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pedantic_comments t1_iy0yn1h wrote

Reply to comment by BurghPuppies in Article about the terminal building development. Thoughts? by _koopatroopa_

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.

https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/white-whale-allegations-only-part-of-ongoing-issues-with-the-terminal-development-project/Content?oid=19420979

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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.

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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.

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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.

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