EpiCentre Retail

[fulcrumsf]

I would love to see a Virgin Mega Store, If you have never been to one,they have tons of Cd's,books,magazines,etc. Or a Borders,Niketown,or any concept stores.

[atlrvr]

I doubt a bookstore would go simply because it is being billed as destination retail, whereas bookstores typically serve a residential section of town.

There is a plan to have a bookstore on Elizabeth Ave (a Borders I believe), and it seems likely that B&N may open, but the only place I see this occuring somewhat soon is at Midtown Square.

[keer5771]

I doubt a bookstore would go simply because it is being billed as destination retail, whereas bookstores typically serve a residential section of town.

There is a plan to have a bookstore on Elizabeth Ave (a Borders I believe), and it seems likely that B&N may open, but the only place I see this occuring somewhat soon is at Midtown Square.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

there's already residential downtown, not to mention the growth on the horizon...

i don't think that holds - look at 4th street live in louisville (cordish co.). residential in downtown louisville is crap and they landed a borders.

what gives?

[CharlotteDemonDeacon]

Doesn't the marketing package state what retailers they are expecting? I believe it said Fox Sports bar and Grille, Lucky Strike bowling, A deuling piano bar, and some sort of Irish bar I have never heard of it. Perhaps, I'm wrong but I remember reading about those when the marketing package was first released.

[atlrvr]

Well, part of it is that Border's obviously won't go to 2 locations so close intown.....B&N could go to EpiCentre, but I just don't see it happening. There is limited opportunity in the proposed high rise buildings, because they don't have enough contiguous space, even for their urban prototypes......Midtown Square has been designed to accomodate this type of chain retail.

[StevenRocks]

Does anyone know any of the retail stores that are considering opening here?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Probably the holy trinity of modern retail: Target, Barnes & Noble and Dick's Sporting Goods

[DigitalSky]

Probably the holy trinity of modern retail:  Target, Barnes & Noble and Dick's Sporting Goods

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

true that

[reverbandwhiskey]

Sigh. Does this town REALLY need another Dick's Sporting Goods? As for stores I would like to see:

a used Bookstore

an indep. music store

a wine shop

a circuit City/best buy/ etc where one could purchase dvds.

a vegetarian restaurant ( a boy can dream)

a bike shop

A science toy/telescope shop

Stores I would NOT like to see:

Starbucks, Niketown, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Dick's/Sports Authority, Target, Old Navy, Olive Garden/chili's/applebee's/any other crappy generic eatery.

[atlrvr]

The problem with large projects such as this requiring highly capitalized investors is that they require a majority of the tenants to be highly capitalized themselves.......they won't loan on a project if Bob's Used Books, and Marty's Winos, and Reverbandwhiskey's Music decide they want to lease there......especially on a retail heavy project such as this which requires the space to remained mostly occupied to be financially viable.

The opportunity comes later when leases are up for renewal.....the developer can decide to persue independent retailers depending on the permanent financing agreement.

Other options for local retailers would be in Avenue. The project's cost is covered by the condo sales, and the lender is more agreeable to the developer taking a risk on the minimal retail portion.

Blame it on the 80's.........

[ericurbanite]

it would be nice to see a ralph lauren high end store there. highly doubt it though.

or just some fancy place like that, along with a jake delhomme cajun restaurant haha, now that would be cool.

[reverbandwhiskey]

ATL, Thanks for your insight. I know very little about these types of matters. That would explain why vibrant art/indep. business distrcits pop up in order parts of cities.

[StevenRocks]

Stores I would NOT like to see:

Starbucks, Niketown, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Dick's/Sports Authority, Target, Old Navy, Olive Garden/chili's/applebee's/any other crappy generic eatery.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not so fast on the Starbucks and Niketown there, Rev. Starbucks is a given considering their location strategy, and Niketown would create a desitnation anchor unavailable in at least a 2-state radius. All those other stores, I could take or leave in a development like that.

[orulz]

Not so fast on the Starbucks and Niketown there, Rev.  Starbucks is a given considering their location strategy, and Niketown would create a desitnation anchor unavailable in at least a 2-state radius.  All those other stores, I could take or leave in a development like that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree; EpiCentre should be a tribute to modern commercialism. If ever there was a place in uptown Charlotte for a giant collection of fairly classy, specialty chain retailers, this is it. The Niketown would be a great fit, given its proximity to the arena and the presence of Fox Sports Bar and Grill. It would sort of give the place a bit of a sports theme. Stores you find in every other mall (Gap, Abercrombie, etc) or strip center (Dick's, etc) are sort of "take it or leave it." I bet that this place is trying to do something different, better, and more "big city" than the malls in order to stand out and draw a crowd.

[monsoon]

Sigh.  Does this town REALLY need another Dick's Sporting Goods?  As for stores I would like to see:

......

a vegetarian restaurant ( a boy can dream)

......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed. Charlotte has had a really hard time keeping a vegetarian restaurant open. Kelly's, a great place with decent vegetarian food located in NoDa, was one of the very few to have existed in the City. And sadly it is gone now to be replace by more generic development. Amazing there isn't more demand here as other cities smaller than Charlotte usually have several.

The only place I know of now that is exclusively vegetarian is the Peaceful Dragon but it is way out on Steel Creek Rd. almost in SC.

[reverbandwhiskey]

"agree; EpiCentre should be a tribute to modern commercialism. If ever there was a place in uptown Charlotte for a giant collection of fairly classy, specialty chain retailers, this is it."

I wouldn't call Nike a "classy" retailer. They pay their workers borderline slave wages, physically assault workers who fall behind quota and force female employees to have abortions. They consistently rank in the top 5 for worst worker abuses. On this side of the ocean they grossly overcharge for inferior goods, force retailers to maintain artiffically high prices, and quite frankly make crappy prodcuts.

[Miesian Corners]

I wouldn't call Nike a "classy" retailer.  They pay their workers borderline slave wages, physically assault workers who fall behind quota and force female employees to have abortions.  They consistently rank in the top 5 for worst worker abuses.  On this side of the ocean they grossly overcharge for inferior goods,  force retailers to maintain artiffically high prices, and quite frankly make crappy prodcuts.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whoa! Abortions?!!? I'd say that's taking the body image thing too far. And to think I was simply going to complain that they don't sell anything any different that what I can buy at Dick's, albeit in a more hip environment.

[fulcrumsf]

The only place I know of now that is exclusively vegetarian is the Peaceful Dragon but it is way out on Steel Creek Rd. almost in SC.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are 2 all vegetarian Indian resturants in Charlotte, one is called Woodlands Pure Vegetarian South Indian Cuisine in east charlotte off ALbermarle near Lawyers, and Udipi Pure Vegetarian Cuisine, 9510 University City Blvd near UNCC

I doubt a bookstore would go simply because it is being billed as destination retail, whereas bookstores typically serve a residential section of town.

I would have to disagree, this maybe the case in Charlotte currently, but if you look at other cities that have uptown retail destinated places they tend to have large book stores. Ex. Union Suare in San Francisco has a 3 story Borders. Gucci, Tiffany's, Saks, Macy's, Cheesecake Factory and Neiman Marcus are all in Union Square as well as a Virgin Mega store a block away. An this area virtually has no residential, and the residential they do have within the imediate area "Tenderlion District is" is one of the worst area's of San Francisco.

Borders also has uptown locations in Seattle, Chicago, New York,and Im sure there are more. I know Virgin Mega store has uptown locations in Toronto and Vancouver as well and probably more.

I know Charlotte may not have as much uptown residential/retail as these cities, but I think this project could at least support a Border's Express or something of that nature.

[StevenRocks]

I wouldn't call Nike a "classy" retailer.  They pay their workers borderline slave wages, physically assault workers who fall behind quota and force female employees to have abortions.  They consistently rank in the top 5 for worst worker abuses.  On this side of the ocean they grossly overcharge for inferior goods,  force retailers to maintain artiffically high prices, and quite frankly make crappy prodcuts.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nike's a marketer. They don't manufacture all of the things with their logo on them. I agree that they should take a more active role in promiting a better life for workers in their contract manufacturing facilities, but they are not doing things horribly different than their peers. If you diapprove of their practices, do not buy their products.

That said, I still think NikeTown would make a great desitination anchor for a project like EpiCentre.

[A2]

ATL,  Thanks for your insight.  I know very little about these types of matters.  That would explain why vibrant art/indep. business distrcits pop up in order parts of cities.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

RBW, speaking of that reminds me of what Central avenue is kind of like now and what is will continue to evolve into (especially with the streetcar planned for that corridor). I wonder if the Elizabeth development by Grubb Prop. could support any Independants ???

[atlrvr]

With BofA financing it.....I'd tend to have my doubts, especially on the retail heavy buildings......when they build the 6 story office building, maybe......on a side note, NoFo is going in which is essentially independent, but I would assume that Grubb bought the buildings and paid for the upfit with their own money.

[A2]

With BofA financing it.....I'd tend to have my doubts, especially on the retail heavy buildings......when they build the 6 story office building, maybe......on a side note, NoFo is going in which is essentially independent, but I would assume that Grubb bought the buildings and paid for the upfit with their own money.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is True. BofA has their strings probably pretty tight on such a development and also wants some "Peace of Mind" with there money hanging out on a limb.

A2

[Miesian Corners]

Steven, sometimes you scare me (although not enough to stop you from taking photos of a bloody shopping mall ) You honestly can't put all retailers up on a pedestal, can you? <stepping up on the convienient soapbox beside my desk>I realize we live in a society of consumerism gone mad, but Nike isn't a great role model. I would love for them to live by their marketing tag-line. If they "Just did it", maybe someone in Southeast Asia could make a living wage. <stepping back down now>

Happy Friday everybody! Let's go have a locally brewed beer at a locally owned bar. If you're underage, have a Sundrop or Cheerwine.

[DigitalSky]

^lol i thought i was having deja vu seeing the same posts in 2 threads until i realized you deleted the other one

[spectacle21]

Along with NikeTown, I would REALLY love to see a Virgin MegaStore in the EpiCentre. I agree with most of you...the EpiCentre should be exclusively reserved for the classy commericalism, not the typical Gap, Abercrombie's, & so forth & so forth.

There should be stores there that attract everyone in the region to the Center City to engage in activities that are unique to other areas. So, my fantasy pick would be: NikeTown, Virgin MegaStore, Armani Exchange, & some kinda club/music area.

[StevenRocks]

Steven, sometimes you scare me (although not enough to stop you from taking photos of a bloody shopping mall    ) You honestly can't put all retailers up on a pedestal, can you? <stepping up on the convienient soapbox beside my desk>I realize we live in a society of consumerism gone mad, but Nike isn't a great role model. I would love for them to live by their marketing tag-line. If they "Just did it", maybe someone in Southeast Asia could make a living wage. <stepping back down now>

Happy Friday everybody! Let's go have a locally brewed beer at a locally owned bar. If you're underage, have a Sundrop or Cheerwine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<stepping up on the soapbox and putting on my "orator's face" >

I'm not trying to put Nike on a pedestal, Miesian Corners. I think it's reprehensible that Nike uses virtual slave labor to manufacture overpriced sneakers. But Nike's not the only target; it's just the biggest. If you tracked down the working conditions of Reebok, Asics, Adidas, and other companies, you'd see the same things happening there. It's not an excuse or a cop-out, it's a fact.

They have made strides to improve conditions (at least while the media was watching) and I applaud them for that. It doesn't excuse them, but it's a start.

Personally, I wear New Balance sneakers, manufactured by Americans in America B).

But the point isn't which company treats its workers the worst as much as which retailer makes a compelling enough reason for the averege citizen to shop at a retail site uptown. In those terms, a New Balance store doesn't have the drawing power of NikeTown, and even though it's not cool to its workers, Nike has the cool factor to get people to choose to visit EpiCentre.

<stepping down from the soapbox>

Had to get that off my chest, MC. I'll have my Cheerwine on the 'rocks'