Retail coming to Philadelphia (Bellevue, Taylor: wage, equity, minorities)

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by KansastoSouthphilly

Nutter did a lot more than just push for a smoking ban. His Admin is responsible for expanding 311 which is what I and many others use to report problems. I have used it successfully many times. Nutter was a prominent national figure and actively promoted Philadelphia nationally. He stood up to the unions. He oversaw an increase in population and a decrease in crime. He oversaw a massive increase in the Cities bond rating. He oversaw the building of numerous public parks (Schuykill Banks, Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park etc.). He also created several environmental offices and was also focused on actually collecting data which will be used to help improve the city for many years to come. He knew how to strike the right tone with the City's flash mob problem unlike the crickets we hear coming from Kenney.

Let's remember that the Great Recession was a big factor during his first term too. He came through all of that and the city did much better than it might have.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Not quite. It was Chestnut and Juniper. I still think of it when I go past there. And, also, Jacob Reed Sons in the 1400 block of Chestnut. We at least still have Boyds.

Thanks. I remember passing J E Caldwell on Chestnut St, east of Broad. Didn't remember exactly where though.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

I don't see Nutter through the same gauzy lens others do. I fail to see how a smoking ban is somehow cutting edge in the 2010s. A soda tax, yes.

I credit Ed Rendell with turning Philly into the city that attracted me to live here; not Michael Nutter. Having a "viewpoint" doesn't matter much if you can't enact it.

I've always thought of Rendell & Nutter as being the best mayors of the last 50 years, at least. Rendell was decidedly more outgoing & Nutter was distinctly nerdier.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Absolutely nothing that will put Phila. on any kind of world stage. But, yeah, let's make sure black people get to join corrupt unions like IBEW local 98.

Yup, and he'll call it "progressive".

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Not being a buzzkill but... All of the stores I bolded would close within a month if they opened in CC. Philadelphia is not rich, and CC is not a shopping destination. Stores like Philipp Plein, DVF, Cartier, etc. are extremely selective with where they chose to open. CC just does not have the market for stores of that caliber, KoP does. And even if the Fendi store in KoP isn't busy, its a showcase piece, just like the locations in Manhattan, LA, Boston, etc.

Store like Ted Baker, Hugo Boss, etc. would do well because they are high-end but not out of reach for many and they are well known. The only super luxurious stores that would do well in CC would be Gucci and LV because they are well known 'showy' brands. Also, CC does not have the wealth/ buying power to support a full Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Macys, and Lord & Taylor. A Macys and one other department store. I am just realistic, KoP certainly killed any hopes of Philadelphia having a thriving retail scene, but either way, only a handful of those stores would perform well regardless of KoP, because the wealthy of CC is not enough to support that caliber of retail, and the tourism industry in Philadelphia doesn't generally attract super wealthy people like NYC.

Also Lilly Pulitzer is ignoring the city considering her headquarters are in KoP, add a Club Monaco Men's Store. And there is a Bath & Body Works in Liberty Place. Lastly, a handful of those retailers were at one point in Philadelphia but have since closed. Burberry and Coach most recently.

Yeah, you really are a buzzkill (your very own word). You get positively giddy over stores going to King of Prussia. The big money stores used to be in Center City. People went there to shop from the MainLine, South Jersey, & Delaware. There's money in all of those places as well as the City. It was good for Philadelphia.

Center City needs more basic shopping & then, hopefully, high end will return in numbers appropriate to the population.

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

Yeah, you really are a buzzkill (your very own word). You get positively giddy over stores going to King of Prussia. The big money stores used to be in Center City. People went there to shop from the MainLine, South Jersey, & Delaware. There's money in all of those places as well as the City. It was good for Philadelphia.

Center City needs more basic shopping & then, hopefully, high end will return in numbers appropriate to the population.

I would be positively giddy if the same stores came to CC, you'll get over it.

FYI I am basically only person who posts retail updates in the city or the suburbs on this thread.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

I've always thought of Rendell & Nutter as being the best mayors of the last 50 years, at least. Rendell was decidedly more outgoing & Nutter was distinctly nerdier.

I agree with that. Although Bill Green was such a breath of fresh after the Rizzo years it did, at least to me, feel like a new beginning for awhile. Goode was "destroyed" by the MOVE debacle inspite of getting reelected later on. Oddly the MOVE disaster happened on the same day(May 13, 1985) that ground was broken for Liberty Place 1.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by cpomp

I would be positively giddy if the same stores came to CC, you'll get over it.

FYI I am basically only person who posts retail updates in the city or the suburbs on this thread.

You know a lot about the details of the retail scene and how it works so I appreciate what you contribute to this thread.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by kyb01

I agree with that. Although Bill Green was such a breath of fresh after the Rizzo years it did, at least to me, feel like a new beginning for awhile. Goode was "destroyed" by the MOVE debacle inspite of getting reelected later on. Oddly the MOVE disaster happened on the same day(May 13, 1985) that ground was broken for Liberty Place 1.

Oh, I agree about Green & Goode, totally. Green didn't seem to have a vision, which was badly needed. Goode had Move hung around his neck. He wasn't a bad mayor, but he couldn't break loose from the Move debacle. It all made Rendell fabulous. Nutter was fabulous in his own way.

[asiandudeyo]

I agree with cpomp.
After trying to be optimistic for about 5 years, I finally accept the reality that the retail scenes here is not that great. But I am always ready to be proven wrong.

What really drive me nuts is why A|X and Lacoste closed their stores.
They are damn affordable AF.

We used to have Club Monaco Men inside of the Club Monaco on Walnut. But then they axed it because there was not enough consumer demand.

Sandy, Allen Edmond sells mostly men shoes. Just like Cole Haan but better quality. We also have Bath and Body Works inside Liberty Place.

In my opinion, Wolford is lower high end / luxury brand. The price point is similar to Rag & Bone and Theory. Although the material they use is better than Rag & Bone. They are aiming at different market segments.

If A|X cannot survive in Center City, I really doubt Ted Baker would survive.

Stores I want to see in center city (regardless their price points):
- Ted Baker
- All Saints
- Yohji Yamamoto
- DVF. So that I don't have to go to KOP.
- Bring the damn A&F / Hollister already (although I know the company is in SO much trouble so there is zero chance)
- Top Shop / Top Man
- Zara's sister: Masimmo Dutti
- Bring back the ADIDAS ORIGINAL store that carries designers' collab. Why should I go to NYC to check on Jeremy Scott shoes?
- Opening Ceremony. (This is my personal favorite).
- SUPREME. Hate the stuff but customers go crazy for them.
- Longchamp with extended men's section. (If you think the majority shoppers there is white women, you are wrong.)
- Burberry but make sure this time it carries Prorsum line.
- Alexander Wang.
- MOSCHINO. (My favorite).
- Commes de Garcons.
- Giuseppe Zanotti
- And ofc you need to have Buscemi, if we have GZ!

Also in the Market East area, we need:
- Build-a-freaking-Bear, Lego Store, and/or American Girl. I think American Girl store in KOP never opened. So I wonder whether it actually waits until FOP opens. Hmmmm.... I am hoping.
- Another H&M and UO. Tourists always go crazy for them even though they can find them back home.
- If we are lucky another Zara or Massimo Dutti.
- Crate and Barrel or CB2.
- Primark (95% will open at FOP).
- No more freaking Wawa. Not everybody loves hoagies. But again I am not from PA.
- Another Bath and Body Works. And maybe LUSH.