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tesla3by3 t1_j9svciu wrote

There is no single cause. Some of the reasons:

Owner retires and children don’t want to take over and can’t find a buyer

Rising rents

Rising costs from distributors

Rising wages /“No one wants to work! /s”

Availability of groceries at stores like Family Dollar, RiteAid, Target. Aldi.

Inability of a corner store to compete with the above on price and or selection

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verdesquared4533 t1_j9tfuys wrote

Add that many of these type of markets are not permitted by zoning and if a potential owner needs a variance, NIMBYs will most likely kill it.

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enemy_of_your_enema t1_j9uumta wrote

Yes - with newer residential developments like Summerset at Frick Park, I don't get why they don't include a bodega and a coffee shop in the original design. Especially developments like this that advertise walkability but failed to include anything to walk to.

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JustHereForTheSaul t1_j9v5lv2 wrote

You can walk around the plan to get your steps in once you've finished driving to all your daily needs.

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MammothBobcat7198 t1_j9vj8xw wrote

Considering that Summerset fought against having PAT bus service to the neighborhood, I doubt they'd want any retail there either.

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verdesquared4533 t1_j9veujg wrote

Interesting. I wonder what the number of households a small shop would need to stay viable? A shop internal to Summerset wouldn't be a destination place unless they are doing something really well, so it would depend on residents keeping it open.

The new cafe at the corner at Maryland and Walnut seems to fit this description? I wonder if they know where the customer base in coming from.

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HarpPgh OP t1_j9tlv5v wrote

You make great points. I think the battle of rents, price of food, wages, and aging owners really play a part. Especially the Bloomfield and Shadyside cases like the ones I mentioned above. Sadly I think we’ve all just accepted Dollar General’s invading our communities. Everything has its place, but unfortunately, the most nutritious product you’re able to get from these places may be Kraft Mac n’ Cheese.

That being said, these places are thriving in places less dense and more impoverished than Pittsburgh and that’s what really makes me scratch my head. Especially within the last 20 years with how much support for self sufficient business districts have been regenerated and walking/biking within neighborhoods have come back around.

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tesla3by3 t1_j9tzo6a wrote

>these places are thriving in places less dense and more impoverished than Pittsburgh

The traditional food stores (supermarkets, chain convenience stores) tend to avoid impoverished areas, so the local bodegas there face less competition. And lower income folks are less likely to be able to travel to a full service grocery store. (no car, poor public transit). The lower density areas also tend to have less public transit options.

Maybe these are some of the reasons they are thriving in the cities you mentioned? In addition to the reasons I mentioned previously?

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