Downtown Tourism impacts on Retail Issues

[mallguy]

At least in the 1980s, the downtown trolley used to run to Lewis Plaza. Not sure why it stopped- maybe lack of funds. I agree it would be a good idea to connect both, particularly given the growth of downtown retail and the West End since the '80s.

[charlie swords]

Out of curiosity, why is a barber a slap in the face of downtown? Are folks downtown, so benighted that they don't need discount hair cuts, or is it a symbol of progress to have boutique salons where the same hair cut costs $50?

There are already Great Clips at the Shops of Greenridge, Cherrydale, Verdae, and Millstone Plaza off Pelham Road

[linkerjpatrick]

So what we really need downtown is a high class Tatoo parlor? Right?

[charlie swords]

So what we really need downtown is a high class Tatoo parlor? Right?

[goodbye]

would there be anything wrong with that?

there are some really nie, clean shops that actually employee good artists...not like the ones popping up in easley and spratanburg that will hire any hack that has been working out of they're kitchen....no thanks i'll keep driving to Asheville.

I think a nice shop downtown would do really well and probably draw in a different type of crowd downtown...unfortunately i dont think the city will ever allow it because everybody seems to think tattoos are for low lifes and degenerates.....some people are just narrow minded and cant get they're heads out of they're rears.

[TREY]

At the DPC meeting yesterday the owner of Ivy color salon (118 main street) was there and spoke about her new business.

The main thing a found interesting was this was not going to be a spa or hair salon but a retail outlet for Aveda products.

According to the owner this is a unique location for a retail Aveda outlet and the Aveda people had to visit Greenville to give its approval. This kind of Aveda store is usually located in a mall with other ladies mid- to high end stores. Could this be the first national retailer- mall type store Downtown?

[charlie swords]

Actually, the City just did allow it, and they will hold any new tattoo parlor to strict standards.

[gs3]

At the DPC meeting yesterday the owner of Ivy color salon (118 main street) was there and spoke about her new business.

The main thing a found interesting was this was not going to be a spa or hair salon but a retail outlet for Aveda products.

According to the owner this is a unique location for a retail Aveda outlet and the Aveda people had to visit Greenville to give its approval. This kind of Aveda store is usually located in a mall with other ladies mid- to high end stores. Could this be the first national retailer- mall type store Downtown?

[goodbye]

yes they are allowng it in the city but not downtown....

"Both sides of the debate found comfort in several revisions made to the ordinance. One revision keeps tattoo shops one-half mile away from "emphasis neighborhoods" like the downtown area."

[mallguy]

This is good news; there is an Aveda store on Fifth Avenue at about 19th Street in Manhattan, which is a pretty good shopping district.

Any news on the Woolworth redevelopment? (That was probably the last national retailer downtown until the early 2000s, curiously enough.)

[DealMan]

Everyone lets not get too excited. This is a salon that happens to carry Aveda Products, not an Aveda Store. It is similar to a clothing store that carries Lucky Brand Jeans. It is not the store, they are merely a licensed dealer for the product. This happens all the time with salons.

[gs3]

At the DPC meeting yesterday the owner of Ivy color salon (118 main street) was there and spoke about her new business.

The main thing a found interesting was this was not going to be a spa or hair salon but a retail outlet for Aveda products.

According to the owner this is a unique location for a retail Aveda outlet and the Aveda people had to visit Greenville to give its approval. This kind of Aveda store is usually located in a mall with other ladies mid- to high end stores. Could this be the first national retailer- mall type store Downtown?

[goodbye]

Isn't there already an Aveda store in Haywood Mall? If so, it wouldn't be very surprising to see one come Downtown, assuming the owners have been around town.

[DealMan]

Basically the way it works is that the owner of the salon signs a licensing agreement to carry Aveda products. They will also most likely sign vending agreements with Paul Mitchell, and other high end hair product retailers. I would say that it is an honor to be able to carry these products, but it is nowhere close to being able to get an actualy Aveda store downtown.

This is similar to the fact that you can walk into a Discount Tire, and pick from 20 different brands of tires, or you can walk into a department store and by 100 brands of clothing.

[TREY]

Everyone lets not get too excited. This is a salon that happens to carry Aveda Products, not an Aveda Store. It is similar to a clothing store that carries Lucky Brand Jeans. It is not the store, they are merely a licensed dealer for the product. This happens all the time with salons.

[goodbye]

It is a big deal as it will fill an empty storefront on Main Street with products people buy. With new wealthy residents and many more visitors on the way, I am glad something of this nature is coming back to Main Street, the center of quality urban lifestyle in the Upstate.

[DealMan]

Skyliner that is a great point, and I totally agree. I am excited that another unique concept is coming to downtown Greenville. The momentum is building!!