Pedestrian-Friendly Big Box Stores

[Debbie Thompson]

Could we be talking about (gasp!) shopping downtown?  Like in the 1960's before mega-malls when you would ride a (convenient) bus downtown to Hemming Plaza, hop off and walk within a block or two into May Cohen, Penneys, Woolworth, Iveys, Furchgotts, Sears, Rosenblums, The Luggage Shop, La Rosa shoes (sp?), Lerners, etc, etc?

[wsansewjs]

Indy's Downtown Nordstroms is closing.

Nordstrom plans to close its store at Circle Centre mall, dealing a substantial setback for downtown Indianapolis.

The swanky department store chain helped launch a revival of the city's core when it opened in 1995 as an original anchor of the $320 million mall project.

But many of Nordstrom's most-sought-after customers now shop at the chain's newer store at The Fashion Mall at Keystone, and the crowds of convention visitors who shop at Circle Centre aren't picking up enough of the slack.

The potential loss of Nordstrom is an outcome the mall's owners and city leaders have feared for years.

The risk of Nordstrom opening a second store in the market was concern enough for the mall's developers that they extracted an unusual concession requiring Nordstrom wait at least five years before opening another Indianapolis location.

There's no question Nordstrom's departure is a blow to downtown.

Circle Centre and its anchors supported the city’s core, bolstered the convention business, provided jobs, and inspired other investments downtown, former Mayor Bill Hudnut told IBJ for a story in 2010.

“It might be the equivalent of losing the Pacers if we lose Nordstrom,” Hudnut said at the time. “To my thinking, the mall is one of the linchpins of the whole downtown, and Nordstrom is the mall’s linchpin.”

http://www.ibj.com/nordstrom-closing-circle-centre-store/PARAMS/article/27384

That's why when we develop the Downtown (Jacksonville), we do need to be independent from other retailers, large supporting organizations, or any institutions that want to make their home in downtown by strictly relying on the Saint Johns River to create the vibes.

-Josh

[Jaxson]

Re; Indy Nordstrom's

It puzzles me how a retailer will cannibalize itself by opening a newer store in the suburbs that ultimately kills the one that is in the urban core.  I know that the suburbs are still the sought after locales, but I still feel for having a strong downtown in any city...

[danem]

Re; Indy Nordstrom's

It puzzles me how a retailer will cannibalize itself by opening a newer store in the suburbs that ultimately kills the one that is in the urban core.  I know that the suburbs are still the sought after locales, but I still feel for having a strong downtown in any city...

Before the downturn, this retailer probably went crazy with expectations of booming business in both stores, old and new. A downturn likely turned more retail shoppers downtown into window shoppers and lookieloos. Then everyone flocked to the new store just because it was new. That's my theory.

(Makes me wonder what would happen if new stuff like this opened downtown, with the appropriate parking and transit? hmm...)

Looks like this mall is moving on pretty well:

Simon's preference is to land a replacement anchor such as Macy's that appeals to a broader mix of customers than Nordstrom, industry sources said. Another possibility would be to break up Nordstrom's 210,000 square feet to accommodate a few mid-size tenants.

[simms3]

Within a quarter mile of me there is a CB2 (~20,000 SF Crate and Barrel), an Office Depot, a Target, Dillards, 4 Publixes (well two are like .75 miles away), Kroger (closing and becoming the new hub for Sam Flax...a well known local art store), and Barnes & Noble.  There is also an urban format Walmart with underground parking about a mile and a half away (still have to drive there, but within the complex are many big box stores besides Walmart).  Another "urban" smaller footprint WalMart is going in about a half mile from downtown in a TOD attached to a train station.  Rumors still abound that a Saks or similar upscale department store will anchor phase IV of 12th and Midtown (I think it's pie in the sky).

[Prax_N_Jax]

my dad and i were in DC this pass week attending to some business and were in and out of Virginia and Maryland.... was in Alexandria, VA with family and their shopping district was awesome! loved seeing an urban outfitters fedex and the likes using colonial homes and buildings that fit the neighborhoods to their advantage!

[thelakelander]

I noticed an urban Walmart in downtown Long Beach, CA earlier this week:

[A-Finnius]

I noticed an urban Walmart in downtown Long Beach, CA earlier this week:

Lakelander - I envy you.  You have my dream job.