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Old 11-23-2010, 02:16 PM
 
5 posts, read 5,647 times
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Hi Gang-

I am looking to open a small woman's fashion boutique in Sarasota. I've studied St. Armand's Circle and it seems to me that the circle receives the greatest amount of local and tourist shopper/visitors. Certainly, the rents there seem to reflect same. Unfortunately, the "right space" has not come available on St. Armand's Circle. I've spent considerable time also studying downtown Sarasota, particularly Main Street. I simply can't get a handle on the vibe there. Any opinions regarding retail shopping downtown would be greatly appreciated! I currently live in Naples and have a similar shop here. I enjoy Sarasota so much more than Naples and hope to move there as soon as I can find the right location to open my shop.

Many Many thanks in advance!
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Old 11-23-2010, 02:27 PM
 
Location: englewood
1,580 posts, read 3,134,446 times
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there are some pretty strange stores in st armands, selling some really bizarre overpriced clothes. not a little over priced but hugely expensive. the key is not how many stores and people there are, its how many are carrying shopping bags. not often that i see many purchases except at the restaurants and kilwins.
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Old 11-23-2010, 02:39 PM
 
Location: sarasota
1,089 posts, read 1,683,588 times
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i tend to agree. lots of looksees, not many buyers at the circle...unless they get their purchases picked up by the chauffers later on.
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Old 11-23-2010, 02:40 PM
 
Location: Palm Island and North Port
7,511 posts, read 22,868,567 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkts1170 View Post
Hi Gang-

I am looking to open a small woman's fashion boutique in Sarasota. I've studied St. Armand's Circle and it seems to me that the circle receives the greatest amount of local and tourist shopper/visitors. Certainly, the rents there seem to reflect same. Unfortunately, the "right space" has not come available on St. Armand's Circle. I've spent considerable time also studying downtown Sarasota, particularly Main Street. I simply can't get a handle on the vibe there. Any opinions regarding retail shopping downtown would be greatly appreciated! I currently live in Naples and have a similar shop here. I enjoy Sarasota so much more than Naples and hope to move there as soon as I can find the right location to open my shop.

Many Many thanks in advance!
Funny you bring this up. A close family friend of mine and the owner of Carman's Shoes on the Circle is finally closing shop after 45 years in business. They said that the "traffic" has greatly decreased in the last several years and this was one of the main reasons for the closing (retirement and a death in the family were the other reasons) but they could have passed their store on to their sons who currently work there.

Carman’s Shoes on Circle to close - The Observer Group

They said they are selling their space and probably going to open up a small boutique on Anna Maria Island. They tell me that AMI does a much better job of promoting the areas and getting buyers to visit. So, I would suggest you investigate the AMI as well.
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Old 11-23-2010, 02:44 PM
 
Location: Palm Island and North Port
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Posted twice for some reason.
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Old 11-23-2010, 02:59 PM
 
17,498 posts, read 38,974,304 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoFLGal View Post
Funny you bring this up. A close family friend of mine and the owner of Carman's Shoes on the Circle is finally closing shop after 45 years in business. They said that the "traffic" has greatly decreased in the last several years and this was one of the main reasons for the closing (retirement and a death in the family were the other reasons) but they could have passed their store on to their sons who currently work there.

Carman’s Shoes on Circle to close - The Observer Group

They said they are selling their space and probably going to open up a small boutique on Anna Maria Island. They tell me that AMI does a much better job of promoting the areas and getting buyers to visit. So, I would suggest you investigate the AMI as well.
That's a good idea. Traffic is WAY UP on AMI - I have been reading articles all year about this.

That said, I do still think St. Armand's can be a great place for a boutique, depending on what is being sold. There is always plenty of people, and it is close to downtown. As much as I love downtown, it just isn't a "retail shopping" type atmosphere, rather it is restaurants and entertainment, although Palm Ave. is a possibility, especially once the new parking garage gets built there.
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Old 11-23-2010, 03:30 PM
 
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As a tourist, I have to agree. LOVE St Armands Circle, but mostly to browse and eat! If the price were right, though, I'd be more apt to possibly buy.
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Old 11-23-2010, 03:42 PM
 
Location: Palm Island and North Port
7,511 posts, read 22,868,567 times
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The only thing I can think of is to have a modestly priced store so you'd get more sales but then, of course, you'd have to think of what your overhead is.

Another friend of mine who owned the Cork n' Bottle on the Circle has also recently closed up shop. My point is, just make sure you do an ample amount of research.
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Old 11-23-2010, 04:45 PM
 
5 posts, read 5,647 times
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Thank you to everyone for your input. Nobody seems to be too excited about retail shopping on Main Street downtown, which is what my gut is telling me too. Despite a number of new retail openings, It appears to me that downtown Sarasota is primarily catering to evening diners, not shoppers. Is there anywhere else in Sarasota area that I should be examining? Is the Westfield Mall worth looking at? Is that mall in decline, stable, improving? Thank You!!!
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Old 11-23-2010, 04:55 PM
 
17,498 posts, read 38,974,304 times
Reputation: 24185
Quote:
Originally Posted by dkts1170 View Post
Thank you to everyone for your input. Nobody seems to be too excited about retail shopping on Main Street downtown, which is what my gut is telling me too. Despite a number of new retail openings, It appears to me that downtown Sarasota is primarily catering to evening diners, not shoppers. Is there anywhere else in Sarasota area that I should be examining? Is the Westfield Mall worth looking at? Is that mall in decline, stable, improving? Thank You!!!
You might also check out the various shopping plazas on University Parkway. This is an area that is developing rapidly and there are a LOT of shoppers there - you can find places like Total Wine, Fresh Market, Kohls and many other places that draw shoppers. The area is pretty much middle to upper class and I ALWAYS see people shopping there. I love to go shopping on University Parkway. Eventually Benderson will build their mega-mall there as well. I would say it's worth a look.
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