What Alfredo's Can Do for Norristown's Image

The story broke yesterday on the Times Herald of a reality TV series pilot that was filmed at Alfredo's in hopes of making it into a season. The story quickly spread with cheer, pride and memories. In the article, the owner talked about how it can be a good thing for Norristown, and they are right. As a community looking to expand on the arts and entertainment, maybe a TV series can be the "big break" Norristown needs.

There's a ton of pieces to the story that we need to understand before looking at the benefits a TV show could bring to the area. First, let's start off by saying it's only a dream as of now. The pilot(first episode) has been filmed and only the pilot. The company owning the rights to the project still has to pitch it to networks to be ordered for a series. Since the May Upfronts are weeks away, chances are it won't be picked up during this cycle but maybe for November. Typically film companies won't hold on to that pilot after a year before they drop it. Fun fact: I was in a TV Drama pilot that was ordered by CBS and transferred to the CW. However, like many other pilots, it was canceled before we were able to film the rest of the season. :(

Now here is where Norristown can benefit... taxes and jobs. If the unnamed pilot gets picked up, production would most likely begin immediately for 3-4 months at a time. A crew would be hired to film the TV show as well as security and extras (yes, reality tv has background actors to make the store look busy sometimes). Most of these jobs will come locally, especially if this film company is based in New York City. Taxes  for the show would have to be paid to the municipality as if it were a new business. Depending on how successful the show becomes, that could mean big bucks for the community.

Traffic at not only Alfredo's, but other Norristown businesses will begin to increase as fans will come to Norristown just to see the place. An example can be the former show, Jersey Shore. When filming was going on, everyone wanted to travel to Seaside Heights, NJ in hopes to be on camera or meet one of the stars. The same would happen for Alfredo's as everyone would want to see the bickering staff in person. If you haven't visited Alfredo's, you really are missing out on the food and entertainment!

Media and publicity will also come to the town in a big way if a network like A&E, TruTV, or Spike picks up the series. Of course, local news, radio and television would pick up the story as the show gains in popularity. Who knows? Maybe Alfredo's will become the next Wahlburgers!

So here's what we should take out from Alfredo's and the possibility of it becoming a TV show:

• Don't expect the series to air on TV immediately
• There is only a chance the show may get on air
• If you haven't visited Alfredo's for their creamed chip beef, you should
• Publicity for Alfredo's will bring attention to Norristown in a big way
• TV shows filmed in a town are good for taxes and employment stability

We wish Alfredo's all the best and hope a series can come to fruition. In the meantime, visit the restaurant on Main Street across from CVS!

You can read the story on the Times Herald here: http://www.timesherald.com/business/20140423/staff-at-alfredos-restaurant-in-norristown-could-become-reality-tv-stars

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UPDATE | Describe Norristown in One Word

Happy Throwback Thursday. You may be wondering why I have a picture of a Zep and call this post a Throwback Thursday, and you will soon figure out why. Norristown is a place of many identities, traditions, triumphs and tragedies. We have all seen things come and go...then come back and go again. But one thing that will never go away is the tradition of the Norristown Zep!

Norristown's most prized possession is the Zep! Sorry if you're reading this close to lunchtime. When I lived in Florida, my roommates approached me and said "why are you making your sub that way?" I quickly took offense and sat them down to explain a REAL sandwich and how the mess they get from Subway is an insult to the real deal. Well not exactly like that, but you get it. I was passionate about something that can only be found in Norristown.

It was like when I tried explaining Wawa when the first store opened in Orlando. They squirmed when I gave them the idea of gas station food, until they tried it! I made them a Zep and guess what they began to make each day for lunch!?

Point is, our Zep is a tradition we should be very proud of and we should share more often. When growing up, there were dozen of sandwich shops in Norristown that made Zeps. I guarantee if I were to ask, we will all have a different answer for the best in town. 

When you discuss Norristown making a comeback and creating an identity, a simple Zep can be the answer. Sounds crazy, right? Well it isn't when you look at the other things we are known for today. When surrounding towns are asked to describe Norristown in one word, you're given response that most likely has something to do with anything negative. So how can we change that? One word...FOOD!

Up until the 90s, Norristown once held a festival dedicated to the Zep where businesses came together to feature their best Zep as a competition. This went away for one reason or another and I hope to see it make its return. 

If we begin to host an annual ZepFest and highlight our remaining sandwich shops that still make the traditional Zep, we will begin to attract more outsiders for lunch. Remember the new expansion project happening on Lafayette to connect us with the turnpike? Think of a families passing by on vacation stopping at the Norristown exit just to buy a Zep from Lou's. 

But first, we need to market the Zep. Going back to my story with my roommates, I had to educate them on what the sandwich was. I hate sourcing Wikipedia, but if you were to read about Norristown on wiki, you won't find one sentence talking about Norristown being the origin of the Zep. Today, Zeps can be found all over Montgomery County, but there's no argument that it started in Norristown with Eve's and Lou's. So why not parade that around?

The first mission of Norristown Business Association is... Promote business growth by offering programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of businesses within the area. (src. http://www.norristownba.org/). So I encourage NBA to promote the growth of our small sandwich shops to expand revenue in the area. Promote the Zeps along with the other great food in Norristown!

So I can talk all day about how much of an asset a simple sandwich is for Norristown, but I will leave the rest up to you. Remind Norristown why we should start talking about our hidden gem and share it with the outside world!

Update: I changed the picture to represent Norristown's Zep. Which is a kaiser or round bread instead of a hoagie roll like surrounding towns do.

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