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1:59 a.m. • 2-11-12

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Study: Build on existing retail in downtown Raleigh


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Raleigh skyline
Raleigh skyline

City officials should focus on building on existing retail instead of trying to attract brand-name stores downtown, according to a consultant.

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance hired Michael Berne of MJB Consulting to devise a plan for developing retail traffic downtown. In a report released Wednesday, Berne said efforts should initially focus on serving people who live and work downtown and those who attend events downtown.

"It is fitting with who's already here. In marketing terms, it's always easier and less costly to get more from existing customers than trying to attract a whole new one," Berne said. "There is more to be had from those existing customers. Let's get that right, and the rest will follow if that's successful."

Local specialty stores and minority-owned businesses could serve as gathering places to build a sense of community, the report said. The odds of a supermarket succeeding downtown are slim, but niche stores that attract certain demographic groups could eventually make the area a shopping destination, the report said.

Downtown Raleigh Alliance continue to recruit stores and restaurants to the central business district, and organization officials said they plan to meet with local merchants in the coming months to develop a plan to market the area better to shoppers.

RELATED TOPICS: Raleigh, Fayetteville Street

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Downtown is the best place in Raleigh. Don't tell the N. Raleigh crowd, though. We're trying to keep the class of people high by keeping N. Raleigh out.

Retail downtown? Where? All I have ever seen are "Urban" clothing type establishments with things only a rapper would wear and there are a few skeezy bodegas.

I would like to see them attract a House of Blues Restaurant or Hard Rock Cafe. Both these restaurants would attract more people downtown and also attract business such as retail. These types of businesses will make downtown Raleigh more of a destination.

Imagine how many people from our state drive to Myrtle Beach just to see a show at the House of Blues. Now imagine those people driving to Raleigh instead.

Fine's Men Shop, all the clothing stores that were on S. Wilmington St., all of the mom and pop businesses we have pushed out of downtown especially in downtown east.

I am amazed how intellectually stupid this city has become. On one hand we want downtown to be an economic engine while now we have affirmed that the historic niche market that was established after the shopping center era took root is our destiny yet now we have priced that venue out of downtown.

What existing downtown retail? Shopping downtown is pathetic.

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