In Search of a City: Welcome the Chain Gang
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
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.