The State of Downtown Retail

[gs3]

So I say all of that to say this: if a local retailer is good at what they do, and offer consumers something they really like, they don't have to worry about national chains. It's the local retailers who don't really have a good product and/or have not marketed their product well who should be concerned. And is it really our job to intervene?

Well said!

I would hope the influx of national retailers would force all locals to sharpen their product/marketing. It can be a win for all.

[GvilleSC]

Excellent points. Well said.

[btoy]

Any one who this that nationals will be the death of local retail just needs to look at the number of local's in The Shopes at Greenridge. Nationals can create greater foot traffic which means more shoppers and higher sales hopefully.

[gman430]

A new ummm...place called Blueberryfrog will be going where Munchies was.

[benjamesriddle]

Interesting Name... another frilly shop maybe?

[Greenville]

A new ummm...place called Blueberryfrog will be going where Munchies was.

Frogs never sounded appetizing until these innovative people decided to put blueberries on 'em!

[goodbye]

Evolve Male is on West Washington Street across from Wild Wing Cafe while Reys Market & Deli is located where Venti used to be on North Main Street. There is also a new cuban restaurant on East Broad Street in that 1-2 story building next to the Elliott Davis building.

I think they may use the famous old Rey's Jeweler's sign again, whether as it hung outside that same building before or perhaps in a new fashion. I would be thrilled to see those large letters back out over the sidewalk once again, all lit up after dark.

Evolve Male has been there for quite a while now.

Edited October 2, 2008 by Skyliner

[adrockc2]

I think they may use the famous old Rey's Jeweler's sign again, whether as it hung outside that same building before or perhaps in a new fashion. I would be thrilled to see those large letters back out over the sidewalk once again, all lit up after dark.

What I have heard is that the letters will be inside of the store. The owners originally wanted to use them outside but the only way the city would allow a neon sign is if it was restored completely back to the way it used to be. The cost of doing so was to much, so it will be inside.

[GvilleSC]

What I have heard is that the letters will be inside of the store. The owners originally wanted to use them outside but the only way the city would allow a neon sign is if it was restored completely back to the way it used to be. The cost of doing so was to much, so it will be inside.

The City should provide some sort of incentives for restoring it. Maybe give them a grant for its funding, or giving them a financial break somewhere... I'd love to see that added back to Main St, though I can't say I know what it looks like...

[adrockc2]

I can't really find a picture of Rey's online so I scanned one from the Coxe Collection.

Edited October 2, 2008 by adrockc2

[gman430]

That is one big sign. Just imagine Heidi Aiken's reaction if it were to go up outside.

[gs3]

What I have heard is that the letters will be inside of the store. The owners originally wanted to use them outside but the only way the city would allow a neon sign is if it was restored completely back to the way it used to be. The cost of doing so was to much, so it will be inside.

Peek inside the front window of the store. The metal frame of the sign is already up on one of the interior exposed brick walls near the front entrance. Looks cool.

[gs3]

Liquid Highway was going to open today, but there were still a few small things to do. It should be opening tomorrow (Tuesday).

Have you guys been busy? Noticed you were open this morning, but already had coffee from ABC. I'll start stopping by Liquid Highway tomorrow. Great addition to Main Street.

[gman430]

Blueberryfrog is going to be a high end frozen yogurt shop similar to the pinkberry concept along the west coast.

Edited October 3, 2008 by citylife

[benjamesriddle]

Is Reys the wine and cheese shop / high end market that was on the slate?

[goodbye]

Is Reys the wine and cheese shop / high end market that was on the slate?

Correct, according to the information we received. I remember the small discussion about a wine bar directly over a wine and cheese shop. As before, I only hope this one remains much longer than the former Bottles & Baskets store a couple blocks up Main.

What does everyone think about the new Spill The Beans store? I reminds me of a small caf

[gs3]

Blueberryfrog is going to be a high end frozen yogurt shop similar to the pinkberry concept along the west coast.

Very, very cool. Love Pinkberry. Always refreshing to see local Greenvillians keeping up with the trends, especially West Coast trends.

Love the "froyo" lingo used at Pinkberry!

[GVLbikeNboard]

Have you guys been busy? Noticed you were open this morning, but already had coffee from ABC. I'll start stopping by Liquid Highway tomorrow. Great addition to Main Street.

It hasn't been too busy, but today was the first official day open. Yesterday things were getting finished and touched up for the most part. We had the debate on the TVs tonight and probably 30-40 people were there to watch so that definitely helped! It is a great addition and an awesome location. The owner of Coffee Underground stopped by today and seemed to like it!

What does everyone think about the new Spill The Beans store? I reminds me of a small caf

[gs3]

It hasn't been too busy, but today was the first official day open. Yesterday things were getting finished and touched up for the most part. We had the debate on the TVs tonight and probably 30-40 people were there to watch so that definitely helped! It is a great addition and an awesome location. The owner of Coffee Underground stopped by today and seemed to like it!

Well if the debate didn't do anything else, it helped your business.

How late will the downtown location be open? 9, 10, 11?

[GVLbikeNboard]

Well if the debate didn't do anything else, it helped your business.

How late will the downtown location be open? 9, 10, 11?

On weeknights it's open until 9pm. Weekends I think it's still 9 for now, but that will most likely change to 10 or 11 depending on how things are going.

[gs3]

[GvilleSC]

I guess the sewage problems haven't caused any significant problems for DD? (that was this building right?)

[GvilleSC]

This isn't necessarily retail, but it's general downtown business at the street level, so I guess it fits...

Someone is proposing a bar for 100 East North Street in downtown. This will be at the corner of Brown Street and E North Street. Some of the adjacent properties are Dixie's Tavern, and the Brown Street Club. They are applying to the Board of Zoning for this approval. They say they're aiming to attract an older crowd.

You can check out their application here: http://www.greatergreenville.com/city_gove...EastNorthSt.pdf

I hope they approve it. It seems very appropriate with Dixie's being across the street and the Brown Street Club close by. Looking at the satellite image of this area, there's some prime real estate that is asphalt. I love the visual experience of North Street from Richardson to Spring Street. Developing those lots would definitely add a lot to that experience and enhance the life (which, currently is mainly a late evening one).

Edited October 26, 2008 by GvilleSC

[Greenville]

This isn't necessarily retail, but it's general downtown business at the street level, so I guess it fits...

Someone is proposing a bar for 100 East North Street in downtown. This will be at the corner of Brown Street and E North Street. Some of the adjacent properties are Dixie's Tavern, and the Brown Street Club. They are applying to the Board of Zoning for this approval. They say they're aiming to attract an older crowd.

You can check out their application here: http://www.greatergreenville.com/city_gove...EastNorthSt.pdf

I hope they approve it. It seems very appropriate with Dixie's being across the street and the Brown Street Club close by. Looking at the satellite image of this area, there's some prime real estate that is asphalt. I love the visual experience of North Street from Richardson to Spring Street. Developing those lots would definitely add a lot to that experience and enhance the life (which, currently is mainly a late evening one).

I like this idea. In fact, I wonder if this stretch of East North Street (and side streets, like Brown Street) could become somewhat of a downtown "nightlife district" like we have talked about before. I would never want it to detract from the good bars and clubs found throughout Center City and the West End, but East North Street would definitely be a good area for this use since it's a currently underutilized area off of Main. Increasing foot traffic and updating it would be great - especially for future developments on this road like the federal courthouse and Gateway site.

[gman]

Great. That's all we need downtown, more drunks walking the streets.