Retail coming to Philadelphia (Lancaster, Ardmore: pros and cons, vehicle, population)

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

My bad, no Kate Spade in KoP, it actually closed last year. Same with Ardmore. Must be more of a brand thing if they are closed both locations or too much competition from other retailers.




Do you really think KoP was the main reason for this, or it is just a changing time? An example I can think of that had nothing to do with KoP was Granite Run Mall. Great mall in a great area that eventually fell flat, combo of poor management, lack of updating, competition (Glen Mills is closer than Ardmore to KoP) and the clientele is a sore spot to many Delco residents for why Granite Run went downhill, I don't know if the same can be said for SS, I haven't been there since high school almost 10 years ago.

Newtown Square has a Town Center in the works that will be filled with upscale retail, Glen Mills has turned into a shopping destination, Doyletown just announced a Banana Republic and other retailers coming soon, I think Ardmore may be struggling with a branding problem/not as much interest around Ardmore as there once was. (I know Doylestown is far) but the argument could be made about KoP for all of these locations, but they are still thriving.

I think many of the richer people who lived in the nearer-to-the-city parts of the Main Line(Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Haverford) have died or moved further out to, yes, Newtown Sq. That would obviously affect shopping.

It "feels" so different in Ardmore or Bryn Mawr to me. Nothing like it was.

[rotodome]

Retail in general is not what it was, period. And department stores are relics, which have been hurting for decades. People order a lot of stuff from the internet and catalogues nowadays, which makes margins on retail locations pretty tight. Which is why big corporate retail chains of the type everyone in this thread seems to want more of don't take unnecessary chances on unproven locations. Outlets and malls (for now) are places where masses of people travel to specifically to buy stuff they already know they want.

Like I said before, SoHo retail locations are NOT profitable, but corporations take those losses just for the advertising value of having showroom/flagship locations there. That's the story of modern urban retail I think. Philly will need exposure and critical mass of other retailers (maybe not so hard, since they're basically all the same few parent corporations) before it gets that kind of thing. If that's what we want.
The Outlet stores will be good thing towards that end, I think.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by kyb01

I think many of the richer people who lived in the nearer-to-the-city parts of the Main Line(Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Haverford) have died or moved further out to, yes, Newtown Sq. That would obviously affect shopping.

It "feels" so different in Ardmore or Bryn Mawr to me. Nothing like it was.

As a whole, the traditional Main Line is still home to the region's highest concentrations of affluence. Regardless of anecdotal perceptions, the data is there. But other areas (especially those to the immediate west) are catching up. But even though it's obviously no KOP, I'll still take Suburban Square eight days out of seven over "traditional" suburban strip malls and shopping centers. On the Eastern Main Line, the Wynnewood shopping center across from the train station is probably my favorite in the latter category.

Given the resurgence of places like Narberth and Wayne, I strongly believe the rest of Ardmore's business district is infrastructurally primed to make a comeback. Bryn Mawr, too.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by ElijahAstin

As a whole, the traditional Main Line is still home to the region's highest concentrations of affluence. But other areas (especially those to the immediate west) are catching up. But even though it's obviously no KOP, I'll still take Suburban Square eight days out of seven over "traditional" suburban strip malls and shopping centers. On the Eastern Main Line, the Wynnewood shopping center across from the train station is probably my favorite in the latter category.

Given the resurgence of places like Narberth and Wayne, I strongly believe the rest of Ardmore's business district is infrastructurally primed to make a comeback. Bryn Mawr, too.

Exactly. I think people need to give the relatively recent trend of revitalizing town centers/main streets some more time. Although there are always some setbacks/closures with demographics shifts/changes in consumer tastes, it's clear that many town centers across the Philly area are in better shape than they were just 10 years ago.

The gaps won't fill-in overnight, but sustainable demand for walkable suburbs will absolutely increase over time (and consumer demand will increase along with it). Places like Ardmore and Bryn Mawr are in a very good position to benefit (in fact, if anything, Ardmore needs to lighten up a bit in terms of its NIMBY tendencies to let more development into its downtown area).

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Duderino

Exactly. I think people need to give the relatively recent trend of revitalizing town centers/main streets some more time. Although there are always some setbacks/closures with demographics shifts/changes in consumer tastes, it's clear that many town centers across the Philly area are in better shape than they were just 10 years ago.

The gaps won't fill-in overnight, but sustainable demand for walkable suburbs will absolutely increase over time (and consumer demand will increase along with it). Places like Ardmore and Bryn Mawr are in a very good position to benefit (in fact, if anything, Ardmore needs to lighten up a bit in terms of its NIMBY tendencies to let more development into its downtown area).

That's the biggest thing.

[76ersgomccoygo]

Are they putting a Blue Moon store in the Children's Boutique space on 16th and Walnut? The entire window is covered in Blue Moon decals.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by ElijahAstin

As a whole, the traditional Main Line is still home to the region's highest concentrations of affluence. Regardless of anecdotal perceptions, the data is there. But other areas (especially those to the immediate west) are catching up. But even though it's obviously no KOP, I'll still take Suburban Square eight days out of seven over "traditional" suburban strip malls and shopping centers. On the Eastern Main Line, the Wynnewood shopping center across from the train station is probably my favorite in the latter category.

Given the resurgence of places like Narberth and Wayne, I strongly believe the rest of Ardmore's business district is infrastructurally primed to make a comeback. Bryn Mawr, too.

Well, I hope you are right. When I see the empty storefronts start to fill up in Ardmore or see some life on the western end of the Bryn Mawr shopping district, I'll believe you.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Well, I hope you are right. When I see the empty storefronts start to fill up in Ardmore or see some life on the western end of the Bryn Mawr shopping district, I'll believe you.

Hopefully Carl Dranoffs development works out.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Hopefully Carl Dranoffs development works out.

Is he even interested in it anymore? There was a lot of nimby about his project.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Is he even interested in it anymore? There was a lot of nimby about his project.

I read he finally got approval and hopes to start work by years end.. This plan could have a huge positive impact on Ardmore and surrounding. People went totally nuts against it, not even willing to negotiate the plan, they didn't want any of it, I still do not know why...