Retail coming to Philadelphia (collecting, restaurant, gym)

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by cpomp

I think smaller niche brands won't / don't do well in Center City for a variety of reasons, and lack of a customer base may be one. A brand like Outdoor Voices probably does well in Austin (their HQ) or New York because there are so many people. I also think the brand is not doing great, they closed their LA store too.

Whether rent or space allows, main stream retailers (home and clothing) are what works in Center City. I could even see a luxury store like Gucci doing well on Walnut because its a favorite splurge brand for many people, but good luck getting them to consider Center City.

The disorganized / lazy "Ritt Row" marketing approach also doesn't help Walnut/Chestnut, which plays into your first sentence and my comment above.

Gucci had a boutigue in the Bellevue for about 15 years or so; Williams-Sonoma replaced it.

The entire Bellevue shopping center is getting a total makeover, so we will see what happens when it's done.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by Redddog

There is PLENTY of foot traffic out there right now.

I think cpomp has it right about marketing. Ritt Row (and Philly, in general) does a terrible job selling this town as a destination.

It literally is a destination. People come here to see Philly. They need to start putting it out there better.

Actually, Visit Philadelphia (the region's tourism promotion organization, funded by a tax on hotel rooms) has been doing a pretty good job of getting more people to visit here. Getting them to do so from overseas has been the tougher nut to crack.

(Full disclosure: I count the former chief of staff to Visit Philadelphia's executive director as one of my closest friends. For some strange reason, this guy thinks the world of me.)

[mphilly]

I heard Outdoor Voices is closing in Nashville too and is considering closing other stores. It may be more of a national thing than Philly specific.

[MPK21]

Originally Posted by mphilly

I could be wrong but I thought it was always supposed to be seasonal and will be back when it gets warmer again.

Well, if the George Floyd Beer Garden was open until early January and closed, yet again, for more zoning violations (that actually existed from day 1) not seeing the seasonal business here.

[MPK21]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

It beats a parking lot or rubble.

I suspect Teddy Sourias will address the violations (I think he runs this beer garden).

The fate of the lot probably depends on the outcome of a bunch of insurance claims and lawsuits. 1708 and 1710 are owned by the same LLC, which acquired them in nominal transactions at the end of 2020, while 1706 is owned by a different LLC that paid $4.5m for it after the building got torched, in December of 2022.

Recall that it took something like three years for the dust to settle after One Meridian (nee Three Girard Plaza) burned. The three-year mark for these lots comes up this summer.

Rather have parking than the current eyesore condition this place is currently in. The violations recently posted existed the entire time so not sure what's up with the city on this.

The four-year mark for the arson over a scam is this summer; so we went from burned out historical structures for a year to 3 years of empty lot with some kinda hazardous-to-shady beer garden. At least it's consistent.

[cpomp]

A big deal for Walnut Street.

Nike bringing its new Jordan-branded World of Flight store to Philadelphia
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...ladelphia.html

Nike Inc. is bringing a new store focused exclusively on its Michael Jordan-branded sneakers and apparel to Philadelphia, documents filed with the city show.

The retailer plans to open a Jordan World of Flight store in the 7,000-square-foot building at 1617 Walnut St. in Rittenhouse Square, according to documents submitted to the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Nike debuted the retail concept in Milan, Italy, in December 2022, dubbing Jordan World of Flight stores "the future of Jordan retail: a destination to celebrate the legacy and future of basketball culture."

The second Jordan World of Flight opened in Tokyo last March.
No U.S. locations for Jordan World of Flight stores have been publicly announced, making the planned Philadelphia shop one of — if not — the first store in the country.

[mphilly]

Originally Posted by cpomp

A big deal for Walnut Street.

Nike bringing its new Jordan-branded World of Flight store to Philadelphia
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...ladelphia.html

Nike Inc. is bringing a new store focused exclusively on its Michael Jordan-branded sneakers and apparel to Philadelphia, documents filed with the city show.

The retailer plans to open a Jordan World of Flight store in the 7,000-square-foot building at 1617 Walnut St. in Rittenhouse Square, according to documents submitted to the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Nike debuted the retail concept in Milan, Italy, in December 2022, dubbing Jordan World of Flight stores "the future of Jordan retail: a destination to celebrate the legacy and future of basketball culture."

The second Jordan World of Flight opened in Tokyo last March.
No U.S. locations for Jordan World of Flight stores have been publicly announced, making the planned Philadelphia shop one of — if not — the first store in the country.

Now this seems like a destination store that will bring people to shop from outside the city. This along with the confirmation from Philly Chit Chat about Aritzia still coming gives me some optimism about the long term future of Walnut Street.

[cpomp]

Not clothes, but another Walnut Street vacancy filled!

Levain Bakery from New York plans first Philadelphia store in Center City
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...e-cookies.html

Levain Bakery plans to open its first location in the region at 1516-1518 Walnut St. in Rittenhouse Square. The ground-floor space has been long-vacant and was most recently home to custom suit, shirt and tuxedo maker My.Suit.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Not clothes, but another Walnut Street vacancy filled!

Levain Bakery from New York plans first Philadelphia store in Center City
https://www.bizjournals.com/philadel...e-cookies.html

Levain Bakery plans to open its first location in the region at 1516-1518 Walnut St. in Rittenhouse Square. The ground-floor space has been long-vacant and was most recently home to custom suit, shirt and tuxedo maker My.Suit.

Ah, the old Circa space!

[thedirtypirate]

I think GoPuff use to sell the boxes of the Levian re-heat bakery stuff, always enjoyed them. Look forward to the new store.