OK, I know I've blogged an awful lot about this giant crab on top of Crabtree Valley Mall. But I am just fascinated by this marketing tactic. On one hand, well... folks definitely know McCormick & Schmick's is about to open. But on the other hand, some might be put off by the giant crab. What do you all think? Cool or tacky? Here are some photos of the "Jake installation" yesterday...
I'm torn on this one. On one hand, giant inflatables bring to mind mattress liquidators, used car lots and other low-end retailers that portray a tacky personna. But a giant inflatable gorilla is not the only thing that makes "Mad Mike's Furniture Emporium" tacky - it's also their entire approach to busineess. If McCormick & Schmick's can keep the rest of their grand opening elements upscale then I think the crab is OK, especially if the inflatable itself is nicely done.
Also, bear in mind how much free publicity this crab is generating. I probably never would have known the restaurant was opening here if it weren't for reading about it in blogs.
If I saw a giant crab on a new restaurant, I'd think "Joe's Crab Shack". McCormick and Schmick is a chain, but it's been an upscale chain. I thought they were aiming to be The Capital Grille of seafood.
Putting a giant crab on the roof seems like diving straight past competitors Legal Seafood and L&N Seafod and swimming as fast as they can into Chili's territory. If that's not the message they were going for, the crab was a wild blunder.
I think it's rad. I want to see it getting blown up.
Re: Jake has arrived...
I don't think it's a bad thing. The crab doesn't look cartoon-ish and cheap. It's getting them publicity and getting attention so folks know they are there and about to open. I think it's a pretty good thing.