Submitted by _koopatroopa_ t3_z6850r in pittsburgh
BurghPuppies t1_iy0hqnd wrote
It’s so interesting to read people’s thoughts on what “should” be in the Terminal. One poster said it should have speciality shops and eateries, while dismissing the shops & eateries that are there. Another said it should be Chanel, Prada, or Burberry; trust me folks, those brands pick where THEY want to go, the Strip is a LONG way from being a destination for them.
My favorite, though, is decrying the lack of local businesses without knowing which businesses, if any, have inquired about space there. What would you all like, a Brighton Hot Dogs shop? A local tanning shop? A locally owned Supercuts?
Premium retail space in malls all over the US is vacant, of course this is going to fill up slowly. And bad news, long time Strip residents — you’re not the target demographic. It’s the 25-38 childless residents who moved from the West Coast, NY, and Chicago into all those new buildings you hate.
pedantic_comments t1_iy0yn1h wrote
There was an article about how they baited White Whale and gave the space to a chain.
I don’t think anyone would think twice about this space if the developers didn’t fuck with local businesses in addition to not renting to them.
BurghPuppies t1_iy0ztju wrote
Hadn’t seen that, definitely playing winner take all real estate there. I’m not familiar with White Whale, but I’m sure Posman’s has deeper pockets… which certainly goes against the narrative the landlord is pushing. Either way, a bookstore will be gone in <3 years anyway because people (especially that demographic) download books instead of buying actual paper.
pedantic_comments t1_iy10lm6 wrote
White Whale is expanding and hosting readings and a coffee bar. I don’t think you know what you’re talking about.
BurghPuppies t1_iy15juv wrote
Maybe I don’t, I mean, I did say I wasn’t familiar with them.
But having been in the book business for over 15 years, maybe I do. It’s been a few years, but things haven’t changed that much. With a low ticket product like that, especially when going against online sales and an industry leader that discounts bestsellers heavily, you need foot traffic & lots of it. We’ll see.
Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 t1_iy0lp01 wrote
I think a mix of local shops and eateries would be nice. Citygrows, Pip & Lola and Herbert’s Pharmacy are a great start, but let’s keep adding actual local places not locally own franchises.
BurghPuppies t1_iy0m4t0 wrote
I’m fine with that, but it takes two to tango. Let’s see what local businesses step up, too.
Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 t1_iy0mk6j wrote
As I said in another comment, the rent is probably astronomical for a small local businesses or startup. I don’t think it is a matter of small businesses stepping up so much as the landlord has made it impossible.
BurghPuppies t1_iy0nbgg wrote
That’s why some of us live in Carrick, and some of us live in Fox Chapel. The landlord is trying to get tenants that suit their new space and their emerging demographic. If they charge cheap rent they get airbrush T-shirt shops like Pittsburgh Mills or Century III. Plus, they get to make money too.
It’s a calculated risk, because my gut tells me they’ve overpriced themselves during this real estate price explosion. But it’s a business.
Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 t1_iy0nknd wrote
You’re acting like the landlord doesn’t have a say over applicants. “This airbrush t- shirt shop applied, have to let them in!” 😂
BurghPuppies t1_iy0nv5n wrote
Of course they do, but so did C3 & the Mills. Setting the rent high is a business calculation. We’ll see how far their standards fall if they can’t fill those spaces. Could become Penn Ave.
Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 t1_iy0u5s8 wrote
Those are malls in random suburbs. The Strip has been a destination for how long? They have built countless luxury apartments in the neighborhood over the last decade. I highly doubt this is going to turn into the Pittsburgh Mills anytime soon.
BurghPuppies t1_iy0w10f wrote
I didn’t say it was going to, I said there’s a reason rents are high and showed an example of what happens when landlords get desperate for tenants and lower both rent & standards. And I commented further up in the thread about the new housing and demographic, and how that’s the reason for the high rent.
And while the Strip is a destination, there’s really only one street that’s even close to a retail destination. Two different things.
thecrowfly t1_iy1wp66 wrote
I would like a Brighton Hot Dog shop there.
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