Comments on: Starbucks debate heats up Short North

By: litlgrey

litlgrey — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:41:02 +0000

I have always been pleased with Cup O Joe’s, and I like any scenario in which they muscle out the multi-national. SB’s menu is really dreary compared to COJ’s, and even compared to Caribou’s.

By: BUTerrier

BUTerrier — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 14:13:24 +0000

I know it can be any level, but I might have misused “contemporary” instead of “modern”. I mean the type of things Crate and barrel and pottery barn carry are much different than what F.F. carried. Design within reach seems to be classic pieces remade: barcelona chair, Noguchi stuff, etc. There seems to be a void in that segment at any level almost.

By: gramarye

gramarye — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:31:27 +0000

Walker wrote Yeah, now that it's being mentioned I'm sort of surprised no one has stepped up to fill that gap that Functional Furnishings left behind. Is there any one retail spot big enough for a store of that size though in the area?

Probably not one available, but there are buildings of that size that could probably be rezoned for retail (if they aren't already compatible with such use). My guess is something that size would have to locate a little further north now, however, where rent per square foot is not so onerous. F.F. might have made a tidy profit on any given sale, but it was hardly a volume seller, and did take up a *lot* of space. I think that sales floor was listed on CBF as 13,500 sf.

By: gramarye

gramarye — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:28:06 +0000

Well, contemporary doesn’t necessarily mean cheap. Contemporary can be upscale, midscale, downscale (Craigslist-scale … well, maybe not, but I’m usually buying my furniture there anyway …)

By: BUTerrier

BUTerrier — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:50:45 +0000

I do not consider pottery barn or crate and barrell contemporary really. Design with in reach of course is, but it jsut seems we could support another store along the lines of F.F or Design within reach, or Copenhagen. Just seems to be a huge void to fill for people looking for this type of furniture. I mean we still have a Roche Bobois store and fills somewhat of the void, but most of us are not buying $6000 couches.

By: Walker

Walker — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:36:36 +0000

I have a light blue one, and I don't think it's THAT comfortable. :lol: It's alright, but the lack of a real armrest made me realize that it wasn't a good purchase for a computer chair. :?

Actually, perhaps I should sell it. I rarely use it anymore. It's just taking up space....

By: AmyArt21

AmyArt21 — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:13:41 +0000

Walker wrote Yeah, now that it's being mentioned I'm sort of surprised no one has stepped up to fill that gap that Functional Furnishings left behind. Is there any one retail spot big enough for a store of that size though in the area?

Oh, I miss Functional Furnishings!!! I wanted to buy those Karim Rashid "OH" chairs in orange, and after I thought about it for a few months, the store was gone. So sad! (Has anyone ever sat in these? They are amazing)

They sell the chairs in the Container Store, but only in 4 colors. And they cost a ridiculous amount to ship from online.

By: The Hegemo

The Hegemo — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:11:35 +0000

gramarye wrote
I think that there are enough people in New Albany and the other suburbs interested in contemporary furniture, however. After all, Easton manages to support Crate and Barrel, Design Within Reach, and Pottery Barn.

I'd guess that the rule Trader Joe's et al use in placing stores in mid-sized cities like this probably applies as well to contemporary furniture -- people in the city will drive to the suburbs to go to stores like that, but people in the suburbs are less likely to drive into the city for them. Locating in the suburbs, they still capture both groups of customers.

By: Walker

Walker — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:07:55 +0000

Yeah, now that it’s being mentioned I’m sort of surprised no one has stepped up to fill that gap that Functional Furnishings left behind. Is there any one retail spot big enough for a store of that size though in the area?

By: honavery

honavery — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:03:26 +0000

I know Po was open about a month ago, I bought some glasses there. It is/was on the third floor by where Victoria’s Secret used to be.

By: gramarye

gramarye — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 22:30:32 +0000

Pretty sure they're gone from City Center. They aren't listed on the mall's directory anymore, and I didn't see them when I strolled through the mall last week. I don't remember exactly where in the mall they were located, but I probably would have stopped in for a moment had I seen it.

I think that there are enough people in New Albany and the other suburbs interested in contemporary furniture, however. After all, Easton manages to support Crate and Barrel, Design Within Reach, and Pottery Barn.

By: BUTerrier

BUTerrier — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:14:28 +0000

I just noticed the Starbucks yesterday. I still think there needs to be a store like functional furnishings in that area. I for the most part I would imagine people who would buy contemporary furniture are not going to reside in New Albany, and would most likely reside in the short north or downtown or GV, etc. Does Po still have the location in city center?

By: gramarye

gramarye — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:16:37 +0000

I guess I just miss Functional Furnishings. :(

By: Walker

Walker — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:49:55 +0000

The Short North Insider wrote Starbucks Yukon Location Opens Monday June 11
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Posted by Daniel Shankster
Starbucks new location in the Yukon Building will open tomorrow, Monday June 11th. This adds to the Coffee Table and Cup O Joe across the street. For all the kidding and anger floating around about Starbucks openings, they have many fans so it will be a nice addition to the Short North, even if not welcomed by all.

By: vespamary

vespamary — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:33:53 +0000

Some time ago, UDF’s idea for “changing the building” included putting in gas pumps out front there. That idea got shot down by both commissions and the SNBA. While a gas station may have been convenient, we hardly needed another brownfield and the (forever closed) Shell station at 5th and High is not exactly indicative that the neighborhood patronized that place much.