In Search of a City: Welcome the Chain Gang
A national clothing chain, National Jean Company, is about to open a store in the Short North. Along with American Apparel, the Short North will soon house two national chain clothing stores.
The arrival of chain apparel is a sure sign of maturity for any retail district. Chain stores avoid risky locations and only enter proven consumer markets. Apparently, the Short North has hit the corporate radar screen.
Whether this development is good or bad generates considerable debate in a place like the Short North. Some people worry that national chains will increase rents and drive independent stores from the neighborhood. Chain retail is equated to homogenization.
I subscribe to another line of thought: that chain stores serve as an anchor and improve the performance of their independent neighbors. I cannot imagine a time when the Short North will not have unique local stores, and I enjoy seeing a mix of chains and independents.
The Short North is probably no longer a place where retail pioneers can afford to set up shop. Luckily, Columbus has many other promising urban streets that are begging for attention.
Tags: National Jean Company, Short North
March 16th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I agree that national chains can add value to an otherwise mostly unique neighborhood filled with independently owned businesses. A national chain can draw customers into the area who otherwise would not be as willing to venture. Once there, they can proceed to check out other offerings nearby.
That being said, I think National Jean Company and American Apparel are unique examples of “chain retail”. The AA store is the only one in Central Ohio and the new NJC store will be their first in the entire midwest. The addition of these stores to the Short North aren’t going to have the same type of “homogenization” effect as would a more commonly found retailer like The Gap or Old Navy.
Also, I would disagree with the statement that the Short North is possibly no longer a place where retail pioneers can afford to set up. Perhaps the rents are getting too steep in the southern half of the district, but with the Short North stretching up to Fifth Avenue, there are still plenty of empty storefronts on the northern end where a cheaper rent can be bargained with a landlord.
March 16th, 2010 at 10:21 am
As much as I love the Short North, the character is definitely changing. I remember a time when edgy art galleries dominated the entire strip. Then we had gentrification of the old stalwart bars and saw the introduction of fine dining. Now we are seeing the emergence of chain retail. That is definitely a mark of steady increase in value to the area. I would love to see adjacent streets also take on more of the success so nearby. I do agree with Walker that affordable rents are still available nearby, if not right in the heart of the most successful strip. This is an area notable for reversing a decades-long decline and replacing it with a decades-long improvement. The rest of the country would do well to notice (and some have.) I trust the neighborhood should be self-righting enough to not become Easton II. (Curious, though how Easton imitated traditional urban life – right down to the parking meters)
Now with the Short north fully fledged, we should be looking at repeating this elsewhere. Franklinton? Olde Town East? Linden? Parsons? Diamonds in the rough. Don’t say it can’t be done. Just one photo of the Short North from 1983 should show you a scene similar to those neighborhoods now. Maybe the stimulus plan should have given each one of us a broom and a paintbrush. It’s time to get to work.