Retail History in RP
From Carol Goldman
In response to Nico's Mom's comments below:
Some elements of my working hypothesis are that.....
a. there is concentration of high density, low income residences nearest the shopping streets.
b. the weathier people live in lower density areas father from the shopping streets.
c. people have developed the habit of going out of the neighborhood for retail, restaurants, etc.
d. due to the fact that RP was originally a suburb, there was never that much retail space to begin with, and other than Clark street, retailers are not persuaded there is enough traffic, car or pedestrian, to make their business viable."
e. Some of the existing zoning has allowed too much commercial use on the high traffic streets (the autobody shops on Clark for example) displacing other kinds of businesses.
I think that people have become accustomed to shopping outside the community because Howard and Morse are not attractive places to shop at present. Most no longer even think about those retail areas because there are so few stores open.
This community did support retail in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Just read my husband Sandy's opinion column titled "The Way It Was"
It reprints the sponsoring ads from the Field School newspaper in 1970.
Also read "Howard Street - A Helluva Street" and "The Morse Avenue Card Players" for more descriptions of the character and the characters of these once vibrant retail streets. For instance, it was almost impossible to park at 10 p.m. almost any night on Morse Ave. because of the crowds, flocking to Ashkenaze Deli and the other delis on the 1400 block of Morse.
8 comments:
I don't think I object to that idea either.
I work with a woman who grew up in this neighborhood- she's in her 50's now and she always tells me about Morse Ave: Ashkenaz and other stores. I'm sure many of you have seen the great book, "Neighborhoods within Neighborhoods", which illustrates the glory days of Morse Ave. & Howard Street.
I think the future holds good things for our neighborhood.
>This community did support retail in the 50's, 60's and 70's.
YES! And with FEWER people. Our elected officials count on us having no memory.
The "if you want retail, add people" idea is spin. For Moore and his developer pals and the MPC there is no problem that cannot be solved by giving free reign to developers. They are like the Bush administration:
Unrest in the Mideast? Drill in Alaska!
Energy independence? Drill in Alaska!
Hurricane strike? Drill in Alaska!
Balance of payment problems? Drill in Alaska!
Carol, thanks for pointing out those articles...I have come across them in the past, and I agree they are interesting. And I also agree with you and scandalous that people are out of the habit of shopping here because of concerns about security, lack of quality options, and just the general unpleasantness of some areas of these streets (loitering, dealing, etc.)
Clearly, the conditions that supported retail in the 50's 60's changed radically in the intervening years. So what happened?
As for the "if you want more retail, add more people" being spin...we that isn't what I suggested at all. I am just trying to understand what happened to cause the obvious decline in retail here, and whether this is a priority to voters in RP. Perhaps there are ways to attract better retail and services us here other than adding more population with more disposible income...if you have any ideas Hugh, I would like to hear them.
The Way It Was
Before the Broken Heart, before Forum 49, one of our neighbors decided to try to use that new "world-wide web" thingy to try to communicate, not so much with the whole wide world, as with his NEIGHBORS. His friends didn't understand what he was doing.
Everyone using their computers as one tool in building community in Rogers Park owes a huge debt to Sandy Goldman, the Original Rogers Park Community Curmudgeon. To be able to get away with what they get away with, our elected officials depend on us having weak memories. Sadly, they are usually correct to assume no one will remember what was true just a few years ago. One man is resisting that trend.
Learn what was in order to understand what could be. Learn your neighborhood's history. Please take some time to browse "The Way It Was."
http://andthatsmyopinion.com
I know we do not live in NY but I can't help but point out a major tactic that struggling neighborhoods used there to turn around the local economy. Through advertising, tax incentives, and an aggressive unified message from community leaders, they were able to get people to start spending money where they lived whenever possible. It really helps!
Also, when they ask for your zip at the stores, give it to them. That is how companies determine where they will build new stores. Ask your friends who already live near plenty of retail spaces to give our zip too. It's not just for those stores either. They sell the findings to independents who will pay top dollar to be the first ones in a new market.
I know that marketing and all that is kind of dirty business but we can use it to our advantage.
Another thing. I know I've mentioned this before but I have noticed a lot of work going on on at the Gateway Centers lower level on the southwest side facing the bus depot. It looks like 2 separate businesses are setting up shop. One of them may be a restaurant since there are three large exhaust hoods sitting inside the doors. The other has the framing for what looks like a counter with a door that leads to another room that is framed out for small offices. Any idea what these may be? I sent an email to DevCorp and got no response.
Here is the note I sent to DevCorp about Gateway development and the rather sad response:
Good Afternoon,
I live near Fargo and Greenview and I pass through Gateway Center's bus terminal every day going to and from work. Recently, I noticed that there has been a great deal of activity on the lower level in the southwest wing that faces the bus depot. I am quite interested to know what businesses are setting up shop. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.
Also, I initially tried to send this note to info@devcorpnorth.org but it was returned accounting to the mailbox being full.
Sincerely,
Michael K
Dear Michael -
Thanks for the email and follow up. I'll make sure that the info account gets cleared so others don't get that error message in the future. Based on a recent email from the leasing agent for Gateway, this is what I know:
An ordinance approving the vertical subdivision of the 3-story commercial building at Gateway Centre Plaza was passed at the September 14 city council meeting. Upon obtaining a recordable document, the closing will be scheduled for the sale to Life Storage Centers. Life Storage Centers is an upscale operator of environmentally controlled public storage space that will occupy approximately 104,000 square feet on the Paulina level of Gateway with their main office and retail sales at 7524 N. Paulina facing the plaza. Anticipated opening is January 2006.
On September 2, 2005, Spirit Halloween Stores opened for business in the 10,000 square foot space between Marshalls and Dominick's. This is a temporary lease through November 15, 2005. The leasing company is trying to identify a permanent tenant for this space.
There are currently three (3) leases and one (1) letter of intent currently under negotiation for space at the Gateway Centre and Gateway Centre Plaza.
The construction of the pedestrian walkway which will connect to the new Howard Street Terminal with the Gateway Centre atrium will be coordinated with the CTA during construction of their new building. Depending on the CTA timeline, the leasing agents do not foresee this construction beginning until 2007.
Hope this helps
Kimberly
A storage facility? That's the best we can do? I thought we weretrying to increase foot traffic and retail sales. Long term storage isn't the kind of bustling pedestrian business we need. If we're serious about attracting better business to this area we need to do far better than this. No wonder there are no "Coming Soon" signs. Noone wants to be Evanston's closet. What a joke.
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