What do you think about the plans for Broughton St.? (Atlanta: home, restaurants)

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by ajc100890

What's the progress on J.Crew? I apologize for the question, but I haven't been back in town since January. I can't seem to find anything online either.

They're working on it. I think demolition is complete (or nearly so). Ditto for the space that will reportedly house Sephora. The Palm Avenue store is progressing. The signs originally stated it was to open this week; now it says "soon." There is a "COA" for alternations on the front of the spaces that will house Anne Taylor. Those have already been demoed / gutted so it's only a matter of build-out. I imagine they'll open this summer.

As I mentioned earlier, there are numerous storefronts with COA and 'B-Street Project" signs in them, as well as a handful that still have Judge Realty signs in them (which is the agent compiling all this).

INTERESTING NOTE: A couple weeks ago, a couple of tourists from Canada stopped me on the street and asked me what was going on. They said they were told that Broughton Street had lots of nice shopping, but they were disappointed to see so many vacancies. I explained to them what was going on, and they got very excited. They said they would look forward to coming back and seeing the finished product. I was worried that, during this interim construction period, some visitors might get the wrong idea or be turned off. But on the flip side, there's a lot of activity on the street, and people are taking notice. That's a good thing.

I will say this: The friends and acquaintances I have that work downtown have never been more excited. There's a real energy on the street now, and people are talking about it. Last Saturday, the sidewalks downtown were simply overflowing with people. I can only imagine what it's going to be like once all these new stores open up!

[Stboro]

I'd love to see a Cheesecake Factory downtown.

I always thought Oglethorpe Mall would be where lux retailers would eventually pop up, but I'm glad they're heading downtown. I wonder though that if a upscale department store came to town, would they choose a mall now or go downtown? I sort of figured once Sears closed up shop, a Nordstrom would take it's place (albeit a smaller footprint). But I don't know if downtown even has the space for a ~80k square foot department store.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by Stboro

I'd love to see a Cheesecake Factory downtown.

I always thought Oglethorpe Mall would be where lux retailers would eventually pop up, but I'm glad they're heading downtown. I wonder though that if a upscale department store came to town, would they choose a mall now or go downtown? I sort of figured once Sears closed up shop, a Nordstrom would take it's place (albeit a smaller footprint). But I don't know if downtown even has the space for a ~80k square foot department store.

A Cheesecake Factory downtown would be a HORRIBLE idea! There are far too many EXCELLENT local Savannah restaurants in the downtown area. Chains have historically done very poorly downtown. Joe's Crab Shack on River Street is the lowest performing restaurant in the entire chain and is barely paying their bills.

Nordstrom?! I won't even comment on that ridiculous notion ...

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

A Cheesecake Factory downtown would be a HORRIBLE idea! There are far too many EXCELLENT local Savannah restaurants in the downtown area. Chains have historically done very poorly downtown. Joe's Crab Shack on River Street is the lowest performing restaurant in the entire chain and is barely paying their bills.

Nordstrom?! I won't even comment on that ridiculous notion ...

Not to dispute your info or anything, but just curious where you got your info. This is interesting. I would've never guessed.

[Stboro]

I'm not saying Savannah's ready for a Nordstrom now, but in the future.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

Not to dispute your info or anything, but just curious where you got your info. This is interesting. I would've never guessed.

What info? About Joe's? It came from the bar manager.

[gentlearts]

Darn, my invitation to the yacht must have gotten lost in the mail.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

What info? About Joe's? It came from the bar manager.

It looks like a bunker of some kind. Not at all attractive, and they don't seem to advertise much. Maybe no one knows they're there.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

What info? About Joe's? It came from the bar manager.

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Chains have historically done very poorly downtown.

More specifically this.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

More specifically this.

I speaking mainly of restaurants. There are very few chain restaurants downtown, and for good reason. They just can't compete with the good local places. Ruth's Chris, Outback, Five Guys, etc. do good because they serve a niche. A chain seafood place like Joe's is really out of place.