Downtown Macy's Closing (Rochester, Liberty: sales, credit, Home Depot)

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by erieguy

So is this transportation you're suggesting free to ride?

Is it free to ride in other cities with efficient and effective metro systems supporting strong downtown retail?

[sealie]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

If it hasn't already been done, someone should start a 'Buy Pittsburgh' website with ads and links to locally run online businesses.

Pittsburghbuylocal.com

Also has links to reasons you should buy local - really local, not Macys - like the vendors pouring 80% of proceeds back into the local economy, not 15%.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

Is it free to ride in other cities with efficient and effective metro systems supporting strong downtown retail?

That's what I thought. Expecting/wanting a free ride.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

The problem is the lack of an efficient transportation system. .

While Pittsburgh's mass transit leaves a lot to be desired, its configuration is basically hub-spoke. It may not be easy to get around the city, it's pretty easy to get downtown from just about any neighborhood.

[MountainDewGuy]

Originally Posted by erieguy

That's what I thought. Wanting a free ride.

What are you talking about?

[TheYO]

Originally Posted by Goodjules

I too mourn the end of big downtown department stores. But I'm excited about the potential for that space. I'm hoping for innovative retail that would be unique to downtown. The parade will probably find other sponsors.

My unsolicited advice to you is to look at the potential good that can come from any change. I'm not saying to overlook the bad, but you do tend to dwell on the worst possible outcomes. Force yourself to see the positives too. It's a given that Macy's is leaving so I challenge you to post about what you think would be the ideal use of that location. Something you think would suit the location and the people most likely to use it.

This. It's not like the building will sit vacant for years. There's already a buyer in place with plans for something that I think will be more beneficial to downtown and the city than Macys.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

What are you talking about?

Are you expecting the city to pay the bill for your proposed transportation?

[pman]

Originally Posted by TheYO

This. It's not like the building will sit vacant for years. There's already a buyer in place with plans for something that I think will be more beneficial to downtown and the city than Macys.

Core realty owner Michael Samschick said even he was surprised at Macy's decision to close the store. But its planned departure has since opened other opportunities.
“At first, we were a little sad and taken aback because Macy's was a part of this iconic building,” he said. “Since then, we are blown away by the amount of response from retailers who are calling us in reference to being a part of this location.” ...Core is “100 percent committed” to keeping retail on at least the first two — and perhaps the bottom four — levels, Samschick said. He said he has been contacted by a variety of retailers spanning women's fashion to entertainment, although he declined to name them...Indeed, the clock will stay, Samschick said. Core, which is seeking $10 million in state funding to redevelop the building, is pursuing National Historic Landmark status and expects to preserve interior and exterior features, such as the building's large 19th-century windows. ..

Macy's announces its plans to close Downtown Pittsburgh store | TribLIVE

[SammyKhalifa]

Originally Posted by pman

Macy's announces its plans to close Downtown Pittsburgh store | TribLIVE

That sounds really promising!

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Goinback2011

Only if the bottom drops out of demand for core real estate. Drone delivery will be more easily accomplished from warehouses in areas of low land prices. Drone transpot is cheap. Facility and labor aren't.

Yes, but my point is what brick and mortar retail needs in order to survive now (and even moreso in the future) is to present shopping as a unique, pleasurable experience in and of itself. Urban retail has an advantage with this for a number of reasons. People who are out walking when they could be driving are already recreating, for example. More than that, to the extent urban retail continues to have independent boutiques (or at least smaller-scale chains with unique items) it will have a certain appeal that strip malls do not. In addition, it's just a lot easier to impulsively walk into an urban boutique if you happen to be walking by. Reaction times are usually slow enough that people will not pull into a strip mall immediately even if they see something which intrigues them.