Is there any hope for the black part of Dekalb, south of HWY 78? (Atlanta: foreclosed, renting)

[jero23]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

Black people just don't patronize stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's in large numbers. Walmart's largest growing customer base is black people.

That within itself is bad and insulting considering how poorly stocked most Walmart stores are in predominately black areas regardless of the economic make-up of the area.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by stvincent

It's like the black middle class keeps running but keeps getting followed. The issue is middle class and upper class blacks don't understand the importance of zoning to keep property value stable and many don't want to feel racist by having things changed to prevent or discourage working class blacks from moving in. It's not racist, it's classist but I think that is looked down upon more in the black community too.

Actually, retailers need to get with the program and realize that the future of residential patterns lie with mixed income environments with nation's demographics shifting towards a more non-white majority nation. Classism and partial racially bias assumptions based on racial makeup of an area will guarantee that as the demise of numerous retailers that continue this anarchic type of business model.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by SAAN

I agree here. Once Walmart opened off Turner Hill, Target became a ghost town.

I think atleast a Trader Joes might do decent around there as people with more wealth are wising up and taking better care of their health and starting to leave McDonalds and much of the other trash alone.

Philly cheese steak, mcdonalds, popeyes, wings shop, and little ceasers as a dinner option daily is a early grave and there is no shortage of those from Redan, Covington, Wesley Chapel, Memorial, and more.

Actually, the contributing to the Lithonia Target being on the closure list is the fact store was in a bad location, nearly 1/2 mile from the Turner Hill Road interchange with I-20, very little visible signage aside from the tiny monument signs, and horrible access points along Mall Parkway (especially at night). Also the company, Target Corp., expectations for the location was too high for the market considering the aforementioned conditions (bad location, very little signage, and horrible access). The Lithonia store was making a profit, but not to their project sales expectations. Walmart didn't do anything but capitalize on working class blacks in the area like they seem to do these days, unfortunately...

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

Every area of every city can't have Whole foods, etc. You have to have poorer areas for poorer people.

I used to live in PG County and it's just as bad as Dekalb. Let PG natives tell it PG is crime free, has wonderful schools, no carjackings, etc. They do a good job trying to hide their ratchetness lol. They love saying "PG is the riches black county in the country" I call it the most expensive ghetto in the country

There are essentially two PG counties: inner beltway which is more working-class/hood, and outer beltway which is more affluent. However the prevailing stereotype of the county is negative (PG = "pretty ghetto") and I don't know any natives or residents who try to make it seem as though it doesn't have its downsides; they widely advertise them if anything.

But as a general rule, more affluent Black areas tend to be underserved by retail compared to predominantly White affluent areas. PG County did manage to land Whole Foods, but it was a long time coming: Prince George's County puts hope in Whole Foods - Washington Business Journal

[equinox63]

Ah, reminds me of the days of when I first joined city-data many years ago... Back when I still had hope.

Economic Development in South Dekalb

Will gentrification ever happen in South Dekalb?

South Dekalb Improvement Plan

... ...

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by jero23

Actually, the contributing to the Lithonia Target being on the closure list is the fact store was in a bad location, nearly 1/2 mile from the Turner Hill Road interchange with I-20, very little visible signage aside from the tiny monument signs, and horrible access points along Mall Parkway (especially at night). Also the company, Target Corp., expectations for the location was too high for the market considering the aforementioned conditions (bad location, very little signage, and horrible access). The Lithonia store was making a profit, but not to their project sales expectations. Walmart didn't do anything but capitalize on working class blacks in the area like they seem to do these days, unfortunately...

Yeah, it is way too high on the hill and set back from the road.

It was fine before the other stores were built up but now, you definitely can't see it from the highway.

Most of the business off Turner Hill and Mall Pkwy have bad views and signage.

[afdinatl]

[QUOTEstvincent;38025031]It's like the black middle class keeps running but keeps getting followed. The issue is middle class and upper class blacks don't understand the importance of zoning to keep property value stable and many don't want to feel racist by having things changed to prevent or discourage working class blacks from moving in. It's not racist, it's classist but I think that is looked down upon more in the black community too.[/quote]

The main problem is that poor white folks know they aren't wanted in rich white neighborhoods but poor blacks think they are welcomed in upper middle class black neighborhoods. You will never see poor whites at Lenox Square but poor blacks go there all the time. Thing is poor whites don't mix in with upper middle class whites but it happens all the time with blacks. Poor whites don't go to the same schools as upper middle class whites and they do well generally speaking blending into society but poor blacks stand out buy the way they dress and act in public generally speaking. Upper middle class blacks can't run from the poor blacks because we generally eat at the same places, go to the same schools, churches, etc. Generally speaking I

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

Black folks in Atlanta aren't trying to eat that healthy generally speaking

I don't think it's that at all.I this its just so expensive.Even blacks with money seem to be more reserved for paying for something they can get cheaper elsewhere.I mean it's a limit to how much blacks will pay for healthy options.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

[QUOTEstvincent;38025031]It's like the black middle class keeps running but keeps getting followed. The issue is middle class and upper class blacks don't understand the importance of zoning to keep property value stable and many don't want to feel racist by having things changed to prevent or discourage working class blacks from moving in. It's not racist, it's classist but I think that is looked down upon more in the black community too.

The main problem is that poor white folks know they aren't wanted in rich white neighborhoods but poor blacks think they are welcomed in upper middle class black neighborhoods. You will never see poor whites at Lenox Square but poor blacks go there all the time. Thing is poor whites don't mix in with upper middle class whites but it happens all the time with blacks. Poor whites don't go to the same schools as upper middle class whites and they do well generally speaking blending into society but poor blacks stand out buy the way they dress and act in public generally speaking. Upper middle class blacks can't run from the poor blacks because we generally eat at the same places, go to the same schools, churches, etc. Generally speaking I[/quote]

Very good points.So true.

[Ant131531]

Oh please, the middle/upper class blacks talk about the lower class blacks as much as white people do. My mom and dad both said Conyers was getting worse and of course, the demographic shift is more blacks moving in. They said they plan on moving to Perimeter in the next 5 years or so because Conyers is just going to become South Dekalb 2.0.