I'm so tired of hearing about what Victoria DOESN'T have. This is one of the most historic communities, not just in Texas but in the entire country. LaSalle, Zaragoza, DeLeon and so many more renown figures spent time here. The cattle buisness and even Popeye were born here. Victorian homes, coastal plains and hill country vistas, all within a two hour drive. And all the chamber of commerce could come up with was "boots."

For places to eat, Victoria needs places where children aren't allowed LOL or it is looked down upon for you to bring them! I love going out with my friends here to restaurants where we know kids won't be around. If we wanted to see children we'd go to the suburbs! :) You can't eat anywhere in Victoria without screaming children.

Victoria just needs things to do period!

For the younger crowd, you need something besides Cactus Canyon! That place is a dump! I went once and never went back when they tried to tell me to tuck my shirt in or I wouldn't be allowed in. Please, there are nice places in Uptown Dallas & the West Village where they don't make you tuck in your shirt. I've never been asked to tuck in my shirt. And these places are a lot nicer than Cactus, and they play better music.

Work on things to do.

we need a waterpark and lets see a BIGGER MALL!

Waffle House and Outback

I would die for a Rice Martket and a Costco!

Another major chain grocery store besides the 2 we have.

I'd like to see as much manufacturing as the market can sustain.

On a selfish note, a Whole Foods Market is on my wish list.

Tourism, just what are they going to see in this town? The real need is to put manufacturing businesses where they can employ people, as Mr. Vivian well stated. The taxes and abatment for the city needs to probably be revised, so we can get the likes of Catapiller to come here, which we recently lost to Seguin, and not leave the VEDC grass park east of town barren as it has been for the last 10 years.

Gabe Semenza--

Here's a project for you.

Contact major retailers, a variety--Barnes & Noble, Steinmart, food places--whatever is not here.

Ask them what it would take to get them to Victoria. Ask them why they are not in Victoria already. We are in the center of counties that could potentially shop in Victoria, if they are not already doing so. We have the customer base--why don't we have the stores? Lack of better quality shopping centers? Lack of community ammenities for employees?

After you have talked to everyone else outside of Victoria, then , and only then, ask VEDC and the Chamber what they perceive the problem to be.

There is some kind of disconnect here and we need to figure it out. I suspect the retailers and the locals will have two very different versions of what the problem is.

I'm with EA. We need some different grocery stores that H.E.B. and Wallyworld. We shop at Dicks as much as we can and avoid HEB like the plague because it usually takes an hour to make a trip. I don't shop at Wallyworld at all. Believe it or not, we have started buying some of our grocery type products at Spec's. LOL
Patrick T. Barnes

I think we could use a restaurant that sells just fried catfish and chicken like one in Bryan. It was always full and always had a line out the door waiting to get in. Also a store for hidden cameras and surveillance equipment like nanny cam's for rent or sale. Not a security company that charges a monthly fee like the ones here now.

Central market, Cracker Barrel, Fry Electronics and thats just a few I would love to see.

What Victoria needs is more things for people, young and old, to do. That idea that came up a while back for a place with putt-putt, go carts, waterpark was a great idea until the city shot it down. A Dave & Busters would be good. All we have here are bars and places for little ones. Maybe if we had more of a vareity of things to do there wouldn't be so many kids gettings into trouble and adults drinking. Victoria is not a tourist destination. Get with the program Victoria, this place is boring!

cora, i hope all those places stay away from victoria

swap out pei wei for panda express

A Half-Price books (or similar bookstore) is an interesting idea. I would love a World Market (I desperately need a dependable supply of foreign candy). Forever XXI has awesome clothes, I like Macy's too. Yeah, I'm just listing stores I like.

localgirl, i think there is already a store that carries r/c cars, planes, etc. it's next door to hi-pro audio on stockbauer. owned by the same family. the name escapes me at this time.

I'm probably going to catch flack, but I do love The Cracker Barrel experience. Love the gifts (yeah, I know they are overpriced) and their food is good, also. Victoria's not big enough to support a Cracker Barrel, though. Wait, that's what they used to say about Olive Garden and seems like ours does quite well.

My hubby would love a true Hobby store (not Hobby Lobby) but someplace that carried radio control planes/trains and automobiles.

We could use another used bookstore (Maybe Half-Priced Book Store.)

i think victoria is perfectly positioned to be a major distribution hub for numerous businesses and industries.

stores, restaurants, etc. will follow.

Specifically, restaurants: Ninfa's, Fazoli's, Panda Express, and I really miss Quiznos.

Not sure about stores. I kind of miss Hot Topic.

fastenal can order you just about any tool you need, might want to stop by there

Victoria needs more grocery stores. One to give HEB some competition.

HEB loves their products, and I don't love the quality of a lot of the Walmart brand.