Compuware stores disappearing.....

**THE FURY 617** · June-09-09, 04:34 AM

During the Movement 2009 event was here, I was walking back to my car and when I pass Compuware, I notice that "The Woodward" is on longer there and Borders bookstore is about to close also. What's next to leave Detroit?

**313WX** · June-09-09, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by THE FURY 617

During the Movement 2009 event was here, I was walking back to my car and when I pass Compuware, I notice that "The Woodward" is on longer there and Borders bookstore is about to close also. What's next to leave Detroit?

Has Mr Song left for Southfield yet?

I assume some stores are going to leave the Ren Cen after the butchering of GM is over.

**buildingsofdetroit** · February-09-10, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Has Mr Song left for Southfield yet?

Keep in mind, Mr. Song isn't closing like these other places; after the Aretha hat blew up, the owner of the building trying to screw the store and jack up its rent. I just get so tired of the greed in this city.

**wazootyman** · June-09-09, 07:19 AM

Everything, of course.

I mean - what kind of question is that? Borders is losing the fight to online retailers, closing many more stores than just the downtown location. Based on personal experience and online reviews, The Woodward was over-priced, and never really found its groove as a destination for downtown dining.

Stores are closing everywhere - in Detroit, in the suburbs, in Michigan, in the whole country. They will come back, but it's going to be rough for a while.

**Danny** · June-09-09, 07:37 AM

The hard recession triggered by GREED cause the The Woodward Resturant and Borders inside O.C.P. Compuware building to close. That includes Credit Union One Bank on the corner. When our ecomony starts to stabilize back to positive ecomonic growth, more new retail stores will fill its space.

Lorax · June-09-09, 08:56 AM

I would say get used to it.

We lost our Compuware store, Borders, Linens & Things, Circuit City, Crate & Barrel, Ruby Tuesday's, Sound Advice, etc, etc.

**kraig** · June-09-09, 09:25 AM

This is one of the reasons why there should be a stronger push for small and medium sized independent businesses. A locally owned business operation is going to differ from the nationally owned chain stores.

Chain stores base their decisions on a global, marketshare, etc. approach moreso than how the individual stores are doing. A locally owned store is going to fight to make money in the location that it's in. Both have chances to succeed or fail, but the locally owned store is not going to close a profitable location based on what's happening in the global market.

**Hermod** · February-09-10, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Lorax

I would say get used to it.

We lost our Compuware store, Borders, Linens & Things, Circuit City, Crate & Barrel, Ruby Tuesday's, Sound Advice, etc, etc.

Linens & Things, Circuit City, and Sound Advice were corporate bankruptcies and even the profitable stores had to close.

Borders is marginal and is closing their low performing stores.

Ruby Tuesday is OK, but closes unprofitable locations.

**Hermod** · February-09-10, 01:13 PM

Borders is in trouble. Last Christmas was not good to them.

They are taking the following steps:

1. Phasing out or scaling back to a minimal presence music and video offerings.

2. Closure of all 182 of their Walden Book Stores [[mostly mall-based).

3. Emphasis on better-performing segments in particular juvenile and children's books.

.

southsider · February-12-10, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by wazootyman

Everything, of course.

I mean - what kind of question is that? Borders is losing the fight to online retailers, closing many more stores than just the downtown location. Based on personal experience and online reviews, The Woodward was over-priced, and never really found its groove as a destination for downtown dining.

Stores are closing everywhere - in Detroit, in the suburbs, in Michigan, in the whole country. They will come back, but it's going to be rough for a while.

Hubris and denial

**wazootyman** · February-12-10, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by southsider

Hubris and denial

Anymore this forum just plain sucks. Speak anything but pure negativity and you're declared to be in denial. Optimism apparently has no value in Detroit, so let's just get together and cry about it.

Detroit is an awful, hopeless place full of abandoned buildings. Discuss.

DetroitDad · February-12-10, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by wazootyman

Anymore this forum just plain sucks. Speak anything but pure negativity and you're declared to be in denial. Optimism apparently has no value in Detroit, so let's just get together and cry about it.

Detroit is an awful, hopeless place full of abandoned buildings. Discuss.

Well, saying something "has potential" is a nice way of saying how it "sucks" now.

So no, I don't think we're in denial. We have our challenges and we are either addressing them, or they are addressing us...

**English** · February-12-10, 11:23 PM

We need commercial rent control in the city of Detroit until such time when this city recovers. Like an earlier poster said, a recurring theme is that often when a business manages to do well, the landlords jack up the rent. It happened to the Borders, and it happened to my favorite restaurant in Midtown of the past 10 years, Agave. Cafe de Troit also had an evil landlord.

If this city is serious about making a comeback, it HAS to take care of this problem. Seems that landlords would rather make $0 than a reasonable rent.

**East Detroit** · March-13-10, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by wazootyman

Anymore this forum just plain sucks. Speak anything but pure negativity and you're declared to be in denial. Optimism apparently has no value in Detroit, so let's just get together and cry about it.

No doubt, but then again many of the participants came for the "ruins."

**Sstashmoo** · June-09-09, 10:10 AM

[Retail] "They will come back, but it's going to be rough for a while."

I doubt that. The internet is killing some types of retail. Anything that can be shipped UPS, the majority is being handled via e-stores now. Better selections, better prices and it is easy.

**Maxine1958** · June-09-09, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

[Retail] "They will come back, but it's going to be rough for a while."

I doubt that. The internet is killing some types of retail. Anything that can be shipped UPS, the majority is being handled via e-stores now. Better selections, better prices and it is easy.

I still like to shop where I can pick things up, hold them in my hands, and look them over as I decide whether to buy them or not. I especially love to 'browse' in a book store. Pondering over old classics and new authors. <sigh> I guess I'm just getting old!

**wazootyman** · June-09-09, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Sstashmoo

[Retail] "They will come back, but it's going to be rough for a while."

I doubt that. The internet is killing some types of retail. Anything that can be shipped UPS, the majority is being handled via e-stores now. Better selections, better prices and it is easy.

Well, maybe not in the present form, but you gotta figure something well. Maybe not.

I, too, prefer to go to a store to pick up merchandise rather than go online, partly because I'm impatient, party because I'd rather support local business. It's also much easier to return or exchange defective merchandise. Sometimes seeing the item in person and getting a feel its quality is worth more than a dozen online reviews. I've run a computer repair business on the side for many years, and often patronize local computer stores [[a dying breed) to pick up items I may need for a new build or repair. Sure, I'm paying a few bucks more, but I also feel good to know I support my community. However, I know most people don't feel like this - they'd buy directly from China if they could save a buck. Then, they wonder why their local storefronts are vacant.

**OriginalG313** · June-09-09, 11:43 AM

Janet's Java, Bonnie's Sundries, Heritage Optical, Hard Rock, Ben and Jerry's, FEDEX, DTOURS, the shoe shine stand, Hot Sam's, Rio Boutique, Jimmy John's, Papa Romano's, Mr. Pita are all still open in the Compuware building.

**Danny** · June-09-09, 11:53 AM

Look at the bright side folks It least this city get a mini mall at the Kresge Builiding.

**stasu1213** · February-09-10, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

Look at the bright side folks It least this city get a mini mall at the Kresge Builiding.

That Mini Mall is going to be a big joke. The owner still hasnt gotten that bar and restaurant open and the businesses that were there are becoming fed up and leaving. I am glad that someone is doing something with the building but the owner is using cheap contractors to renovate the inside. He is not a good businessman.

**RickBeall** · June-09-09, 11:36 AM

I prefer to go online, read other user reviews, and browse the wider selection. It is the wider selection of online book stores that I really love. Instead of having to choose between 4 books or no books on a esoteric subject, I can choose from 100. And then I can buy them used and save 80%, or maybe only 60% after shipping. And no sales tax. Local book outlets will have a hard time beating that experience.

**iheartbooks** · June-15-09, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by RickBeall

I prefer to go online, read other user reviews, and browse the wider selection. It is the wider selection of online book stores that I really love. Instead of having to choose between 4 books or no books on a esoteric subject, I can choose from 100. And then I can buy them used and save 80%, or maybe only 60% after shipping. And no sales tax. Local book outlets will have a hard time beating that experience.

Brick and mortar stores, especially local, independent stores, contribute more to the local economy than online retailers ever would. Local outlets use local banks which employ local people. Local outlets use local services such as plumbers, electricians, window washers. Local outlets employ local people who probably have lunch at local restaurants which employ local people. Employees drive to work after stopping at local gas stations with local employees. Or maybe they take local mass transit with local bus drivers. Local outlets might get flowers from Eastern Market or shopping bags from Detroit Fixture Co. Many local business donate goods, services or money to local charities and organizations that go unnoticed by large corporations.

While many small businesses cannot price-match online discounters, they can often special order things for customers, especially books. I like independent bookstores, but I know Borders has a good ordering process and they often offer discounts and specials, too.

Shopping locally is not just a quaint idea for folks who like it when the shopkeeper knows their name. It really is necessary for sustainable communities even if it means passing up a good deal.

**kraig** · June-15-09, 12:01 PM

Nice pics, Detroitdad. I hope that someone will be able to do something at the Asian Village building. It's a shame that something that new is not being properly utilized.

rugbyman · June-09-09, 12:23 PM

I've been reading this site for a long time now and I have to say THAT was the best zinger Danny's ever dropped.

**vivadetroit** · June-13-09, 07:16 AM

that was hilarious Danny! about spewed coffee all over the laptop.

BTW, Lorax, are you referring to the Dadeland Mall when you talk about that specific mall?