Landing Vacancy Rate

[ben says]

Personally, the landing is just really, really boring. I see zero reason to go there, even when I'm downtown. Haven't had a good time at the Landing since the days of Banana Republic and when I used to use the arcade as a kid. Also, the food court has gone way downhill in the past 10 or so years. What it boils down to, and maybe my tastes just aren't what they used to be, I'd much rather hang out at Chamblin's and sit in Hemming than go to the Landing.

[CG7]

The Landing has come a long way in the last year , Fionn McCool's and River City Gourmet are awesome. Does anyone know when they are going to start their renovations from the Laura Street grants? Considering the age of the Landing, and the fact the interior has never had a makeover, I think it is about time.

[Dapperdan]

are there any renderings of what they will be doing with the grants? I remember talk once of opening up the middle of the Landing and having more retail facing the street. I am assuming it won't be that aggressive.

[coredumped]

I agree with CG7 - there's quite a bit to do at the landing, if not just have a beer and take in the waterfront. Great view of the fountain, lots of boats cruising by. Weekends always have live music. It's not time square, but it's not dead either.

[Wacca Pilatka]

That's good, but it's kinda turning into a flea market...

Having our local businesses supporting Landing, and downtown in particular is where we need, and have to start. Trust me if the Landing was waiting on national chains to come in, they would be waiting a long time. Supoorting our local businesses first, would make a good impression on a national chain that may be considering downtown

The great thing about a lot of the local businesses in the Landing are that they're selling merchandise that you can't get anywhere else in the city, or in many other places for that matter.  The balsamic vinegar at River City Gourmet, in particular.  Or an Adrian Pickett print.

Seems to me it's more in keeping with the Festival Marketplace concept than hosting branch #42,312 of The Limited and The Gap.

[vicupstate]

That's good, but it's kinda turning into a flea market...

Having our local businesses supporting Landing, and downtown in particular is where we need, and have to start. Trust me if the Landing was waiting on national chains to come in, they would be waiting a long time. Supporting our local businesses first, would make a good impression on a national chain that may be considering downtown

I totally agree that unique and local is the way to go, not just with The Landing but DT generally.  National retailers are NOT pioneers at all, they only come to DTs once the market is proven. This is somewhat less true for restaurants or coffeeshops, but  is very true  for retailers.   

I know of no city that has a successful DT that did it any other way than with local merchants creating the 'first' if not the 'only' wave of retail.     

[tufsu1]

Personally, the landing is just really, really boring. I see zero reason to go there, even when I'm downtown.

so a good beer at Fionn MacCools, watching a sporting event at Chicago Pizza or Hooters, and/or sipping a margarita at Cinco de Mayo don't interest you?

And how about listening to live music and/or people watching in the courtyard?

Never mind the monthly yappy hour dog festivals, biker nights w/ some really pimped out machines, car shows, fireworks, etc.

Yep, you're right....nothing to see here...move along!

[aubureck]

Ive noticed that the Landing has several new stores.  Ive wondered through a couple of times and perused a couple of the stores.  I think its great that the boutique shops are coming in...gotta start somewhere to get people in the door.  It makes a nice diversion in the middle of the day to get away from the office and go see if I can find something different to buy.  I think I will have to make the Landing a destination when I get ready to start my holiday shopping...I might find something unique and I can walk there

I agree that it could use some renovations...change can be good sometimes

[Bativac]

I was in Boston a year or two ago and my wife and I visited Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/

It felt like a more successful version of the Landing. Admittedly I haven't walked thru the Landing in a few months so maybe it has improved, but the last time I was there it had kind of a dingy, outdated feel.

Still, I agree locally-owned businesses are the way to go.

[duvaldude08]

When I go on lunch in a few minutes, I may take the skyway over and do a breif walk through

[ben says]

Personally, the landing is just really, really boring. I see zero reason to go there, even when I'm downtown.

so a good beer at Fionn MacCools, watching a sporting event at Chicago Pizza or Hooters, and/or sipping a margarita at Cinco de Mayo don't interest you?

And how about listening to live music and/or people watching in the courtyard?

Never mind the monthly yappy hour dog festivals, biker nights w/ some really pimped out machines, car shows, fireworks, etc.

Yep, you're right....nothing to see here...move along!

I hate how I'm always portrayed as the Debbie downer here, but oh well, here I go: never been a huge fan of pseudo-pubs/Irish themed bars (speaks more to my tastes than Fionn's quality or clientele), and I've tried Chicago pizza, and don't think they make a good product. Cinco de Mayo, like Chicago, just isn't good. I DO like biker nights, yappy hour, people watching, and the courtyard. I guess I'm more speaking to the vendors. Nothing there makes me want to leave the Riverside bubble. I will admit: I haven't been to RCG or Pickett. Listen, I want to like the landing, but again, anytime I'm in the area, I find myself near Dos Gatos/BG/Indochine/Chamblin's/Chomp Chomp et al. I rarely say to myself "can't wait to get to the landing for _____!"....

[Wacca Pilatka]

I miss the Landing's early years and am not particularly wild about any of the restaurants there, but I do enjoy going there anytime I visit, and not just for the view or the courtyard concerts.  Plenty of the stores are worth anyone's while.

Several artists doing impressive work.  Pickett and his photo-realistic charcoal drawings.  The glass etchings at Aly Cat (I bought one of the skyline).  James Pontal's superb Jacksonville photography.  Tony Ryals painting is fascinating to watch.

I can usually find some good Jaguar merchandise at Sports Mania, including some in-house product that Football Fanatics does not have.

River City Gourmet is phenomenal.  I've never tasted anything like their balsamic vinegar, and their selection of olive oils (including flavor-infused ones) and spice blends/dips is terrific.  Great place for Christmas shopping and for restocking the kitchen.

I'm looking forward to visiting the new cupcake/cake pop store and the men's shop. 

[fsujax]

Many of the new stores are not flea marketish as somone stated earlier. They happen to be local business owners trying to make a living. For all of those who rant against national chains destroying local business, well here is your chance to make a difference. I go to the Landing three nights a week to go to the gym, never noticed no A/C or homeless people bothering me at the Landing, infact that usually happens on Laura or Bay St. Many tourists are not likely to walk to Hemming Plaza, but they do go to the Landing. NOw could the Landing use some updating??? Yes for sure.

[duvaldude08]

Just got back from my first skyway ride to the Landing and it was packed both ways. Ran into a homeless guy outside of the San Marco station. he yelled at me a few times, but of course I kept walking like he wasnt even there. Skyway was packed both ways. Took a stroll through Hemming Plaza, didnt see anything out of the ordinary. Mostly seen people eating lunch, talking on their phones, or working on a laptop. There were a few of the homeless scattered throughout. JSO was in full effect. The Landing is really shaping up. I stop in the two art galleries to see what they had because I need some art work for the new crib. (lol) Taking a look around, it would be easy to update. Everything is either painted or tile, which would make for an easy renovation IMO.

P.S. Im tired as hell. And its hot and humid out there. Almost got caught in the rain. Whew!

[Wacca Pilatka]

Many of the new stores are not flea marketish as somone stated earlier.

I wholeheartedly agree.


But there's a "just like a mini-mall" reference in there somewhere.