Why are none of these things in the downtown area?? (Houston: apartment, lofts)

[sinsativ]

There used to be the Kmart downtown, but then that chain left. so,

[SnappyBob]

Be patient. They are feverishly working on a plan to help downtown and near downtown residents get to the Rim (I think that's somewhere south of Austin) to buy their groceries. All Aboard!

[wCat]

With the exception of the King William area, downtown has not had the commerce to develop residential infrastructure needs. Before the "loft" area got started, most downtowners were lower income, shopped at mom and pops, KMart, Centenos Market, Walgreens, Soloserve etc....and rode the bus. Victoria Courts were across Durango from Hemisfair and crime was a big problem for small business owners.

Some of the downtown residents, like the Majestic apartments have private dining facilities for residents. Some residents near the river etc just forget about groceries and dine out on a regular basis.

In recent history, downtown living was not a big draw.....and part of it was this very reason. That's definitely changing, but there still will be a huge socio-ecomnomic mix that will be hard to define for market purposes. Homeless, indigent, lofters, restarters and revitilization developments in older areas all create a mixed bag to support. It will take time and patience....not sure how the city will address that.

[quest51210]

grocery store...you had one on Fir and St. Mary's. odd enough it was also a lumber store afterwards and that was gone too because people either decided to shop at other HEB's over Handy Andy or they preferred to shop at Lowes and Home Depot instead of Ace Hardware. its no one's fault but the king william community.

movies? a short walk, drive, or bus ride to the mickey d's on 35 South and there is a redbox. all you need for $1

everything else you can drive or bus too, there are other areas all over central san antonio that do not have these options like myself, but its just what people choose to live in.

[quest51210]

by the way, the median income for the king william area as of june of this year was $28K a year, 90% of the area is still lower middle class

[wCat]

Originally Posted by quest51210

by the way, the median income for the king william area as of june of this year was $28K a year, 90% of the area is still lower middle class

exactly.....so why is the King William area to blame for the decline of businesses downtown. The very small area of larger homes (ie incomes) couldn't support what's needed down there. I'm not sure what you're saying above?

[quest51210]

dm me if you would like to know. thank you

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

The lack of needed services within a reasonable distance was one of the main reasons I moved from just north of downtown to Alamo Heights when I worked in San Antonio. Being close to the Quarry/Central Market/shops and restaurants in AH made it a much more convenient location. Loved the King William stretch of the Riverwalk, though.

[elmariachi]

Their is a liquor store on Commerce at the bottom floor of the large parking garage next to Casa Rio.

[Age_of_Pisces210]

I remember the Wong Lee or Wah Lee?(sp) store, used to be a small grocery store that sold beer, liquor, diapers, candles, oils and tarot cards.