Future Growth in Birmingham Metropolitan Area (Tuscaloosa, Talladega: job market, outlet mall, to eat)

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by sleepless in Bham

So how does that translate to job growth? How does it compare to other cities in the South? Still doesn't negate the fact that we had negative job growth last decade.

I didn't say that it did, slick. I was just making a post in a big thread that is open for anyone to contribute to. Slow your roll.

[Tourian]

Outlet Shops of Grand River looks to expand market reach - Birmingham Business Journal

The Shops of Grand River has some big aspirations. I like it:

The 6,500-acre development is located off Exit 140 along I-20, minutes from Birmingham, but the new leasing team, along with the outlet center's leadership, want to draw more outlet shoppers from around the state and even into Georgia.

“It has the opportunity to be the state's outlet center,” Hinkle said, noting the average outlet shopper will drive 60 minutes to shop.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Outlet Shops of Grand River looks to expand market reach - Birmingham Business Journal

The Shops of Grand River has some big aspirations. I like it:

what does the shops of grand river offer that atlanta doesn't that would attract shoppers from georgia to travel west?

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by steveklein

what does the shops of grand river offer that atlanta doesn't that would attract shoppers from georgia to travel west?

From reading the article I gather that they have hired a new leasing agent who intends to bring new stores to do that, as well as better marketing for the current ones.

"looks to"

Szalay said more announcements regarding changes at the outlet center will be coming in the weeks ahead.

[bigstick]

Originally Posted by steveklein

what does the shops of grand river offer that atlanta doesn't that would attract shoppers from georgia to travel west?

I highly doubt many from GA will go here after this opens. In fact is will be the opposite, shoppers coming East.....

Buckhead Atlanta

Oliver McMillan | Unique Workplace, Unique Firm

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by bigstick

I highly doubt many from GA will go here after this opens. In fact is will be the opposite, shoppers coming East.....

It's already open, playa.

Plus you are comparing an outlet mall to an upscale shopping district. That's two distinct...

AH, ha ha, nevermind. Who am I kidding...you won't understand.

[bigstick]

Originally Posted by Tourian

It's already open, playa.

Plus you are comparing an outlet mall to an upscale shopping district. That's two distinct...

AH, ha ha, nevermind. Who am I kidding...you won't understand.

My point was is that they are fooling themselves to think people from GA are going to a crappy outlet mall in Leeds, AL. Do you get it??? Oh, maybe you don't understand.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by bigstick

My point was is that they are fooling themselves to think people from GA are going to a crappy outlet mall in Leeds, AL. Do you get it??? Oh, maybe you don't understand.

They already have market data to suggest otherwise, BASED ON THE FACT THAT IT IS ALREADY OPEN AND VERY SUCCESSFUL. Something that escapes you and negates anything ignorant that you have to say.

Keep digging.

[bhamoutlook]

People from Georgia isn't a stretch at all... But most likely extreme west Georgia. I think they would have to get some pretty impressive outlet stores for Atlanta outlet shoppers to switch over from the Dawsonville outlet mall. That outlet has a good mixture of high end and lower end outlet stores. That mall has such outlets as Burberry, Saks Off Fifth, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, and the like.

The Leeds mall really needs to work on recruiting some of these types of brands to get all types of people interested in the mall. It's very successful as it is but if they want to expand their reach they will need to do that. I know that's possible because it's also in a great location right off of the interstate.

From another article on al.com and what other people have said, Birmingham really needs to tie itself more to the Talladega speedway. The outlets could really benefit from this given it's proximity to the speedway.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by bhamoutlook

People from Georgia isn't a stretch at all... But most likely extreme west Georgia. I think they would have to get some pretty impressive outlet stores for Atlanta outlet shoppers to switch over from the Dawsonville outlet mall. That outlet has a good mixture of high end and lower end outlet stores. That mall has such outlets as Burberry, Saks Off Fifth, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, and the like.

The Leeds mall really needs to work on recruiting some of these types of brands to get all types of people interested in the mall. It's very successful as it is but if they want to expand their reach they will need to do that. I know that's possible because it's also in a great location right off of the interstate.

Well, all they said was the average outlet shopper will drive an hour to shop. That radius would get in to Georgia. They didn't say that it was going to bring Atlanta to its knees or that they have found a way to deactivate the force field that keeps people from driving west on I-20 towards Birmingham away from Atlanta. Not, saying that you are suggesting that, but some people get their feelings hurt when the very idea is suggested someone from Georgia might willingly come to Birmingham without being tied up.

From another article on al.com and what other people have said, Birmingham really needs to tie itself more to the Talladega speedway. The outlets could really benefit from this given it's proximity to the speedway.

I saw something like that on BBJ and it looked to me like the author wasn't aware that Talladega was now part of the CSA. Besides, that, having more "ties" to the track just has to come with time, as he mentioned things that were already in place. I don't really know what else can be done other then inevitable push the metro is making up 20 and 59 because of Honda, Barber's, Grand River, and St. Clair Co. housing developments and that tractor beam/mind control device they have in Fulton Co, Ga.