The merging of entertainment and retail
Main streets are no longer the department-store-oriented retail districts they used to be. Now they must be entertainment retail districts to survive and thrive, which is consistent with our shift to an experience economy. Here are the new retail categories as the industry resource Urban Land Institute sees them.
Fun and leisure – interactive sports, sports bar, coffee bar, outdoor cafe, billiards/bowling/games;
Nesting – home entertainment, furnishings, and electronics;
Health and beauty – day spa, health club, cosmetics;
Education – bookstore/cafe, library branch, university extension;
Personal image – specialty clothing and accessories;
Indulgences – pastries, ice cream, candy;
Personal finance – investment adviser, stock broker, banking services.
Have you noticed this trend in your downtown? Comment below…
About The Author
Ridgewood, New Jersey has a very nice downtown. It actually fits most of your criteria for a main street entertainment retail district.