Jump to content

The State of Downtown Retail

GvilleSC

By GvilleSC
in Greenville

 Share

Recommended Posts


  • Replies 3.9k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

gman430
gman430

1. IMO…this forum needs some negativity once in a while. All of the positivity all of the time with making Greenville look like the perfect Utopia is honestly boring and makes me feel like I need to b

vicupstate
vicupstate

The Teal clad building at N. Main and E. North will soon get a new façade. It will go before DRB next month.  They informally reviewed it today.  Top two floors will have windows for a change.   

GVLer
GVLer

Seriously?? First of all, what is the City supposed to do to ensure a business succeeds? Some are thriving and some do not make it....that is called capitalism. If downtown was dirty, crime ridden, or

Posted Images

RiverWalker Whistle-Stop

RiverWalker

Posted
Posted

"Dunkin' Donuts franchisee files for bankruptcy," according to Greenville News (http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090708/BUSINESS/907080339)

The article says that "Kainos Partners Holding Company LLC... hopes to complete the Dunkin' Donuts restaurant it began building in downtown Greenville, though no decision has been made."

Although I prefer Dunkin Donuts over Krispy Kreme, I wouldn't be all that disappointed at not having a DD store in downtown. Actually, I'd be kind of glad, as I don't like the stores' gaudy color scheme. However, I don't like seeing vacant storefronts on Main Street. That particular one is in a very prominent and highly visible location, and its status probably won't be resolved for quite a while. I expect that, eventually, the "Coming Soon" signs, which have been up for more than a year, will be replaced with "Available" - not a good sign at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gs3 Metropolitan Area

gs3

Posted
Posted

"Dunkin' Donuts franchisee files for bankruptcy," according to Greenville News (http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090708/BUSINESS/907080339)

The article says that "Kainos Partners Holding Company LLC... hopes to complete the Dunkin' Donuts restaurant it began building in downtown Greenville, though no decision has been made."

Although I prefer Dunkin Donuts over Krispy Kreme, I wouldn't be all that disappointed at not having a DD store in downtown. Actually, I'd be kind of glad, as I don't like the stores' gaudy color scheme. However, I don't like seeing vacant storefronts on Main Street. That particular one is in a very prominent and highly visible location, and its status probably won't be resolved for quite a while. I expect that, eventually, the "Coming Soon" signs, which have been up for more than a year, will be replaced with "Available" - not a good sign at all.

I was reading an article, not actually related to Greenville, but it was about corporate bankruptcies. It mentioned Dunkin Donuts and said that 3 major franchisees of the brand have filed bankruptcy in the last month. Maybe the current naional economic situation is having a positive side effect and pushing people to spend less on heart clogging fast junk food?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GvilleSC Megalopolis

GvilleSC

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I believe so. :ermm:

Well, we can't say it's a bad location. Restaurants (Compadre's and Liberty Tap Room) are thriving.

Retail down there is an interesting matter, though. In one view, it's not the best location due to its somewhat 'isolated' nature (in terms of other storefronts, and especially retail spots). On the other hand, parking is more readily available than other parts of downtown. And, please note that 'more' is being used in a relative sense in this statement.

I walked by Qwickee's (or whatever their name is) tonight. I did not go inside, but the door was open. The interior definitely had some work left to be done, but it appeared to be in business. It seemed to be organized and clean. Since the owners were not bright enough to go through the DPC before painting their storefront, I definitely question their business plan/model. We'll see what happens.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RestedTraveler Metropolis

RestedTraveler

Posted
Posted

I often ride my bike past the Field House and have on several occasions seen ladies walking to and from Sarah from the rest of the shops on Main and Augusta. I agree, that they could've used more storefronts on that block.

I agree - but parking was needed for the Field House residents. Although I'd hate to see some of the businesses on the other side of Main Street displaced, could you imagine that entire side lined with storefronts and office/condo space above them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GvilleSC Megalopolis

GvilleSC

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I recently hit up Ocha with some friends for a late afternoon bubble tea. Of course, the product was delicious, but I wanted to post on here to say that their business was booming. It was a Monday about 5pm and a nearly constant stream of customers were flowing through. :thumbsup: Also, Blueberry Frog was doing some constant business late Sunday afternoon. And, of course, Spill The Beans was like a revolving door...

Has anyone checked out the art space at the Terrace at Riverplace? I've not, but was wondering how it compares to Arts Crossing at the Riverhouse... :dontknow:

Edited by GvilleSC
Link to comment
Share on other sites
goodbye Metropolitan Area

goodbye

Posted
Posted

I recently hit up Ocha with some friends for a late afternoon bubble tea. Of course, the product was delicious, but I wanted to post on here to say that their business was booming. It was a Monday about 5pm and a nearly constant stream of customers were flowing through. :thumbsup: Also, Blueberry Frog was doing some constant business late Sunday afternoon. And, of course, Spill The Beans was like a revolving door...

Has anyone checked out the art space at the Terrace at Riverplace? I've not, but was wondering how it compares to Arts Crossing at the Riverhouse... :dontknow:

You need to drop in a give Healthy Lounge some business. That place is awesome! They serve great 100% natural recovery and meal replacement shakes, plus those massage chairs are incredible for the price. I haven't tried the oxygen yet... Definitely a great business on the river! :shades:
Link to comment
Share on other sites
gman430 Megalopolis

gman430

Posted
Posted

I think they are usually closed on Monday. :unsure:

The H2H move sounds very interesting -- or is this a new place with a similar name? I'd wonder why they canned the plan to move next door. Surely the former Latitude location will serve such a business well though. :thumbsup:

I think it is H2H now that you mention it. The sign is up either in the space where Latitude was or next to it in the same building.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GvilleSC Megalopolis

GvilleSC

Posted
  • Author
Posted

WYFF4 is reporting that the Vacuum and Sewing Center on Augusta Street next to Mellow Mushroom is closing. The Mom and Pop shop has been a fixture in the West End for decades.

While I hate to see locally owned businesses close, I'm very much interested in what this could mean for Augusta Street. The location is great. A strong retail store would be wonderful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Greenville City

Greenville

Posted
Posted

WYFF4 is reporting that the Vacuum and Sewing Center on Augusta Street next to Mellow Mushroom is closing. The Mom and Pop shop has been a fixture in the West End for decades.

While I hate to see locally owned businesses close, I'm very much interested in what this could mean for Augusta Street. The location is great. A strong retail store would be wonderful.

I think we can all agree that it's been a nice run (especially for a vacuum and sewing store). :)

That seems like the kind of place in which American Apparel likes to locate...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GvilleSC Megalopolis

GvilleSC

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Agreed on having had a good run! :thumbsup:

Whatever moves in/whoever buys the building, I'd like to see them embrace the rear of their building. The West End Market does a great job of addressing all sides, but it's the only one on its block to do so. Perhaps if a few others would also offer something at that rear parking level, we'd see a lower turnover rate for that lower space. (of course, not all of the establishment failed due to the location, ex: the Chicken and Waffles place).

Anyway, I'm hoping for retail or perhaps a place of live entertainment. With the Warehouse Theater next door, something complementary could really offer a great one-two punch on Augusta Street!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RiverWalker Whistle-Stop

RiverWalker

Posted
Posted

The H2H move sounds very interesting -- or is this a new place with a similar name? I'd wonder why they canned the plan to move next door. Surely the former Latitude location will serve such a business well though.

A visit to Halfway to Habana's web site (http://www.halfwaytohabana.com) reveals this announcement: "GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! HALFWAY TO HABANA IS MOVING TO OUR NEW LOCATION ON SEPTEMBER 1-- 631 S. MAIN ST. GREENVILLE IN THE HISTORIC WESTEND. CIGARS/MARTINI'S/SCOTCH/BOURBON/COGNAC."

I'm not a regular cigar smoker, but I do enjoy a good martini, and I'm looking forward to entertaining out-of-town business associates there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gs3 Metropolitan Area

gs3

Posted
Posted

WYFF4 is reporting that the Vacuum and Sewing Center on Augusta Street next to Mellow Mushroom is closing. The Mom and Pop shop has been a fixture in the West End for decades.

While I hate to see locally owned businesses close, I'm very much interested in what this could mean for Augusta Street. The location is great. A strong retail store would be wonderful.

This is good news to hear. Great spot for some retail better suited to what West End has become.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.