New retail for Detroit?

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

Looks like The Statler restaurant might be opening soon. Meanwhile signs for Premier Pet Supply nearby still says coming early 2021.

Attachment 41848

You were right; The Statler is opening in Thursday 12/9.

https://www.freep.com/story/entertai...it/6421805001/

[Gistok]

^ The Free Press got their location wrong... it is Washington and West Grand Circus Park [Park Ave. actually]. Washington Blvd. and West Grand River is where the Book Tower is located.

[ShadowSoarer]

Looks like Bonchon that makes Korean fried chicken is potentially coming to Detroit in sometime in 2022. One in Farmington Hills is slated to open in October.

https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and...-metro-detroit

Looks like the Bonchon location in Farmington Hills is opening on Dec. 29th. Looks like their second location in 2022 is Troy and not Detroit even though their previous article in August states Detroit. They probably meant Metro Detroit which usually means suburbs of Detroit and not in Detroit. Looks like it was too good to be true.


https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and...s-to-customers

[ShadowSoarer]

Apart from Gucci opening in Detroit:
https://www.crainsdetroit.com/retail...detroit-summer

Momento Gelato recently opened in Elton Park in Corktown:
https://detroit.eater.com/2022/1/24/...e-cream-photos

Jojo's Shake Bar from Chicago is planning to open next to Frita Bartidos in the District Detroit:
https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restau...expand-detroit

Sugar Factory is planning to open in the former Hard Rock Cafe:
https://www.wxyz.com/news/sugar-fact...hard-rock-cafe

[shawring]

[K-slice]

Very thought provoking article in Crain's today about retail in downtown.

"What the state of downtown Detroit's retail scene?"It still has to figure out whether it wants to be 34th Street or 5th Avenue [[in New York City), or if it wants to be Market Street or Walnut Street [[in Philadelphia)," Nisch said. "I think Philadelphia is a great metaphor for the challenges that Detroit has with retail, and in Detroit to a great extent, the developer community has kind of said, 'Retail? Eh ... yeah, we'll put some in there.' But it clearly doesn't believe in retail. If it does believe in retail, it's really got to decide which way it wants to go. Target might tip it one way. But the idea that I have to go to Eight Mile and Woodward to go to [[a retailer like) T.J. Maxx is kind of crazy."
Some of Nisch's argument: In downtown, there are no retail-centric developments in the works and projects on the drawing boards or otherwise in the works tend to think of retail as an afterthought rather than a major or driving component."

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/voices...K_FtJ3rLO8jBKo

[Satiricalivory]

The Hudson block is going to have a large amount of retail so that's not exactly true. I'm not sure what this guy expects? Should we be having plans for a mini mall downtown? It's a much better idea to fill all the storefronts that already exist.

You need residents, tourists and worker traffic to support retail. So it's not surprising retail mostly comes on the side with those other components.

The goal for downtown is definitely 5th Avenue, the Gucci confirms it.

[ShadowSoarer]

Kind of worried about the future of retail in Detroit since below are projects that are either under construction or in the pipeline, but there has yet been any official announcements from any retailers [[apart from maybe Kuzzos at Woodward West, but that was pre-pandemic). I walk on Woodward often on the weekdays during rush hour and it just seems like all the stores are pretty empty. Stores like Pet Premier Supply still has a sign that says opening Early 2021. Just this year we lost Under Armour, Detroit is the New Black, Dose, and Krispy Addicts. Add on top of that most of the lower Broadway street area is vacant, the Fowler building is still under construction, the space next to Capital One Cafe is still empty, Plum Market at Ally is still temporarily closed, and Somerset Collection Studio has been very spotty in term of retailer rotations [[constantly opening and closing months at a time).

Woodward West - 24,800 sq ft
Hudson block - 28,600 sq ft
Book Tower - 80,000 sq ft
The Mid - 80,000 sq ft
Monroe Blocks - 117,000 sq ft

[401don]

Most downtowns have a mix of retail. The high end shops will want to locate close together, likely in or very near the Hudson Site, and the remainder of Woodward can have a mix of mid-level stores. A landlord obviously can't be too choosy these days but that doesn't mean allowing new liquor stores, etc. I saw today that Kohl's plans to open 200 smaller format stores in the next year. They are moving more upscale with some of their brands, including putting Sephora shops inside. Gilbert's team needs to be very aggressive in trying to maintain and grow retail downtown. I'm sure he's already offering some sweetheart rental rates but he needs to continue that. The more activity downtown the more it will help fill his residential and, to a lesser extent, office buildings.

[stasu1213]

What had happened to Plum Market in downtown Detroit? Are they going to reopen?

[ShadowSoarer]

What had happened to Plum Market in downtown Detroit? Are they going to reopen?

The one in New Center reopened in the fall likely due to the NBA season, but not sure when the one Downtown will reopen due to lack of office workers [[main demographic). It has been closed since the pandemic. I believe I saw either an article or on Google a while back [[2020/2021) with 2022 reopening, but not sure at this point.

[stasu1213]

Most downtowns have a mix of retail. The high end shops will want to locate close together, likely in or very near the Hudson Site, and the remainder of Woodward can have a mix of mid-level stores. A landlord obviously can't be too choosy these days but that doesn't mean allowing new liquor stores, etc. I saw today that Kohl's plans to open 200 smaller format stores in the next year. They are moving more upscale with some of their brands, including putting Sephora shops inside. Gilbert's team needs to be very aggressive in trying to maintain and grow retail downtown. I'm sure he's already offering some sweetheart rental rates but he needs to continue that. The more activity downtown the more it will help fill his residential and, to a lesser extent, office buildings.

Kohls did not make an announcement about opening a store in Downtown Detroit

[djtomt]

Very thought provoking article in Crain's today about retail in downtown.

"What the state of downtown Detroit's retail scene?"It still has to figure out whether it wants to be 34th Street or 5th Avenue [[in New York City), or if it wants to be Market Street or Walnut Street [[in Philadelphia)," Nisch said. "I think Philadelphia is a great metaphor for the challenges that Detroit has with retail, and in Detroit to a great extent, the developer community has kind of said, 'Retail? Eh ... yeah, we'll put some in there.' But it clearly doesn't believe in retail. If it does believe in retail, it's really got to decide which way it wants to go. Target might tip it one way. But the idea that I have to go to Eight Mile and Woodward to go to [[a retailer like) T.J. Maxx is kind of crazy."
Some of Nisch's argument: In downtown, there are no retail-centric developments in the works and projects on the drawing boards or otherwise in the works tend to think of retail as an afterthought rather than a major or driving component."

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/voices...K_FtJ3rLO8jBKo

This is spot on. Unfortunately Downtown Detroit has been "under retailed" for years. That "under retailed" status combined with the general decline in brick and mortar retail happening all over the place drops retail way down on the developer priority list. Downtown may end up getting "caught in the wash" unfortunately.

[401don]

Kohls did not make an announcement about opening a store in Downtown Detroit

Didn't say they did. I was commenting that it might be an opportunity with their new smaller format stores.

[Henry Whalley]

...with the general decline in brick and mortar retail happening all over the place drops retail way down on the developer priority list.

Brick and mortar retail is kind of defunct.

[canuck]

Brick and mortar retail is kind of defunct.

Kind of D Funkt would be a nice name for a shop.

[ShadowSoarer]

Looks like Madewell is closing on Woodward. Whoever Bedrock hired to bring in retailers has a tough road ahead. Well Detroit had a decent run with Downtown retailers while it lasted.

[Danny]

Oh well! That's Detroit retail for you all. Madewell will be last boutique in Giberttown Detroit. It least Corktown is booming.

[shawring]

Oh well! That's Detroit retail for you all. Madewell will be last boutique in Giberttown Detroit. It least Corktown is booming.

I think really the main market for Downtown is bars and restaurants, pleases people can get drunk to celebrate or forget the sport games

[313WX]

These types of boutiques that have failed usually rely on an anchor destination [[meaning Macy's, Nordstroms, Saks, Neimas, etc.), or a place someone would go out of their way to shop at, in order to drive traffic.

Woodward Avenue retail worked in the past because it was a cool experience for people all over the region to make a daytrip to the 2nd largest department store in the world, to engulf themselves in the hustle & bustle of the big city. While in the area as they're coming/going, they may just so happen to stroll past a few other stores with items that spark their interest and make an impulse purchase.

No one's going to make the long drive & pay for parking just to go to Madewell or Under Armour in an area where there isn't much in the way of crowds. Also, downtown alone doesn't yet have the density or income levels to support them.

[401don]

Also, downtown alone doesn't yet have the density or income levels to support them.

Had the pandemic not happened some of them might have hung on until another 4-5,000 residents arrived downtown, which will probably be at least another 5 years. Retail certainly makes downtown living more attractive so that will hurt growth also.
In the meantime the moderator needs to change this thread title from "new retail" to "no retail"

[stasu1213]

Looks like Madewell is closing on Woodward. Whoever Bedrock hired to bring in retailers has a tough road ahead. Well Detroit had a decent run with Downtown retailers while it lasted.

Let council President Sheffield have her way and every urbane store and African Braid shop will fill up those empty storefronts along Woodward like the good Ole days

[Zacha341]

^ Not a Sheffield et al fan, but umm, NO on the idea of 'every'.

African immigrants, AA and other hair braiders and stylists cannot all afford those high downtown rents. Long gone are the glory days of D'mongo's like, posh and fancy salon's paying the big rents/ mortgages...

Many of the smaller braid, natural hair shops, barbers, salons and nail shops already rent or own store-front properties across the city that might otherwise sit empty - abandoned. And they are hopefully paying business taxes rather you prefer their offerings or not.

Re. 'Urbane', one mans urbane is another needs, goods and services. If not rowdy, illicit, or crime engaged I am fairly ok with them. I'd have to know what you mean about 'urbane'.

[Zacha341]

Yeah, even some of the spots with mediocre food and strong drinks to help you not notice the former! Otherwise only the big ticket retailers can afford downtown -- and they have online shopping options against them.

I think really the main market for Downtown is bars and restaurants, pleases people can get drunk to celebrate or forget the sport games

[stasu1213]

I don't think it take a huge anchor store to draw people to the downtown area. There is no need for downtown to have the density to support it's boutiques. The one thing that downtown Detroit had in it's Hudson's anchored glory days was good reliable mass transportation that had brought shoppers in from all over the city and the nearby suburbs. Many downtown retail districts across the country don't rely in their downtown residents to support their retail districts. They rely on shoppers who uses the busses, loops Trams, and subways to travel to their downtown areas to shop. Madewell didn't do as much advertising during it's duration of its existence downtown. Plus there's no telling if the overhead cost to operate in the storefront was becoming too high. Detroit got to start being more creative in getting more shoppers and event goers downtown without them having to pay to park for two hours at those new hard to navigate on Android meters. The Wline could be used more by shoppers and event goers who could park away from the downtown area and use it to gang out or shop downtown and midtown.