The Retail Thread

[zilfondel]

I think its kind of a valid concern. Apple won't be around forever, and this kind of building has zero capacity for reuse. It's too specialized. So we would be losing one very unremarkable, 2 story podium structure, with tiny windows, for a truly kick ass building scaled way too small for the site, with dubious potential reuse.

[2oh1]

And if that were to happen, the building Apple is proposing couldn't be replaced because................? The building Apple is proposing would be a million times easier for a large retailer to repurpose than Saks ever was. But that didn't stop Saks from being built. If Target didn't want to move into that Saks space, who else would? How many years would it sit vacant?

Quite frankly, I suspect Apple's new design isn't ugly enough for Portland. It lacks the yawn-worthiness of so much of our architecture. It isn't the beige carpet to our white walls. Oh, Portland, I love you, but you're better than that!

Apple walked away from plans to build on 23rd after a few building designs were turned down. What marvelous building ended up in that spot instead, eh? NW 23rd ended up with a building that is ugly and doesn't drive much foot traffic. Awesome, right? I sure hope that doesn't happen again.

[zilfondel]

You really think a 1 story building is the best use of a central city site zoned for what, 500+ feet?

Also, skyscraperpage.com

[Derek]

Apple is tearing down the existing structure. Who's to say that whenever Apple vacates that site, say maybe 20?+ years from now, that a new tenant couldn't tear this structure down and start anew?

[2oh1]

Originally Posted by zilfondel

You really think a 1 story building is the best use of a central city site zoned for what, 500+ feet?

Hold on.

If Saks stays abandoned, what are the odds that in the next 20 years, someone would build a 500 footer on this spot? We can't even get PAW built, and that's nowhere near 500 ft.

Remember what happened the last time Apple tried to build in Portland. In hopes of achieving the epitome of what a few people whose taste is probably questionable thought of as absolute perfection, Portland ended up with nothing. Apple abandoned their plans due to the ridiculousness of the hassle.

Good job, PDC! Here's what ended up on that spot instead. Ugly building. Less foot traffic. That's a loss for the overall health of retail on 23rd.

Also, let's be honest. How many people complained about having just one store occupying the space when Saks was built? Was Saks a 500 footer? A huge Apple Store is better for downtown than Saks. It's going to create more foot traffic than Saks did and it's going to attract more customers who are likely to wander to other nearby shops. That's a win for downtown retail.

Apple brings a ton of foot traffic. There's no denying that. With Apple on 4th and Target on 10th, plus Macy's, Nordstrom, etc, there's potential for a lot of smaller shops to really benefit from a ton of foot traffic. It'll hopefully even be great for the mall. In a perfect world, Apple would have wanted a massive chunk inside the mall, perhaps including a corner or side entrance, and another Saks type retailer (though not so high end) would have wanted the Saks building. That's not happening. And, really, this is better since we'll be getting a very attractive structure that'll draw a ton of foot traffic right in the heart of our downtown retail, not to mention a bit more open space (though the term plaza seems like a stretch, but that's fine).

This should be such a big win for Portland. It would be anywhere else... but here, we're trying to figure out how to get Apple to make the structure ugly enough to justify tearing down a bland building that We Can't Even Fill. Somehow, in Portland, an abandoned Saks with bad 90s suburban mall architecture is better than a modern stylish architecture with a store that'll bring in a ton of foot traffic. CRAZY.

I love Portland, but I do not claim to always understand this town.

[2oh1]

Originally Posted by derek

apple is tearing down the existing structure. Who's to say that whenever apple vacates that site, say maybe 20?+ years from now, that a new tenant couldn't tear this structure down and start anew?

Exactly.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by 2oh1

Hold on.

If Saks stays abandoned, what are the odds that in the next 20 years, someone would build a 500 footer on this spot? We can't even get PAW built, and that's nowhere near 500 ft.

Remember what happened the last time Apple tried to build in Portland. In hopes of achieving the epitome of what a few people whose taste is probably questionable thought of as absolute perfection, Portland ended up with nothing. Apple abandoned their plans due to the ridiculousness of the hassle.

Good job, PDC! Here's what ended up on that spot instead. Ugly building. Less foot traffic. That's a loss for the overall health of retail on 23rd.

Also, let's be honest. How many people complained about having just one store occupying the space when Saks was built? Was Saks a 500 footer? A huge Apple Store is better for downtown than Saks. It's going to create more foot traffic than Saks did and it's going to attract more customers who are likely to wander to other nearby shops. That's a win for downtown retail.

Apple brings a ton of foot traffic. There's no denying that. With Apple on 4th and Target on 10th, plus Macy's, Nordstrom, etc, there's potential for a lot of smaller shops to really benefit from a ton of foot traffic. It'll hopefully even be great for the mall. In a perfect world, Apple would have wanted a massive chunk inside the mall, perhaps including a corner or side entrance, and another Saks type retailer (though not so high end) would have wanted the Saks building. That's not happening. And, really, this is better since we'll be getting a very attractive structure that'll draw a ton of foot traffic right in the heart of our downtown retail, not to mention a bit more open space (though the term plaza seems like a stretch, but that's fine).

This should be such a big win for Portland. It would be anywhere else... but here, we're trying to figure out how to get Apple to make the structure ugly enough to justify tearing down a bland building that We Can't Even Fill. Somehow, in Portland, an abandoned Saks with bad 90s suburban mall architecture is better than a modern stylish architecture with a store that'll bring in a ton of foot traffic. CRAZY.

I love Portland, but I do not claim to always understand this town.

PERFECTLY SAID Thank You. I'm not gonna miss the monotonous Pioneer Place architecture -- it'll be great to break up that complex with a modern, sleek building that drives more foot traffic. We can't pass up opportunities like this because we're afraid of the 'what-if's' in 30 years. And if modern Apple retail architecture can't fit in DT Portland, where exactly would be good enough?

[PacificNW]

[downtownpdx]

The Fireside restaurant/bar will open in the long-vacant Music Millenium space on NW 23rd... no details yet, but a liquor license application is posted on the door.

http://pdx.eater.com/archives/2012/0...ant-tenant.php

[MarkDaMan]

Tesla plans to open a mini dealership like this one at Washington Square on July 20. The electric-car maker's first Oregon retail location will display one of its five-seat Model S sedans as well as an interactive program that provides information on its electric motor and allows customers to design their own car.

Tesla to sell all-electric Model S at Washington Square
Published: Thursday, July 12, 2012, 5:15 PM Updated: Thursday, July 12, 2012, 5:41 PM
By Laura Gunderson, The Oregonian

http://www.oregonlive.com/window-sho..._river_default

Tesla Motors is best known for its all-electric sports car with a matching, megawatt price tag. But apparently, that doesn't pay the bills.

The Fremont, Calif.-based manufacturer has rolled out a new sedan aimed for the masses -- including those who shop at Washington Square.

Tesla, which unveiled its two-seat Roadster for $109,000 in 2008, will unveil a "dealership" within the Tigard mall next Friday, fittingly next door to the Coach store and nearby Nordstrom. It's Tesla's first retail location in Oregon; the closest before was in Bellevue, Wash.

The Washington Square store will display the Model S, a five-seater that first went on sale last month starting at $49,900 after a federal tax credit. Fully loaded, the Model S tops out at $101,550.

"Tesla's goal is to accelerate the world's transition to electric mobility with a full range of increasingly affordable electric cars," announced Tesla, which aims to sell 5,000 of the sedans this year and 20,000 in 2013.

Some industry analysts are dubious, however, noting that Nissan's all-electric Leaf, priced at a little more than half of the Model S, has sold only 30,000 vehicles since hitting the market in 2010.

The Oregon location, one of nearly two dozen in North America, also will feature interactive displays that allow customers to design their own vehicle.

-- Laura Gunderson

[edirp]

DALLAS, Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Corner Bakery Cafe, the fast casual bakery cafe known for its ingredient-inspired menu, made fresh to order for breakfast, lunch and dinner and catering for any occasion, has announced expansion plans for Portland, Ore., Minneapolis-St.Paul and Orlando, Fla.

With more than 140 franchise and company-owned locations open or under development, Corner Bakery Cafe expects to open at least 47 restaurants in the three markets as part of previously announced plans to double its footprint in the U.S. over the next four years. The growth will be accomplished primarily through franchising.

"These markets are a perfect for Corner Bakery Cafe," said Jonathan Benjamin , vice president of franchising at Corner Bakery Cafe. "Each is known for their strong neighborhoods and with our neighborhood approach to development, we expect each new restaurant to quickly become a favorite gathering place for local families and friends. Add the fact that fast casual is the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry, and that makes Corner Bakery Cafe an ideal concept for entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators looking for new opportunities in these markets."

The targeted expansion calls for 18 new restaurants in Minneapolis-St. Paul, 18 in Orlando and 11 in Portland. Corner Bakery Cafe is currently evaluating potential franchisees for each market.

"Based on the exceptional success we are experiencing with both existing and new restaurants, we are convinced that now is the time to be even more aggressive in our efforts to take Corner Bakery cafe into new markets," said Benjamin.

Evolving from its start in 1991 as a small bread bakery in downtown Chicago, Corner Bakery Cafe is today a national cornerstone of the fast casual dining segment thanks to an innovative menu, its neighborhood approach to development and exceptional unit level economics, including an average $2.2 million in annual sales volume and an attractive AUV/Investment Ratio.

Corner Bakery Cafe's made-to-order menu features hot breakfast scramblers, signature panini and sandwiches, homemade soups, hand-tossed salads, pastas and decadent desserts while providing a place to gather with family and friends. Corner Bakery Cafe also provides a robust, best-in-class catering platform, presenting fresh food perfectly packaged for delivery or pick up.

More information on Corner Bakery Cafe franchise opportunities is available at www.cornerbakerycafe.com/Franchise.

About Corner Bakery
Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to guests in 14 states and Washington, D.C. Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants are owned and operated by CBC Restaurant Corp. with more than 140 company-owned and franchised locations around the country. Founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends, Corner Bakery Cafe offers a casual atmosphere featuring innovative, seasonal menu options ranging from hot breakfasts and signature panini to handcrafted salads, sandwiches and mouthwatering sweets. Corner Bakery Cafe offers dine-in, to-go and catering service for any occasion. Corner Bakery Cafe delivers a premier bakery cafe experience in the heart of neighborhoods everywhere.

For more information, visit www.cornerbakerycafe.com. Become a fan of the Corner Bakery Cafe on Facebook, or follow Corner Bakery Cafe on Twitter @CornerBakery.


SOURCE Corner Bakery Cafe

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1qizP)

[downtownpdx]

New restaurant moving into old Lucier space in Riverplace

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/...&ed=2012-11-26

[edirp]

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/...ana=ind_retail

[MarkDaMan]

I drove through Jantzen Beach a couple weeks ago to see how the new 'mall' was progressing. What a waste of space. It's a sprawling mess! You have to get in your car to drive from big box to big box. There's no center of the development from which the retails radiate, it's just a mismatch of box building all over the place. Cascade Station is by no means a model for retailing centers, but it is 1000% better than the mess at Hayden Island! It's a shame that's our major northern entry to Oregon.

[downtownpdx]

Don't forget the lovely 'lottery row' nearby! haha... Yeah what a pathetic area. Would love to go back in time and see it in its glory days with the roller coaster etc.

[2oh1]

Yikes. Cascade Station is horrible. You need a car to get from Ikea to Best Buy, and then again to get from Best Buy to Target. There is no center to that shopping center, and the first light rail stop there couldn't be any more poorly placed.

It's been ages since I've been to Jantzen Beach, but I must say that redeveloping it as something worse than Cascade station is kind of impressive. In a bad way.

[Mr. Walch]

My favorite bit of the Thunderbird site big box redevelopment is that it's a waterfront site next to I-5. Hopefully they will build it with the loading dock facing the river for a truly great "Welcome to Oregon".

[downtownpdx]

A couple new restaurants opening soon downtown:

Brunch Box -- the sandwich food cart at SW 5th and Oak will open a brick-and-mortar spot in the vacated Rice Junkies spot on SW 9th between Morrison & Alder.

http://pdx.eater.com/archives/categories/downtown.php

Hatch -- folks behind Killer Burger will open full-service, full-bar, Southwest-focused restaurant in former Morning Star Cafe spot at SW 3rd/Washington.

http://breakfastinbridgetown.com/por...eakfast-hatch/

[maccoinnich]

Also Tasty N Alder in the former Cox Cleaners space, nicely adding to the collection of restaurants in that area.

http://pdx.eater.com/archives/2013/0...lder-menus.php

[2oh1]

I didn't realize the Rice Junkies spot was that small! Brunch Box will only have 15 seats. Wow. Little! That's an interesting spot. If they can hang on a decade or so, PAW just might eventually be built next door.