Bedrock To Announce "National Retailer" Wednesday [[April 2)

**jw101** · April-01-14, 12:47 PM

Remember back a while ago when I talked about Dan Gilbert's Retail Renaissance? Well, this is a part of it. Apparently, tomorrow afternoon, Bedrock will announce a National retailer's plan for Detroit. In the new Z Lot, to be more exact. While you might instantly jump to Target, or Marshalls, or whatever nice national retailer you can think of, it's more than likely not going to be either of those. The best choice is Punch Bowl Social, a Dave and Busters- type store where you can chill and eat. They haven't announced it yet, but they can at least not post it on their home page before the official announcement. Really cool!

http://www.mlive.com/business/detroi..._river_default

**Scottathew** · April-01-14, 01:09 PM

I agree with what you described. Food\entertainment will be great for the surrounding businesses and folks that want to eat before they go to the game. I'd imagine the Z-Lot is going to be heavily used for event parking with its proximity to CoPa and the People Mugger.

**313WX** · April-01-14, 01:18 PM

Highly unlikely that it would be a Target or Mashalls with only 34,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

**mwilbert** · April-01-14, 01:36 PM

Actually that is a perfectly normal size for a Marshall's. Their average size is about 30,000 sqft. However, it is a dubious location for one. On the other hand, while a restaurant might make sense, do people really call restaurants "retailers"? Maybe they do, but it seems like an odd usage to me.

**downtownguy** · April-01-14, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by 48307

I'd imagine the Z-Lot is going to be heavily used for event parking with its proximity to CoPa and the People Mugger.

Not funny.

**bailey** · April-01-14, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by jw101

http://www.mlive.com/business/detroi..._river_default Remember back a while ago when I talked about Dan Gilbert's Retail Renaissance? Well, this is a part of it. Apparently, tomorrow afternoon, Bedrock will announce a National retailer's plan for Detroit. In the new Z Lot, to be more exact. While you might instantly jump to Target, or Marshalls, or whatever nice national retailer you can think of, it's more than likely not going to be either of those. The best choice is Punch Bowl Social, a Dave and Busters- type store where you can chill and eat. They haven't announced it yet, but they can at least not post it on their home page before the official announcement. Really cool!

I don't think any honest person would equate "national retailer" with a 2 [[2 open, 2 "coming soon") location restaurant group. Gilbert has been flogging this "retailer" thing for a while, longer than the Punch bowl has been talked about.

If it is the Punch bowl... Bedrock should be called out on their bullshit about bringing "retailers" downtown. It should also send a really clear message about what "national retailers" think about Detroit if even Gilbert can't bribe them enough to open up here.

[[not that having the punch bowl wouldn't be fun...just saying...not a retailer)

**DetroitPlanner** · April-01-14, 02:32 PM

Why am I reminded of when Bennigan's and F & M opened in the Greektown structure almost 20 years ago? Wait.. I know people were saying the same things then.

Today's downtown is much stronger though. This should be interesting.

**downtownguy** · April-01-14, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Why am I reminded of when Bennigan's and F & M opened in the Greektown structure almost 20 years ago? Wait.. I know people were saying the same things then.

Today's downtown is much stronger though. This should be interesting.

I remember F&M because I shopped there. But when did Bennigan's open? All I recall is it was one of the suburban chains that Ilitch said would be part of the development around Comerica Park, just as he also promised us that ethnic village between the Fox and State Theatres 26 years ago. Can't wait to see the development around the new arena!

**hybridy** · April-01-14, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

I don't think any honest person would equate "national retailer" with a 2 [[2 open, 2 "coming soon") location restaurant group. Gilbert has been flogging this "retailer" thing for a while, longer than the Punch bowl has been talked about.

If it is the Punch bowl... Bedrock should be called out on their bullshit about bringing "retailers" downtown. It should also send a really clear message about what "national retailers" think about Detroit if even Gilbert can't bribe them enough to open up here.

[[not that having the punch bowl wouldn't be fun...just saying...not a retailer)

while i agree with your sentiments, from what i am hearing danny g is having a difficult time getting retailers to commit to any solid plans downtown. it's certainly a tall order. Let's count our wins here and hope it doesn't go the way of moosejaw... Waa waa

**rb336** · April-01-14, 04:14 PM

I've seen some ads for "cosmetics counter manager" and "kitchen ware manager" that say Detroit and require temporary relocation for training. To me, that indicates a retailer not in the Detroit market, but doesn't mean that they will be downtown.

**SpartanDawg** · April-02-14, 09:40 AM

https://twitter.com/crainsdetroit/st...68034788057088

it's punch bowl social

**313WX** · April-02-14, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by SpartanDawg

https://twitter.com/crainsdetroit/st...68034788057088

it's punch bowl social

That's where all the signs were pointing to.

I still think it was a bit disingenuous to lead us on by calling them a "National Retailer." That must have been an April Fools Joke on the sly.

**Bham1982** · April-02-14, 09:44 AM

Wow, and it took just 6 short years for the billionaire savior to attract a single national retailer.

And it's a bar of all things, with a whole 2 locations! Definitely the next Nordstrom, I'm sure. Probably being offered free rent and buildout.

**SpartanDawg** · April-02-14, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

Wow, and it took just 6 short years for the billionaire savior to attract a single national retailer.

And it's a bar of all things, with a whole 2 locations! Definitely the next Nordstrom, I'm sure. Probably being offered free rent and buildout.

grrr.. why so upset?

**Honky Tonk** · April-02-14, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

Wow, and it took just 6 short years for the billionaire savior to attract a single national retailer.

And it's a bar of all things, with a whole 2 locations! Definitely the next Nordstrom, I'm sure. Probably being offered free rent and buildout.

Nice.........

**Spartan** · April-02-14, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

That's where all the signs were pointing to.

I still think it was a bit disingenuous to lead us on by calling them a "National Retailer." That must have been an April Fools Joke on the sly.

Retailer apparently is a pretty loose term. I guess since they have the games and stuff it's more than just a bar/restaurant. Hard to argue that a place with locations in Oregon and Colorado, and adding Texas isn't national though, I suppose. This is still great news, as it provides an additional entertainment option downtown that isn't just a bar/club, sporting arena, casino or theater.

**SpartanDawg** · April-02-14, 10:37 AM

24,000 SF. entire frontage of the Z on Broadway St. Opening in November

also big time is 150 jobs created.

**313WX** · April-02-14, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan

Retailer apparently is a pretty loose term. I guess since they have the games and stuff it's more than just a bar/restaurant. Hard to argue that a place with locations in Oregon and Colorado, and adding Texas isn't national though, I suppose. This is still great news, as it provides an additional entertainment option downtown that isn't just a bar/club, sporting arena, casino or theater.

"Retail" implies a sale of goods and services, not entertainment sales.

**Eber Brock Ward** · April-02-14, 11:10 AM

Semantics!

On a serious note, though, if the Bert's location opens back up, that'll be a pretty good stretch there from BWWs on Randolph through Chez Zara at Witherell/Broadway.

**Spartan** · April-02-14, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

"Retail" implies a sale of goods and services, not entertainment sales.

Is entertainment a "service"? Are food and alcohol "goods"? I guess I don't know what the accepted definition of retail is.

**Spartan** · April-02-14, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Eber Brock Ward

Semantics!

On a serious note, though, if the Bert's location opens back up, that'll be a pretty good stretch there from BWWs on Randolph through Chez Zara at Witherell/Broadway.

I think this is a good step toward really cleaning up one of the few problem areas left downtown. That place that is now Paris Bar, and the Bert's [[Dirty Jerzees) I believe both had some problems recently. Broadway is almost fully occupied at this point.

**scooter** · April-02-14, 12:33 PM

what a joke anothe bar thas sure is not retail, if i want to go to a bar with games i can go to Dave and Busters in the Burbs, Hey Dan where is your Apple Store,
I looked at the prices at the other two llocations, its too expensive, and two locations is not national give this place a year or less

**bailey** · April-02-14, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

That's where all the signs were pointing to.

I still think it was a bit disingenuous to lead us on by calling them a "National Retailer." That must have been an April Fools Joke on the sly.

Somewhere on this board there is a thread about if Downtown Detroit can support retail. I think this is a resounding, and absolutely clear answer on what the retailers themselves think.

Nothing wrong with having this new business..and the jobs and life it will bring...but it ain't "retail"

**313WX** · April-02-14, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

Somewhere on this board there is a thread about if Downtown Detroit can support retail. I think this is a resounding, and absolutely clear answer on what the retailers themselves think.

Nothing wrong with having this new business..and the jobs and life it will bring...but it ain't "retail"

Especially in a town that's now officially bankrupt.

Part of the reason Moosejaw took a gamble and is sticking it out is because it's a retailer based in Metro Detroit. That's a completely different dynamic at play relative to a Target or Best Buy opening downtown.

**SpartanDawg** · April-02-14, 01:10 PM

"Dan Mullen, vice president of development for Bedrock, said more announcements will be coming in the weeks ahead, including both men’s and women’s clothing stores and a mix of local and national retailers."

http://www.freep.com/article/2014040...it-Dan-Gilbert

sheesh relax guys