To all those who responded with information and advice regarding corporate
franchise design in our site involving Hollywood Video (HV), thank you! It is
interesting to see this question arising on the list with regard to Eckerd
Drugs.  Since they perhaps have some of the same issues, here is an update on
the outcome of HV in a 1912 train station in Montclair, NJ in case it helps
other similar situations:

Although the regional site locator seemed willing to make some accommodation
to preservation concerns, he still seemed impelled by the creation of a
"vanilla box" which was required by HV's "template." (They rarely locate in
historic spaces, they say.) Not until local residents voiced their concerns to
the corporate headquarters (President, CEO, etc.) after a prominent news
article appeared in the regional press did things start to really turn around.

Preserving community relations became the catalyst for some thoughtful
reexamination of the "vanilla box." Corporate headquarters sent out the
national director of architecture and about five other national reps, who
pronounced the space really exciting and a unique marketing opportunity (duh).
They proceeded to not only respond to our concerns with some really good
adaptive use design, they took it even farther by incorporating other
(previously to be discarded) elements that would reinforce the aesthetic of
the station.

HV wanted their customers to not only be excited about the theatrical quality
of the light and the space, but to always understand that historically it was
an elegant train station. Big points for the tenant. Some changes will still
have to be accommodated, but they will be much more sensitive to the historic
building than that which was originally proposed.

To those engaged in similar projects, perhaps this offers some help.  The
local reps often feel that they are doing their job better when they stick
rigidly to the corporate template, even when faced with a unique historic
space. Public opinion in favor of preservation at that level is often minimal
in effect. When the upper levels of the corporation are faced with a PR
bungle, however -- at least in this case -- they will do a lot to turn it into
a more positive story. Although the local rep didn't feel he had the power to
deviate from the template, the higher-ups could. The local rep suffered some
loss of face apparently, because he wasn't more flexible in the face of a
severe public outcry.

In this case, the power of the press and the public made a significant
difference in the outcome.

Thanks again -- I wish I had an "Eckerd" story for you.

Mary Krugman, Chair
The Montclair (NJ) Historic Preservation Commission