Retail coming to Philadelphia (York, Springfield: transplants, Whole Foods, suburbs)

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

OK two things: first of all, I wasn't suggesting the Gallery stay "cheap and low class". Rather, I would like to see the Gallery move a step up, from cheap and low class as it now is, to be middle class. But upscale stores, except for an upscale department store, let's say Dillard's, would be unfair to the many lower-income (but honest and decent) people who live in the area. And the only site I was recommending Jo-Ann Fabrics for is on Fairmount Avenue, which isn't actually in Center City but is in a "nice" (but rough compared to most suburbs) area near Brewerytown.

What I'm saying is that you took a list of stores in a typical lower-mid range suburban strip mall and want to stuff them into various locations downtown.

Doesn't work like that dude. People don't go to the Gallery to buy groceries, they have grocery stores in their own neighborhoods. The Gallery is not supposed to be a neighborhood shopping area but a city/regional destination. It sits on top of several MFL stations and Market East Station. It's supposed to be a shopping destination. It's not now because it has nothing special to offer those from outside the immediate area. What you're suggesting is to make it even less relevant to outsiders. I mean, a supermarket??? Who is going to drive from Montgomery or Bucks Counties to get their groceries???

[kidphilly]

Would think the Gallery could use more entertainment options like a movie theater and a place like D&B etc. to compliment positive retail changes and more restaurants. To me it would seem the upper floors could serve as entertainment options.

Also some outward facing as has been discussed and things like a Century 21, Forever 21, Off Saks, Uniqlo, Zara, DSW or some like combo of the like could really change the scene there

Maybe a new concept Urban Outfitters etc Just thinking out loud but it shouldnt be this hard


Or even a small Ikea (like mail order store) or something - not sure but the version today is just old and non city freindly as it exists

[Marius Pontmercy]

I'd like a good general electronics retailer like Best Buy and a Target. These are the two big stores I would love to have in a more convenient location that Snyder and Columbus, and would be big enough to anchor a new building on the Girard Block.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

OK two things: first of all, I wasn't suggesting the Gallery stay "cheap and low class". Rather, I would like to see the Gallery move a step up, from cheap and low class as it now is, to be middle class. But upscale stores, except for an upscale department store, let's say Dillard's, would be unfair to the many lower-income (but honest and decent) people who live in the area. And the only site I was recommending Jo-Ann Fabrics for is on Fairmount Avenue, which isn't actually in Center City but is in a "nice" (but rough compared to most suburbs) area near Brewerytown.

I wasnt suggesting a bloomingdales or a Dolce in the gallery... Those would belong closer to Rittenhouse square. And I wouldnt really consider Dillards "upscale" its pretty much a Macys, and Philadelphia already has a nice one. Different parts of Center City have different crowds of shoppers..

Also you always seem to want to please the low class low class and add to it. Introducing upscale retail which the city can certainly handle would be great and if anything push a lot of that thug crowd further away from downtown. Start at 30th and Market and talk a walk zigzagging through center city all the way down to then end of Market street maybe then youll see what I mean.
But Basically the Gallery needs what Kidphilly said.. Ok Im done now, back on topic.

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

Let's focus on Fairmount for a minute. Wouldn't a Jo-Ann Fabrics there be an improvement over the Ace Hardware which is there now? I suppose maybe you may disagree because people "need" hardware but don't "need" fabrics/craft supplies. But isn't Jo-Ann more of a "fun" store that is much more often found in popular shopping centers than Ace Hardware stores, which are usually in the middle of nowhere in hillbilly areas? Also, wouldn't Sam's Club be better than Kmart to have at the Gallery? Let's forget about anything more expensive for a minute. There are plenty of people without cars who rely on public transportation and live in Philly itself (as opposed to any suburbs) for that very reason. Many of them don't like making shopping trips often, so they could benefit from a Sam's where they can buy a year's worth of drugstore items and make them last.

Also, Philly I think is lacking what are known in the suburbs as "power centers". These are shopping centers that popped up in the 80's in many cities, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago being some of them, that were mostly anchored by stores such as Target, Linens N Things, Marshalls, Barnes & Noble, Service Merchandise, Toys R Us, Kids R Us, Babies R Us, Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot, OfficeMax, etc. So if Philly can't even support centers like these, why should the Gallery try to make a huge jump? But I do realize that perhaps the lack of land availability in Philly may have been the only real obstacle to such centers being constructed. That being said, I think the miserable poverty in much of the city was stopping developers from doing some simple demolition, while maybe relocating some people, to build such centers decades ago.

[rotodome]

^Centers such as you describe do exist in Philly.

I don't think market east is the best location for another one.

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

Also, these are some tenants of such centers:

1. Dick's Sporting Goods

2. Christmas Tree Shops

3. Venture

4. CompUSA

5. Today's Man

6. Bed Bath & Beyond

7. Mealey's Furniture

8. Cost Plus World Market

9. TJ Maxx

10. HomeGoods

11. cinemas such as AMC, Regal, United Artists

12. restaurants such as Chili's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback, UNO

13. Filene's Basement

14. DSW Shoe Warehouse

Now Rotodome, will you retract your previous statement?

[phillies2011]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

Also, these are some tenants of such centers:

1. Dick's Sporting Goods

2. Christmas Tree Shops

3. Venture

4. CompUSA

5. Today's Man

6. Bed Bath & Beyond

7. Mealey's Furniture

8. Cost Plus World Market

9. TJ Maxx

10. HomeGoods

11. cinemas such as AMC, Regal, United Artists

12. restaurants such as Chili's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback, UNO

13. Filene's Basement

14. DSW Shoe Warehouse

Now Rotodome, will you retract your previous statement?

Three pages and counting. Three pages of utter nonsense and insane rambling. Again. This is for news about retail coming to Philly. This is not a place for you to stand on a soapbox and post long diatribes about why the people who own the ace hardware on fairmount avenue should be forced to close their business so a jo-ann fabrics can open, thereby allowing one 57 year old man to have a more "fun" shopping experience. Can you not see that no one is appreciating your posts?

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

Also, these are some tenants of such centers:

1. Dick's Sporting Goods

2. Christmas Tree Shops

3. Venture

4. CompUSA

5. Today's Man

6. Bed Bath & Beyond

7. Mealey's Furniture

8. Cost Plus World Market

9. TJ Maxx

10. HomeGoods

11. cinemas such as AMC, Regal, United Artists

12. restaurants such as Chili's, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Outback, UNO

13. Filene's Basement

14. DSW Shoe Warehouse

Now Rotodome, will you retract your previous statement?

No. Why?

[pman]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

Let's focus on Fairmount for a minute. Wouldn't a Jo-Ann Fabrics there be an improvement over the Ace Hardware which is there now? I suppose maybe you may disagree because people "need" hardware but don't "need" fabrics/craft supplies. But isn't Jo-Ann more of a "fun" store that is much more often found in popular shopping centers than Ace Hardware stores, which are usually in the middle of nowhere in hillbilly areas? Also, wouldn't Sam's Club be better than Kmart to have at the Gallery? Let's forget about anything more expensive for a minute. There are plenty of people without cars who rely on public transportation and live in Philly itself (as opposed to any suburbs) for that very reason. Many of them don't like making shopping trips often, so they could benefit from a Sam's where they can buy a year's worth of drugstore items and make them last.

Also, Philly I think is lacking what are known in the suburbs as "power centers". These are shopping centers that popped up in the 80's in many cities, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago being some of them, that were mostly anchored by stores such as Target, Linens N Things, Marshalls, Barnes & Noble, Service Merchandise, Toys R Us, Kids R Us, Babies R Us, Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot, OfficeMax, etc. So if Philly can't even support centers like these, why should the Gallery try to make a huge jump? But I do realize that perhaps the lack of land availability in Philly may have been the only real obstacle to such centers being constructed. That being said, I think the miserable poverty in much of the city was stopping developers from doing some simple demolition, while maybe relocating some people, to build such centers decades ago.

hardware stores are great. people are moving to philly, working on houses, etc. good hardware stores sell nice housewares and some even sell toys. they have a place in any commercial strip. the problem with the one on fairmount is its isnt particularly well run. small, cramped, and not the best selection but the owner owns the building. the apartment bldg that houses blue cat was built on the site of its old warehouse. philadelphia has shopping centers with target, babies r us, etc if thats what makes you feel good.