the movie theater, for the reasons I have stated. First being the theater is so old and contaminated with mold that I can't go there for longer than a few minutes. My lungs start to collapse. This also happens with my little sister. The second being that they don't even have a debit machine. Apparently they just bought a brand new "fancy" soda machine dispenser that you press a button for each size... I have to wonder why that movie theater would need something like that. For all the mad rushes they get?!

From what Ive been reading there may be a new theater where the old flea market is, that would be awesome.

Amanda wrote:

I said your statement was ridiculous because I had actually misread it before - I was still a little upset over seeing that the giant pit behind my house could be a landfill... that idea didn't make my day very bright.
In all honesty I wish that some of the buisnesses were better. I really hate driving so far - I have fibromyalgia pretty bad and sitting all cramped up kills me, so trips out at kind of a pain.
Three things that would make my day as far as crestview buisnesses go -
1: Bigger walmart - Ours is WAY too small and crowded.
1: Krispy Kreme - No explanations are neccesary..
3: A Best Buy - This one is purely personal :)
However non-personal/selfish suggestions are basically CLEAN UP THE CITY. Knock down these disgusting buildings that put a smudge on the only road in Crestview just about.
Less buffets, more actual restaurants. We don't actually have a very good selection of food out here and I am forced to drive out to Ft. Walton.
Clean up the places we have. KFC finally stepped in line.. only took me about 500 emails and calls to the higher ups. Sorry, raw chicken just doesn't do it for me. Neither does burnt corn. But they finally got their butts in gear.
More strict policies on clenliness. That Chinese food place was closed and reopened in a day. Are you going to tell me that they really learned their lesson this time and truly got their butts in gear? Doubt it.
OH OH I forgot! I have a huge suggestion! STOP WITH THE DONATION PEOPLE THAT MOB EVERYONE AT EVERY STORE! I'm so sick and tired of having to swim through a crowd of cheerleaders, church people, tennis players, shelter workers and god only knows who else.
Higher standard of customer service. This applies to a number of things, not just the food industries and shopping centers. But also to our medical centers. You've probably seen my complaints about the medical part of our town, so I won't repeat myself. However something really needs to be done.
There are a few suggestions. Highly doubt any of it would help and it probably all sounds like rubbish. I'm off to go try and find out more information about my landfill :)

I agree with most of what you say, especially about the medical here. Crestview Hospital charges 3 times more than any other area hospitals, plus all the doctors do suck. As for dining, we do have some great restaurants that are not buffet and are very clean. Uptown Cafe, Wild Olive, Asian Gardens, they are all clean, serve quality products. I like to shop at Publix myself, BUT they gouge on produce, and the seafood section usually absolutely STINKS, all the way down the soda isle. If it smells like seafood it isn't fresh! And my last comment on this is, business people should treat customers with respect, BUT customers should treat workers with respect also. It goes both ways, and many people in this area are soooooo rude!!! to others that it makes it very difficult to be nice back in return. Oh, and that landfill thing, I wouldn't over worry about it, everything takes years to come thru in this town.

Amanda wrote:

I said your statement was ridiculous because I had actually misread it before - I was still a little upset over seeing that the giant pit behind my house could be a landfill... that idea didn't make my day very bright.
In all honesty I wish that some of the buisnesses were better. I really hate driving so far - I have fibromyalgia pretty bad and sitting all cramped up kills me, so trips out at kind of a pain.
Three things that would make my day as far as crestview buisnesses go -
1: Bigger walmart - Ours is WAY too small and crowded.
1: Krispy Kreme - No explanations are neccesary..
3: A Best Buy - This one is purely personal :)
However non-personal/selfish suggestions are basically CLEAN UP THE CITY. Knock down these disgusting buildings that put a smudge on the only road in Crestview just about.
Less buffets, more actual restaurants. We don't actually have a very good selection of food out here and I am forced to drive out to Ft. Walton.
Clean up the places we have. KFC finally stepped in line.. only took me about 500 emails and calls to the higher ups. Sorry, raw chicken just doesn't do it for me. Neither does burnt corn. But they finally got their butts in gear.
More strict policies on clenliness. That Chinese food place was closed and reopened in a day. Are you going to tell me that they really learned their lesson this time and truly got their butts in gear? Doubt it.
OH OH I forgot! I have a huge suggestion! STOP WITH THE DONATION PEOPLE THAT MOB EVERYONE AT EVERY STORE! I'm so sick and tired of having to swim through a crowd of cheerleaders, church people, tennis players, shelter workers and god only knows who else.
Higher standard of customer service. This applies to a number of things, not just the food industries and shopping centers. But also to our medical centers. You've probably seen my complaints about the medical part of our town, so I won't repeat myself. However something really needs to be done.
There are a few suggestions. Highly doubt any of it would help and it probably all sounds like rubbish. I'm off to go try and find out more information about my landfill :)

Kay, I think the problem with customer service in this area is the fact people do demand instead of showing a little cooth themselves. No one should be expected to stand and get blasted by anyone else. A LOT of people in this area are looking for a handout, and feel like being an ass "pardon my French" will get them what they want. You get more bees with honey.

Wow! I have read all of your posts and for the most part....I agree.

I was raised here, saw it go from a few red lights to dozens. I love my town and yes, I will be the first to say that many many things need to change around here......but hasn't it gotten better? I was opposed to our choice for mayer but I have to say that he has done a lot since his move in office. 85 has been repaved, several new businesses have moved in here and are going to move into here, etc. I DO wish that there was more focus on better places to eat rather than a TT convenience store on every corner or ANOTHER "lube and oil" shop.

I haven't stepped foot in our local theater since I was in my pre-teens due to the fact of the service,price and just all around nastiness of the place. Crestview has soo much potential and I feel like even though there has been a few places that have closed their businesses, we ARE improving....maybe not by leaps and bounds but slowly and surely.

The shoe place that closed could not compete with a bigger chain such as what is in the Big Lots shopping center. That's the economy for you. Not just Crestview!

As far as medical, I've had good and bad experience so I agree on both sides of the fence. However, my good (my son still has his left arm after a major accident due to their immediate attention and A+ care) way out weighs the bad and until God takes me home.....I will continue to support my local businesses and my community.

I will have to say that the comment on people wanting donations was waaaaaaaay rude. Just my opinion but those "cheerleaders" cheer our local AMAZING football team on and bring many people from NWFL to this area. Our cheerleaders also help in other areas in this town. The sports and all of the other people who stand out for donations depend on our community and it is everywhere else as well. The only differnce is that other areas are spread out more so they aren't seen as much.

The reason the gas is so high here (which I hate) is due to the fact that we are a town that is right at the interstate. Nothing personal, just the way again....the economy is and works.

Some of not most of the richest people of Okaloosa County live in the View. Why? Because of that "Home Town" feel. Because of what they see in our town, the closeness, the comfort and for the most part, the kindess of people.....just like myself. I have heard sooo many others from surrounding towns judge Crestview and all of the "redneck", "hillbillies"," no shoe wearing people" and all I can say for them is this.....

How many murders do we have here? How many major robberies are in this town? Just how bad is our crime rate here? My response.......not NEAR as much as those other areas that judge us. So for me, instead of focusing and complaining about what we don't have, let's focus on how blessed we are and what Crestview can and WILL become.

My last note.....before anyone trys to bash my comments or complain about what I had to say. Please know, these are only MY PERSONAL OPINIONS. You are entitled to yours, and I to mine. Crestview can improved on many different levels but I feel like we have come a LONG way and I know that this is just the begining.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. The best to you all.

"I will have to say that the comment on people wanting donations was waaaaaaaay rude. Just my opinion but those "cheerleaders" cheer our local AMAZING football team on and bring many people from NWFL to this area. Our cheerleaders also help in other areas in this town. The sports and all of the other people who stand out for donations depend on our community and it is everywhere else as well. The only differnce is that other areas are spread out more so they aren't seen as much."

You don't seem to understand why I bashed the donation people. It isn't that they are there looking for donations, it is that THEY ATTACK YOU as soon as you leave a store. I am very pregnant, and was almost knocked over several times when trying to exit a walmart store due to the overwhelming mass of people that suddenly flooded at me. Not only that, but it has always been an every day occurance. And if you think that I was the only one to complain to finally put a stop to it, well I'm not and you can email the CEO as well to find out just how many people did complain. The Crestview "Cheerleeders" and "Football" players may indeed be great, dandy and wonderful, but it's not very nice when they almost knock over a pregnant woman. I watched them trip over a child trying to ask for money from an elderly couple. Scared the poor couple and the child started crying. True there were a few groups at Walmart for donations that were very polite and stayed the 15 foot MANDITORY distance, however 9 times out of 10 they were right at the door, ready to tackle. So before you say we were rude, get all of your facts straight and actually go through these things.