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NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
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Dtownboys Offline
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Post: #21
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-06-2018 01:52 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It seems like DeKalb/Sycamore has lost SO much in recent years. Bars, small shops, larger retailers, etc. Carson's is in the process of closing now. The only department store left is Kohl's. Smaller clothing stores have disappeared. While a lot of this is a national tend, it's pretty sad to see in DeKalb/Sycamore. For sure, they REALLY went downhill when the Grotto closed. 03-weeping

Grotto still open just changed names. Classier. There's a few bars downtown but not targeting college. Rosatis is real nice but not a traditional bar. Fattys still the best IMO. There are a few more developments planned so hopefully that will jump start growth. Only events at convo that are popular are country shows. I'm guessing niu doesn't have budget to attract big acts. One other bright spot downtown is the Egyptian theatre. They're bringing in lots of entertainment and they are expanding their lineup. I'd recommend you check it out.
03-06-2018 09:48 PM
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OldTtimeNIU Offline
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Post: #22
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-06-2018 01:52 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It seems like DeKalb/Sycamore has lost SO much in recent years. Bars, small shops, larger retailers, etc. Carson's is in the process of closing now. The only department store left is Kohl's. Smaller clothing stores have disappeared. While a lot of this is a national tend, it's pretty sad to see in DeKalb/Sycamore. For sure, they REALLY went downhill when the Grotto closed. 03-weeping

Happening all over the country...traditional retailing changing rapidly ....Carson’s, Sears, JC Penney, and other companies are in trouble due to on line ordering Amazon leading the way, Walmart trying to keep up....
03-06-2018 10:47 PM
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NIUfrank Offline
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Post: #23
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-06-2018 04:32 PM)DogTracks Wrote:  Just poking around the BMO Harris Center (Rockford) and Sears Center (Hoffman)- they aren't exactly hosting much outside their main tenants either. And if they aren't getting booked, I can see where our arena in the sticks wouldn't be able to get much.

Frankly, is smaller arena level entertainment kinda dead?

The city took over sears centre a few years back and it's been empty since. You need third party professionals booking an arena.
03-07-2018 07:12 AM
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NIUfrank Offline
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Post: #24
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-06-2018 10:47 PM)OldTtimeNIU Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 01:52 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It seems like DeKalb/Sycamore has lost SO much in recent years. Bars, small shops, larger retailers, etc. Carson's is in the process of closing now. The only department store left is Kohl's. Smaller clothing stores have disappeared. While a lot of this is a national tend, it's pretty sad to see in DeKalb/Sycamore. For sure, they REALLY went downhill when the Grotto closed. 03-weeping

Happening all over the country...traditional retailing changing rapidly ....Carson’s, Sears, JC Penney, and other companies are in trouble due to on line ordering Amazon leading the way, Walmart trying to keep up....

I'm in college station. It's growing and bustling. Bars, endless restaurants, mall, big chains. Texas A&M plans to expand enrollment by 25k. You should see their student housing. It's like downtown condos with tons of amenities. Depressing when compared to niu/dekalb.
03-07-2018 07:17 AM
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #25
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-06-2018 09:48 PM)Dtownboys Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 01:52 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It seems like DeKalb/Sycamore has lost SO much in recent years. Bars, small shops, larger retailers, etc. Carson's is in the process of closing now. The only department store left is Kohl's. Smaller clothing stores have disappeared. While a lot of this is a national tend, it's pretty sad to see in DeKalb/Sycamore. For sure, they REALLY went downhill when the Grotto closed. 03-weeping

Grotto still open just changed names. Classier. There's a few bars downtown but not targeting college. Rosatis is real nice but not a traditional bar. Fattys still the best IMO. There are a few more developments planned so hopefully that will jump start growth. Only events at convo that are popular are country shows. I'm guessing niu doesn't have budget to attract big acts. One other bright spot downtown is the Egyptian theatre. They're bringing in lots of entertainment and they are expanding their lineup. I'd recommend you check it out.

Nope, the Grotto is gone (but not forgotten). Classier? The true Grotto could never be classed up, and we patrons would not want it that way! Give me the carpeting with stains, the walls with caked up something or other, and the faint smell of a Shell No-Pest Strip any day!! 03-hissyfit
03-07-2018 08:39 AM
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Lord Stanley Offline
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Post: #26
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
I think that, unfortunately, DeKalb and NIU are poster children for how not to build a college / town experience. I have many, many grumbles with urban planners and their demands (everybody to their bike!) but their tenents are sound: the urban experience is important for vibrant interactions and enjoyable living experiences.

I remember years ago when the convo was being talked about, thinking to myself that it's too far out of town, too removed from the University, and way too far from the hustle and bustle of DeKalb / Sycamore. It should have been built at the Field House location or somewhere more centrally located. Lucinda and Annie Glidden should be a central shopping district instead it's a parking lot, private buildings and the blank wall of the field house. The fact that the University has not purchased and developed the property between Annie Glidden and Russel should be a crime. Why on earth is the Northern Television Center still there? Illini Tire. An IHOP! The fvck at NIU didn't snap up that parcel? Why is there no central "entrance" to the University? Who thought the cool Engineering building and our respected College of Business had to be put out of the ass-edge of campus? AAAAARGH.

We all could go on and on and on and on. NIU is college planning disaster. And to answer your question, yes all of this together is tied to lower enrollment, lower Alumni giving, and in some way, bad Convo events.
03-07-2018 10:59 AM
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #27
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-07-2018 10:59 AM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  I think that, unfortunately, DeKalb and NIU are poster children for how not to build a college / town experience. I have many, many grumbles with urban planners and their demands (everybody to their bike!) but their tenents are sound: the urban experience is important for vibrant interactions and enjoyable living experiences.

I remember years ago when the convo was being talked about, thinking to myself that it's too far out of town, too removed from the University, and way too far from the hustle and bustle of DeKalb / Sycamore. It should have been built at the Field House location or somewhere more centrally located. Lucinda and Annie Glidden should be a central shopping district instead it's a parking lot, private buildings and the blank wall of the field house. The fact that the University has not purchased and developed the property between Annie Glidden and Russel should be a crime. Why on earth is the Northern Television Center still there? Illini Tire. An IHOP! The fvck at NIU didn't snap up that parcel? Why is there no central "entrance" to the University? Who thought the cool Engineering building and our respected College of Business had to be put out of the ass-edge of campus? AAAAARGH.

We all could go on and on and on and on. NIU is college planning disaster. And to answer your question, yes all of this together is tied to lower enrollment, lower Alumni giving, and in some way, bad Convo events.

I still think all of this can be solved if they just get rid of the urinal troughs in Huskie Stadium.
03-07-2018 11:19 AM
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NIU007 Online
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Post: #28
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-07-2018 10:59 AM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  I think that, unfortunately, DeKalb and NIU are poster children for how not to build a college / town experience. I have many, many grumbles with urban planners and their demands (everybody to their bike!) but their tenents are sound: the urban experience is important for vibrant interactions and enjoyable living experiences.

I remember years ago when the convo was being talked about, thinking to myself that it's too far out of town, too removed from the University, and way too far from the hustle and bustle of DeKalb / Sycamore. It should have been built at the Field House location or somewhere more centrally located. Lucinda and Annie Glidden should be a central shopping district instead it's a parking lot, private buildings and the blank wall of the field house. The fact that the University has not purchased and developed the property between Annie Glidden and Russel should be a crime. Why on earth is the Northern Television Center still there? Illini Tire. An IHOP! The fvck at NIU didn't snap up that parcel? Why is there no central "entrance" to the University? Who thought the cool Engineering building and our respected College of Business had to be put out of the ass-edge of campus? AAAAARGH.

We all could go on and on and on and on. NIU is college planning disaster. And to answer your question, yes all of this together is tied to lower enrollment, lower Alumni giving, and in some way, bad Convo events.

It does seem like the building layout couldn't be more random if a tornado went through and casually tossed the buildings into their current location.
03-07-2018 11:21 AM
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NIU007 Online
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Post: #29
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-07-2018 08:39 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 09:48 PM)Dtownboys Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 01:52 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It seems like DeKalb/Sycamore has lost SO much in recent years. Bars, small shops, larger retailers, etc. Carson's is in the process of closing now. The only department store left is Kohl's. Smaller clothing stores have disappeared. While a lot of this is a national tend, it's pretty sad to see in DeKalb/Sycamore. For sure, they REALLY went downhill when the Grotto closed. 03-weeping

Grotto still open just changed names. Classier. There's a few bars downtown but not targeting college. Rosatis is real nice but not a traditional bar. Fattys still the best IMO. There are a few more developments planned so hopefully that will jump start growth. Only events at convo that are popular are country shows. I'm guessing niu doesn't have budget to attract big acts. One other bright spot downtown is the Egyptian theatre. They're bringing in lots of entertainment and they are expanding their lineup. I'd recommend you check it out.

Nope, the Grotto is gone (but not forgotten). Classier? The true Grotto could never be classed up, and we patrons would not want it that way! Give me the carpeting with stains, the walls with caked up something or other, and the faint smell of a Shell No-Pest Strip any day!! 03-hissyfit

The least they could have done is put the old library carpet in there.
03-07-2018 11:22 AM
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Dog Fan Offline
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Post: #30
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-07-2018 11:22 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(03-07-2018 08:39 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 09:48 PM)Dtownboys Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 01:52 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It seems like DeKalb/Sycamore has lost SO much in recent years. Bars, small shops, larger retailers, etc. Carson's is in the process of closing now. The only department store left is Kohl's. Smaller clothing stores have disappeared. While a lot of this is a national tend, it's pretty sad to see in DeKalb/Sycamore. For sure, they REALLY went downhill when the Grotto closed. 03-weeping

Grotto still open just changed names. Classier. There's a few bars downtown but not targeting college. Rosatis is real nice but not a traditional bar. Fattys still the best IMO. There are a few more developments planned so hopefully that will jump start growth. Only events at convo that are popular are country shows. I'm guessing niu doesn't have budget to attract big acts. One other bright spot downtown is the Egyptian theatre. They're bringing in lots of entertainment and they are expanding their lineup. I'd recommend you check it out.

Nope, the Grotto is gone (but not forgotten). Classier? The true Grotto could never be classed up, and we patrons would not want it that way! Give me the carpeting with stains, the walls with caked up something or other, and the faint smell of a Shell No-Pest Strip any day!! 03-hissyfit

The least they could have done is put the old library carpet in there.

Does it have the appropriate staining? 04-jawdrop
03-07-2018 11:33 AM
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NIU007 Online
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Post: #31
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-07-2018 11:33 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(03-07-2018 11:22 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(03-07-2018 08:39 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 09:48 PM)Dtownboys Wrote:  
(03-06-2018 01:52 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  It seems like DeKalb/Sycamore has lost SO much in recent years. Bars, small shops, larger retailers, etc. Carson's is in the process of closing now. The only department store left is Kohl's. Smaller clothing stores have disappeared. While a lot of this is a national tend, it's pretty sad to see in DeKalb/Sycamore. For sure, they REALLY went downhill when the Grotto closed. 03-weeping

Grotto still open just changed names. Classier. There's a few bars downtown but not targeting college. Rosatis is real nice but not a traditional bar. Fattys still the best IMO. There are a few more developments planned so hopefully that will jump start growth. Only events at convo that are popular are country shows. I'm guessing niu doesn't have budget to attract big acts. One other bright spot downtown is the Egyptian theatre. They're bringing in lots of entertainment and they are expanding their lineup. I'd recommend you check it out.

Nope, the Grotto is gone (but not forgotten). Classier? The true Grotto could never be classed up, and we patrons would not want it that way! Give me the carpeting with stains, the walls with caked up something or other, and the faint smell of a Shell No-Pest Strip any day!! 03-hissyfit

The least they could have done is put the old library carpet in there.

Does it have the appropriate staining? 04-jawdrop

I figured that was your job.
03-07-2018 11:38 AM
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HuskieTap22 Offline
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Post: #32
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
Looks like Naperville is planning a new entertainment and sports complex. I would assume this will add more competition for events in the area.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/na...story.html
(This post was last modified: 03-12-2018 11:42 AM by HuskieTap22.)
03-12-2018 11:41 AM
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HuskiePride12 Offline
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Post: #33
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
With Calamos being an Alum, should have asked them about naming rights to the convo and they could host all the concerts they want.
03-12-2018 12:28 PM
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sugnug Offline
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Post: #34
RE: NIU CONVO events (or lack thereof)
(03-06-2018 08:22 PM)Big_Man Wrote:  A new bar and grill will be opening in the torn down Ottos building. Name will be Tavern on Lincoln. The cornerstone building will be a nice building block or downtown DeKalb.
That's good news. I hope this drives some other places to open up. What is up with McCabes - they renovate and never open?
Isn't there an Irish bar-grill in downtown section?
Going to Larkin-Benet super sectional game tonight and will stop for food at either Eduardo's, Fatty's, or Tom and Jerry's. My 3rd high school super sectional game at NIU and they are always loud and fun. Dreaming of NIU bball having that atmosphere again. Just like the early 80's.
03-13-2018 04:29 PM
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