New stores coming to Duluth, anyone know of any? (Rochester: house, rent)

[roneb]

Originally Posted by SWB

However, all of these chains haven't come at a "price" though. Our local downtowns probably lack the vitality that Downtown Duluth apparently has in terms of independent merchants, as you can only stretch our local dollars so many directions. As others have said, be VERY careful what you wish for. You might initially like the influx of chains, but before long your area's outer periphery will become just as homogenized as the rest of America's suburbs. Don't sell your city's independent retailers and mom-and-pop restaurants out for corporate America the way Scranton has.

Excellent post. Duluth's uniqueness is a huge part of it's appeal. Big box stores and national chains DO homogenize a community. The next step would be cookie cutter subdevelopments, and then Duluth just wouldn't be Duluth anymore!

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by roneb

Excellent post. Duluth's uniqueness is a huge part of it's appeal. Big box stores and national chains DO homogenize a community. The next step would be cookie cutter subdevelopments, and then Duluth just wouldn't be Duluth anymore!

I agree completely and I am beginning to realize that more and more. It's a fine line. On the one hand, I want to see Duluth flourish, but on the other hand, I want it to retain it's uniqueness and charm.

[duluthian2008]

I agree with all of you. Duluth needs retail but I dont want the retail we have that are local to be killed by these new retailers.

[aluminumpork]

duluthian2008: Oh by the way, I heard additional confirmation today that Texas Roadhouse and Culvers is still on track for the spot across from Olive Garden. They are in negotiations for land purchase and are also looking for managers for the possible store. It's doubtful they will be open anytime this summer, but construction will probably start this summer.

[duluthian2008]

Thats great to hear! I am very excited!!! I wonder if they are still planning on doing strip centers as part of Duluth Hill? I think those two places will add a lot of uniqueness to that hill being currently not that many things are there. By the way have you heard anything about any other retailers with that development?

[nateduluthnative]

Does anyone know if Duluth will get a major fitness club like Lifetime Fitness, Bally's or L. A. Fitness? Duluth sure could use one of those!

[duluthian2008]

I really would like an L.A. Fitness. There is a huge, extermely nice L.A. Fitness in the the northwest suburbs of the cities and it has pools, raquet ball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, indoor skating rink and a ton more all inside. If Duluth had one I would go.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by nateduluthnative

Does anyone know if Duluth will get a major fitness club like Lifetime Fitness, Bally's or L. A. Fitness? Duluth sure could use one of those!

I'm assuming our L.A. Weight Loss center is different than an L.A. Fitness?

[duluthian2008]

Yes it is. L.A. Fitness is a huge Gym with a place like L.A. Weight Loss Center inside of it.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by aluminumpork

I agree completely and I am beginning to realize that more and more. It's a fine line. On the one hand, I want to see Duluth flourish, but on the other hand, I want it to retain it's uniqueness and charm.

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

I agree with all of you. Duluth needs retail but I dont want the retail we have that are local to be killed by these new retailers.

Exactly. You can indeed welcome new chains to your community as long as you and your fellow residents pledge that you'll CONTINUE to support the independent stores that are the backbone of your community and make Duluth the wonderful place it is to be able to call home. In my area there are two Barnes & Nobles, a Borders, and a Walden Books (which I believe is now also owned by Borders). The growing popularity of these chains just caused another independent book store and cafe to go out of business. In fact, I can only name one indepedent book store remaining in our region---Anthology in Downtown Scranton (and even that is probably hanging on by a shoestring).

Shop and dine to your heart's contents, but don't forget that Ma 'n Pa's Pasta House is owned by the people two doors down or that the owner of Bill's Hardware sponsors your son's little league team whereas Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, etc. are run out of corporate headquarters in other states (well Target is in the Twin Cities area, but you get the idea). When my friends and I were collecting charitable donations a few years ago for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, local businesses on shoestring budgets were quick to offer us cash or something to put towards our raffle fund-raiser. The large chains all said "we'll have to send this to corporate," and we never heard back from any of them. So much for big-box stores being "community-focused."