Retail in Richmond

[StevenRocks]

^I think eventually a lot of those stores will settle in the downtown area, but in order for Downtown Richmond to be a viable retail desitnation, it's gonna need more distinctive retail than a Circuit City and the like.

[wrldcoupe4]

I like the independence of most of downtown's retailers. Carytown is a great example (VERY FEW chains). I wouldn't be opposed to having some of those retailers downtown though as long as they created stores with an urban feel (they are all predominately suburban retailers). I think they are blockbuster's downtown. I know a MovieGallery just opened on main st near The Market. I still think Circuit City could/should build a flagship urban store downtown since its HQ'd in Richmond and all. Have it multi-level with some type of interactive museum showcasing how electronics have changed the world since they started out as Ward's so many years ago.

[Downtowner]

But you know Idependent stores don't dominate the retailing market as chains do chains are much more effective and like I said chains dominate the retailing market.But yea It would be nice to have some Urban versions of these stores.

[wrldcoupe4]

Richmond's Porsche Dealership in Midlothian is now selling the Lotus Elise Sports Car.....The dealership will be expanded to accomodate the Lotus vehicles. Without even having a sign up, lotus had already sold 6 cars in 3 days.

[theriverpirate]

Richmond's Porsche Dealership in Midlothian is now selling the Lotus Elise Sports Car.....The dealership will be expanded to accomodate the Lotus vehicles. Without even having a sign up, lotus had already sold 6 cars in 3 days.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, I love driving by there and looking at those. I didn't even know Lotus existed until I saw one in England last year; now they're one of my favorite cars.

Edited July 28, 2005 by theriverpirate

[burt]

Yeah, I love driving by there and looking at those.  I didn't even know Lotus existed until I saw one in England last year; now they're on of my favorite cars.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Expensive little boogas, tho. Guess the area's high average income is one of the reasons the franchise is located out there on Motor Mile (it's the only one between D.C. and Atlanta).

[wrldcoupe4]

wow didn't know that burt! but yea the cars are small pure sports cars. I wouldnt mind test-driving it on the pocahontas pkwy since there's no one out there

[StevenRocks]

Macy's is coming! Macy's is coming!

[burt]

Macy's is coming!  Macy's is coming!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, don't stop there, Stephen!!!! Where? Do you mean ALL Hechts? If not, which ones that Virginia would be interested in?

I wish one were going into MacArthur Center downtown Norfolk.

How about Short Pump? I'd be very surprised if it were not on the conversion list.

[burt]

wow didn't know that burt! but yea the cars are small pure sports cars. I wouldnt mind test-driving it on the pocahontas pkwy since there's no one out there

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just watch those exit ramps at I-95!!! They can be trecherous!

[StevenRocks]

Well, don't stop there, Stephen!!!!  Where?  Do you mean ALL Hechts?  If not, which ones that Virginia would be interested in?

I wish one were going into MacArthur Center downtown Norfolk.

How about Short Pump?  I'd be very surprised if it were not on the conversion list.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All surviving Hecht's are being converted to Macy's. The Hecht's store in Wheaton, MD will close, as well as Macy's stores in Fairfax and several near Baltimore, all of those are overlapping stores with either a newer or more productive Hecht's or Macy's. But the two chains will be combined by fall of next year.

AFAIK, no Richmond stores are closing or will close anythime soon. There is a distinct possibility some other Hecht's stores will close in the future (Marlow Heights, Security Square, Coliseum Mall, River Ridge Mall) but there was no word of that yet. Those stores are just my hunches.

[burt]

All surviving Hecht's are being converted to Macy's.  The Hecht's store in Wheaton, MD will close, as well as Macy's stores in Fairfax and several near Baltimore, all of those are overlapping stores with either a newer or more productive Hecht's or Macy's.  But the two chains will be combined by fall of next year.

AFAIK, no Richmond stores are closing or will close anythime soon.  There is a distinct possibility some other Hecht's stores will close in the future (Marlow Heights, Security Square, Coliseum Mall, River Ridge Mall) but there was no word of that yet.  Those stores are just my hunches.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So Richmond may have more than one Macy's!!

Stores with big names are not as sexy when there are too many.

[burt]

Steven, Have you heard how Saks in Richmond and Raleigh are doing? I remember a clerk in the Richmond store telling me last Christmas that it would be doing a helluva lot better if it were in Short Pump Center! Also overheard a Raleigh customer saying that the Stoney Point store in Richmond was superior to the one in Raleigh.

Your comments?

Edited July 28, 2005 by burt

[urbanvb]

Soo all Hechts stores will be Macys? We have a flagship store here in VB that is huge. I wonder if it too will be a Macys...

[wrldcoupe4]

that means chesterfield towne center will have a Macy's...btw steven, at fair oaks mall in Fairfax, there is a very old Hecht's and a fairly new Macy's. The Macy's always seems busier than the Hechts so why would they close the brand new Macy's over the old (unnatractive) Hecht's????

[wrldcoupe4]

oh by the way I saw this today....

From Richmond.com's annual list of best and worst in Richmond, Ukrop's won the following:

1st place - Best Fried Chicken

1st place - Best place to be seen having lunch

1st place - Best overall customer service

maybe others have seen more of the list. Those are the only 3 I know...

[burt]

oh by the way I saw this today....

From Richmond.com's annual list of best and worst in Richmond, Ukrop's won the following:

1st place - Best Fried Chicken

1st place - Best place to be seen having lunch

1st place - Best overall customer service

maybe others have seen more of the list. Those are the only 3 I know...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

don't know about the 1st two, but I sure wouldn't argue with "best customer service".

[wrldcoupe4]

but burt the people have spoken!

[wrldcoupe4]

I just read an article about MAcy's,,,,they are closing the fairoaks macy's. What a totally stupid idea. That Macy's is 3 floors of beauty. That Hecht's is boxy, old and bland

[StevenRocks]

So Richmond may have more than one Macy's!!

Stores with big names are not as sexy when there are too many.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, Macy's will be at Regency, Chesterfield, Virginia Center Commons and Short Pump. Not very sexy, I know.

Steven, Have you heard how Saks in Richmond and Raleigh are doing?

Edited July 29, 2005 by StevenRocks

[wrldcoupe4]

wwhy substantially renovate when you have a damn spanking new store already?!???!?!?1 This seems like some corporate merger compromise...

[StevenRocks]

wwhy substantially renovate when you have a damn spanking new store already?!???!?!?1 This seems like some corporate merger compromise...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mostly because Hecht's has the better physical location in Fair Oaks (which has done better sales-wise over the years; one of Hecht's strongest stores) and Macy's relatively new store will be perfect either for a Bloomingdale's or a Nordstrom.

[wrldcoupe4]

true...its just a shame....quesiton?

do you know if the local stores will see renovations along with the name changes? I've always felt like Hecht's was a nice store, but they seem to pack to much stuff into their stores. Good luck if you gotta push a stroller or wheelchair around. It seems the racks are close enough to make one claustorphobic!

[StevenRocks]

I think some renovation will be in order when Macy's takes over. I'm not sure which stores will get it first, but Chesterfield, Virginia Center Commons and Southpark in Colonial Heights will likely get done first. Hard to say what Macy's will do at Regency...there's a lot of square footage spread over three different buildings.

Edited July 29, 2005 by StevenRocks

[rusthebuss]

I think some renovation will be in order when Macy's takes over. I'm not sure which stores will get it first, but Chesterfield, Virginia Center Commons and Southpark in Colonial Heights will likely get done first.  Hard to say what Macy's will do at Regency...there's a lot of square footage spread over three different buildings.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You must love Malls! How do you guys think it will change things with Hecht's changing into Macy's and why are you guys so happy about it. Will the line of clothes change or something or is it the fact that they are turning into "Macy" be it. They don't cary any lines that I can fit anyways with me being almost 6'5" and over 300 lbs. I'm about the size of a NFL lineman. What about the Hecht's in Military Circle Mall?? Does that change to a Macy's even though its in a Ghetto Mall?