urbanSTL

Resurrectus wrote:

trent wrote:...but the lure of American Apparel is that there isn't a store in St. Louis.

There are thousands of stores that the St. Louis area doesn't have.

Good point. I think Bah Humbug is one of your favorite stores not in the St. Louis area. Can't say that I'm too fond of it, however. It's too much of a downer.



This is a brainstorming session not a complaining exercise. It doesn't matter how loud you are or how long you persist; your opinion has been heard and counted. You still only get one vote.



It's also true that you can't please everyone. American Apparel apparently doesn't please you. Sorry, but that's just the way it is. If you have other ideas, great. Let's just try to tone down on the negativity.

I'm still sold on Popeyes.

Downtown2007 wrote:I'm still sold on Popeyes.

They sell spinach, right?

innov8ion wrote:It's also true that you can't please everyone. American Apparel apparently doesn't please you. Sorry, but that's just the way it is. If you have other ideas, great. Let's just try to tone down on the negativity.

Oops...sorry. I just have a strong feeling that actual investors in a St. Louis American Apparel would lose money. I admire entrepreneurs, and I would actually be happy if I were proven wrong.

^ Your thesis is valid however many on here don't agree with it Why don't we let prospective businesses decide whether or not the market is right for them? Because building negative sentiment for prospective companies you don't happen to like sure as hell isn't going to contribute to downtown progress. And isn't that what we are supposed to be about?

innov8ion wrote:^ Your thesis is valid however many on here don't agree with it Why don't we let prospective businesses decide whether or not the market is right for them? Because building negative sentiment for prospective companies you don't happen to like sure as hell isn't going to contribute to downtown progress. And isn't that what we are supposed to be about?

Shouldn't we just make positive comments about the businesses that we feel would be successul and make negative comments about the businesses that we feel would go out-of-business? I just can't see any clothing store being that successful downtown...with the exception of a moo-moo store.

Resurrectus wrote:Shouldn't we just make positive comments about the businesses that we feel would be successul and make negative comments about the businesses that we feel would go out-of-business? I just can't see any clothing store being that successful downtown...with the exception of a moo-moo store.

Of course some criticism is fine. Say it and move on. It's not necessary to continually bash. Others disagree with you, Mr. City Planner. Oops, that's not you.

innov8ion wrote:^ Your thesis is valid however many on here don't agree with it Why don't we let prospective businesses decide whether or not the market is right for them?

I think most businesses have decided for themselves.

bprop wrote:

innov8ion wrote:^ Your thesis is valid however many on here don't agree with it Why don't we let prospective businesses decide whether or not the market is right for them?

I think most businesses have decided for themselves.

Not sure what you mean by that.



Meridian is in a VERY conspicuous part of DT and "any" store there would have a HUGE advantage. Marketing people dream of this and stores selling high end apparels OR something unique (differentiating factor here) should be able to hold their own in DT.



Here are some choices which (in my opinion) may suit Meridian.



Abercrombie and Fitch

Lacoste

Hugo

Designer Watch store (Bring on the Rolexes)

Ralph Lauren line store (they have more than clothing in their line)

bsharmastl wrote:Meridian is in a VERY conspicuous part of DT and "any" store there would have a HUGE advantage. Marketing people dream of this and stores selling high end apparels OR something unique (differentiating factor here) should be able to hold their own in DT.

Sometimes having a map directly in front of me helps.

It does help



BTW, I (earlier) had not read some of the other posts, which seem to indicate that a clothing line store would not do well. It "may" not, but the fact is that these specialty (including apparels) stores have a tendency to draw yuppie crowds (and GOD, that's what we have DT now) and stores like these may be catalysts to bring other "similar" types of shops to the area.

Kansas City has had an Armani Exchange for years on the Country Club Plaza. I'm not sure why St. Louis has never gotten one. The Meridian seems like a good fit. A Club Monaco which I consider a Canadian version of Banana Republic could be another new destination. And so far H&M in St. Louis sucks!! I visited great H&Ms in Chicago, New York and Zurich. They need a much larger men's section here!! But H&Ms concept of haute couture style at Old Navy prices is a great draw for all income levels. I think the high/low income mix is the way to go but with retail that is NEW to this market.



For furnishings, a West Elm or CB2 would be nice lower priced and NEW additions to the area.