Posted April 8, 200916 yr From here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/top-10-chains-we-wouldnt-mind-seeing-downtown <b>Top 10 Chains We Wouldn’t Mind Seeing Downtown</b> By Walker Let me start off by saying that here at Columbus Underground, we are all about supporting our wonderful local, independent businesses. We encourage people to dine locally, shop locally, and invest money in the local economy. With that being said, we're fully aware that it's unrealistic to buy everything from a local business. There is a time and a place for everything, and many specific types of larger chain stores and restaurants can be a vibrant and essential part of our diverse urban experience. Last year, the "<a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/tag/mile-on-high">Mile on High</a>" effort was established to combat the 80,000 square feet of vacant retail space along High Street, but it's off to a slow start. A study from last June revealed that while we have 280 stores and restaurants downtown, there is an estimated spending power to currently support 450 establishments. We would love to see the majority of that gap filled in with local businesses, but we feel that there is room for a handful of chains as well. Below is our top 10 list of potential chain stores and restaurants that we would like to see fill in some of this empty retail space on or near the High Street corridor.<!--more--> <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/roomboard.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#10 - Room & Board</b> <a href="http://www.roomandboard.com">Room & Board</a> is a fashionable furniture store that focuses heavily on American-made craftsmanship and social responsibility. They sell all types of home furnishings from sofas to bedding to light fixtures. And with their nearest stores in Illinois, this would make a Downtown Columbus location one-of-a-kind in the state of Ohio. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/nordstrom.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#9 - Nordstrom Rack </b> <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/sale.shtml">Nordstrom Rack</a> is the discounted counterpart to Nordstrom. Originally operating as a clearance department, it has grown into its own brand for bargain-seeking shoppers and has over 50 locations around the US. The only Nordstrom location in Columbus is out at Easton, and the only Nordstrom rack in Ohio is just east of Cleveland. Placing this shop downtown would be a regional draw, and could also make the surrounding retail units more attractive for independent boutique shops to set up. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/apple.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#8 - Apple Store </b> <a href="http://www.apple.com/retail/">The Apple Store</a> is very obviously a place to purchase Apple products including computers, laptops, iPhones, iPods, software, and accessories. With Apple's consumer products surging in popularity, the Easton location is constantly overcrowded, and a secondary location would be more than welcome downtown where there is currently no place to purchase computer or electronic accessories. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/cb2.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#7 - CB2</b> <a href="http://www.cb2.com/">CB2</a> is an offshoot brand from Crate and Barrel that focuses more on modern and urban style with their product range. CB2 sells all types of home decor and accessories from couches and beds to forks and spoons. Currently, CB2 only has 5 locations, all of which are in urban centers, making downtown the obvious choice for a Columbus store. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/hm.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#6 - H&M</b> <a href="http://www.hm.com">H&M</a> is an affordable yet fashionable men's, women's, and children's clothing store with locaitons all over the world. A nearby store exists at the Tuttle Mall, but it only sells the women's clothing line. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dsw.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#5 - DSW / Filene's Basement </b> <a href="http://www.dsw.com">DSW</a> is actually a local company, with their first store having opened in Dublin in 1991. Their parent company Retail Ventures, owns the <a href="http://www.filenesbasement.com/">Filene's Basement</a> brand as well. DSW's large stores feature thousands of name brand shoes available at a discounted price. Similarly, Filene's offers thousands of name brand men's and women's clothing items at a discounted price. Several successful DSW stores operate near Easton, Polaris, and Dublin, with the Dublin location being a joint store with Filene's Basement. Adding a new downtown location would serve not only the central city, but also would be a closer location for the entire south side of Columbus. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/innout.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#4 - In-N-Out Burger </b> If it's possible for a fast food chain to have a cult following, then <a href="http://www.in-n-out.com/">In-N-Out Burger</a> has achieved just that. Founded in California 60 years ago, no locations exist outside of the west and south-western states. In-N-Out has often been praised for their use of fresh, local ingredients as well as their employee-centric business practices. If a Downtown Columbus location were to open, we predict that they'd have a lunch line wrapping around the block every day for at least the first year. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/target.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#3 - Target</b> Somehow, <a href="http://www.target.com/">Target</a> has mostly managed to avoid the negative connotations that typically plague the big-box corporate concept. Perhaps it's the fact that they aim to sell slightly more upscale merchandise than competitors like Wal-Mart or K-Mart. Perhaps it's their brighter stores and hipper advertising image. Perhaps it's their continuous philanthropic efforts. Whatever it is, it seems to be working, and the idea of bringing multi-story urban Target store (similar to their flagship store in downtown Minneapolis) into downtown Columbus has constantly made appearances on nearly everyone's wishlist. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/traderjoes.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#2 - Trader Joe's </b> Downtown has got a bit of a grocery problem, and <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/">Trader Joe's</a> is often cited as the solution to those <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/new-downtown-residents-want-groceries-safety">woes</a>. While the residential population Downtown has not quite reached the critical mass needed for a full-sized Kroger or Giant Eagle, Trader Joe's offers the option of bringing a smaller store into our urban center. Trader Joe's is often praised for their environmental-minded business practices, and their health-concious store-brand products. <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/ikea.jpg" alt="" /> <b>#1 - IKEA</b> It's not going to happen anytime soon, but it doesn't mean that we still can't hope that someday <a href="http://www.ikea.com/">IKEA</a> will need a second Ohio store, and that it might somehow wind up in Downtown Columbus. When the <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/ikea-contemplates-an-ohio-store-potentially-in-columbus">news broke</a> nearly three years ago that IKEA was considering an Ohio store, many on CU who were tired of driving all the way to Pittsburgh for their fix were quick to cross their fingers that it would wind up in Columbus. In the end, West Chester (a Cincinnati suburb) was chosen as the site for the first Ohio IKEA, but every once in awhile you can still hear someone mentioning how much they would have loved to have it in our own back yard. What other stores and restaurants would you like to see open up Downtown?
April 8, 200916 yr Ikea sounds like a logistical nightmare. Overall I think it sounds like a great plan though. An apple store downtown would be pretty amazing. I read an article about how metro Columbus' demographics are almost the same as the U.S. on average (even with the level of immigration). They said it makes Columbus a perfect spot for a test market. I guess they already do this with some products but I'd like to see them test out some retail stores downtown.
April 8, 200916 yr ^That's why Columbus, Indy, and Kansas City are so full of chains; they're representative of average America and are good testing grounds. Personally, I think Columbus should be searching for more independent flavor than chains in its downtown.
April 8, 200916 yr Well if you're testing the market it's usually a newer concept. The Soup Nazi's restaurant for example. There are a lot of chain stores but a lot of them are "ohio's first" or still quite rare. There's going to be a Cracker Barrel Bistro near a Segway store on High St. - I think that says it all.
April 8, 200916 yr I like their choices...a Target makes sense, the Apple Store would be great, and In-n-Out would be fantastic. Nordstorm rack....ho hum. Trader Joe's is a god send for urban dwellers on a budget.
April 8, 200916 yr Nordstrom Rack is about to open in Cincinnati - in Rookwood. That one might actually be possible because Nordstrom is supposedly trying to roll out Rack stores in all the markets where they have their mainline department stores. I like all of them, but Ikea - that would be better if you wanted to swallow up land somewhere to fix an area, they are just so big.
April 8, 200916 yr Pretty slick photoshopping Walker! I like them all - except for the IKEA one. There's going to be a Cracker Barrel Bistro near a Segway store on High St. - I think that says it all. By the way, you do realize the "Short North Cracker Barrel" was one of Walker's April Fool's Day CU posts?
April 8, 200916 yr Cracker Barrel Bistro sounds like the worst idea I've ever heard. I'm glad it was a joke.
April 8, 200916 yr Some pretty high profile people check out these boards. You never know; the people at Cracker Barrel might see this and use the idea.
April 8, 200916 yr Anything with the Cracker Barrel name on it is destined to suck. Where are people supposed to buy Dolly Parton cds? :?
April 8, 200916 yr Costco. http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=58a7c193-2c09-4d72-904f-c03f09cc1d55&p=1
April 8, 200916 yr Staples. Barnes&Noble. Kohl's. It's insane that the biggest concentration of offices in central Ohio doesn't have a large office-supply store -- and has onlu one small independent. It's a sin for a downtown to be devoid of a bookstore. The majority of people who work downtown probably get most of their clothes and basics at places like Kohl's and Target, and weren't likely to do much shopping downtown even when $hitty Center was hopping. By the way, Target already has pioneered urban, two-level stores in many cities -- Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, LA, to name a few. And Atlantic Station in Atlanta has a quasi-urban IKEA, but I didn't go there because I believe IKEA is a cult.
April 8, 200916 yr It's insane that the biggest concentration of offices in central Ohio doesn't have a large office-supply store Polaris does too have an Office Max! lol kidding.
April 9, 200916 yr *AHEM* We forgot...CHEESECAKE FACTORY @ THE STATEHOUSE!!! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 9, 200916 yr Personally, I think Columbus should be searching for more independent flavor than chains in its downtown. I couldn't agree more, and I fully support the local and independent establishments that we do have downtown right now. There are a lot of great local restaurants, but sadly only a handful of places to shop at the moment. I think that will change, all in good time. That being said though... Target is still Target, and people are still going to want to buy things there. I think if one can be integrated well into our downtown urban fabric it would not only be a draw for its own customers, but could also serve as a magnet for smaller/independent shops to set up around it who otherwise couldn't thrive without the foottraffic. When stores like WalMart started opening on the outskirts of towns across America, they killed a lot of Main Streets. What I'd like to see happen is a reversal of that. Bring the chains into the downtown area and help bring life back to Main Street. Let's have a retail mix. Little bit of something for everyone. Chains, boutiques, independents, big, small, expensive, thrifty, etc.
April 9, 200916 yr It's insane that the biggest concentration of offices in central Ohio doesn't have a large office-supply store Polaris does too have an Office Max! lol kidding. The only two things I like about Polaris are Costco and my paycheck.
April 9, 200916 yr It's insane that the biggest concentration of offices in central Ohio doesn't have a large office-supply store Polaris does too have an Office Max! lol kidding. The only two things I like about Polaris are Costco and my paycheck. It's a Fashion Place ©
April 9, 200916 yr I live much closer to Polaris and I drive all around avoiding it - mostly Easton and Sawmill - gotta love Anderson's. I've been cogitating on Columbus' downtown, I think the 'problem' is that what is considered dt now was really just a big part of the city until the post-war boom. This is like including much of Cincy's West End in dt. I could be wrong, but anyway. I've gotta think the east Side of Downtown might be best for some of this retail which would be so accessible to Bexley as well for folks dt, SN, German Village, and even campus.
April 9, 200916 yr ^ Actually, the heart of downtown already is incredibly accessable to Bexley. Any new retail would have to be on High Street, which already has the space and the large buildings and the transit and the office workers and the nearby neighborhoods. To put big box retail closer to Bexley would mean bulldozing existing buildings and would not be as convenient to any of the the transit riders, office workers or Victorian or German Villages.
April 9, 200916 yr I live much closer to Polaris and I drive all around avoiding it - mostly Easton and Sawmill - gotta love Anderson's.... You GOTTA check out <a href="http://www.marcs.com/">Marcs</a>. It's the only grocery store we'll go slightly out of our way for.
April 9, 200916 yr Personally, I think Columbus should be searching for more independent flavor than chains in its downtown. I couldn't agree more, and I fully support the local and independent establishments that we do have downtown right now. There are a lot of great local restaurants, but sadly only a handful of places to shop at the moment. I think that will change, all in good time. That being said though... Target is still Target, and people are still going to want to buy things there. I think if one can be integrated well into our downtown urban fabric it would not only be a draw for its own customers, but could also serve as a magnet for smaller/independent shops to set up around it who otherwise couldn't thrive without the foottraffic. When stores like WalMart started opening on the outskirts of towns across America, they killed a lot of Main Streets. What I'd like to see happen is a reversal of that. Bring the chains into the downtown area and help bring life back to Main Street. Let's have a retail mix. Little bit of something for everyone. Chains, boutiques, independents, big, small, expensive, thrifty, etc. Right, Downtown is so large and has so much free space at the moment that there is plenty of room for both chains and local stuff.
April 9, 200916 yr I live much closer to Polaris and I drive all around avoiding it - mostly Easton and Sawmill - gotta love Anderson's.... You GOTTA check out <a href="http://www.marcs.com/">Marcs</a>. It's the only grocery store we'll go slightly out of our way for. Marc's is awesome. Too bad I don't know of any urban locations.
April 9, 200916 yr I was always kinda unsure about Marcs, we'll have to check it out. I was thinking of the car dealership on the east side of DT as you come in Broad (I think).
April 9, 200916 yr I live much closer to Polaris and I drive all around avoiding it - mostly Easton and Sawmill - gotta love Anderson's.... You GOTTA check out <a href="http://www.marcs.com/">Marcs</a>. It's the only grocery store we'll go slightly out of our way for. Marc's is awesome. Too bad I don't know of any urban locations. I'd say Coventry in Cleveland Heights is pretty urban. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 9, 200916 yr I'd say Coventry in Cleveland Heights is pretty urban. I believe that is the only urban location. They even differentiate it on the website as being called "Marc's Neighborhood Store" rather than "Marc's Discount Store", and it has a different ad.
April 9, 200916 yr I live much closer to Polaris and I drive all around avoiding it - mostly Easton and Sawmill - gotta love Anderson's.... You GOTTA check out <a href="http://www.marcs.com/">Marcs</a>. It's the only grocery store we'll go slightly out of our way for. Marc's is awesome. Too bad I don't know of any urban locations. I'd say Coventry in Cleveland Heights is pretty urban. True, also they have a store in Lakewood, though in a hideous stripmall behind Lakewood's Downtown. But both are suburbs. Perhaps I should say that I don't know of any inner city Marc's locations.
April 10, 200916 yr I was always kinda unsure about Marcs, we'll have to check it out. I was thinking of the car dealership on the east side of DT as you come in Broad (I think). Graham Ford
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