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Investors take note: the recent announcement of Hills Market coming to downtown Columbus has moved me to mention an idea I think would make money hand over fist: a revival of Woolworth's.
You clicked on it, didn't you? "What? Woolworth's is opening again? Where?"
Woolworth's is an American icon with fond associations, but a brand whose image was tarnished by a sad decline during the advent of the big box stores. I think with some retooling, this brand could rise again as more of a boutique-style store selling high-quality Americana and home goods.
I think the next thing Columbus (and most cities) needs is a revival of the Woolworth's dimestore, right downtown, except tricked out for contemporary times. Like an American, Midwestern-farmhouse-revival-aesthetic Muji or Ikea. But more boutique-style than Target. A "dry goods" or "mercantile". Basic homegoods of good quality, plain and classic styling, excellent service, everything made in America. A customer could walk in and feel that time has slowed, but with further inspection, they should see that they're looking at new stuff with all the modern conveniences. I wish one could open at that empty space at the southwest corner of 5th and High, because that looks like the perfect space for a dry goods store with a lunch counter! You'd have to have a lunch counter, and a soda fountain too (looks like something else is going into that space right now though).
There's also something so satisfying in claiming some pride in an American icon when our country seems so divided right now.
I think this idea is so good that I want to team up with investors and merchandise it up. I personally think people would get whiplash trying to get there to spend money ASAP. I know I would.
What do you think?
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.