In Search of a City: New Year’s Wish List Part Deux
The new year could be a good one for the area north of Capitol Square. Dunkin Donuts opens at Broad and High. Interest in the Pearl Market continues to grow, and 2009 should bring it many more vendors and shoppers. A hotel development at 16 and 20 East Broad Street looks promising. The area’s employment and residential populations continue to grow.
With 500 new, market-rate housing units between Broad Street and Nationwide Boulevard, the area has gained enough households to support some neighborhood retail stores. Add 41,000 employees and 1135 hotel rooms within a five-minute walk of Broad and High, and the walk-in trade area has nearly $100 million of spending power.
Likely candidates for retail success include a green grocer, new and used book store, florist, bakery, GNC-style vitamin and nutrition store, pet supply store, dry cleaner, pharmacy, gift shop, Radio Shack-style electronics store, and office supply store. The challenge is finding vendors who will fill the void. If corporate chains will not open stores, are there independent folks who will?
