Why doesnt Memphis have an Upscale mall (Germantown: houses, shops)

[simcity]

James Davis and Oak Hall are two local stores that cater to those who want expensive brand names that you won’t find in the retail chain malls.

Oak Hall - Exceptional Apparel for Men and Women
James Davis

For other brands, such as Louis Vuitton, you can use the internet.

[expatnortherner]

This is mainly a blue-collar, working-class, Wal-Mart town. Those with the means to afford upscale (however you personally define "upscale") for one don't do malls. They also have the means to fly to Atlanta, L.A., Chicago or NYC to get their goods.

Ex-Pat

[expatnortherner]

Originally Posted by atlantaATL

Oh ok because i went there and tried to find an urbanoutfitters and nordstroms and there was not one at all i really couldnt shop while visiting there because they didnt have any of my favorite stores

You consider Nordstrom and Urbanoutfitters upscale? Perhaps some broadening of the horizons is necessary, to those of means these are rather low-end and pedestrian.

Ex-Pat

[redwine]

nd





Oak Court is hardly upscale. But I guess if you compare with ghetto Southlands anything seams upscale, even a small little mall like Oak Court.
I like wolfchase better, more like a mall I am used to and seen around the country. But as far as upscale goes. most upscale is probably the Avenue.

[redwine]

Originally Posted by expatnortherner

You consider Nordstrom and Urbanoutfitters upscale? Perhaps some broadening of the horizons is necessary, to those of means these are rather low-end and pedestrian.

Ex-Pat

haha whatever..Nordstroms low end? What are you trying to do here? I guess SAKS is just the step up from Nordstoms then.
Nordstrom is a Upscale Store for the avarge american. Maybe not to people making $150 000 or more a year though.

[Pearlbob]

If you don't think there is upscale shopping here, try driving out to Germantown or east Memphis to see all the boutiques. Just because the stores aren't in a giant "mall" doesn't mean they aren't out there. What "upscale" person wants to shop in a "mall" anyway?

[expatnortherner]

Originally Posted by redwine

haha whatever..Nordstroms low end? What are you trying to do here? I guess SAKS is just the step up from Nordstoms then.
Nordstrom is a Upscale Store for the avarge american. Maybe not to people making $150 000 or more a year though.

Yea, Nordstroms and even Saks are pretty low-end. Once Saks got bought by Macy's they went downhill to all but the pinky-ring wearing crowd.

Beyond a certain income you definitely don't do malls OR department stores, they are considered pedestrian. Most people of means wou;dn't be caught dead in one. You do individual stores with concierges, private shoppers, or even better, the stores come to you.

http://www.gucci.com/us/us-english/g...store-concept/

You consider $150,000 upscale? Maybe the America you live in is different from mine. In Manhattan, where apts in good zip codes run in the millions and typical rents run into the $3,000 plus a month, $150,000 is not considered upscale by any stretch of the boundries. Doormen make more than that at some buildings, heck sanitation workers (city employees) can clear that with overtime.

But this is perception at it's finest.

Ex-Pat

[expatnortherner]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

If you don't think there is upscale shopping here, try driving out to Germantown or east Memphis to see all the boutiques. Just because the stores aren't in a giant "mall" doesn't mean they aren't out there. What "upscale" person wants to shop in a "mall" anyway?

Good example. If you have the means these stores tend to find you, rather than you having to go look for them. People of means look for customization, efficiency, service and personalization, and these stores cater to just that.

Ex-Pat

[mjtinmemphis]

I understand why the person starting this conversation started it. The following is my observation from living in the area for 5.5 years.

Memphis is not a highend market meaning that the average person doesn't have 10 college degrees with a corporate type job paying 75 to 100k per year.

Memphians spend alot of their income on mc mansions, cars and big churches. Very few high end retailers like Sacs, Neimans and even Bloomingdales would consider any market in Tennessee, Mississippi or Arkansas. (not even Nashville)

However, wallmart in Memphis is off the chain with selection (much better than anything that is offered in Chicago). Target's does pretty well also. If upscale shopping like your trying to describe is what your looking for you may need to go to a larger more upscale metro.

[TheKernel91]

Well I can say maybe not yet Memphis is ready , but in the near future because of the remarkable building boom Memphis is having, it will bring in money, and set the path for a new mall. Bout time all the construction is done (as far as new housing, businesses and condos) its only matter of time.