The passing of Gimbels, Lit Brothers, Strawbridges, Nan Duskins, Bonwit Teller and other great department stores indicates that the business model was outmoded. I have great memories of these retailers but I now see that West Walnut Street is as tony and busy as it has ever been. What's even more encouraging is a resurgent Chestnut Street from 13th street to 21 street. This really caught me by surprise and indicates that retail is alive and well in CC. I have read that Barney's Coop is opening on Walnut. Rumors persist about a Target and/or Boscov's on Market East. Macy's seems committed to slowing upgrading its location in the iconic Wanamaker Building. I believe that retail in CC could explode if/when the business tax codes are restructured. The restaurant scene (a kind of retail) here is about the best in the nation. New hotels are also on the way. It really is just a matter of time before more movie screens are built. Also, Philadelphia has always been a theater town. More theaters are better because they are a magnet that draw people to the city to stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, and shop. Love to see more theater at the Forrest (which has been a little too dormant for my taste) and at a newly restored Boyd.

I understand that the rumored retrofit of the former Strawbridge's to become Target will also include a mainstream movie theater. I read that on some thread on phillyblog, which I'm too lazy to go back and look up now. But there might be hope. I agree with you, though, Howard, that the Boyd would be the real cinematic feather in our cap.

...there are several prominent lots in center city that are just begging for a SotA, overpriced movie theatre with a bar and Marathon attached.

My personal opinion? 1441 Chestnut!

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“Man who run in front of car get tired.”

Away from the east coast, another example of good mainstream stadium-seating style theaters is here in DFW. There's a big multiplex AMC theater in downtown Ft Worth's Sundance Square area. It sits adjacent to the new Bass Performance Hall and down the street from a huge Border's Books, only to be spaced by several cool bars. Downtown Ft Worth is lively and getting more so, while downtown Dallas is miserable even now.

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New term of the day 1/24:
Electile Dysfunction: The inability to become aroused over any of the choices for President put forth by either of only parties in the 2008 election year.
http://www.votenader.org/index.html


5/22, because i'm feeling punny:
As the great Jedi English teacher was quoted in saying, "metaphors be with you."

A new movie theater in Center City?


Cool... I get to bet on how long before the first shooting!

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"

Hasn't been one yet connected to the theater at 40th and Walnut.

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Barack Obama on security, Iraq and Afghanistan. We need a Commander in Chief who knows the differences between Shii'a and Sunni.

I'm reviving this thread because we finally got out and visited the Barnes Foundation in Merion.

I'm kind of struck speechless by it. The collection is stunning, mindblowing. The arrangement...well, idiosyncratic, to say the least. It is certainly a singular vision. I think I understand what Barnes was after, personally I don't care for it. It reminds me of a paint-by-numbers kind of thing: "well, there's red in this painting, so let's put this one with red NEXT to it! see kids?"

In any case, this thing needs to move to the Parkway so that the world can see it. I understand the idea is to reproduce the galleries as they are, which I think will create a really interesting meta-commentary on art collection that could make it truly one of the most fascinating museums in the world.

Anyone know what the actual status is right now? I know they've hired architects and finally worked out a deal for the YSC ( boy, are there going to be a lot of cranky homeless people when that thing goes because the encampment is bigger than ever), but any updates on the legal situation or the date the YSC will come down?

As soon as they move the kids to the Insane place(no not west philly), so sometime this year...

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TAFKATLB(TheArtistFormerlyKnowAsTheLoveBelow)

It looks like the Friends of Barnes are putting up a last minute motion to stop the move.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local...open_case.html

If Blackwell cost us this museum I will be furious.

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"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him." —George Bush, Washington, D.C., Sept. 13, 2001

Sorry it shouldn't be moved for better or worse.

Barnes' will had instructed that his paintings "remain in exactly the places they are" after his death.