Retail in Richmond

[burt]

Willow Lawn Shopping Center, between West Broad Street and Monument Avenue just west of Staples Mill Road is reconfiguring itself to its original open-air-life-style-center lay-out. During its glory years, The Willow Lawn Theatre was one of Richmond's prime movie houses. "The Sound of Music" enjoyed a two-year run there and it hosted many other first-run films prior to its demolition several years ago.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/business/2010/nov/05/mall05-ar-632826/

[StevenRocks]

A commenter on the article said it best. Willow Lawn has more lives than a cat.

[wrldcoupe4]

Once they take the interior portion down and move tenants to the outside, occupancy should be close to 100% for the retail.

[StevenRocks]

The enclosure never did what it meant to accomplish. There was an increase in traffic for a while, but when JCPenney left for Virginia Center Commons and Hess's became Leggett, then Belk, then Dillard's and closed, its days as a regional center were numbered at best.

[burt]

"My Macy's" concept arrives in Richmond area stores.

From Lou Llovio's Biz Buzz column in today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2010/nov/15/buzz15-ar-653057/

[burt]

Richmond has been chosen to be among 19 large US cities to sell Ford Focus electric cars in 2011.

From this afternoon's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/nov/15/fordgat08-ar-654565/

[StevenRocks]

I wonder why it took Macy's four years to figure out tailoring the assortment to the local market might be a good idea.

[burt]

Martin's fails to meet profit it had expected.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2010/nov/19/b-earn19-ar-663342/

[StevenRocks]

I figure some of the weaker Martin's locations won't survive and that customers who hold ill feelings either from Ukrop's closing or Martin's coming in are defecting to chains like Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods.

[wrldcoupe4]

Given the majority of my experiences at Martin's since they converted the stores, I'm hardly surprised. Freshness, quality, and service have all suffered. Kroger stepped up their game significantly and Martin's blew a huge opportunity.

Here's hoping Wegman's comes further south at some point.

[StevenRocks]

It's not suprising. Kroger has been the dominant grocer on this side of the state for decades because they've constantly one-upping the competition. They tend to offer more variety than the upscale brands with similar quality and service, and they've even fought back against Walmart by pushing loss leaders and renovating stores.

[burt]

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports just opened a new 8,300 s/f store in Town Center West. Based in Charlottesville, the company says Richmond is one of its best performing locations. The new store is next to Plaza Azteca Mexican restaurant which is also a new tenant at TCWest

Town Center West is just beyond Short Pump Town Center and has access to SPTC's ring road.

Since the opening of the Hilton Hotel, TCW has attracted several new retail stores and restaurants.

[StevenRocks]

The Hilton is a great anchor for the TCW project. I really enjoyed my stay there.

[NYCJSW]

Martin's fails to meet profit it had expected.

From yesterday's RTD:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2010/nov/19/b-earn19-ar-663342/

To the best of my knowledge in the 3rd qrt last year Ukrop's made about $140 million. That is a big drop (to $114 million in 2010) considering they are now opened on Sunday and sell beer/wine.

[burt]

PASSO PER PASSO, a Swiss shoe boutique, has opened its first US store at Short Pump Town Center. It is on the second level next to Nordstrom.

Passo per Passo ("step by step") sells shoes and handbags made in Italy and will carry styles for men and women.

[burt]

PASSO PER PASSO, a Swiss shoe boutique, has opened its first US store at Short Pump Town Center. It is on the second level next to Nordstrom.

Passo per Passo ("step by step") sells shoes and handbags made in Italy and will carry styles for men and women.

Note to StevenRocks: I'm sure you would like more info on this Swiss company. I don't know how to highlight portions of stories, so scroll down in Lou Llovio's BizBuzz column to "Short Pump Shoes"

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...zz29-ar-681347/

Also, note to 540_804: If you scroll down in this story to the end you can read all about your newest brain-freeze site at Main and Madison.

Edited December 1, 2010 by burt

[StevenRocks]

It sounds like a cool concept but I don't see Passo per Passo sticking around long. Stores like that usually work better in smaller malls.

[wrldcoupe4]

Should have gone to Stony Point...

[StevenRocks]

Something needs to go to Stony Point. That Dillard's wing is a little sparse.

[wrldcoupe4]

Cinebistro is open in that wing now, which should draw more traffic and attract more tenants there. I've heard they are doing well so far.

[jbjust]

What exactly are you hearing on Cinebistro?

I hope and pray that it revives that wing of Stony Point. I feel like there is a tipping point for malls after which they can't be pulled out of their death spiral and I'm hoping the Cinebistro is the first step in turning the retail side of that mall around.

[burt]

Cinebistro is open in that wing now, which should draw more traffic and attract more tenants there. I've heard they are doing well so far.

Perhaps a few of the upper end shops will shift operations to Stony Point Fashion Park if Taubman pulls out of Regency Square.

If Cinebistro continues to do well with its entry actually within the center rather than facing the parking lots, traffic should pick up at the Dillards end of SPFP. I'm told that Saks Fifth Avenue, Brooks Brothers and other high end retailers do pretty well at the other end.

[StevenRocks]

Good to hear. I haven't been to Stony Point in a long while.

[burt]

Burlington Coat Factory will open a third store in the Richmond market. It will occupy a former Dillards at Virginia Center Commons between US 1 (Brook Road) and I-95 near I-295 north of the city. The large shopping center had two Dillards but closed one of them some months ago.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...-com-ar-704097/

Edited December 9, 2010 by burt

[StevenRocks]

Uh, yay?

I guess it's better than a empty anchor, but Burlington Coat Factory isn't very fun or interesting. Good for Virginia Center, though.