Bacchanalia owner's comment showcases how retailers feel about parking (Atlanta: how much, neighborhood)

[wasel]

Anne and Cliff Quatrano are moving their famed Bacchanalia and Star Provisions businesses. I guess even these urban pioneers are not ready to give up parking.

“I looked at a development on the Eastside, and I looked at Buckhead,” Quatrano said. “What was so important for Star Provisions was to have free and accessible parking. Our people want to buy a piece of cheese or bread, and they don’t want to valet or walk a mile. All of these new developments have parking decks, and they’re not that close [to the building].”

Bacchanalia and Star Provisions are moving - Atlanta Magazine

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by wasel

... Quatrano said. “What was so important for Star Provisions was to have free and accessible parking. Our people want to buy a piece of cheese or bread, and they don’t want to valet or walk a mile..."

The personal transportation pod (automobile) is a fantastic way to get around.

[magnetar]

That's Anne Quatrano. She also was quoted complaining about the parking situation at Ponce City Market when it first opened (she owns Dub's Fish Camp at PCM). She clearly feels strongly about free parking. Dub's seems to be doing just fine every time I've been in there, though.

[ATLTJL]

Of course, insistence on inconvenient and paid parking is strictly the realm of a few extremists.

Business owners know that any roadblocks that you throw in front of customers trying to patronize their establishments costs sales.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Business owners know that any roadblocks that you throw in front of customers trying to patronize their establishments costs sales.

They're also moving from an extremely-popular retail center, where lots of people stop by Star Provisions when they're already there to shop; and moving to a standalone location that's near basically nothing else. Maybe it won't matter, but I'd say that being close to your customers is as or more important than how much free parking is available.

[ATLTJL]

For most, it does. But when you've got a name like Bacchanalia, I don't think it matters. Not too many people eating there because it happens to be a closeby neighborhood Italian joint.

[jsvh]

Free parking will continue to be more and more rare, especially with the rise of Uber and soon self driving (and parking) cars.

However, I am fine with letting business / developers make that decision themselves. Because many more businesses would choose to get rid of or lower the amount of parking they have if they are given the choice.

[ATLTJL]

especially with the rise of Uber and soon self driving (and parking) cars.

Whatever. MARTA trains don't even drive themselves, and they are on tracks.

People who think the roads are going to be overrun with self-driving cars are living in fantasy land.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Free parking will continue to be more and more rare, especially with the rise of Uber and soon self driving (and parking) cars.

However, I am fine with letting business / developers make that decision themselves. Because many more businesses would choose to get rid of or lower the amount of parking they have if they are given the choice.

That would not happen. Businesses would not remove existing parking spaces, but it would allow new businesses to open in locations that they currently cannot because there isn't enough parking. Example: the old theater next to the Earl. That place is going to rot forever because of parking requirements.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

People who think the roads are going to be overrun with self-driving cars are living in fantasy land.

There are other threads on this. Self driving cars are already on the roads in rapidly growing numbers and increasing autonomy. We will let time tell the impact. However, no denying that Uber is already a very real impact.