The Purpose of the Survey

Last fall, the City of Eastvale conducted a survey that would be used in support of gauging the residents’ opinions regarding the restaurant selections and their desires for future restaurants for the city.

Olivia Applegate, the public information officer for the City of Eastvale recognizes this calling from the community she serves for a, “…more diverse dining experience in the city. Although we love the restaurants we have currently, and we are excited for the new ones opening in our city, we couldn’t agree more that we need to increase the variety of options for our residents.” This is further exemplified when Applegate recognizes the lack of two particular “restaurant categories” which are fine dining and premium casual dining.

Through this survey the City of Eastvale will be able to consolidate the information of their community and allocate the future of businesses and restaurants to the needs and desires for the residents they serve. This newfound data can be used as a resource to give developers and business owners in the future to provide support through statistics.

The Survey Results & Significance

One major conclusion drawn was the number of responses garnered at 1.855 responses in six weeks of run time; Applegate truly thanks any and all Eastvale residents that partook in the survey.

A key statistic drawn from the survey was the cost that Eastvale residents are willing to pay. 77% of the population survey confirmed that they are willing to pay for a $25-50 plate, further helping to allocate the future needs of development for the Eastvale community.

Kimberly Wright, the economic development manager for the City of Eastvale found equally as astounding, “That 98% of the respondents agreed that they would eat at [fine dining and premium casual dining] restaurants.”

Asked within the survey to residents was, “Would you be in favor of the City of Eastvale providing incentives such as these as part of our Economic Development program?” In agreement, Applegate and Wright both believed that the overwhelming consensus of 88% of respondents responding “yes” that the drive for desire, variety, and diversity in eating experiences is fact supported by statistics.

Wright builds further by saying, “[The amount of ‘yes’ votes]…sends the message loud and clear that residents want us to do as much as we possibly can at the city to get these restaurants on board.”

Moving Forward

The overall purpose of the survey was for it to become a resource for the city in negotiating with developers and brokers to show and, “Tell the Eastvale story by knowing what Eastvale wants.” According to Wright, this will help and aid, “Development within the city and make a match with the best fit possible for our city.”

Located at the end of the presentation used to summarize the results of the survey are numerous pictures used as conceptual ideas and framework for the type of restaurants, businesses, and potential food halls that may come to Eastvale. A concept that Applegate was excited to possibly explore in the near future for the City of Eastvale is in the increasingly popular concept of food halls.

Not only do food halls improve upon the experience indoors, many concepts that were shown and discussed in Applegate’s interview include greenery and outdoor areas that bring a sense of pride in the community. The outdoor area further creates a cultivation in community, where residents can meet each other, build bonds, relationships, and connections within our city.

Applegate and Wright cannot guarantee a development of a food hall, but the ladies greatly hope in stride towards development and any food hall becoming a great fit within the City of Eastvale. Both women hope to create a new experience in Eastvale, one that makes Eastvale a place where, “Instead of residents leaving to dine at neighboring cities, our goal is to have those neighboring cities to begin dining in Eastvale. We want people to begin to come to Eastvale and experience the ‘food culture’ of Eastvale.”

Applegate closes with, “Our goal leading forward, is for people to come and eat in Eastvale, not necessarily knowing where they will end up for dinner, but they will head to Eastvale and see where they end up.”

Eastvale Grows Again!

A few business have recently made strides in Eastvale, the first being the restaurant “Hero’s” announced its intent to come to Eastvale; secondly, and Applegate remarks, “That although these [restaurants] are not a part of the two top categories from the survey, the City of Eastvale is excited for the opening of the In-N-Out.

Applegate mentioned that the intent is for the Eastvale In-N-Out to begin operations sometime in early February 2019. Additional businesses that are planning to open in “The Station” located on the corner of Cantu-Galleano Ranch Rd/Ontario Ranch Rd and Hamner Ave are a Starbucks, a MOD Pizza, and a few additional perspective restaurants that Applegate nor Wright could disclose.

Big changes and improvements are developing for the City of Eastvale, with surveys such as the Restaurant Feedback Questionnaire that help in aiding negotiations between developers and brokers with the City of Eastvale. As Applegate ends the interview, remember Eastvale residents to, “Stay tuned!”

On behalf of The Roosevelt Review, we extend our sincerest gratitude to Olivia Applegate and Kimberly Wright for the opportunity for an interview and their continued support in driving a better connection between all of our programs at Eleanor Roosevelt High and the City of Eastvale; thank you Eastvale!