Okay, I'll bite
There were various comments amid the postings below that talked about what doesn't work downtown.
Okay, so can anyone with any credibility tell me what does bring people to downtown Monroe and help business? I suspect attorneys and staffing places don't care how many people come downtown.
So answer me this: What works to bring people downtown to retail businesses -- food places as well as places like Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Martin's Shoe House, the Book Nook, and other places. I'd like to hear from the people who actually have to rely on foot traffic for their business.
I have a theory about this, but I'd like to hear it from the horses' mouths.
Okay, so can anyone with any credibility tell me what does bring people to downtown Monroe and help business? I suspect attorneys and staffing places don't care how many people come downtown.
So answer me this: What works to bring people downtown to retail businesses -- food places as well as places like Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Martin's Shoe House, the Book Nook, and other places. I'd like to hear from the people who actually have to rely on foot traffic for their business.
I have a theory about this, but I'd like to hear it from the horses' mouths.
posted by The Observer at 6/07/2007 12:54:00 PM
11 Comments:
People bring people downtown. Bring in five new retail businesses and they will feed off of each other.
Why do malls do well? Because they have many stores with various merchandise all under one roof. They also have a food court, which at Frenchtown Mall seems to be the main area where money is made. They also have parking with various entrances, although people don't realize how much they walk at a mall, and it would surprise them that they actually walk further than shopping downtown and walking a block from parking. But it is all under one roof, so that is ok.
Downtown has something that most mall stores do not have. More personal service. Local ownership. Library. Taverns. Entertainment. Historic buildings and a museum. Not to mention 1,000 employees everyday.
For years I have heard what downtown needs. They need a bakery, specialty shops, little boutiques, etc. What they really need is for the people who make these statements to step up and invest in one of these business ventures. Sure, they can insist on buildings being historic, sidewalks to be redesigned, pocket parks to be built, but the ones making these statements have no financial interests in downtown. Some may not even work in Monroe. Some may not work at all. Others pay their rent and then expect their landlords to rehab the building historically, no matter what the costs, and then tell them their rent is too high.
It would be great for downtown to have a new 3 million dollar library. It would be great to bring MCCC extension classes to downtown. It would be great to fix up the riverwalk and make businesses accessible from the river side. Unfortunately, these are not attainable due to budget constraints as well as the fact that the average Joe doesn't want his tax dollars wasted on these things. He just wants good roads and good police/fire and DPS services. Besides, isn't the new pavilion and the Loranger square enough park for downtown? If not, go over three blocks to St. Mary's park.
You really want a viable downtown? Here is what I see as a way to revitalize downtown. The plan to build condos in the Lauer Finzel lot was a good plan. Needs a little help in their design though. Still, this would enhance parking and bring many residents to downtown, where many would walk around, shop, dine, be entertained, etc. With this condo project, the buildings on W. Front Street would probably benefit from businesses seeking them. Many would undergo some much needed rehabilitation, thus enhancing the area. They could add rear entrances. This would sprawl out to the next block and so on. Soon the downtown would become a community where people would want to live and be drawn to. Perhaps different restaurants and different shops would open. With the added population, perhaps a bakery could open and survive. Wouldn't it be great if people could live downtown and never have to leave to go get groceries, or go out to eat, or go buy some clothes, or buy some "Crate & Barrel" type housewares? Perhaps the RRCA could receive much needed support, by putting on different types of artistic venues, or even just movie nights.
Well, I've gone on enough. Hope some others post some encouraging things on this topic. I'll be looking for suggestions, and maybe it will be myself who chooses to open a new business. Saying we want it to come will not cut it. Someone has to take a chance, and it would benefit all if several business ventures could start at once, to feed off of each other, you know, trickle down effect.
I have to say, I love reading all the comments on this blog. So are insightful, while others are...well. We'll leave it at that.
Being resident of the City and living basically as close to town as you can get. I think in order for the downtown to thrive and really become what it is suppose to be, is to offer service.
Don't close shops up at 5:00pm.
I enjoy walking downtown during the summer. I enjoy walking through the shops and seeing what things I can buy. I can't spend any money if the shops are closed.
Tonight we took the kids for a walk. In front of Cafe Classics, there were 20-30 kids standing on the corner. They were just hanging out, "play" fighting and such.
That is great that they are drawing buisness, but where is the control to keep these kids from blocking sidewalks? I would have loved to take the kids in to get them a cookie or muffin, but with ten teenagers hanging out, swearing. I would rather keep walking. Yes, I do remember what it was like to be young, but I was respectful of others.
Downtown has so many potentials, I can see people traveling in from Toledo, or A2 to just walk around our small town. We have to capitalize on what we have. We have fantastic historic buildings, we have an amazing park at St. Mary's that holds concerts, fireworks, etc. We have ALOT of open retail spaces that need businesses, but will not be filled due to high rental cost.
We have Loranger Square, that had a antique vehicle show tonight. We arrived home about 7:30 and decided to walk down. By the time we got there, it was done and over with. Monroe is a 7:00am to 4:00pm town. We have to change that! We have to get businesses who are interested in wanting downtown to succeed. We need residents to walk the streets and patronize our businesses. We need to look at other communities to see what works and what doesn't.
We have a nice selection of places to eat and bars, but we don't need anymore. We need retail. Housewares, Speciality Shops, High-End Bath and Body type merchandise.
I own a business that I would love to open downtown. I refuse to pay $650.00 a month for a 4 by 10 space.
Our downtown is unappealing to others. We are a blink of the eye to passer-bys. We have to emphasize or value. If your come to Monroe, you will see clean streets, a varied of shops for your shopping needs. Places to take a break, be it for a coffee or ice cream.
Downtown is failing because of the perception. You have the haves vs. the have nots. Who wants to go into a building and hear how "them people" or "the one's who own half the town". Believe it or not, that does affect people going into town or not.
We have to focus on the bigger picture. We have a diamond and we are not doing anything to make it shine.
We moved downtown because as a child, I loved attending festivals, the shops and just walking around. I wanted to be able to sit on my front porch and hear the music playing in Loranger Sq. or walking down at 10pm to see what was happening.
My childhood was a better dream. We have some activity downtown, but we have to bring in more.
I believe that you can rent the former Weisel corner store for under $1,000. That is a big space for a very visable corner. Think rent is high downtown? Where have you ever looked before? That amount of space would cost $3,000 in a strip mall or even more at Frenchtown Square Mall.
Maybe it would be better for you to buy a building and renovate it. Then you could put in your business and be your own landlord. I think that the opposite corner just sold for around $150,000 give or take. Figure on putting in around $50,000-$100,000 in renovations, and you are all set. You will have a $250,000 investment which would put your payment at around $2,500 per month, plus taxes at around $350.00 per month, plus insurance, $200.00 per month. That's $3,050 per month, at your cost as the building owner. Too high? You can always rent it out instead and try to get $800.00 per month, and although my math is not the best, you may go bankrupt. Get the point? Your comment about $650 per month for a 4x10 space, although obviously tongue in cheek, is ridiculous. If you are interested in really opening a business, check out the real rental rates, and you will see that opening a business downtown is a bargain compared to other area's prices per square foot.
Downtown merchants normally close at 5:00 because that is when most of the activity leaves downtown. As stated previously, if more retail businesses were to move into the area, they could feed off of each other, and then set longer hours of operation similar to each other. Take your kids for a walk earlier in the day, and try Cafe Classics or even the new Rendezvous, and you will be more pleasantly served. EVER GO OUT TO THE MALL AND HEAR THE TEENAGERS THERE?
Unfortunately, we do not have anyone actively seeking business ventures for downtown Monroe. The Mainstreet office should be doing that with the tax capture from the DDA district. Again, unfortunately, they would rather put in more parks and do more streetscapes. Put a former planner in charge, and that is what you are going to get.
Reatil is a tough area for downtown, because as a county seat, we are a haven for attorneys. They have been slowly gobbling up properties for their own use, and these will never be retail again. It is good that "the one's who own half the town" are making a commitment to downtown. The Wickenheisers, Beneteaus, Bicas, and now the man who bought the buildings where flashback guitar is located (sorry, don't know his name)have put their own money into improving downtown. Why criticize them for buying buildings and then renting them out. As I showed previously, they are making huge investments and reaping little rewards over long periods of time, 20-30 years. The little shops you walked as a child have moved to the malls, so why not put in a business of your own. I'm sure that if you check out the rents, you will find your statement to be false. Don't get me wrong, if you are looking for 3000 square feet for $400 per month, you would probably have to locate your business in the "worst" area of downtown- DOWNTOWN DETROIT.
I also used to buy a gallon of gas for $0.85 per gallon. I used to go to a show where RRCA is located. I used to walk to the library, before the internet age. Used to Used to, Used to. Not anymore, and we can discuss forever what used to be, but what comes next is most important. History is over, it has happened, and you can't change it. What you can do is change the future of downtown.
How do you keep people from your town:
1). Bring in THREE scrap metal facilities within a one mile area. These businesses, while needed, should never, ever be near any residential areas nor any "tourist" through-ways.
2). Make sure the river walk looks as unkempt as possible. Have you noticed the broken lights (at every bench) and the overgrowth of plant life?
3). Make sure you have kids that like to paint graffiti - I love walking down the river walk and seeing all the wonderful signs painted - don't you?
4). Make sure City and County employees get the best parking spaces. Isn't Mercy Memorial "busing" in staff from another location so that there nurses and what not do not take up residential parking? Maybe if the City and County started doing this (using DPS on Jones Ave or another location) it would (1) prevent workers leaving early (say, did you notice all of the City and County employees out watching the "implosion" at the Paper Mill yesterday? (2) Free up parking for visitors / shoppers and residents.
5). Continue to be petty and pissy. This whole idea of, "belly up to the bar and invest in downtown" and that if you don't you have no right to complain is hogwash! Irrespective if I own a business / building / interest in downtown is irrelevant. I am a taxpayer and my tax dollars support the DDA / Mainstreet Program. My tax dollars support Mr. Wallace's position (grant writing / CDBG). My tax dollars support Mr. Greene (Historic Preservationist) and most importantly, my post tax dollars support the businesses downtown. My family and I have shopped at nearly every business downtown in the last month with the exception of Frenchies (have not bought any gold / silver / jewelry - although I do want to go look at some postcards), Leski Market (usually just go downtown to eat), Flashback Guitars (don't play), the Purse Store (don't need one), and River's Edge (although - I am going in there to look at the reclining chair in the window - gotta love that). (left out the bars as I don't want anyone to figure out if I am drunk or not).
How Do You Bring People To Your Town:
1). Car Shows downtown (that go longer than 8:00 PM). The previous writer was correct - this ended early - why? I am an adult now - the city streets on a hot, steamy night like last night should not be empty by 9:00. Bookend this with number two below (2). (Imagine going to a car show (with DJ playing music on the steps of the Historical Museum - watching the cars cruise and then at 10:00 going into the RRCA and watching "American Graffiti".
2). DDA movie nights at the RRCA - Guys you found a good thing - promote it and do it.
3). Bi-Weekly festival's / sidewalk sales. This is going to be uncomfortable - we will have to close Washington St. from second to Front. Front from Macomb to Monroe and then from Monroe to the Post Office. Live entertainment (roaming clowns, jugglers, bubble artist) food, drink and good times (btw - most of these events cost NOTHING - except extra electricity - contact the UofM Theater Department they are always looking for some place to come and do things - FREE(!).
4). Clean up and accentuate the river walk. We have guys in jail that can clean it (isn't this a good use of my tax dollars - considering they take the JAWS program to clean the rest area?). We have some great artist in local schools - map off some of the area's along the walk and allow each school (SMCC, Monroe, Jefferson, Dundee, Airport, (so - on), to "paint the town". (Cost - Zero).
5). Stop acting like we are in dire straits! We are, but, the more we act like it the more others don't want to be around us. Think about the relative that when you ask, "how ya doing" they want to tell you about there gout, bleeding gums - damn! We keep telling everyone things are horrible. Look - we have one of the most beautiful small towns in Michigan (if not the mid-west). We are the former home of Monroe Automotive. The home of La-Z-Boy, the home of Gen. George Armstrong Custer, the home of Kaye Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson, Gunner Ross, Bronco McKart. Our citizen's have played monumental places in history: Dr. Dorsch, Mr. Boyd, Mother Jones, to name a few. Much of history for not just Michigan but America flows through our streets and our town - It's time we started acting like it. Our town was thought to be such a wonderful site that President Clinton "passed the torch" to Vice President Gore - here in Monroe! President Bush has visited. We have the amenities and opportunities to become the City that all of us envision - but, we continue to fall victim to the "rust belt" mentality. It's time we start living up to who we are.
I've go a ton more but have already went on long enough. Sorry for going on and on.
Cityresident:
Just read your second comment. I did not take Ms. Sweat as criticising anyone in particular. what I took was that it is difficult (financially). Again, the defensiveness about, "they are investing and putting there money up" is tiring - god bless them for having the wherewithal do do so. But, continuing to state the obvious only alienates most average people. To me this rings as if "they" are doing me a favor by having a business here in Monroe. Instead of what it really is, ME doing them a favor by patronizing there business. My favorite business has, sadly, changed hands (McGeady's). Used to love the atmosphere early in the evening when Mr. Martin owned it. Everyone seemed to be welcoming and enjoyed having you. Sadly - this is lost.
Take your kids earlier in the day? What - are parents not at work? Uh - besides who do you think has cash in there wallets to spend? Parents or a kids as Ms. Sweat said, "hanging around outside".
I agree with your assessment of the DDA - they needed an "activities director" like Julie from the Love Boat! Honest.
Downtown residents closing at 5:00 is part of the problem. If they are not open to those in the community that work for a living who are they open to? Attorneys, City Workers and each other during lunch hour? Ever think this is part of the problem? If all they are doing is meeting and talking with each other they are getting a skewed view of what consumers may want - don't know if this is the case but, I know that the Mall and other cities (Ann Arbor, Saline) do not roll up the streets at 5:00.
Finally, I was downtown last night also and not only seen the kids hanging outside the cafe but noticed the police parked on Front and Monroe Street "talking" to them. I also noticed the kids beating up another kid on the river walk. I also noticed the "residents" of living above Martin's Shoe's (I think - the building with the balcony) Yelling, standing outside drinking, screaming at cars / people around 10:00 pm.
I also noticed the "residents" outside of the old Rays Music sitting in lawn chairs on the sidewalk drinking and getting loud.
Don't we want more? I mean, if we want to have drunks here, there and everywhere along with kids acting a fool - OK. But, make sure those folks who invested and "they are making huge investments and reaping little rewards" as you said don't complain about the smell of urine or broken glass or graffiti or broken windows or destroyed property or stolen property or - you get the point.
I don't think anyone wants to go backwards but I believe that moving forward does not mean forgetting. By the way, my new favorite place - Rendezvous. Really welcoming staff (nice kids) with a great interior.
Why don't we just bulldoze downtown and build a mall?
That would get one developer / operator running the whole show and stop all the bickering.
I thought the mainstreet manager was supposed to recruit some businesses. How can we get some national chains downtown? It is difficult for mom / pop local businesses to compete against the economies of scale. Even though everyone romantically pines away and acts as if that is what they want, they will end up buying from the cheapest, cleanest, most convenient source.
Cityresident,
Are you always trite?
The rental I was refrerring too is the the space rented by Julie Hood?
The women who sells native american items. That rental space say right on the poster board hung in the window $650.00. The space really is only 4 by 10, maybe a bit longer. 4 by 11.
The poster board is old and faded. I admit I may have it read it wrong. I doubt it since I walk alot downtown and walk past the building. If you could give me some ideas of rent for spaces, I would be interested.
Since Kathy closed Re-Find Finishings, I haven't gone for a walk downtown earlier in the day. Besides, with it getting warmer out, my infant doesn't tolerate the heat real well. Early evening walks are better for my family. We can all be together.
My children are in school, like most. Has it been that long for you? You mention .85 cent gas, it must be. I am assuming you have kids.
I rarely ever go to the mall. One, because my family has only one vehicle. I don't want to take Tarta.
Yes, I know the problems at the mall. I worked there.
CR, you musn't of read my post properly. I said ""Who wants to go into a building and hear how "them people" or "the one's who own half the town""
I didn't mention names, 1 and 2, did you notice I said in the building. It would indicate that the tenants are complaining about downtown residentstheir landlords.
What can I do to change and add to downtown? Continue to shop in the shops. Continue to eat in the resturants.
Really, you shouldn't be so uptight. I was just giving my opinion. Just say you don't agree and move on? Though I am sure since your tag is cityresident, you must be one of the ones who live downtown also. We should meet and have luch. I love eating at Zorba's. Love the Patty Melt.
We need to be more productive.
Sorry about the grammer. I am typing while infant impaired!
As a transplanted resident of over 40 years tenure, downtown is an essential feature of Monroe or any similar city. Jones for Men takes care of my special clothing needs with outstanding attention to detail. Martin Shoe store sells quality goods and always takes pride in their service.
Martin’s window display is a model of the recommendations in the 1981 façade study in that the display reflects the season. Martins does leather repair work which is handy for older camera nags and belts. Magnum force across from the Sawyer house is an excellent place to shop for handguns as well as other arms and reloading supplies. Their prices generally are lower than Cabelas and the service is excellent.
The car show is of interest to me. Perhaps I will see about bringing my antique 66 ford F100 truck down and get advice on how to continue fixing it up. Nearly everyone in this town is decent, friendly, and helpful.
David Alkire Smith
Places to rent that I just saw by a quick trip out and about:
-corner of First & Monroe
-Washington St. across from MB&T's new building-three different addresses
-old Fine Arts building
-old Ray's music
-next to Rivers Edge
-old Wysocs and old Campbells bar
-old Chamber office
-building across from old Chamber office
-next to new Wysocs
These were a few that stood out, but there are probably more. I know there is office space at 25 E. Front St. and probably in the old Kresges building.
I do agree with letting the building owners fix their buildings the way they wish. It is after all, their money. These are not city property, and I wouldn't want someone telling me how to fix up my house, would you?
Good comments all.
IMHO, the downtown area is in one of the more vibrant periods I've seen in years. People are proving everyday that they can succeed in business and that an investment downtown is a good place to at least start a business.
Some of the places were mentioned in previous posts. Starting with the copier place, the cremation society, the medical billing place, flashback guitars, the purse place in the Superior Health place, Redevous, Me & Mrs. Jones, Monroe Street Grill, the list could go on and on. There are, however, some problems that prevent such progress. I won't mention names but there are some long-time downtown property owners who really do try to rent tiny, run-down roof-leakers for an enormous amount of money. Why can't the city make them bring their buildings up to code?
But beyond that, I think the future of downtown Monroe is a lot brighter than the future of the mall.
Sometimes I think familiarity breeds contempt. I know outsiders who have raved about downtown, mainly because of how quaint it looks and the fact that it has legitimate history.
BTW, I'm glad no one said we need a whole lot more parking to make downtown successful. It ain't true.
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