Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2006 » Downtown foot traffic dead this week.... « Previous Next »
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Gambling_man
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Username: Gambling_man

Post Number: 638
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 199.178.193.5
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

No one has been talking about this, but downtown foot traffic has been absolutely terrible all this week. The media has definitely been scaring people off from coming downtown at all. I guarantee this is the worst three-day stretch we have ever had at the casino, and the other merchants in Greektown are seeing similar results. I ate lunch today at Pegasus, and I have never seen it so empty. There is some bustle from the tents/workmen, but absolutely no customers. Can anyone with any ties to the media let the people know it's OK to come downtown? There will be parking, and yes, it will (hopefully) be busy, but please don't discourage people from coming downtown.....we want and need it to be busy.
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Matt_the_deuce
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Username: Matt_the_deuce

Post Number: 475
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.248.252
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, I noticed this too. There is practically no one downtown on the streets except for the workers. It's super dead. The only thing that has changed is that there is no street parking. Lots and Garages are all open. Not a big deal.
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Jenay
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Username: Jenay

Post Number: 137
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 68.41.224.19
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I noticed the same thing last night. I was suprised to find the parking deck at the Ren Cen pretty much empty at 6pm. Not a lot of folks downtown at all, except for around St. Andrews b/c there was some kind of show going on.
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Mind_field
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Username: Mind_field

Post Number: 478
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.240.205.61
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I went downtown last night for dinner and we ate at the Olympia in Greektown, I thought it would be much, much busier. It wasn't dead, foot traffic in Greektown was constant, but not bustling like I thought it would be. Woodward had a few folks walking around who obviously weren't MWB workers or security and Broadway had quite a bit of people too. That was around 6:30-7:00.
I told my friend that Campus Martius probably would have been super busy if Woodward was still open to traffic. Once you tell the suburbanites they can't get somewhere with their cars, they freak out.
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Chub
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Username: Chub

Post Number: 278
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 69.246.28.200
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm avoiding downtown at all costs, sorry. Not interested in football or hangin' with SnoopDog.
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Metrodetguy
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Username: Metrodetguy

Post Number: 2271
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.144.82.231
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"Once you tell the suburbanites they can't get somewhere with their cars, they freak out."

As opposed to city residents? Guess what, Detroiters that have cars aren't exactly keen on riding the bus either.
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Detroit_stylin
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Username: Detroit_stylin

Post Number: 2412
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.202.227.12
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

once again another erroneous statement Metrosexual...apparently you know every Detroiter in the city....
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Mind_field
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Username: Mind_field

Post Number: 479
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.240.205.61
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It will be interesting to see how Friday and Saturday night turn out. I am expecting a monumental crush of humanity to descend on downtown, but maybe it won't be so bad. A lot of people probably are turned off by all the extra hassle of street closures, more expensive parking, and the percieved crowds and congestion. It would be a big turnoff if you don't really know the city that well, I'm guessing.
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Matt_the_deuce
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Username: Matt_the_deuce

Post Number: 476
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.248.252
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Chub, how about the festivities? No one is gonna be hangin with Snoop unless you are a star yourself. Also, most of the stuff happening doesn't have anything to do with football.
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Chub
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Username: Chub

Post Number: 279
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 69.246.28.200
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 8:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I went to WinterBlast last year. Had a great time watching ? and the Mysterians and didn't feel like waiting a half our to go down the ice slide. Matt_the_deuce, tell me what I'm missing that's not related to football and doesn't cast big $$$. I'm interested.
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Motorcitymayor2026
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Username: Motorcitymayor2026

Post Number: 432
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 71.10.63.140
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am sure downtown will be buslting thurs-sat with the blast and all...

I think ppl are under the assumption that with all of the set up going on, downtown is not "open" until thursday.

That said, thee shots from the news showed a bustling Greektown, and LOTS of people surrounding campus martius
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Metrodetguy
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Username: Metrodetguy

Post Number: 2273
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.144.82.231
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detroit Flossin, I've thoroughly tapped that ass of yours on every other thread, so nothing new here. Try getting something right (finishing your plate) before you bite off even more.
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Ddaydave
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Username: Ddaydave

Post Number: 277
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 67.149.185.244
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I`m going to the winterblast tommorow great lineup of local music ...I had a great time last year also ..then I`m going to hit a few bars right out of downtown in corktown and the corriedor...
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Audible_nectar
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Username: Audible_nectar

Post Number: 62
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 12.214.103.152
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Super Bowl traffic your city has seen is just the warm up for the avalanche to come. The vast majority of people will arrive on Thursday and Friday. Plus the fact that the Blast is scheduled to start on Thursday adds to the lack of interest in Downtown now. It IS a weekday for the locals - I wouldn't expect many of them to show up during the week as they would closer to the weekend.

Many locals have probably convinced themselves to stay away - many others will be at the fest. Combine the attending locals with the influx of fans coming this weekend and things should be happening down there by Thursday - and even more so by the weekend.

It's early, folks - so don't panic. I'll certainly be down there by tomorrow night:-)
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Publicmsu
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Username: Publicmsu

Post Number: 580
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.65.11.17
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'll be downtown Friday and Saturday evening... coming in with a bunch of *gasp* other suburbanites... who are quite ready to spend their money. :-)
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Bobj
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Username: Bobj

Post Number: 414
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.40.89.238
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

With the NFL Experience starting tonight - that should add some folks.
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Sharmaal
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Username: Sharmaal

Post Number: 669
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 69.14.76.187
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Uhhh... I went to the Well yesterday and it had a good crowd. I also went to Pulse, also a very good crowd. Lots of people walking on the streets for a weekday. Hardrock had a good crowd (but I don't know what it's usually like). I thought it looked promising, considering it was a worknight. Thursday will really start ramping up is my guess.
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Matt_the_deuce
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Username: Matt_the_deuce

Post Number: 477
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.248.252
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 9:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Chub - bands, food, tent attractions, the city itself, people watching. Just the whole experience. all the concerts. Not unlike any other Festival (arts beats and eats, jazzfest, movement) except this is the superbowl - should be (hopefully raging) a great time and a chance to see the city and it's infrastructure live up to a little bit of it's potential.

Like finally getting that hot rod in the garage to fire up again after years of tinkering.

Don't ya wanna take her for a spin?
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 5509
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 69.82.214.130
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 10:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yer getting Sport jealous.
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Naturalsister
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Username: Naturalsister

Post Number: 460
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.42.169.65
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 10:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

All those people staying away are wimps. How can you stay away when the freakin' Super Bowl is happening in your backyard? It's not like this happens here often.

Folks better get out snd enjoy this. We won't see the D like this again in I don't know when.

The GM nerds at the Ren Cen are saying that they are taking a long weekend starting today. Losers.

later - naturalsister
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Paulj
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Username: Paulj

Post Number: 333
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 68.79.80.163
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 11:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i could give a rip about football, but I gotta say workign on this thing has been a hell of an experience. The circus atmosphere downtown & inside the rencen is like nothing I've ever seen in my 26 years here... I've got a pass and have gotten to get a real unique view of the thing because of work. The magnitude of goings-on is incredible.

Chub, you shoudl do yourself a favor & at least check it out, reguardless of your feeligns about football... It's crazy the way the place is all done up, and seeing so many storefronts open ( even if many of them may be temporary SBXL fronts).
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Llyn
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Username: Llyn

Post Number: 1405
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 68.61.197.206
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 11:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Okay, I was downtown tonight and it was rockin' for a Wed night... for any night. I LIKE it! The way the city was dressed up with signs and lights everywhere, the party atmosphere, the fireworks, the events all over the place...

A little glimpse of how it could be all the time?

There were a lot of people out and about. I'll be surprised if foot traffic continues to be a problem. I know I'll be down there Fri aft and eve!
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Super_d
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Username: Super_d

Post Number: 668
Registered: 08-2005
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 2:08 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've often questioned, why building downtown to attract white folk from 'sub-urbia' is the best move for the 'night pulse' of the city.___ At 90% Black majority, The brothas' and sistas' are the Embassadors who give this city the pulse, the energy, and the identity for this incredible city.

You can bet, after the hype, the flare, the coolness, and all the bells and whistle of the SB has passed, downtown will return to normal and all the white free market plutocates and meat and potato grabbing exploitators will head back to the hills wit' fertilized pockets of our hard earned money, while redistributing their winnings within their cozy little gated hamlets.

If I may evoke the discourse of the honorable Mayor of New Orleans, Mayor Ray Nagan, "This will, be a Chocolate City!".

super d(motordetroit)
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Matt_the_deuce
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Username: Matt_the_deuce

Post Number: 481
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.248.252
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 4:13 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Maybe all the middle class black people who moved out and now live in the suburbs will come down and enjoy it too.

Do you think all the loft/condo development is for white people?

The developers would love the middle class black people to consider remaining/returning to the city and buying into some of the new developments.
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Sharmaal
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Username: Sharmaal

Post Number: 670
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 136.2.1.103
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 9:46 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, if you don't see any "brothas' and sistas'" as ambassadors, you only have "brothas' and sistas'" to blame. It was an open volunteer list. Did you sign up to be an ambassador?
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Wolverine
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Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 116
Registered: 04-2004
Posted From: 141.213.196.136
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm somewhat shocked that some people would not want to go downtown because of a lack of interest in just football. Instead they rather sit on their ass in front of a computer and tell us how lame Winterfest was, or how they don't like football.

Jesus, it's your freakin' downtown! What's keeping you away from enjoying that. Honestly, I'd say if you support a better Detroit, you would at least walk down Woodward to show the world we have people in our city. This is an exciting time for the city. I'm surprised some people rather sit and complain about events downtown that are trying to give the public something to do, and improve the city's image.

This event is obviously important enough that 20 other friends and I are driving from A2 to just walk around the city all day.
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Sharmaal
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Username: Sharmaal

Post Number: 673
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 136.2.1.103
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:48 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Besides, we ALL need to be down there to help as Ambassadors to the city. Who knows it better than us?
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Gambling_man
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Username: Gambling_man

Post Number: 640
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 199.178.193.5
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 1:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Last night was alot better than it had been, although mostly from the Red Wing crowd. I think the bars downtown will do fine. Hopefully tonight it gets really packed......I want to show the media what type of buying power our metropolitan area is made of.
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 5514
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 166.144.4.17
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 1:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I want to show the media what type of PEOPLE our metropolitain area is made of.


Buying power, schmuying power.


It's the PEOPLE...that is our real depth of value compared to other cities that have tons of cash spent by arrogant assholes.


Las Vegas hosts the buying power of LA droids, mostly idiots who I'd never want to cross paths with again.


We are so much more than that....
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Bagman
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Username: Bagman

Post Number: 64
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 68.252.125.136
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 3:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

At 4pm on Wed. I started to notice a pick up in foot traffic by my windows. When I left at 4:30 and walked to the bus stop, I could tell that there was an event going on at Cobo, you could see the lost folks walking with that gaze in their eyes. I have noticed a drop in business since the city sudo closed the streets. Fort street appears to be closed however you can get to N or S Griswold. Over the last 3-4 years the city has allowed all kinds of closures for all kinds of reasons of the stretts near me, movie shoots, Motown Winter Blast, Jazz Fest. While it's great to have these events they don't bring most of us any more business, and some of us are hurt by the loss of the people who are not coming downtown to work this past week. There are law firms closing thurs. & fri. I think 36th District court is also closed. Now the fact that they have re-routed the busses by my windows is a good thing but does not translate to dollars when the busses are empty because people are not coming down for one reasen or another. I think the media does do a good job of convincing people not to come. I joke that when the city announces that they are closing the freeways down on the evening of the firework, that is just to keep the suburbanites out. Once you close the freeway many folks have no idea how to use the surface streets to get downtown. I am a big fan of the Motown Winter Blast. I had a blast there myself last year and hope to again this year. I just can't imagine that they will do it next year.
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Publicmsu
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Username: Publicmsu

Post Number: 585
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 129.188.33.221
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 3:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Looks like quite a few ants wandering around at 2pm on Thursday afternoon.

http://www.campusmartiuspark.o rg/images/img.jpg

*disclaimer* this image will change as the day goes on! :-)
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Eric_c
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Username: Eric_c

Post Number: 615
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.21.62.206
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 3:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Traffic picked up at 4:00. You left at 4:30. Does that make any sense?

I work in Downtown Hamtramck. The sidewalks roll up at 6pm. Our store stays open 'till nine every Monday and Thursday, then all week during the last week of every month. We've been here since 1928 and do beautifully.

Meet the needs of your customers by BEING THERE.

Same thing with Jimmy John's on Monroe. They close at five or six and don't stick around to even see the residential or special event traffic because they're too busy bitching about how there's no traffic. How would they know?
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 6643
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 4:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Eric_c is on. AS a downtown resident that works in the burbs it is difficult for me to support businesses that have 9-5 M-f hours. I would love to support them but it is damn near impossible.

**I do, however know that there may not be a huge boom in business but I would suspect that staying open an extra couple hours (even if it is twice a week) would allow some of us to support our local establishments.
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Bagman
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Username: Bagman

Post Number: 65
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 68.252.125.136
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 4:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Our business is 60 years old. We know when out customers need us. It pains me to tell the folks that live downtown that there are not enough of them to warrant being open up late in the evenings or on weekends. We were open six days a week from 9-5 and even kept late hours one night a week. That all ended 15-20 years ago. There is now way you can compare Downtown Hamtramck to Downtown Detroit. There are very few people in Downtown Detroit during the day. Most of the buildings are 60-80% vacant. My late father used to tell people we had cannon practice on Griswold on Saturdays when they asked if we were open on Saturday. I will meet a customer at my store any time of the day or night, I make that offer all the time, but I know that where there are 800,000 people at the Auto Show it doesn't effect mine or many others in my area. Sad but true. Downtown Detroit is no longer a place where Detroiters or Suburbanites go to shop. We rely on the tenants of these tall office buildings....What we need is more of them.....
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Eric_c
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Username: Eric_c

Post Number: 616
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.21.62.206
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 4:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You're absolutely right, Bagman. There is no way to compare Downtown Hamtramck with Downtown Detroit. Hamtramck has much less traffic, especially in our end of town. Twenty years ago, when our business really began to hurt, our store closed at seven.

The answer was to stay open 'till nine to allow people who work for a living the opportunity to get to us before we closed. After 9/11, we started staying open the last week of the month. Our gross profits are now higher as a result.

At the same time, our competitors scaled back their hours. Not coincidently, they are all out of business.
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Bagman
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Username: Bagman

Post Number: 66
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 68.252.125.136
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Eric,
Who are your customers? Mine are business people and travelers. Business people don't utilize downtown like they used to. Most leave the office as soon as they can get in their cars and get home for dinner. I am debating if I should even open my store this saturday. I have some health problems so if I do I will have to pay someone as I can't be there myself. I am not sure as busy as it will be downtown I'll be able to pull anything out of it. Of course if we are open we will get lots of people looking for a bathroom and cigeretts and beer, none of which I have or sell.
I wonder what rents are like in Hamtramck. Here they are asking 18-25 sq ft. I think that is what is keeping some of the retail space in Downtown Detroit empty. If I had to pay that I would have been gone years ago. I would think that with all the people living in Hamtramck, some of your downtown businesses do very well, and yes staying open late in a comunitty like that makes good sense.
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 6645
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

I wonder what rents are like in Hamtramck. Here they are asking 18-25 sq ft. I think that is what is keeping some of the retail space in Downtown Detroit empty.




I agree with you on this. I don't understand why building owners don't lower the rents understanding that once downtown begins to thrive the market will allow them to raise rents.

Bagman - I think that you may be discounting the disposable income and needs of many people moving into the area. Of course, I have not been running your business for years so you would probably know better than I. It just seems that there is a small but real growth in number of people downtown and the surroundings with disposable incomes.
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Jsmyers
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Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1389
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A couple of things Bagman:


quote:

Our business is 60 years old. We know when out customers need us.




I don't doubt this is true. But what I'm pretty certain of is that you don't know how to get more customers.

I wonder how many more customers you'd get if you stayed open to 5:30, since many of those office workers are busy until at least 5. Closing before most of the people come out of their cubes can't be that productive.

If you run the store I'm thinking of, I've tried to go in there a number of times when you are closed. The sign in the window says open, but there is nobody home. There is almost no external signage and the windows aren't easy to see through. If I hadn't stumbled upon it one day, I would never know it was there. That is one reason why the 800,000 autoshow goers don't come in.

You are forgetting thousands of residents with increasing amounts of disposable income that live in the surrounding neighborhoods (~17,000 in Midtown in 2000 - I wonder what Lafayette Park, Corktown, Woodbridge, Eastern Market, Downtown, and New Center add to that?). We would like to shop downtown too. You don't advertise to us or keep hours that allow us to go there. How are we supposed to shop?

Now this is beyond just the confines of your shop, but the reason all of these places don't stay open late comes down largely to the fact that none of these places are open late. Whether through the DDA, DDP, or just through word of mouth, ALL of you need to be open late at the same time.

For example: If every Wednesday, ALL shops and restaurants in the CBD are open till 9 pm, and you advertise it together, you might get somewhere. Coordinate the night with bars and lounges nearby to hold happy hours, and work with the coffee shops to hold low-key special events at that time.

This would be a lot more productive than it shop A stayed open till 9 on Tuesday, and B till 8 on Thursday, and C till 10 on Wednesday.


quote:

Downtown Detroit is no longer a place where Detroiters or Suburbanites go to shop.




This is also largely true. But the problem here is that there is nowhere to shop except when everybody is busy at work...often times up north.

With the changes that have taken place around downtown recently, you'd get your foot-traffic if there was anywhere to walk to.
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 6647
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Jsmyers - The idea of a coordinated late night thing is done in AA. I believe that the businesses on Main stay open later on Fridays or a specific Friday every month.

I don't know the overall effects (DialH may) but it seems like it is pretty successful in the spring/summer/fall.
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Jsmyers
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Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1390
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I forgot to mention the weather.

IMHO:

1. Real Improvements in Pedestrian Environment (Including some new businesses)

+

2. Increased spending power in surrounding areas

+

3. Buzz (Superbowl, et al related)

+

4. Nice spring weather

+

5. Coordinated effort by downtown businesses

(will) =

Measurable and likely lasting improvements in the downtown retail scene.

4 of those 5 have happened or are happening. Will the business people come together to make the last piece and keystone happen?
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Jdkeepsmiling
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Username: Jdkeepsmiling

Post Number: 18
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 208.50.91.234
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I can tell you that as a frequest visitor to the CBD and surroundings for those events that Bagman says do nothing for his bottom line that he is wrong. Now, i do not know what kind of store he operates....I mean if he is selling neckties then that is a little tough. I cannot tell you how many times I wished there was a food place open till 3am on Woodward. In Windsor there are tons, and people flood them after the bars close. With all the new suave clubs (you can't tell me they are poor becasue a drink in these places is 9 dollars), you think there would be a market for a late night sub place or Mr. Pita or something. My point is that the demographic is changing down there. My paretns generation is still a bit scared of Downtown, but as a 25 year old, I and my freinds love it down there. Whenever I am down there, i am alwalys looking for cool new stores to go to and to give my patronage. I just think some people need to realize that there is the new demographic, and we do not usually come out of the woodwork until 9pm.
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Matt_the_deuce
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Username: Matt_the_deuce

Post Number: 483
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.248.252
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As far as what kind of store it is...do you travel much?
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Jdkeepsmiling
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Username: Jdkeepsmiling

Post Number: 19
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 208.50.91.234
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh, i forgot, if they just made the CVS open 24hrs, you can bet there would be like 100 people there at 2:30am. I would totally be grabbing some Pringles and a MDX.
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Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell

Post Number: 2250
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 64.241.37.140
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 5:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Even something as simple as having a 'First Thursday' night where every business stays open the first Thur of a month is a good start. Birmingham art galleries did something like that at one time to much success with good spin off to surrounding restaurants, bars etc. An otherwise dead night is transformed into a money maker and droves come out. Why? Because everything is open and it is special. From there it can be grown to more nights, to what the traffic will bear and when business drops off.
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Jsmyers
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Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1391
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 6:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lowell,

I was partially thinking of 3rd Thursday in Portland when I wrote that. That is very art/entertainment based from what I've seen.

I honestly think that without too much changing, all businesses could be open once a month or week till 9 and normally till 6:30 or 7.

The biggest shame IMHO is the fact that the sandwhich joints and coffee houses aren't open late on weekends. Drunk food doesn't have to be greasy food. And sometimes going out doesn't mean getting drinks, but rather something warm and either something to read, or a good conversation.

(But I'm lucky 'cause Beans n Bytes is 3 blocks away.:-)
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 5518
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 70.236.198.22
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 9:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bagman,

Your PAST and CURRENT customers are the ones who can get in during your current business hours.


Perhaps you can leave a suggestion box near the door so that those who try to find you after your hours can let you know...increase the visibility of your signage from the street and include a phone number where they can leave a message after hours.

(every one of these new bodies downtown use cell phones, for most of them it is their ONLY phone)

Try an appointment-only experiment, perhaps, so that those who really WANT to do business within the city can get to you...without you staying open all night burning your time.


I know you don't want to be there outside of 9-5...neither did those car salespeople who worked at those dealerships that went out of business in Hamtramck that Eric_C speaks of.

(My guess is that if they'd put the effort into being accessible to their morphing client base that they did chucking cinder blocks through the windows of dealerships daring enough to open on Saturdays...they'd still have those lucrative jobs.)


Adapt or die...your choice. Withering to a delayed death seems to be your current path...
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Rustic
Member
Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2013
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.163.181.81
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 11:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

back in the olden times the smaller stores in the cbd usedta have one night they would stay open late (wed or thurs? not sure). bagman therock ray1936 ... probably remember, I just remember it from the newspaper ads as I was just a kid ...
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Bagman
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Username: Bagman

Post Number: 67
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 68.252.125.136
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 2:45 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Gannon,
I already do the by appointment thing. It works well and I meet customers at the shop at all hours of the night. I find that most people understand the currant business situation in downtown. More and more folks ask why we don't move to where the people are, like in the suburbs. We are and always will be a Detroit company based in Detroit. I love to show folks the chart my late father carried in his pocket. It shows how every year after we relocated to the Penobscot we did less and less. It also shows what the claimed currant work force in Downtown was for the same year. Dad would love to show his care to folks and show the real conection to people and $$$...As the people stopped working and coming downtown the business dried up. Please don't think I am complaining, I am only making observations. Truth be told I have a great deal on my lease and if I can get someone to offer me the right amount for my space......I'm gone. When my father died my grandfather told me not to keep the store open cause he was still alive. I didn't, I kept it open because it's a Detroit institution and my dream was to run the family biz. 4 months after my father died I signed a deal to vacate my space. The deal was worth $100,000. I signed that deal on Sept 10th 2001. The owners claimed after Sept 11th that they were getting out of the tall building business and backed out of the deal. Now 4+ years later business has only gotton worse and I swear the day I close you can bet I got my 100k. I love Detroit, I live in Midtown and it kills me that I have to leave the city to accuire some basic items for survival, like Lox and Cream Cheese. I guess there arn't enough of us Jews left in the city. As I was quoted in USA Today "I love Detroit, It's just killing me."
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Jsmyers
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Username: Jsmyers

Post Number: 1392
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 209.131.7.68
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 11:36 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

Withering to a delayed death seems to be your current path...




Seems to be the case. It seems it is a conscious decision, and one made with outmuch remorse.

(Message edited by jsmyers on February 03, 2006)
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 6653
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 12:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

I already do the by appointment thing. It works well and I meet customers at the shop at all hours of the night.




That is good to know. I will be in touch with you in the future.
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Jimelnino
Member
Username: Jimelnino

Post Number: 337
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 68.250.97.237
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 1:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Any reports on last nights traffic around town? Just curious
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Chris_rohn
Member
Username: Chris_rohn

Post Number: 180
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 68.77.160.147
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 1:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not as many people as the fireworks, but there were a heck of a lot of people downtown last night. It's going to be quite a weekend.
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Pffft
Member
Username: Pffft

Post Number: 764
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 68.248.14.6
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 1:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bagman,

My building isn't 60-80% empty. "Most"?

I think your zest for the city left long ago. It does take a lot to maintain downtown. Pessimism is catching.
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Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon

Post Number: 5525
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 70.236.198.22
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 1:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Euphorians on the southern Campus Martius stage at noon today.

One of my friends plays bass with them...should be a good music show for the lunch crowd.
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Jdkeepsmiling
Member
Username: Jdkeepsmiling

Post Number: 21
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 208.50.91.234
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 2:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was downtown last night, and i would say that it was the biggest crowds i have seen for anything except the fireworks. The best thing about this crowd though, was that it was everywhere! I was walking through some areas that re not normally trafficed and there were people all over the place. I gaving guys directions to Campus Martius from Broadway and Gratiot.....not usually a hot spot of activity. So go down there...everyone, tell your freinds and family to go. Lets put on a show for the world!
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Eric_c
Member
Username: Eric_c

Post Number: 625
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.21.62.206
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 2:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

...and then keep coming back!!!!
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Tomoh
Member
Username: Tomoh

Post Number: 71
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.40.205.183
Posted on Friday, February 03, 2006 - 11:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I really like Jsmyers idea of a coordinated late-hours weeknight for CBD businesses. Perhaps the first one could be kicked off with a
"midnight madness" type of event to get the word out.
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Mind_field
Member
Username: Mind_field

Post Number: 481
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.240.205.61
Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 3:08 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Woodward had insane foot traffic tonight, as did Greektown. Cmart Park was a zoo. Downtown was basically wall to wall people. I had to keep reminding myself I was in downtown Detroit, it's the most crowded I've ever seen it.
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Super_d
Member
Username: Super_d

Post Number: 672
Registered: 08-2005
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 4:17 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm wit' ya on that 'Mind_field' iiiiiiinsane foot traffic__ the best part was, all the people walking around with open beer bottles:-) Oh, and of course all the fine ladies!:-)

good-nite to all__ I need my rest, cause I'm gonna do it all over again Saturday night.


super d(motordetroit)
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Supersport
Member
Username: Supersport

Post Number: 9870
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.246.37.236
Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 4:25 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

At least ONE foot trafficker may be dead tonight, as somebody got capped outside of Maverick's.
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Gumby
Member
Username: Gumby

Post Number: 839
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 204.39.227.224
Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 7:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah SS my friends and I were around 10 feet from the shooting. Suprised I didn't shit myself.

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