I just saw that in my email. Moo-Ville has been a pretty nice success story. For a place located so far out by itself(intersection of M-66 & M-79), it does a lot of business. Nice to see that I will be able to get their ice cream without driving all the way out to Nashville now. :-) It should be an interesting store.
I just thought I'd let everyone know that a wireless store will be opening at 408 S Washington in October. I don't know how well they will do, but this would fill the only remaining storefront on Washington, and thats great news.
The 500 block likely won't see any major development until they do the CSO/streetscape work in 2013 (from Kalamazoo to 496.) Also, just FYI, the parking lot just north of the Downtown Party Store was sold to Abraham Realty, and I've been told that the owners of the Downtown Party Store want$1.5-$2 million for their property.
Hey everybody, longtime lurker, first-time poster. The downtown area is of special interest to me, so I thought I'd add to this conversation. There is a new vacant area down here... the Capital City Bookstore, open all of 9 months, just closed down on the corner of S Washington and Washtenaw. Really bums me out, too, because while it seems that most of our bars and restaurants here are doing OK, we can't seem to hold on to any long-term retail outlets.
I never really went t, or even noticed that store but I've been hearing people talk about it closing. It sucks that it closed but the little bookstores can't make it anymore, even the community newscenter in Frandor is closing.
I live 5 buildings down from Capital City Book Store and was also really sad to see it go. I bought 6 or 7 books there since I moved downtown, and I saw a few people in there every now and then. But it was often pretty empty. When they put up the store closing sign I talked with one of the employees and she said that another bookstore somewhere downtown had went under not long ago and that small bookstores just can't make it right now. Frankly, I don't think they advertised well (if at all). They had an AMAZING magazine selection, but no one knew they existed. Also, they were only opened 9-5ish and like LMich said there aren't enough people living in the area (YET) to support things like this.
This is why I am very excited about the Capitol Club Tower, because just as much as I want a new high rise to go up, I want to get more people living downtown. Once there is a large enough regular population in the area, things other than clubs and bars will be able to survive.
I've often thought the Knapps would make an awesome Target, like the one in downtown Minneapolis (I think its their flagship store)...
unfortunately, the cost to control that building are a small fraction of the issues when you look into the cost to redevelop, parking issues, and demographic issues for that kind of user.
Comments
I never really went t, or even noticed that store but I've been hearing people talk about it closing. It sucks that it closed but the little bookstores can't make it anymore, even the community newscenter in Frandor is closing.
I live 5 buildings down from Capital City Book Store and was also really sad to see it go. I bought 6 or 7 books there since I moved downtown, and I saw a few people in there every now and then. But it was often pretty empty. When they put up the store closing sign I talked with one of the employees and she said that another bookstore somewhere downtown had went under not long ago and that small bookstores just can't make it right now. Frankly, I don't think they advertised well (if at all). They had an AMAZING magazine selection, but no one knew they existed. Also, they were only opened 9-5ish and like LMich said there aren't enough people living in the area (YET) to support things like this.
This is why I am very excited about the Capitol Club Tower, because just as much as I want a new high rise to go up, I want to get more people living downtown. Once there is a large enough regular population in the area, things other than clubs and bars will be able to survive.
unfortunately, the cost to control that building are a small fraction of the issues when you look into the cost to redevelop, parking issues, and demographic issues for that kind of user.