Center City retail discussion - Page 166 - PhillyBlog

Voodoo · #**1651** (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godiva72

I think the grumpy poster meant that none of the retailers on Walnut are upscale or impressive enough for tourists. We can't elevate the city's retail district with low-budget offerings. That would bring in more of the same and face it a QDoba or McDonalds wont attract anyone.

While I sympathise with the QDoba and McD's patrons, no one would suffer if the low budget outlets were a block away on Chestnut street.

I'm guessing here, but I'm pretty sure McDonalds owns their building so they're not going anywhere. Qdoba likely rents, so they could be priced out at some point after their lease expires.

As a personal note. I live a block from McD's and pick up a burger there at least once a week. I already lost my IHop, I don't want to lose my MickyD's anytime soon. I can't afford to eat at Le Bec Fin everyday.

CapsuleF · #**1652** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 06:50 PM

I don't take back what i said so screw all of you. I work on Walnut and have a major in fashion merchandising, I am somewhat knowledgeable on the subject.

I meant exactly what I said and it is true. People say "wah wah wah what about lowly workers, what about condo owners, I wouldn't shop there anyways wah wah wah". OH WOW I GUESS THESE PEOPLE CAN'T WALK A WHOLE TWO BLOCKS TO CHESTNUT!!! Where there are 3 drug stores on one block, and plenty of **** shack food places.

Why ruin Walnut's continuity with all the **** I just mentioned. Alfa isn"t up to par, thats why I'm specifically mentioning it. Notice I didn't mention Brasserie, Alma, or even Cosi.

That being said half of the retarded ramblings against my point do not follow any logic. I'm on these blocks every single day, I also pride my self on some semblance of understanding on urban development and planning.

I want what is best for Walnut street. The only people preventing it are the type of people similar to previous commentors who are so PC and have a stick up their ass.
Gimme a break, get a life. Who cares if you don't have the money to shop there, neither do I, but plenty of people do, why don't you cry about it.

Just as I said not one of those establishments I mentioned belongs on Walnut street. One of my favorite assumptions is that this must be how I feel about all streets in Philly. Is this board filled with retards? There is such an idea as a central shopping district, and its not specifically trying to be like 5th avenue Manhattan. 5th ave. just happens to be the ideal shopping arrangement for a premier street in a city.

Now Alesis, the term "true moron" is reserved for someone like you.
"No eckerd? I guess those who buy condos in CC are so angelic that they don't need toilet paper, tooth paste, or prescription drugs? Just coming back from Rogue, I can assure you that CC residents use their fair share of "scripts"."

You're right smarty, hmm i guess they will just have to walk on block in any direction....

Ps- No Tumi doesn't belong, that is why we have Robinson on Broad and several other "luggage" stores. It will be out of there in less then a year.

Neuronix · #**1653** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapsuleF

I don't take back what i said so screw all of you. I work on Walnut and have a major in fashion merchandising, I am somewhat knowledgeable on the subject.

Here's a big sorry from the hoi polloi

Quote:

Who cares if you don't have the money to shop there, neither do I, but plenty of people do, why don't you cry about it.

My post was a reponse to:

Quote:

What worries me that no matter how much Philly tries to attract new retailers, the only ones that set up shop here and actually succeed are the low and mid-market brands. Sadly,that doesnt say much for our city.

So maybe the high end stuff in the city is failing because people in the city don't have the money to shop there. I'm pointing out that's a good thing in my opinion. Who needs expansion of high end merchandise where it's not supportable? What does that do for the city exactly?

Quote:

Is this board filled with retards?

Quote:

Phila is the Prague of the U.S.

Which haven't you been to, Prague or Philadelphia

Jayfar · #**1654** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapsuleF

Why ruin Walnut's continuity with all the **** I just mentioned. Alfa isn"t up to par, thats why I'm specifically mentioning it. Notice I didn't mention Brasserie, Alma, or even Cosi.

Why ruin Walnut's vitality by subtracting from its diversity of use? This is Jane Jacobs' first principle in "The Death and Life of Great American Cities."

Borrowing a paraphrasing:

http://houstonstrategies.blogspot.co...t-houston.html

Quote:

In The Death and Life Jacobs expands on the physical conditions which are the foundation of the street ballet. For a good performance of the urban play, she claims, the scene needs to meet four conditions. Firstly, neighborhoods should have several functions, so that there are people on the streets at all hours of the day. If in a neighborhood there is only activity at night, or in the morning, as in many business or commuter areas, activities like hotel and catering, culture and retail trade hardly get the chance to blossom. In neighborhoods with a mix of functions, however, throughout the day these facilities are needed which in itself starts a process of reinforcement. Secondly, Jacobs believes that a city benefits from short building blocks and an intricate street structure. Pedestrians must have the possibility to go round, take a different route sometimes, and thereby discovering something new. Thirdly, there should be enough variation in the residential area: buildings that differ in age, level of maintenance and function contribute to a varied and colorful city image. Lastly, Jacobs advocates a high degree of concentration of people in one place. She supports compact city neighborhoods where different kinds of households and individuals (families, elderly, entrepreneurs, artists, migrants, students) live together. The fact is that this variety on the small scale results in the critical mass which is necessary to maintain an equally varied supply of local facilities. In such a busy and diverse neighborhood the local supermarket, the kebab shop and the chain store can coexist without problems.

Jacobs emphasizes that the spatial conditions for a street ballet cannot do without one another. Only in combination do they lead to the diversity that is needed for a blossoming city life. In this way, urban diversity ensures that there are people close by at every moment of the day. If there are enough "eyes on the street," she claims, crime is not given a chance and the collective feeling of security increases. The variety in functions, buildings and people also plays an important role in maintaining social cohesion. It is not so much about keeping in touch with the neighbors, but rather about interaction on the street, at the bus stops or in shops. This is how people get the feeling of belonging to a community, or being at home somewhere. In order to indicate these loose neighborhood networks, Jacobs talks about "social capital," a term which is very popular nowadays among city governors.

jet · #**1655** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapsuleF

Ps- No Tumi doesn't belong, that is why we have Robinson on Broad and several other "luggage" stores. It will be out of there in less then a year.

While I generally agreed with your original post, and wholeheartedly disagreed with the other 'rich people suck' comments. This post goes a bit over the top. So, I don't quite know where to start except on your last comment.

As someone who is "somewhat knowledgeable" of retail, you should know that Tumi most certainly belongs on your version of Walnut street. Tumi has staked out the high end luxury travel accessory market space better than anyone. They have built a brand that is the envy of all high-end retailers. Those who travel a lot (business and pleasure) know and use Tumi products.

Do you know anything about those types of travelers? To be clear I'm talking about travelers who do 100K+ miles of air travel a year. Those travelers have 25-30% more disposible income than those who do not. What do they spend that kind of disposible income on? Why luxury products of course. And luxury products is your version of Walnut.

I'll let the other posters respond to the rest of your post.

jet

CapsuleF · #**1656** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:22 PM

I don't mean to call everyone on here a retard, just some.

As far as the reasoning that Philadelphia cannot support upscale, you are partially correct. The problem is, I think you are basing that when there used to be LV and Gucci on Walnut, years ago. It could not be supported years ago, it can now.

Things are very different. Walnut is ready to support most any brand. Upscale is not even necessary. Who said it was? What is necessary are unique urban shopping brands that thrive of of our unique and special enviroment. These types of stores range form American Apparel to Burberry.

CapsuleF · #**1657** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jet

While I generally agreed with your original post, and wholeheartedly disagreed with the other 'rich people suck' comments. This post goes a bit over the top. So, I don't quite know where to start except on your last comment.

As someone who is "somewhat knowledgeable" of retail, you should know that Tumi most certainly belongs on your version of Walnut street. Tumi has staked out the high end luxury travel accessory market space better than anyone. They have built a brand that is the envy of all high-end retailers. Those who travel a lot (business and pleasure) know and use Tumi products.

Do you know anything about those types of travelers? To be clear I'm talking about travelers who do 100K+ miles of air travel a year. Those travelers have 25-30% more disposible income than those who do not. What do they spend that kind of disposible income on? Why luxury products of course. And luxury products is your version of Walnut.

I'll let the other posters respond to the rest of your post.

jet

Jet, by all mean you are following sound and safe logic in that observation. I believe you go wrong by not considering the amount of other luggage options either in Philadelphia, or its suburbs.

Tumi is offered at several outlets already. Its not necessarily upscale, but more of a reliable and quite satisfactory brand. I'm sorry I just don't see too many people luggage shopping on Walnut. Coach exists because of the products it sells bags etc. that are not traveling related.

Jayfar, I have no problem with bars/restaurants on Walnut. I have a problem with Alfa not using its space to the fullest and having a crappy facade and sub par offerings.

inacoma · #**1658** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neuronix

Which haven't you been to, Prague or Philadelphia

Prague. Thats not the point.

Prague was the place for creative types in the 90's cause it was an interesting environment and cheap to live in. Maybe not now, i dont know. I guess i should have said "Olde Prague".

The point being, high-end retail is not necessarily a draw for the creative class / individual business owners, who seem to be eyeing up Philadelphia because it is relatively affordable as the most interesting/historical urban environment in the US.

I can easily imagine Matthew Barney jumping off the Ben Franklin Bridge. (South Street Bridge would be more apt but less dramatic).

ams · #**1659** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 08:36 PM

"Tumi is offered at several outlets already. Its not necessarily upscale, but more of a reliable and quite satisfactory brand. I'm sorry I just don't see too many people luggage shopping on Walnut. Coach exists because of the products it sells bags etc. that are not traveling related."

you don't think Tumi luggage is upscale? wow.

chris12 · #**1660** (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 10:08 PM

I was hoping for a bebe sport in Philly. I think it'll have high traffic draw and attention.