Downtown retail/grocery ....will it have to wait until 2020?

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion

Downtown retail/grocery ....will it have to wait until 2020?

[52 posts] [27 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 2 years ago by bjones7
Latest reply from RoundTowner

Tags:

12 3 Next »

bjones7
Worthington Ohio
Login to Send PM

I believe the 2010 Strategic Planning meetings were very successful and I'm personally excited for all that will come from this. I really want to come & live downtown and enjoy what downtown will be offering (from the 12 ideas) in a couple of years!

Yet, a couple of things still concern me about living downtown and might stop me from moving:

If I'm going to live downtown, work downtown, play downtown, where will I shop downtown? Where will I go to get groceries from a "Kroger like" store or market place that has 75% of the food I need for the week? Sure, there are farmers markets, but theyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re not open 365 days a year. Yes, thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s the North Market, yet their more expensive then KrogerÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s and do they carry everything KrogerÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s does? (Ã¢â‚¬Â¦.Nope)

Downtown has entertainment, parks, accessible public transit, etc. All great things, when it comes to a downtown! Yet will I still have get in my car or ride the bus to get to Easton, to buy jeans or a tee shirt?(example only) Seeing I shop at "Macy type stores" because itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s what I can afford, I would want retail downtown that was in that price range. Most retail (clothing) downtown right now, are boutiques and are a little pricey.

My whole point is, why move to downtown Columbus, when I can only do 75% of what I do every week, downtown? I'm not saying build a Kroger, or affordable retail downtown, right now!(I can wait) I'm just wondering if itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s going to take Columbus another 10 years and a bunch of "downtown residential development headaches", to see that; if I or others are going to live downtown, we would prefer that we could do at least 90-95% of what we do now, downtown!

I believe, it will take another 10-20 years for my ideas above to happen. I've lived in other cities downtown areas that could offer everything I was looking for during the week/weekend. Why canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t Columbus (eventually) ?

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

bjones7 wrote >>
Where will I go to get groceries from a "Kroger like" store or market place that has 75% of the food I need for the week?

You could always just go to Kroger. That's where I go.

Posted 2 years ago #
futureman
Grandview Heights
Login to Send PM

Assuming the economy starts to come back, Giant Eagle could dust of their plans for a new store @ Vine and Neil.

FYI - http://www.columbusunderground.com/giant-eagle-amp-apartments-in-plans-for-arena-district

Posted 2 years ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
Login to Send PM

What's funny is that same exact argument applies to the Westside, and other neighborhoods --- places where there is currently a large population of which to take advantage.

That isn't to say I wouldn't love a Tesco on the corner of Marconi & Nationwide.

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

The issue with large suburban-size grocery stores is that they need a certain residential population level within a specific radius to support their business model. While we do have a huge office and student and visitor population coming and going downtown, those aren't the same as a residential shopper who visits a large-scale grocery store.

So realistically, there are two solutions:

1. We continue to push for more residential development downtown and wait until we get to a level where it makes sense for large suburban-size Kroger or Giant Eagle (or something else) to open a store Downtown (which I agree would probably take another 10-20 years).

2. Opt for a more urban experience and somehow incentivize a retailer to open smaller bodega-style grocery store (or multiple stores placed in strategic locations) that carry a more diverse grocery product range beyond what existing convenience stores carry (which I think could be open and successful within in the next year or two if the right).

I think we can actually do both simultaneously.

Posted 2 years ago #
bjones7
Worthington Ohio
Login to Send PM

Walker-

Yes, I know, but where downtown can you go for groceries? I said "Kroger like" because; KrogerÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s isn't going to build a downtown location, any time in the next 20 years. Maybe a smaller grocery chain will?

Also you and most of CU, including myself do not live downtown. Grocery stores are more convenient where we live, but not downtown. My whole point is, if IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m going to live downtown, I want almost everything I "do" right now, DOWNTOWN.

Now I'll give the downtown planning commission/ the residences of Columbus, some MAJOR credit (GREAT JOB!! Ã¯ÂÅ ) . It does sound like the majority of what I am thinking of when it comes to "living,working,playing downtown" , is/will be downtown in the next 10 years. However, there will be things missing and I just want people to realize this!
(What I like to call the Ã¢â‚¬Å“ total picture scenarioÃ¢â‚¬Â )

Yes, you can't get the Ã¢â‚¬Å“total picture scenarioÃ¢â‚¬Â, until you have basic amenities /variables (like more people living downtown for example). Yet, did you or others think about where the people living downtown will shop, if they live downtown? Travel to Easton or Polaris? Then I might as well not move downtown, because I can do all of what Ã¢â‚¬Å“downtown has to offerÃ¢â‚¬Â, where I currently live.

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

Most of the 12 ideas laid out in the 2010 plan for Downtown either include new retail development or are focused on making existing vacant retail space more desirable in the future:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/12-ideas-laid-out-for-downtown-2010-strategic-plan

Just because it wasn't specifically spelled out that Idea #X would include a Kroger, doesn't mean that those types of options are not on the table for consideration.

Posted 2 years ago #
bjones7
Worthington Ohio
Login to Send PM

Walker-

Ya your right

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

bjones7 wrote >>
Also you and most of CU, including myself do not live downtown. Grocery stores are more convenient where we live, but not downtown.

I would argue that grocery stores are EQUALLY convenient Downtown as they currently are in most other neighborhoods around the city. If you live in Worthington, you probably have a few full-service grocery stores within a 5 minute drive of your home. You have that EXACT same option if you live Downtown.

What you're looking for is something even more convenient than that, and you want something on a more urban/walkable level. I can't say I blame you for expecting that before wanting to relocate downtown... but keep in mind that the way things are today Downtown are not LESS convenient. They're just not UBER convenient yet. ;)

Posted 2 years ago #
beersie1
Weinland Park
Login to Send PM

I don't know- Between the Giant Eagle in GV, the huge Kroger in the Brewery District, the Giant Eagle in Vict. Village, and Kroger right down the street between 5th and King (slated for a huge renovation..IF it ever happens) there are quite a few large-scale groceries around. I know there aren't any directly in the business district, but all within a couple of miles from wherever you live. Downtown isn't THAT big. I used to live in Dublin and pretty much had to drive, even for one or two items, not to mention have to deal with Sawmill Road. I think we've got it pretty good downtown and it's only getting better.

Posted 2 years ago #
anillo
Marzipan City
Login to Send PM

Not to derail this too much, but is there any new news on the 7th/High Kroger renovations? I'm pretty sure the recycling dropoff is still gone, and I think the reason listed on SWACO's site was something about renovation, but I haven't really seen much happening, nor heard much since that lady made a thread asking for ideas.

Posted 2 years ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
Login to Send PM

It isn't hard to go to one of the large-scale grocery stores near Downtown. I lived there and rode my bike to the BD Kroger or SP Giant Eagle. How many people in the burbs can say that? Now for clothes there used to be CJ Daniels on Main where I bought a couple of items, but yeah, clothing options are quite a bit more expensive since they're mainly in the Short North. Lucky for me, I don't go out clothes shopping very often.

I can tell you that you need a good urban environment before urban retail will come in and I've already detailed the lack of that elsewhere.

Posted 2 years ago #
rory
NW Short North
Login to Send PM

anillo wrote >>
Not to derail this too much, but is there any new news on the 7th/High Kroger renovations? I'm pretty sure the recycling dropoff is still gone, and I think the reason listed on SWACO's site was something about renovation, but I haven't really seen much happening, nor heard much since that lady made a thread asking for ideas.

Last I heard was that Kroger changed the design for the street side retail portion (made it smaller) and the design is before the University Area Review Board again.

@bjones7-sounds like you're ready to move to the walkable joy that is Weinland Park. :)

Posted 2 years ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
Login to Send PM

How close does a store need to be? The Kroger on Front, which I call Mega-Kroger, has pretty much everything. It's just down High, a short ride or a reasonable walk depending on where in Downtown you live.

I do agree it would be nice if there were a Target, Lowes, or Home Depot SOMEWHERE around Downtown/Brewery/GV, but then again, when I drive in the areas that have all of that, it's kind of repelling. Granted that I don't swing by a Macy's or need to buy a shirt on a daily basis, I'm fine with those things being where they are. (Pleased, really.) I'd rather have Tip Top, Club 185, Dirty Frank's, and so on nearby. Not only do they require me to spend less, they're much more rewarding after work. :)

Reminds me of: "Why does it have to be like this? Why can't I get anything good all at once?"
-- Pete Campbell, Mad Men

Posted 2 years ago #
K+M
German Village
Login to Send PM

I would argue that downtown currently offers a much more culturally rewarding living experience than any suburb. If you need to do Macy's type shopping everyday then you should probably move to Easton. No neighborhood is going to offer you everything you need in life within walking distance. You're gonna need transit at some point no matter where you live. As previous posts have mentioned there are perfectly adequate grocery stores convenient to downtown. Some things to do that might be different than what you "do right now" would be -spend some time at the Main Library (the countries best) -check out the Riffe Gallery or the OSU Urban Arts Space (often offer evening programs) -play kickball on the Statehouse lawn -visit the topiary park -see a show at the Ohio Theater or Southern Theater -eat and have a drink at any number of fabulous local restaurants. Downtown is NOT the suburbs. Thank goodness!

Posted 2 years ago #
SusanB
Hungarian Village, Columbus' fastest growing Gayborhood!
Login to Send PM

Yesterday I walked from MORPC (right next to the BD Kroger) to the CU meet up downtown. Not a problem. Now there is not a lot of housing on that end of downtown but the new condos/apartments on Front St are close by.

Posted 2 years ago #
Urbanboi
Downtown
Login to Send PM

I hate when people say Kroger in the Brewery District is downtown or Giant Eagle on Neil is close...Neither are downtown..if you live in the urban core you would still have to walk to either of these to shop. How about we tink a bit more bold ...A 30 story or so condo/apt building (not one fenced in like Miranova off to the side) with a nice grocery to anchor it on the first floor.

Posted 2 years ago #
Urbanboi
Downtown
Login to Send PM

Downtown is the only place I would live in Columbus and im sorry, but development downtown is taking 2 long.

Posted 2 years ago #
K+M
German Village
Login to Send PM

NOT trying to be a smartass...but there is a wee recession going on that might have something to do with slowed development

Posted 2 years ago #
anillo
Marzipan City
Login to Send PM

IMO a 30 story apt building is the last thing downtown needs right now. Even if there was a demand to fill it, we'd still be much better off just filling in all the empty lots with 3-5 story buildings until there's no room left. Spread it around.

Posted 2 years ago #