Target to Target a famous Chicago Building.

[FlyiMetro]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

It's something that's happening all over, not just Chicago, but also in London and NY, what were former more unique luxury retail zones are being taken over by stores like H&M, Forever 21, Victoria's Secret, Zara, Top Shop, Best Buy and All Saints, among others.

That may not mean anything to you but I guess one way to look at it would be to imagine if Wal Mart took over the first few floors of the Hancock Tower.

The worry, to the degree there is one, is that there becomes little to differentiate it between your average mall.

Where this building is, doesnt it have many people that live near?

[paytonc]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

It's something that's happening all over, not just Chicago, but also in London and NY, what were former more unique luxury retail zones

Michigan Avenue is hardly exclusive. Giant shoving hordes of tourists and suburbanites are not exactly lucrative as far as "unique luxury" shops -- many of them also chains! -- are concerned.

Originally Posted by Drover

The building in question is not on Michigan Avenue. And I don't know what the fuss is. They occupy the building, so I can't think of a single reason why they shouldn't be able to put their own logo on it.

As I read the article, they are putting their logo *inside* the building, within the interior space. I'm surprised such a matter is regulated at all; it's akin to asking for city approval to hang curtains.

[FlyiMetro]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

Chicago shopping compared to NY and especially London is nothing special and it never will be.

The point is that when a bunch of discount brands dominate your flagship shopping district it begins to lose its cache. When it loses its cache, people stop seeing value in it.

Like I said, it's happening everywhere, and probably inevitable, and we all obviously have bigger problems. But it does cheapen it.

It's like knocking out nice restaurants and putting in hamburger joints.

It just begins to look stupider and stupider until it's finally like any suburban strip mall.

Life still remains in the city & thats a good thing.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

Because I'm saying I don't think Chicago shopping is even that great to begin with. It's OK. The concern is more with our flagship street being dominated by tawdry mega-discount brands than if we do/do not have a Coach store a block or two off Michigan Avenue.

However, like I said earlier, it's happening everywhere, everyone has bigger problems, and there isn't a lot you can do about it.

But there is the specter of fear that it will end up like the movie "Idiocracy" where Carl's Jr. is sponsoring everything everywhere...the Wal Mart-Hancock Tower etc.

What US cities have better shopping other than LA and NYC?

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

Yes, obviously corporations name buildings. The Wal Mart reference was used to illustrate a giant down-market super chain. You may not care about retail shopping. I'm not saying I can afford Bond Street in London either. But having giant H&M, Victoria's Secret and Forever 21 become the dominant flagship stores on Michigan Avenue is the equivalent of having Arby's, McDonald's and Burger King build giant, five-floor super stores on Mi Ave.

I don't really care. I'm not going to launch a crusade to get Bergdorf Goodman to open a flagship store on Mi Ave. Just an observation.

What exactly do you propose? We've been in a downturn for several years. People don't have the cash to throw around at designer goods the way they once might have. Also, theres nothing special about a luxury brand chain store, its still something you could find in any upscale mall in America. The only time Michigan Ave was unique was when there were many local businesses, those days passed long ago. Would I like to see a return to that? Sure. But it won't be happening with rents as high as they are. Local proprietors can't afford that kind of real estate.

Furthermore, this is a part of the city that has seen its residential population increase over the past decade, and simple conveniences like grocery stores, etc. haven't kept up. This isn't marketed at out of town tourists, its there for the residential population, which I have no problem with. The building was vacant, now it has a tenant which will preserve much of its architectural integrity. It will return to the tax rolls and increase foot traffic in the area. What exactly is the problem here other than snobbery?

Finally, the Carson building is on State, not Michigan.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

What US cities have better shopping other than LA and NYC?

I don't know but I never have trouble finding a Redwing store around Chicago. And Blue Collar Supply in Lansing is THE place nationwide for work clothes, hot-mill and Flex-O gloves, Bridge hats, sleever bars and spud wrenches.

[RingWalk]

I obviously, if you follow the thread, segued from Target to MI Ave long ago.

To answer the other poster, I don't know about LA. Shopping in London makes Chicago look like Green Bay. I've heard NY is the same.

Again, I don't really know how else to express my point. It was a minor point. No, I don't think Target moving into such an iconic building is anything to be jumping up and down about, but obviously given the realities of the market, it is what it is.

I am fine agreeing to disagree.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

I obviously, if you follow the thread, segued from Target to MI Ave long ago.

To answer the other poster, I don't know about LA. Shopping in London makes Chicago look like Green Bay. I've heard NY is the same.

Again, I don't really know how else to express my point. It was a minor point. No, I don't think Target moving into such an iconic building is anything to be jumping up and down about, but obviously given the realities of the market, it is what it is.

I am fine agreeing to disagree.

That's fine, I think my point is that shopping in Chicago is probably better than 95% of America.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by vlajos

that's fine, i think my point is that shopping in chicago is probably better than 95% of america.

99.9%

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

99.9%

I was trying to be conservative.