Downtown Retail Market

[arche_757]

Curious... I don't have any apple products aside from an old Ipod, why do people who have apple products NEED an apple store so close?  Do you have that many issues with the products that you have to visit on a regular basis?

 

I find it interesting the majority of people have Apple and H&M on here.  Would those stores really be visited that often?

Edited May 19, 2014 by arche_757

[fatesdisastr]

Curious... I don't have any apple products aside from an old Ipod, why do people who have apple products NEED an apple store so close?  Do you have that many issues with the products that you have to visit on a regular basis?

 

I find it interesting the majority of people have Apple and H&M on here.  Would those stores really be visited that often?

 

I think it is less about there being issues with their current product but more about Apple's continuous product line improvements. I would assume that 30% or more business professionals downtown use an Apple product for work or pleasure. With the amount of product updates and software updates within the year I feel it would be beneficial to an Apple store to move in. People could swing by on lunch breaks or after work to see the latest and greatest in Apple technology. I myself like to go in time to time to see what new accessories there are, or how something feels in my hand or finger tips, to get an idea of if I should improve my current devices.

 

Yes every so often there are small issues that you would like to see someone about and have the personal touch of professionals in those devices to help you out.

 

I think it would be a really good idea, and I think with a good location and the current and future density of downtown, it would be a smart idea.

[Texasota]

There currently is no H&M inside the loop, so, for that reason alone, I think it would be very successful.

 

As for Apple, if you have an Apple computer then yes, it's very handy to have a store nearby. Computers have problems, and it's incredibly convenient to just drop your computer off and pick it up a few days later.

There are only 2 Apple stores in the city proper right now so I think theres plenty of room for another one.

[arche_757]

Those are reasonable enough.  Still find it interesting that such niche stores would be desired by so many, despite the fact there is such glaring need for so much more Downtown.

[Texasota]

Well, except that downtown still doesnt have the population to support much retail by itself, so for any store to be successful it needs to draw people in from surrounding neighborhoods. 

[Subdude]

Well, except that downtown still doesnt have the population to support much retail by itself, so for any store to be successful it needs to draw people in from surrounding neighborhoods. 

In a couple of years downtown will have sufficient residents where there will be a screaming need for some kinds of retailers, but not all.  First and foremost will be a grocery store.  Trader Joe's would be brilliant because it is on a small enough scale to make sense downtown.  

 

Something like Macy's or a bookstore would be a non-starter.  Those are dying breeds to begin with that wouldn't merit investment in an untested area.  It seems that Apple likes to site their stores in up-market areas so I don't see that happening either.  H&S I'm not really familiar with, but I know that Zara has smaller-format stores.  I still think what would be great would be an urban Target.  The trick will be making stores small enough to be concentrated enough that residents could get by without a car, while focusing on daily needs instead of more once-off shopping (eg Apple).  

[arche_757]

^You just ****ed all over my bookstore concept.. shame on you!  That's my own personal "want" for Downtown, though you are quite correct its a dying breed of stores (which is VERY unfortunate - since Amazon is easy but largely an ineffective replacement for holding a piece of literature and flipping through prior to purchase). 

 

I've thought - after having gone to one yesterday off Bay Area - that a Fresh Market or similar would do very well downtown?  They aren't the scale of a Whole Foods and they're more of a grocer and less of a pre-packaged foodie porn kind of place than Trader Joes (actually... a lot of TJ's pre-packaged food isn't very good for you!  Look it up).  You are correct a Trader Joe's would also work.  In fact, one might even find enough room for both a TJ's and FM?  Particularly if say one of them was over near the Post development in Midtown?

[Subdude]

I'm book-obsessive myself so I understand, but the writing's on the wall.  The last time I was in a B&N was before Christmas and it was disturbingly empty,  I remember thinking "If you can't pull a crowd on a Saturday in December things are really bleak."  

 

Never been to or heard of Fresh Market, but I see the point that people might want something a little less Trader Joe-ish.  

[citykid09]

I think H&M will draw people in. But I would like to see Macy's ome back and wouldn't it be nice if someone in the Foley's Family brought back that department store? Is that family still around? Also an urban HEB.

[HoustonBoy]

I think Apple stores are so wanted because they're very urban and they are destinations as well. As for H&M it is also a destination store and it's low priced.

[Texasota]

Trader Joe's very rarely picks expensive urban locations. They have, I think, 4 locations in the region of which one is inside the loop. Similar siting in other cities I've lived in as well.

 

I could see Whole Foods jumping in once the population increases. They're no stranger to urban store models.

[Texasota]

With that being said, take a look at this Trader Joe's in St. Louis Park (suburb of Minneapolis):

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.934474,-93.336973,3a,75y,277.48h,97.84t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sky7kaj0usIfuXhEFJZ23hQ!2e0

 

 

[htownproud]

I think a real grocery is needed. One that sells cokes, toilet paper, cereal, etc. we already have one speciality grocery store.

Since this is a fantasy list, my vote is for Feiline's Basement. Don't think there is one in Texas, so it would draw folks into the city.

[crunchtastic]

Nay to Trader Joe's, Yay to another full-service grocer with meat and seafod counter, full range of produce. Would love to have a dept store again, but preferably Nordstrom. Macys sucks.  A sporting goods store. 

 

Also, I don't believe there is a dry cleaner in the entire freaking east end. Please, a good dry cleaner and tailor, not the $1.99 War on Cloth that calls itself a dry cleaner. On street level open until 7/8 pm, preferably by the Y. 

[monarch]

my downtown houston retail fantasy.  PHOENICIA, embodies any and all.. that downtown houston needs / requires upon a grocery establishment.  phoenicia, should shutter it's very acclaimed doors over at OPP..  and expand upon a freestanding establishment upon a full block along the newly conceptualized retail corridor, slated as per downtown houston.  once established, the new store should carry all essential brands that a regular grocery chain embodies.  all the while maintaining it's distinct higher end full quality charm, as it does over at OPP.

 

dilliards, should make their entry into downtown houston.  imo, i think that dilliards shall be the perfect department store at this particular time in downtown houston.  they should take over the entire sakowitz building..  and basically help to transform that whole area that once again is slated as per the new downtown retail corridor.

 

greenstreet, shall see an overall gleaming transformation upon the arrival as per hotel alessandra.  greenstreet, shall need to expand another block or two and offer a bit more retail establishment brands that normally cater to all patrons alike.. especially conventioneers that oftentimes like to travel lightly, but have no problems shopping elsewhere for their daily functions / necessities.  once hotel alessandra arrives.. there shall be no looking back. 

 

 

[UtterlyUrban]

I think a real grocery is needed. One that sells cokes, toilet paper, cereal, etc. we already have one speciality grocery store.

Since this is a fantasy list, my vote is for Feiline's Basement. Don't think there is one in Texas, so it would draw folks into the city.

I think you mean "Filene's" Basement. Correct?

If so.....

Since 2011, there are no Filene's Basement stores. They liquidated along with their parent, Syms.

Edited May 20, 2014 by UtterlyUrban

[htownproud]

I think you mean "Filene's" Basement. Correct?

If so.....

Since 2011, there are no Filene's Basement stores. They liquidated along with their parent, Syms.

Correct, that is what I meant.  Sad to see that store go under -- I loved the one in Chicago on Michigan.  

[HtownWxBoy]

#1 Supermarket (trader joes / whole foods / H E B / Kroger)

#2 Expand Greenstreet (or something similar) to have Urban Outfitters / Banana Rebublic / Diesal / H&M / etc. 

[westhouston11]

Kroger Signature, Neiman Marcus Flagship in old Sakowits building....facade is striking still and interior could be all Neiman's fantasy....., 3rd would be more huge Flagship or concept store outlets of all the major retailers, but leave the "outlet" out of the stores, tired of seeing clothing made for outlets and the same brand marking up what is considered "core" to their line......WTF ever is what I say to that mind set of retail genius who drove us down this outlet mall dead end road......Flagship and test stores are great ways to lure us and visitors downtown, fantasy regional headquarters with your brand on the first few floors is also better than Macy's running all the cities from New York......their "celeb" star bullflurf lines were and are a bomb, maybe a regional office and Flagship location here in Houston is what they need to actually get the market feedback needed to run their locations here in the hot southwest states.......clue bomb number two for all of them should be swimwear is something they could carry year round almost, but coats, heavy suits and sweaters are well something we buy once and rarely use

[Reaper88]

Macy's

Virgin Megastore

CityTarget

Apple Store

Best Buy

Express

[Heightsite]

I enjoyed shopping at Kaplan's for gifts and unique items. Something along a similar type "department" store with more current merchandise would be great.

[UtterlyUrban]

Next question:

For everyone who has posted or read the postings.....

Let's describe the current downtown retail environment as "less than vibrant" (for the purpose of my next question).

Now, tell me how MANY stores (individual stores, "large") and boutiques (individual stores, "small") are needed to make downtown retail "vibrant" and, please state how you define "vibrant"......

[urbancowboy]

70 specialty stores and boutiques and at least 3 department stores.

[Tower26]

1. Office Depot 

2. Best Buy 

3. Big Lots 

4. Frye's 

 

[UtterlyUrban]

70 specialty stores and boutiques and at least 3 department stores.

Holy cow! That's a lot. You may be correct but, yikes! If you are correct, it will take a long time to ever have a "vibrant" retail scene.

[mkultra25]

Downtown retail will never be "vibrant" until it has one of these. 

 

[Sparrow]

Central Market. Why should Austin get two when Houston only has one? The Metroplex even has five Central Markets. A Central Market in downtown would create a large enough draw from outside its immediate vicinity to remain profitable--something a normal HEB or Kroger likely could not do. 

[Houston19514]

Central Market. Why should Austin get two when Houston only has one? The Metroplex even has five Central Markets. A Central Market in downtown would create a large enough draw from outside its immediate vicinity to remain profitable--something a normal HEB or Kroger likely could not do. 

 

I think it is because in the Houston market they have developed a hybrid store that incorporates a lot of the features and products from Central Market into their stores that are branded as HEB ____ Marktet(s).  15 of HEB's 60 stores in the Houston area are Markets.

 

Montrose Market

Buffalo Market

Summerwood Market

Pearland Market

Sienna Market

Sugar Land Market

VIntage Park Market

Spring Market

Cypress Market

Katy Market

Fairfleld Market

Woodlands Market

North Woodlands Market

Conroe Market

Brenham Market

[bachanon]

i imagine i would like to see privately owned unique retail begin to pop up between rail and residential, but i'm not sure how feasible this is for downtown or anywhere inside the loop for that matter.  property is too expensive and you really need steady cash flow to make it.

 

it's great to fantasize about what kind of "retail" we want, but if it isn't likely to look good on paper, it doesn't matter.

 

this is precisely why downtown/midtown/medical center/uptown developments need to make room for retail on the ground floor.  the income needed for the property is provided by the major tenant/tenants (office/residential) and the retail is a benefit to the major tenants and the community.  in my opinion, a smart developer would make space for retail and seek out the type of businesses that would enhance the lease experience of major tenants (office/residential) or expand on the property's brand.  it is understood in mixed-use development circles that your property has to survive with or without constantly occupied retail space.

 

the retail i'd like to see most downtown, retail restaurant supply/hardware store/apple-microsoft/urban, multi-storied target/satellite auto dealerships (audi/fiat/alph-romeo)/a vespa dealer.

[Texasota]

Boutique retail pretty much defines the stores at the Mid-Main/Ensemble station. Considering Mid-Main is owned by the same people, I'd imagine that trend will continue. There's also some in Montrose, the Heights, the village and on Washington.

Rents are potentially too high for it to be realistic downtown though. Lack of full-time residents doesn't help either, though that is *beginning* to be addressed.