Interesting post from Jeff Jordan, Why Malls are getting Mauled.
The takeaway from Jordan's post: classic retail is disappearing. Ergo, a downtown with retail stores is no more. It just ain't coming back. At best, a CVS and a Dunkin Donuts. Listen folks, Wusta doesn't even have a McDonalds downtown. That sez it all. What respectable city doesn't have a McD's downtown?
If memory serves, the Worcester Galleria bleed to death over 15 years; its heyday a faint memory, replaced by The Greendale Mall, now populated with seasonal low-end retail businesses. Downtown is a retail desert.
Wusta has seen dozens of small retailers and restaurants fail over the last 3 years. Empty store fronts everywhere. (link: America's disappearing restaurant chains). We've been trying to get stats about business closings from city hall, but it seems no one is keeping track. Incorporations yes, closings no.
Will Wusta's downtown ever come back? You can be expected to be skeptical about any plan especially if it comes from the Worcester Business Development Corp. You've heard it all before.
Its latest report is more propaganda (the WBDC's latest plan still is premised on placing a hockey rink on the McGrath parking lot) intended to assure the public that City Hall and WBDC will rebuild downtown no matter what. Well, good luck with that.
Wusta boosters can mouth all the nonsense they want. The reality is: it's not in the hands of the WDBC or city hall. And lowering tax rates will not make any difference.
Welcome to Wusta!
3 comments:
Do not forget that the Hanover that is the base for the downtown theater district and has been open for 4 years and not one restaurant or pub has opened near it. Progress sure is slow.
Here, here!
Hey 01605! A good point.
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