Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Wee Bit O Retail News

Did you notice that the shopping center at 35th and Baseline now looks nicely landscaped, and there's a new broker's sign in front of the property? That's right, apparently the owner (bank?) realized that it can't continue to sit empty, or else they will have a deteriorating piece of junk on their hands.

Now, let's see if we can get any momentum in the commercial lease market. Hint: it isn't going to happen as long as properties like the one at 51st/Southern keep trying to convince the world that their lower traffic locations are worth $22 psf. The guys over at 27th and Baseline have the right idea in starting negotiations at $14.

So on to the bright side, let's commence the discussion of what kinds of businesses would be appropriate for 35th/Baseline. A craft store? Sporting goods? Trader Joe's or similar? Restaurants? Yoga studio? These are a few of the ideas I gleaned from past posts. Please feel free to take it from here, and keep in mind that this is a neighborhood location, meaning that most major retailers who normally locate near malls and such won't be interested. But that's okay; we can still use a few more neighborhood-oriented businesses here.

11 comments:

Mionskowski Family said...

A craft/scrapbooking store and yoga studio would be great. My husband and I would also like to see a Massage Envy open up somewhere in the Laveen/South Mountain area. Our favorite restaurant is L&L Hawaiian BBQ. It would be great to have one close to us since we have to travel to Happy Valley or Mesa for our craving :)

Claire said...

A Trader Joe's would be fantastic, although probably not realistic. There is a page on the TJ's website for retail locations, however:

http://www.traderjoes.com/location_requests_form.aspx

Some kind of thing for kids would be great too--Little Gym or Gymboree. Or a non-fast food, non-national chain restaurant!

Ben said...

My vote is for Trader Joe's! We definitely need some better (even chain) sit-down restaurants. It's a nice-looking complex...shame it's been empty so long.

Josephine said...

Yes! More restaurants woul dbe great. I have emailed Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, hoping to get one out here... A yoga place would be fun or a restaurant with a nice bar in it.

Unknown said...

My vote is for a TJ's! There is a link on the Trader Joe's website to request a location. I hope all your readers go check it out. Maybe if we generate enough requests, they will take Laveen seriously.

http://www.traderjoes.com/location_requests_form.aspx

Debt with Jenn said...

That's great! I would love a Bikram yoga studio and Trader Joe's! It would be nice to have some nicer sit down restaurants come in as well; maybe a Red White and Brew or sushi restaurant. :-)

Dave Watson said...

It would take a new building in the parking lot, but I am all for an In & Out anywhere local.

Ben said...

Just found this article on the 202 moving forward. May be old news but just published today:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/2009/06/27/20090627ahwatukeefreeway-ON.html

Rocket said...

I would love to see a IN N OUT Burger and a Barro's pizza. I don't want to see dollar stores or check cashing places though.

Mokopili said...

At one point a Wendy's was slated as a pad for the Northwest corner. Wonder if that's still in the works? I'd definitely prefer an In-n-Out!

Unknown said...

Well... before we see anything going in there the Upland group needs to learn the word "negotiation" It seems they know how to say it, just not what it means exactly! $24 per sq ft is far too much for any small start up business yet if you want 5,000 sq ft or more its only $14. That seems ideal for your larger corporations, but not really what we want to boost small business in the area such as your massage places, small sit-down food places, or yoga. I'll tell you one business that can afford it...that’s your good ole "check into cash" places! Oh yeah, we’ll see a few of those I’m sure!