When's Downtown Detroit Retail going to happen

**preserve** · July-02-13, 09:22 AM

Detroit just isn't user friendly. We tried to shop on Woodward during the holidays, but finding a place to park and then worrying about our time running out and spotting all those little white cars driven by devils on a mission was
very trying. Did manage to get into the Detroit Shoppe and the Somerset
stores, but couldn't stop to eat or drink, cause we had a 3 block run back to the parking meter. I think any retail would have to just be for the folks that work or live in the area. So what is that?

**Zug** · July-02-13, 09:47 AM

Ann Arbor, Birmingham & Royal Oak are the same...yet I don't see that preventing people from visiting. Downtowns in general are not driver friendly. I tend to agree that it would be nice to have free parking, but if there was free parking, then you'd never see an empty space to park in when you visit because others would park and never leave, lol.

**southen** · July-02-13, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by preserve

Detroit just isn't user friendly. We tried to shop on Woodward during the holidays, but finding a place to park and then worrying about our time running out and spotting all those little white cars driven by devils on a mission was
very trying. Did manage to get into the Detroit Shoppe and the Somerset
stores, but couldn't stop to eat or drink, cause we had a 3 block run back to the parking meter. I think any retail would have to just be for the folks that work or live in the area. So what is that?

if you are shopping for the holidays and potentially staying around for a drink or to eat is it really too much to pop $10 for a parking garage downtown? its an urban environment, i think people need to realize its not like going to a mall...

**jaytheory** · July-02-13, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by corktownyuppie

Downtown residents is a factor, but is not going to be the primary factor, as evidenced by Whole Foods which is ridiculously busy no matter what time of day or night or weekday/weekend I go.

Whatever will be next will do well if it can simultaneously appeal to:

- college students [[who spend money even though they show up as very low income)
- health care professionals who would rather shop at a store close to work rather than close to home
- Detroiters out in the neighborhoods who would rather shop in the city than crossing over into the nearest suburb
- Hipsters and Yuppies flooding Downtown
- Tourists in town on business or to get to a sports/cultural attraction

I'm not a retail guy, so I don't know what that would be...but any retailer that can be simultaneously be popular for all of the above will make a killing.

simple....Target

**TexasT** · July-02-13, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by jaytheory

simple....Target

I would love for a CityTarget to open up.

**daveyarm** · July-02-13, 01:46 PM

Has anyone mentioned the ”Z" building? It is about 25%-30% done, and will feature 30,000 square feet of retail.

**Zug** · July-02-13, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by daveyarm

Has anyone mentioned the ”Z" building? It is about 25%-30% done, and will feature 30,000 square feet of retail.

And it has parking.

**gnome** · July-02-13, 02:19 PM

Birmingham and Royal Oak both offer free parking in their ramps. Bham gives 2 hrs free and RO, 1 hr.

It has taken years to get people to park in those ramps, but I believe it is quite effective in getting folks to shop in those respective towns.

**48205to24** · July-02-13, 02:46 PM

Metro Detroiters and city folk are accustomed to pulling into the parking lot of the nearest big box or mall going in and coming out with everything we need. Main Streets such as those in Royal Oak work but people still park closest to the stores/places they want to visit. If Detroit could clean up its parking lots and garages and cluster the retail together that would work. But you cant force people to walk if they dont want to.

**daddeeo** · July-02-13, 02:49 PM

When hell freezes over. Who's going to put up with five finger discounts and insurance costs?

Originally Posted by 48205to24

Metro Detroiters and city folk are accustomed to pulling into the parking lot of the nearest big box or mall going in and coming out with everything we need. Main Streets such as those in Royal Oak work but people still park closest to the stores/places they want to visit. If Detroit could clean up its parking lots and garages and cluster the retail together that would work. But you cant force people to walk if they dont want to.

**gthomas** · July-02-13, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by daveyarm

Has anyone mentioned the ”Z" building? It is about 25%-30% done, and will feature 30,000 square feet of retail.

DarkestbeforedawnDetroit · July-02-13, 05:10 PM

I can't wait for Gilbert to announce what retail he's bringing to Downtown. To tell you the truth I think downtown will be flooded with people whrn retail comes both Detroit residences and suburbanites. And when retail and grocery stores and clubs are up and running the greater downtown area will boom. People call me overly optimistic for Detroit...but someone has to be.

**gthomas** · July-02-13, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by DarkestbeforedawnDetroit

I can't wait for Gilbert to announce what retail he's bringing to Downtown. To tell you the truth I think downtown will be flooded with people whrn retail comes both Detroit residences and suburbanites. And when retail and grocery stores and clubs are up and running the greater downtown area will boom. People call me overly optimistic for Detroit...but someone has to be.

Yea I agree also, Detroit will boom again. Woodward ave will soon become our small version of The Mag Mile in Chicago, hoping to have continuous retail, housing, restaurants, foot traffic from New Center down to the Riverfront. With the Ilitch arena development connecting Midtown to Downtown, TechTown to Midtown and all the new infill developments will create density and economic development that will spread to surrounding neighborhoods.

DarkestbeforedawnDetroit · July-02-13, 08:52 PM

I completely agree gthomas once the greater downtown area is brought back so will the city. On another note when will Gilbert release the real Hudson site design. I dont want to distract from the current discussion just wondering.

**Hypestyles** · July-02-13, 09:20 PM

hopefully lots of retail will come within the next 6 months.. fill up the buildings that are still empty or undeveloped downtown..

**gthomas** · July-02-13, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Hypestyles

hopefully lots of retail will come within the next 6 months.. fill up the buildings that are still empty or undeveloped downtown..

't

I think the "announcement" of retailers won't be til 6 months from now, 2014/15 will be the year when we will shop along Woodward. Gilbert mention that he will unveiled all the retail at once when the M-1 rail is up and running in 2015.

**The Real McCoy** · July-02-13, 11:58 PM

An Apple Store, and Target [[located in the former SS Kresge store) are just a couple to look forward to.

DarkestbeforedawnDetroit · July-03-13, 10:10 AM

I've heard allot about a citytarget opening in the old kreshe building I hope there's some validity to the rumor.

**DetroitPlanner** · July-03-13, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by DarkestbeforedawnDetroit

I've heard allot about a citytarget opening in the old kreshe building I hope there's some validity to the rumor.

Have you googled it?

**gthomas** · July-03-13, 03:51 PM

I'm pretty sure City Target, Urban Outfitters, Apple, H&M, Levi, Footlocker and other smaller retailers, national and local will be ..at some point downtown. I can see those stores opening Downtown, Macy or Prada stores has no chance in Detroit......yet? As far as restaurants, I will like to see Applebee's, TGIFridays, P.F Chang Bistro, Buddy's Pizza, Sander's Icecream Shop, and other local businesses.

.....Oh and AMC Movie Theater. Perfect for my everyday use...and many more will agree.

**48205to24** · July-03-13, 04:22 PM

I like gthomas's list, I'll add a J. Alexander, Benihana, and Mortons Steakhouse
A few retail stores like the Limited, DSW, Nine West, Levi's, Gap or Guess, Sephora or The Body shop would be a nice complement to a major department store

**detroit12** · July-03-13, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by gnome

Birmingham and Royal Oak both offer free parking in their ramps. Bham gives 2 hrs free and RO, 1 hr.

It has taken years to get people to park in those ramps, but I believe it is quite effective in getting folks to shop in those respective towns.

and you can park in the casinos parking structures for free all day. Royal Oak parking is horrible. I don't go to Bham so I won't comment

**detroit12** · July-03-13, 11:12 PM

I guess no one realizes that Moosejaw just became permanent? CityLoft, from the beginning has said that the future they hope to be a permanent fixture as well. You all don't think that if these places are successful then bigger name places will be looking to open as well? I've also heard the rumors of Urban Outfitters and Apple. But in the mean time people should support local shops.That does actually matter. Macy's is not going to consider Detroit if local boutiques fail, footlocker will not look to open another store downtown if bob's classic kicks fails etc.

**TexasT** · July-04-13, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by detroit12

I guess no one realizes that Moosejaw just became permanent? CityLoft, from the beginning has said that the future they hope to be a permanent fixture as well. You all don't think that if these places are successful then bigger name places will be looking to open as well? I've also heard the rumors of Urban Outfitters and Apple. But in the mean time people should support local shops.That does actually matter. Macy's is not going to consider Detroit if local boutiques fail, footlocker will not look to open another store downtown if bob's classic kicks fails etc.

Yup, I actually get most of my fun shopping done in Midtown these days:

Emerald
Peacock Room [[my favorite!)
Hugh
Nora
Human
Flo's
RunDetroit
CityBird
Nest
Source

I'm not a huge shopper, so those keep me satisfied.

**Scottathew** · July-04-13, 07:03 AM

The stores are coming. The transformation is starting to happen. It's happening slowly, but it is happening.

What will help accelerate the growth is more residential space downtown. I work downtown and I know a lot of folks that live downtown, and there would be more if there were more space available that was affordable. Right now there's a big premium on rents downtown because there's not enough space available.