I walked by this space the other day and noticed the For Rent signs are down. I haven't checked in the past day or two but I assume that hasn't changed. Does anyone know what might be going in there eventually? I wouldn't mind a Panera Bread, Pret a Manger, or something along those lines. Perfect location and the space seems big enough for that kind of restaurant.
What would you like to see in that space?
What would you like to see in that space?
I heard it was going to be an office for Spectrum Cable TV
ReplyDeleteSomeone posted in the FH Facebook group page that Spectrum will be opening in that space. Not sure if it's part of their push for their new mobile service or a combination as a service center and mobile purchasing etc.
ReplyDeleteHaha, just when you think old Austin Street couldn't come up with another way to disappoint when it comes to what we could really use in the 'hood. LOL - a cable company store? Really? Does anyone even have cable anymore?
ReplyDeleteI wish it would be Old Navy!!
ReplyDeleteoh no please no
DeleteUnpopular opinion but redevelop it with a few floors of residential and keep the retail on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteA mini food court or Davids Tea maybe ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you guys are wrong on this one. I'm totally with Drake. How could they even think to waste such prime retail space??? This block is totally going downhill. People don't even want Spectrum anymore. There is a big push to switch to Verizon FIOS, many in my building did last year and I've seen them set up in other buildings in the area. This just shows why Spectrum is failing - they're out of touch; who on earth on a nice walk down Austin is going to care to stop in there. I hope they fail, along with the new pharmacy, barber shop and whatever useless thing opens on that block.
ReplyDeleteSo what suggestions do you have for retailers other than large chains that have not decided to come here already? We have had plenty of vacant store fronts for them if they wanted them. Pret is not interested and would not have enough patrons except for maybe a small weekday crowd. Certainly not as far away from the subway station as the New York and co space. Retail is a dying industry as we have all obviously known since amazon came to be more than 20 years ago. Other than hair and nail services that cannot be purchased online (why a 2nd and 3rd barber shop is opening on Austin street now) not many entrepreneurs or sustainable retail businesses are viable. Even the budget conscious grocer closed (Ctown) due to how many previous shoppers started with fresh direct deliveries (just watch the truck traffic). The patrons here are excited for a second hand store (housing works) so they can “drop off old clothes” and not because they want to purchase other people’s old clothes. We already have a second hand clothes store on Austin that is already on its way out due to lack of sales. Why not petition Karen koslowitz and others for better traffic patterns and zoning requirements for community retail so the area stays virbant instead of blaming landlords who are investing here for a return not as charity?
ReplyDeleteAgree that Austin is left to provide good/services that consumer can not find online. Therefore restaurants and nail salons will survive. I do hope Housingworks will make it. Browsing through the stores in Manhattan IMO is fun, glad to have our own here in FH. As far as Fresh Direct, there are lots of families in the neighborhood, it's tough to truck back a week's worth of groceries for four(or more) on foot. This is not true surburbia where you could drive to and from a supermarket. Fresh Direct is fulfilling a need therefore it's getting increasing popular. I do not want to see anyone trying
DeleteITDA retail is not dead. Bad retail is and should be dead. Many many love to get out and shop for shoes, clothes, food. Touch it, try it on, go with a friend. Very social thing. Eating out is a pleasure. Bad eating out is not. Good vendors will make their places attractive affordable, deliver, take out....
DeleteDONT PUT SPECTRUM IN THERE!! LAME.
ReplyDeleteAs sad as it seems, I do agree somewhat with the 11:28 comment. As far as retail goes, I actually like the Party-R-Us store on Austin. They've been there around 3 years and at first I thought it would be a waste and even thought the name was silly, but I do find myself in there from time to time and there's usually other shoppers as well. They have reasonably priced cleaning products, oddball products like shower hair caps ($1.29), kitchen products, toys and of course party goods, plates, cups, etc. I am actually impressed at how much they cram in. I think there's way more of the "hard to find" stuff than the Target Express has (which is also trying to be a pharmacy, grocer and cheap clothing retailer; and failing at all of them). Give Party-R-Us a shot, they have stuff just as cheap, sometimes cheaper than Amazon, and they seem to rotate stock often. I do feel that in general though, retail is tough and Austin would ultimately do better as a foodie destination with more restaurants and gourmet markets, but definitely not wasteful things like Spectrum and more banks- they totally kill the vibe of the block.
ReplyDeleteSadly, a Spectrum store is probably it. Given the rent, they are probably one of the only companies that can afford it. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteTo me, as an 18 year resident of FH, it's sad to see the continued decline of the Austin Street commercial district. There is always a huge disconnect between what FH residents hope and want for their neighborhood and what ultimately opens (and quite often quickly closes). Local politicians like Karen Koslowitz are great at setting up a table on the days of the Austin Street fairs, smiling to those walking by, and saying whatever is necessary to be re-elected. But who is to blame for the continued decline of Austin Street? The residents who vote back in local politicians who year-after-year do nothing to improve our neighborhood and business district. Why hasn't there been the creation of an organization that will meet on a regular basis where residents can give their input on recreating our neighborhood? Only when a "crisis" is about to happen (re: juvenile prison to be opened in the Kew Gardens court building) do residents turn out and voice their opposition. This forum (Edge of the City Blog) is only valuable "if" the right people read it, absorb it, and act on it. Otherwise, more banks, pharmacies, barber shops, nail salons, and I can't even believe I'm saying this...Spectrum! It is our civic duty to ensure our local politicians get actively involved in making decision that will better our community, not just be satisfied that a pop-up business opens just to fill a commercial spot. Because as we have all seen, many of those businesses are doomed to fail before they even open. I suggest we, as FH residents, push harder for local politicians and business groups to create a long-term, sustainable plan for Austin Street.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it ultimately up to the landlords who decide what business will lease their space? The community can certainly voice their opinion and push our local politicians to put a bit pressure on landlords....but it's on the landlords.
DeleteI'm not a fan with most of what's been opening and closing on Austin in the 8 years I've been living in the area. But when a landlord jacks up their rent, it doesn't allow for 'mom n pop' type stores to open since they can't afford the rent.
Big box stores, banks etc can afford the rent so they're all that's left as prospective leasees.
Let's start our own new community board.
ReplyDeleteAre there any banks not already in Forest Hills? It would be nice to see another bank just to have every bank. You know, complete the set. OY!
ReplyDeleteMalls are hurting too. Times have changed. Amazon killed the mom and pop stores.
ReplyDeleteIHOP would both kill T-Bone and encourage obesity. No thanks!
ReplyDeletePlenty of us are able to regulate our eating and can eat at an IHOP every now and again and stay in shape. I'm all of 98 lbs. IHOP isn't going to make or break me.
ReplyDelete