On the DT workers survey there was a question about what single business you would most wanted downtown?
I'm gonna start with Target.
I'm gonna start with Target.
I want UNIQLO!!! Cheap clothes and enough underwear to serve the entire metro
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I agree UNIQLO would be a great addition. The place is always packed in NYC and would be a huge hit with the 16-40 type crowd. We need retailers that do not have a footprint in STL to open downtown. Would draw in all kinds of people and create a unique retail environment.
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^ Interesting question arises here.... not that one precludes the other, but would it be better to focus on retail that serves residents (both those that already are there and prospective residents lured by neighborhood amenities, including retail) or on unique retail that may be attractive to outsiders but not really serve any essential neighborhhood function.
As to the thread question, I would have said a movie theater. But now we have the MX, isn't the obvious answer Dunkin Donuts?
As to the thread question, I would have said a movie theater. But now we have the MX, isn't the obvious answer Dunkin Donuts?
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^ already taken.... n. tucker across from Post-Dispatch.
Seems logical. Can't think where else you can get a dozen donuts downtown other than the Culinaria.roger wyoming II wrote: isn't the obvious answer Dunkin Donuts?
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Both. We need to add amenities for the main users of downtown which consists of residents, tourists, and daytime workers.roger wyoming II wrote:^ Interesting question arises here.... not that one precludes the other, but would it be better to focus on retail that serves residents (both those that already are there and prospective residents lured by neighborhood amenities, including retail) or on unique retail that may be attractive to outsiders but not really serve any essential neighborhhood function.
As to the thread question, I would have said a movie theater. But now we have the MX, isn't the obvious answer Dunkin Donuts?
A Dunkin Donuts would be a great addition for all 3.
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Jamba Juice is also coming to the Saint Louis region.... hopefully one will be downtown.
Though not a retailer, Baja Sol would be awesome, and not even specifically DT, but really in any commercial street in the metro.
Target, and it's not even close. I am so, so sick of having to go all the way out to Brentwood every time I need stuff.
The former, definitely. I'm not just saying that as a downtown resident, either. We've got a great thing going down here, but we need more reasons for more people to move here. One huge reason I love where I live is the proximity to Culinaria. It fulfills a basic essential neighborhood need. If we get a Target, then I will essentially never need to leave downtown ever, to do anything, except go to school/work/visit other people.roger wyoming II wrote:^ Interesting question arises here.... not that one precludes the other, but would it be better to focus on retail that serves residents (both those that already are there and prospective residents lured by neighborhood amenities, including retail) or on unique retail that may be attractive to outsiders but not really serve any essential neighborhhood function.
Target, Target, Target.
The real answer to your question is "We really need to be doing both." It isn't a mutually exclusive endeavor because there's plenty of abandoned buildings and space for multiple retailers to move in. But if we had to focus on one or the other, then we really need to make sure all essential neighborhood functions are fulfilled before we start talking about broadening the appeal down here to outsiders.
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Would seem obvious to me too - don't they have everything a Walgreens or CVS has, plus a whole lot more, obviously.rawest1 wrote:Target, and it's not even close. I am so, so sick of having to go all the way out to Brentwood every time I need stuff.
Target is the obvious choice, but after their last round of expansion and store building in the late 2000s was halted, I don't think they will be building anything for a long time.
Thinking about UNIQLO in NYC made me remember another thing. There is now a TJMaxx on every corner in that city, even on Wall St. Something along those lines would be great. They sell pretty much everything that Culinaria doesn't, and their inventory rotates constantly.
Thinking about UNIQLO in NYC made me remember another thing. There is now a TJMaxx on every corner in that city, even on Wall St. Something along those lines would be great. They sell pretty much everything that Culinaria doesn't, and their inventory rotates constantly.
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Personally I would not want to see a Target downtown. Would much rather see 3-5 independent stores open that sell basically everything that a Target would.
Plus Targets are more of a match in single family home land as opposed to multi fam land here in downtown where units are much smaller and there is no need to buy in bulk.
Manhattan is not flooded with Targets but seems to function just fine with mom and pop stores operated by immigrants.
Plus Targets are more of a match in single family home land as opposed to multi fam land here in downtown where units are much smaller and there is no need to buy in bulk.
Manhattan is not flooded with Targets but seems to function just fine with mom and pop stores operated by immigrants.
"Target is the obvious choice, but after their last round of expansion and store building in the late 2000s was halted, I don't think they will be building anything for a long time. "
According to a friend in Portland,Oregon there is a coming soon sign for a City Target in their downtown .
According to a friend in Portland,Oregon there is a coming soon sign for a City Target in their downtown .
Target screams longevity. If we were to have 3-5 independent stores that sell the same things, people would wonder how long these stores would stay open. But a Target, obviously a CityTarget, which is designed for "urban dwellers" would send an entirely different message that any other retailer hasn't sent yet.downtown2007 wrote:Personally I would not want to see a Target downtown. Would much rather see 3-5 independent stores open that sell basically everything that a Target would.
Plus Targets are more of a match in single family home land as opposed to multi fam land here in downtown where units are much smaller and there is no need to buy in bulk.
Manhattan is not flooded with Targets but seems to function just fine with mom and pop stores operated by immigrants.
And Manhattan is a totally different retail landscape.
Precisely.stlien wrote:Target screams longevity. If we were to have 3-5 independent stores that sell the same things, people would wonder how long these stores would stay open. But a Target, obviously a CityTarget, which is designed for "urban dwellers" would send an entirely different message that any other retailer hasn't sent yet.downtown2007 wrote:Personally I would not want to see a Target downtown. Would much rather see 3-5 independent stores open that sell basically everything that a Target would.
Plus Targets are more of a match in single family home land as opposed to multi fam land here in downtown where units are much smaller and there is no need to buy in bulk.
Manhattan is not flooded with Targets but seems to function just fine with mom and pop stores operated by immigrants.
And Manhattan is a totally different retail landscape.
Manhattan is flooded with PEOPLE. People constantly coming and going. There's never any shortage of them. Shops can open, they can sell to the millions, and they can close and be replaced by more shops by the never-ending stream of people. St. Louis doesn't exactly have that luxury, where the city's population has been in freefall for decades.
The need to "buy in bulk" is not exactly contingent on dwelling-space size, but rather family size. There is plenty reason for, say, a family of 4 to buy in bulk. Even if they are living in a relatively smaller 2 or 3 bedroom apartment. Not to mention, as the guy above me said, there are CityTargets specifically designed for urban dwellers.
Look, I'm not saying Target is the only valid answer, here, but Target is the only valid answer here.
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I agree it would change the perception if Target opened downtown, but it would also become a lot less interesting in my opinion. I would love to see more independent stores that fill the gap of not having Target.
On buying in bulk, how many families live downtown? Not many. How many tourists, workers, visitors need bulk items? Not many. We would be better off trying to land a Rite Aid, Walgreens, or CVS first.
In regards to Manhattan, it's kind of relative. Even though there is a constant stream of people the rents are also a lot higher, and a lot of purchases are needed to cover the rent. Therefore, many stores end up closing just like here.
On buying in bulk, how many families live downtown? Not many. How many tourists, workers, visitors need bulk items? Not many. We would be better off trying to land a Rite Aid, Walgreens, or CVS first.
In regards to Manhattan, it's kind of relative. Even though there is a constant stream of people the rents are also a lot higher, and a lot of purchases are needed to cover the rent. Therefore, many stores end up closing just like here.
Maybe youre thinking of a traditional suburban style Target, but a City Target would not decrease the "interesting" factor of downtown. It will increase it actually. And I wouldnt describe downtown's retail mix as "interesting" either.downtown2007 wrote:I agree it would change the perception if Target opened downtown, but it would also become a lot less interesting in my opinion. I would love to see more independent stores that fill the gap of not having Target.
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Never said it was currently interesting. But it would be more interesting if we had more stores that provide goods and services by local owners, instead of a crappy suburban chain store that everybody thinks is the only place to buy household goods.
And by creating a certain amount of stores, it would increase foot traffic also making downtown a lot more interesting.
I have been to the City Target in the South Loop in Chicago which is nothing more than a big box store void of any foot traffic.
And by creating a certain amount of stores, it would increase foot traffic also making downtown a lot more interesting.
I have been to the City Target in the South Loop in Chicago which is nothing more than a big box store void of any foot traffic.
Great point. Kind of similar to Whole Foods opening a CWE location. Now if only there was a large, multi-block development downtown that was surrounded by parking, had room for a Target, needed an anchor tenant, and already had a Target (aka Cardinal) red theme to it.stlien wrote:Target screams longevity... a CityTarget, which is designed for "urban dwellers" would send an entirely different message that any other retailer hasn't sent yet.