107 replies to this topic

[Greenville]

I agree with what others have said about this CVS being perfect for downtown workers, residents, and hotel guests.  It is not intended for people to drive, park, and shop, as a suburban location is.  It is geared toward walkers.  And instead of downtown office workers, residents, and hotel guests having to get in their cars to drive to a pharmacy a mile or two away, they will now be able to walk.  I know from my travels that having a CVS or Walgreens nearby my hotel is so important when wanting to make a few small purchases for my stay (bottled water, snacks, etc.).  Plus, it requires walking and exploring the city a little.  And for people visiting Greenville, that is always a plus.

Edited by Greenville, 07 April 2010 - 12:05 AM.

[Skyliner]

People seem to have forgotten about the Publix at McBee Station.  They have a nice pharmacy and it is not nearly a mile away from Main Street.  Only two easy blocks.  They also have bottled water, snacks, and etc.

I am not completely opposed to the Main Street CVS (only because it will fill a vacancy that has lingered for several years), but feel the necessity to clear up the misconception that downtown office workers and residents currently are forced to drive "a mile or two away" for such amenities.  That is simply not true.

[krazeeboi]

If I were a visitor staying at any one of the downtown hotels (Hyatt, Hampton Inn at RiverPlace, Westin, or Marriott Courtyard) or an employee at city hall or Wachovia Place, I'd be much more likely to take a trip to this CVS to grab a few items conveniently as opposed to the Publix at McBee Station. Also, pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, etc. are simply more convenient to get in and out of than grocery stores. The crowds are smaller and the lines are shorter. If all I have to do is pick up some deodorant, mouthwash, and sunflower seeds, I'm going to be much more likely do so at a drugstore rather than a grocery store, whether I'm driving or walking.

[GvilleSC]

krazeeboi, on 07 April 2010 - 12:39 AM, said:

If I were a visitor staying at any one of the downtown hotels (Hyatt, Hampton Inn at RiverPlace, Westin, or Marriott Courtyard) or an employee at city hall or Wachovia Place, I'd be much more likely to take a trip to this CVS to grab a few items conveniently as opposed to the Publix at McBee Station. Also, pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, etc. are simply more convenient to get in and out of than grocery stores. The crowds are smaller and the lines are shorter. If all I have to do is pick up some deodorant, mouthwash, and sunflower seeds, I'm going to be much more likely do so at a drugstore rather than a grocery store, whether I'm driving or walking.

You make some great points about ease of getting in and out.

[RiverWalker]

btoy, on 06 April 2010 - 11:47 AM, said:

Have you been to the "Cash for Gold" business you refer to?  I think you are talking about Blair Jewelers and their collection of classic guitars for sale inside really makes them worthy of being on main street.  I thought it was pretty cool to see a 1931 Martin Tenor for sale.

Actually, I don't have a problem with the "cash-for-gold place," whatever it's called. I merely mentioned it to illustrate a point - apparently unsuccessfully.

[RiverWalker]

krazeeboi, on 07 April 2010 - 12:39 AM, said:

If I were a visitor staying at any one of the downtown hotels (Hyatt, Hampton Inn at RiverPlace, Westin, or Marriott Courtyard) or an employee at city hall or Wachovia Place, I'd be much more likely to take a trip to this CVS to grab a few items conveniently as opposed to the Publix at McBee Station. Also, pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, etc. are simply more convenient to get in and out of than grocery stores. The crowds are smaller and the lines are shorter. If all I have to do is pick up some deodorant, mouthwash, and sunflower seeds, I'm going to be much more likely do so at a drugstore rather than a grocery store, whether I'm driving or walking.

I suppose it's a matter of perception and expectation. Most of the CVS stores that I've visited, even those in downtown settings, generally have but one register open, at most two, which causes lines to back up. Supermarkets, on the other hand, typically have multiple checkouts open and can add more checkers as lines form. I pop in at the Publix at McBee Station on a regular basis.

[Sonrise]

I'm currently in Denver on business, and not only is there a CVS on the 17th Street Pedestrian mall ( trendy shops/restaurants for tourists and locals) but there's a Walgreens across the street, and I'd say the overwhelming majority of the patrons are via foot traffic. I like this, just wish there was a residential component above it.

[GvilleSC]

There was mention that construction might begin in May. I've yet to see any progress. Does anyone know more?

[Greenville]

GvilleSC, on 07 June 2010 - 06:00 PM, said:

There was mention that construction might begin in May. I've yet to see any progress. Does anyone know more?

I can tell you definitively that this project will NOT begin in May.  

Seriously, I have not heard anything but hope this begins soon.  The CVS is going to be a great addition to downtown!

[StrangeCock]

May 2013, maybe.

[citylife]

Completion of project has been changed to October 2011. New marketing package can be seen here: http://www.loopnet.c...DE24EA3E0F7.pdf

[GVLbikeNboard]

Skyliner, on 06 April 2010 - 12:03 PM, said:

I'd love to see a list of the so-called "silly little shops" currently open along Main Street.  How many shops are open and serve the downtown population?  I'll bet the number serving the downtown population far outweighs the shops open mostly for visitors/tourists.

The only silly shop that comes to mind (for me, at least) is the gem mine. Reminds me of something you'd find in Maggie Valley, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge...

[RiverWalker]

citylife, on 22 June 2010 - 10:46 PM, said:

Completion of project has been changed to October 2011. New marketing package can be seen here: http://www.loopnet.c...DE24EA3E0F7.pdf

I am impressed that the design even includes a covered drive-through window for prescription pickup. The roof garden and event space are intriguing also.

Although I wasn't entirely thrilled at first that the anchor would be a CVS, it sure will be better than the hole in the ground that occupies the site today!

[apaladin]

Notice the map shows "future Peacock Hotel" lol.

[citylife]

apaladin, on 23 June 2010 - 07:17 PM, said:

Notice the map shows "future Peacock Hotel" lol.

Well, what do you expect the Peacock developers to do when banks aren't lending in the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression? Money doesn't grow on trees.

[Clark, you serious?]

This development is disappointing on a couple of levels.  At two stories, the scale just doesn't seem big enough.  I would like to see at least three stories.  More importantly, there is a large "dead zone" of blank wall space along McBee.  I know the building footprint makes it difficult to fit the CVS, but It's too bad that they couldn't have figured out a way to wrap the entire building with ground-floor retail and really activate the street/sidewalk.  Also, I am very curious as to what kind of office rent they are asking and what kind of office tenant(s) might go in there.

[GvilleSC]

Clark, you serious?, on 24 June 2010 - 02:30 PM, said:

This development is disappointing on a couple of levels.  At two stories, the scale just doesn't seem big enough.  I would like to see at least three stories.  More importantly, there is a large "dead zone" of blank wall space along McBee.  I know the building footprint makes it difficult to fit the CVS, but It's too bad that they couldn't have figured out a way to wrap the entire building with ground-floor retail and really activate the street/sidewalk.  Also, I am very curious as to what kind of office rent they are asking and what kind of office tenant(s) might go in there.

I'm hoping for some sort of public art at that 'large' blank expanse. But, who knows what we'll get. Just simply having a building there and hopefully new sidewalks will be enticing enough to attract a greater flow of people to the shops at the Bookends.

[btoy]

I am pretty sure that earlier news articles stated there would be art long the wall on McBee.  Wasn't it to be large terra cotta tiles or something of that nature.

[BookEnder]

I've heard that the CVS is tentatively scheduled for an Oct (2010) start and the KDS is "making good progress" with possible tenant(s).

[Skyliner]

Thank you for the update.  It will be nice to see building construction downtown again.