Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthernDancer
You can try to spin the loss of downtown department stores as a positive, or even as neutral, but I would disagree greatly. It's not like there were a huge number of them to begin with. It's fine that a downtown serves downtown residents, but it should ALSO be a destination for not just dining, theatre, and entertainment, but for shopping as well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthernDancer
Yes I do. lol.
And I acknowledged that there's more to gentrification than retail. Retail however is a very large part of it. It would be one thing if these stores were being replaced with other department stores, but they're not. Increased gentrification is usually associated with increased retail, not decreased retail.
I have no doubt that in some ways Minneapolis is gentrifying. But in at least one very large way, it is not.
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You're trying really hard to paint a dire picture for downtown Minneapolis retail. The fact is that the retail scene in downtown Minneapolis is evolving - downtown shoppers want something different. Hence the reason for all the new local stores / boutiques opening.
Here are just a few stores that have open recently:
Filson - outdoor-goods supplier
Shinola - watches and urban gear like bicycles,
Arrow - upscale women's and men's boutique offering clothing and accessories
The Foundry - home goods emphasizes fair-trade, organic and eco-friendly finds
Askov Finlayson - men's fashion
MartinPatrick3 - men's apparel
ID Inside Design - home goods, which carries high-end furniture and accessories
Statement Boutique - women's clothes, purses and jewelry
C'est Chic Boutique - upscale brands from France, Czech Republic, Turkey and Japan
As far as Saks and Neiman Marcus are concerned, it's only a matter of time before one or both open at the Mall of America or one of the ...dales. Downtown Minneapolis really can't compete with the MOA and should not try by landing / keeping department stores.