Mill ave in downtown Tempe (Scottsdale: spring break, college, to live)

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by silverbear

Slices on 6th St -- just half a block off Mill -- is open until 3 AM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as is its neighbor, the Munchies. Mill is one of the best places in the Phoenix Metro Area for late night eats.

But why aren't those off Mill itself. Mill is the main street with the most visibility. How is it that you have 10+ empty spaces when other eateries could go in there. Yeah, I'm aware of other pizza places like Gus' which is on University and Rural. Have you been to Ann Arbor or even Evanston where Northwestern is. Their campus seems to be more developed than ASU's. They have multiple late night pizza places within walking distance.

Originally Posted by fcorrales

I think Borders closed because it really isn't an "on-campus" bookstore but a retail chain that suffered from the national recession. When I was in school and later at ASU for my MBA I didn't know anyone who went to Borders to study. We usually went to Hayden, another library, the business building, etc. Besides just going to Borders to study isn't really making the store money.

It is a retail chain that caters to students more than Barnes and Noble. Most college campuses have a Borders nearby. I live in Chandler, and the Borders at I-10 and Ray have ASU students studying there. I know because I chat with a few of them as I like to have coffee and read there on occassion during the week. A lot of them said they go there now because the one on Mill closed. And just getting people in the store makes these bookstores money hence the reason they allow loitering. People will buy coffee, food, magazines, book marks, texts books if available etc.

Like ASUfan said, it's probably the leases are too high

[Maroon197]

My big gripe with Mill when I was a student at ASU was the lack of good, CHEAP eats. I would visit my friends at other colleges where you could stuff yourself at off campus restaurants for under 5 bucks, then come back to Mill where you are lucky to escape any food establishment for under $9. Even the old College Deli (which is now tragically a Subway) was pretty pricey for what it was.

[fcorrales80]

Mill is the main street, but the side streets are just as important azriver. The rents on Mill are probably high, but they are also larger. There are plenty of eateries on Mill and more moving in but I really don't see those empty spaces sitting vacant for much longer. Some creativity is due but it will get done.

As for the borders, there are 50,000+ students at ASU and I can guarantee you that most did not study at Borders. It plainly did not do well on Mill because it wasn't needed obviously. There will be a handful of student that miss Borders but for the most part it was just a retail store that failed to draw customers.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by fcorrales80

As for the borders, there are 50,000+ students at ASU and I can guarantee you that most did not study at Borders. It plainly did not do well on Mill because it wasn't needed obviously. There will be a handful of student that miss Borders but for the most part it was just a retail store that failed to draw customers.

Well hopefully another unique and more eclectic college bookstore emerges there. Like you said, Tempe Marketplace probably helped draw away people from it since it had a Barnes and Noble.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Maroon197

My big gripe with Mill when I was a student at ASU was the lack of good, CHEAP eats. I would visit my friends at other colleges where you could stuff yourself at off campus restaurants for under 5 bucks, then come back to Mill where you are lucky to escape any food establishment for under $9. Even the old College Deli (which is now tragically a Subway) was pretty pricey for what it was.

Mill and Tempe in general used to have it's own night life too and I feel that is being siphoned off to Old Town Scottsdale. Even cheesy places like Club Rio would draw large numbers of ASU students. 10 years ago, I felt there was a nice divide between the night life in Tempe and Old Town. Now, I avoid going to Old Town for drinks because many ASU students are showing up there and bringing their juvenile ways with them ie fights and rude behavior. Take for example, Devils Martini. When it first opened, they didn't have a dance floor. It was a nice lounge that served great food and it was a place you could talk and have drinks. Now, it's turned into another cheesy club. At least, I still have the Merc bar in the Esplanade for a nice drink in the evening

[cjs123]

Lived in Tempe from early 90's to mid 2000's. Used to love the Mill Ave area and was always able to find parking, enjoy the unique shops/restaurants and the general atmosphere. Remember years ago that when parking became more difficult a lot of merchants relocated, and more recently was told that when Tempe Marketplace went in, people just weren't shopping on Mill Ave any more. Last visited early 2009, and noticed a lot of vacancies. Hope it will revive again some day.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Maroon197

Now I certainly can't speak for everyone, but I personally know tons of people who love Tempe Marketplace and won't go near Mill anymore due solely to the parking situation.

I really hope Mill does ultimately revert back to a more unique experience, but I get the feeling that will be a very long time coming.

My office is in downtown Tempe, and it has always been more convenient for me and those like me to visit the many eateries along or near Mill Avenue during the lunch rush. I went to Tempe Marketplace a couple of times, and I absolutely despise it. Not only is it further away from where I work, but it's nothing special ... just another suburban styled mega strip mall with cars zig zagging every which way. Not very pedestrian friendly at all!

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Maybe you know the answer to this but why did they remove the Harkins theatre from Mill? That was a great theatre with modern stadium style theatres and it was always busy when I went. It was unique as well with the large escalator and the large glass that you could see out of when you went up it. It had a lot of character Why eliminate it?

Tempe Marketplace was one reason ... but the other reason (which I don't think was mentioned) was the plans a developer had for turning that part of South Mill Avenue into a mega hotel/condo/shopping corridor. This would eventually lead to the demolition of the old Harkins theatre site, as well as many other stores through there. Basically, it would be an extension of Centerpoint. However, since the Centerpoint towers are sitting vacant with nobody really knowing their future as of now, it's unlikely that other development I mentioned will even materialize.

[Java Jolt]

I too am a little worried about all the vacant stores. Centerpoint Condos standing there with no activity is worrysome too. It was a good idea that went bad.

I think once the recession subsides things will improve. Many people still want the downtown experience and walking. We have the perfect weather for it. Not everybody wants to drive everywhere.

[KarmaPhx]

Old Town Scottsdale has become the "hot spot" lately for those who enjoy the nightclib/bar scene, tons of new places have been opening around here lately, compared to mill it seems like Old Town is thriving.

[Java Jolt]

Originally Posted by KarmaPhx

Old Town Scottsdale has become the "hot spot" lately for those who enjoy the nightclib/bar scene, tons of new places have been opening around here lately, compared to mill it seems like Old Town is thriving.

The Scottsdale scene, as it's called is overrated. It's really nothing more than a desert version of South Beach or Beverly Hills. Overpriced, snooty superficial people, women strutting around with plastic parts, and quite a few plastic pretty boys too.

I'll take a real downtown that's walkable, artsy, diverse, musicians performing on the sidewalks, good authentic places to eat, lots of mom and pop shops. That's the Tempe I know and love.