I met my daughter for dinner last Saturday and had an unexpected experience- my first visit to Portillo’s since IKEA opened.  I expected IKEA to be beyond busy and crowded on its opening day this past week, so I steered clear.

When approaching Portillo’s Saturday the traffic pattern took me right to IKEA,  Based on what I could see, IKEA’s main parking lot was full and there were shuttle buses taking people to and from auxiliary parking lots.  I must give kudos to the police officers there and to the traffic planners.  There was a crush of traffic but it moved steadily.

I was fortunate…the traffic line going into Portillo’s was much shorter than IKEA.  Even at 4:45pm Saturday, Portillo’s was a very busy place.  My daughter Mary & I had a nice dinner, but I wouldn’t describe it as quiet.

When I first got word that IKEA was headed to Fishers, I knew that area of town would become something very different.  You never really understand how much until you see it and experience it for yourself.

But it’s not just IKEA and Portillo’s, Top Golf is also drawing its share of a crowd.  Since it is open year-round, look for even more golfers to utilize it’s offerings in coming months.

The Yard culinary development is moving forward with homes being demolished in that old Spring Dale Estates neighborhood.  We are still waiting for announcements as to what restaurants will be locating there.  We have been told “soon” for a few weeks now.

I was thinking about all this today when I recalled the joint news conference held by Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, announcing a joint effort to lure the Amazon second headquarters facility to this area.

My understanding is that Mayor Fadness has been spending  a lot of time and effort in putting together this joint proposal to Amazon with Indianapolis.  It had always been my view the Indianapolis area was a long-shot to attract Amazon HQ2 and that still may be the case.

However, Larry Gigerich of Ginovus, a firm that specializes in corporate relocation, did admit in a recent podcast interview with the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Lindsey Erdody and myself that although the Indy area may not be on the top of the contender list for Amazon, he believes Central Indiana would have a lot to offer the retail giant.  You can listen to that podcast at this link.

What if this huge Amazon development would locate in or near Fishers?  How would that change the Fishers we know now?

Believe me, I am not anti-development.  IKEA is a “get” that any Central Indiana city or town would love to have, and IKEA chose Fishers.  The growing pains there will take some getting used to but we locals will adapt.

But if Amazon were to come here, I hope city officials will have an honest conversation with long-time residents on the changes expected when a big economic development project like that is proposed.

Mayor Fadness is aggressive in selling Fishers as a place for businesses to locate and I do not see any sign he is slowing-down.  Give us time to absorb IKEA, Top Golf and Portillo’s and my view is we can handle nearly anything.