tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post6268407840635306882..comments2023-10-01T11:04:12.429-05:00Comments on Sloopin - A South Loop Blog: Pondering Potential Retail at Roosevelt CollectionSloopyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513112726608015138noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-45919834216062469762010-12-11T07:05:47.922-06:002010-12-11T07:05:47.922-06:00I'm going to speak up for all the families (an...I'm going to speak up for all the families (and potentially university students) when I say I'd personally LOVE a bowling alley/arcade type place---not cheesy ala Chuck E Cheese (eek!)--but one that is retro and cool with interesting things to do in the winter. <br />I'd also suggest a Pump It Up (or the like), as I feel like I'm on the North Side every other weekend for a birthday party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-20172719159319568712010-12-10T08:46:24.888-06:002010-12-10T08:46:24.888-06:00Hi Chris. I'd never heard of Chiasso before, ...Hi Chris. I'd never heard of Chiasso before, but based on the website, I think this would be a great fit for the South Loop and RC. I'd imagine the store would be popular with the Columbia students as well as all the young professionals in the area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-47018426892072693792010-12-09T21:43:00.376-06:002010-12-09T21:43:00.376-06:00I love Chiasso! I would definitely shop there if ...I love Chiasso! I would definitely shop there if it was located at Roosevelt Collection...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-72943177549613936652010-12-09T17:21:29.778-06:002010-12-09T17:21:29.778-06:00I'm the owner of Chiasso and noticed your comm...I'm the owner of Chiasso and noticed your comments about CB2 and West Elm. If we open a store at the RC would you shop there? <br /><br />Thanks.<br />Chris Segal<br />President<br />ChiassoUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01842971081258759057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-25805481657415906972010-11-29T21:29:45.720-06:002010-11-29T21:29:45.720-06:00The last post hit it on the nose.
25 years ago I ...The last post hit it on the nose.<br /><br />25 years ago I went to school here at the Art Institute, there is NO WAY you would have wanted to be in the South Loop after dark. 10 years ago I moved back here (Printer's Row) and was amazed at how much things had improved DESPITE an almost complete lack of national chain-type businesses . . . but within the past 5 years or so there's been just too much irresponsible development IMO. Now you've got all these half-empty condo towers going rental and more vacant retail space than once thought possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-23935056351791901842010-11-29T18:38:46.657-06:002010-11-29T18:38:46.657-06:00If you don't want this property to be compared...If you don't want this property to be compared to Centrum Properties in other neighborhoods, then don't cite the tenants of other neighborhoods' Centrum Properties in the initial blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-34661138398095561672010-11-29T10:50:50.979-06:002010-11-29T10:50:50.979-06:00'Every other neighborhood in the city has at l...'Every other neighborhood in the city has at least one (and in most cases more) of the "usual Centrum tenants." '<br /><br />Really? I guess that's if you only consider a "neighborhood" to be one of the yuppie lakeside enclaves. I used to live in Old Irving Park, and while it has undergone some wonderful changes since I left 10 years ago, it doesn't have any of those usual suspects, at least not last time I was up there. (Although it does have one of the best BBQ restaurants on the north side, Smoque.) <br /><br />I think we will see some of those retailers, or something similar, come into the Roosevelt Collection eventually. Personally, I would prefer locally based more quirky retailers, but just given the nature of the development, it's going to attract upscale national chains.<br /><br />And I just wanna say, I am often amazed at the comments here about how lacking the South Loop is compared to North Side lakefront neighborhoods. Anyone who understands the history of this area, and that is was virtually empty and/or desolated for decades before any development began (slowly in the late 1970s with Dearborn Park) and understands urban development, knows it takes decades to build a neighborhood from that. If you want to live in Lake View, fine, live there. But anyone who knew this area 30 or 40 years ago, will tell you that an amazing transformation has already taken place. <br /><br />Trying to compare the number of new stores opening there to the ones here is apples to oranges. Lake View or Wrigleyville, or any of those areas, have been <b>established</b> neighborhoods for DECADES. The South Loop is just reaching that status, in my opinion. <br /><br />I moved here because I knew it would be a great investment if I stayed long enough ( and I don't plan on moving any time soon), that I could afford a lot more space here than I could farther north, and it was so close to downtown and everything there, including my job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-7605571081007882042010-11-28T20:36:02.068-06:002010-11-28T20:36:02.068-06:00Every other neighborhood in the city has at least ...Every other neighborhood in the city has at least one (and in most cases more) of the "usual Centrum tenants." The Sloop has zero.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-14484381876930893262010-11-28T19:06:02.186-06:002010-11-28T19:06:02.186-06:00American Apparel just opened a new store on S. Sta...American Apparel just opened a new store on S. State.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-63021073194786854012010-11-28T17:28:22.052-06:002010-11-28T17:28:22.052-06:00I don't think that these kinds of retailers wo...I don't think that these kinds of retailers would be unattainable, given the neighborhood demographics. The fact that there are tailor shops a few blocks away is completely immaterial: Cabrini-Green is a few blocks west of Oak Street, but that doesn't seem to matter. Target and Whole Foods actually make great anchors, and both appear to be doing well.<br /><br />However, several of the "dream list" of retailers posted would likely not work here. American Apparel is facing financial difficulties and has curbed expansion; CB2's expansion model now favors adding new cities rather than infilling new stores within markets; Trader Joe's tends to choose quirky, low-rent sites.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-36081722668135087972010-11-24T13:59:15.174-06:002010-11-24T13:59:15.174-06:001) Brad makes a good point.
2) No development proj...1) Brad makes a good point.<br />2) No development project underwrote the recession, and frankly 90% of the economy failed to see it coming. I'm sure the developers wish they had broken ground years earlier or were just breaking ground now, but this project seemed to handle the collapse better than many others I've seen (Waterview, Staybridge)<br /><br />3) Looking at the names of tenants at their other project, that's pretty high end. I'd imagine they could lease to lesser quality tenants and spend less capital. If the TIF helps to attract those types of tenants vs. more boxes and strip center tenants, I'm for it, but they'd better add some nicer sit down restaurants to go along with the shops. <br />4) I don't get the Trader Joes joke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-2458667120441742322010-11-23T17:11:42.226-06:002010-11-23T17:11:42.226-06:00It would be interesting to see how many of these i...It would be interesting to see how many of these ignorant, pessimistic anons are part of the 10% of visitors from outside the neighborhood. Do you really believe that a handful of working class stores on the outskirts of the Roosevelt strip are having a delayed negative impact on development? I suppose more vacant land or a Cabrini Green (as in the case of North and Clybourn) would be better neighbors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-24188033079056058292010-11-23T17:00:48.603-06:002010-11-23T17:00:48.603-06:00Maybe the should put the Trader Joe's here!
H...Maybe the should put the Trader Joe's here!<br /><br />Ha! Ha! Ha!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-24220969343594693532010-11-23T16:35:53.421-06:002010-11-23T16:35:53.421-06:00Anon 4:25 is missing the point. Regardless of whe...Anon 4:25 is missing the point. Regardless of whether or not the theater could or couldn't back out of the space, the point is that this high end theater wanted to open on Roosevelt even with these shops that you're referencing as the "strip along roosevelt" (which as the previous poster just explained are actually nice shops).Bradnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-43045854749582332662010-11-23T16:29:07.006-06:002010-11-23T16:29:07.006-06:00I also strongly object to the "pimp clothing&...I also strongly object to the "pimp clothing" personification of the shops on Roosevelt. If you took the time to actually go there you'd see second and third generation establishments that have been trying to adjust to changing trends. There's a top-notch hat store over there that's one of the best in the city and a tailor that has been making custom garments for celebs since the 1950's. There's also a shoe repair/supply joint that's second to none.<br /><br />These are all locally owned and operated, non-chain businesses that should be patronized and praised. Not you cup of tea? Fine, but don't slam hard working people you know nothing about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-78458025904738078352010-11-23T16:25:53.697-06:002010-11-23T16:25:53.697-06:00Again, that movie theater only opened because of t...Again, that movie theater only opened because of the custom buildout which was incorporated into the construction of the RC. The theater company, unlike every other commercial tenant affiliated with Centrum Properties, could not back out after construction contingencies were met.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-35962360826731223312010-11-23T16:12:03.006-06:002010-11-23T16:12:03.006-06:00Disagree - that "strip on Roosevelt" att...Disagree - that "strip on Roosevelt" attracted Whole Foods (which last time I checked catered to a upscale clientele) and a beautiful Movie Theater that is targeted at a higher end consumer as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-92188058422320798042010-11-23T16:04:25.195-06:002010-11-23T16:04:25.195-06:00If your "dream" retailers consist of Cra...If your "dream" retailers consist of Crate & Barrel, Dick's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Ulta, etc.; here's a suggestion: move to the suburbs!<br /><br />The RC needs to go into receivership, and the Courts need to remove the developer as manager (just like what happened @ Block 37) before anything happens at RC. The ONLY reason that the movie theater opened is because the space was custom built, and the theater company couldn't simply pick up and open elsewhere, unlike any commercial entity which can simply "build out" in any plain commercial setting. Face it: that corridor is not now, and will not anytime soon, be more desireable than countless other spots in the city. And yes, racist or not, the adjacent strip along Roosevelt does not attract the type of "dream" tenants you want to see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-60750507812816001082010-11-23T09:00:26.502-06:002010-11-23T09:00:26.502-06:00Ok. So in 2030 we should expect retail to start op...Ok. So in 2030 we should expect retail to start opening @ the RC?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-50068471560014400932010-11-23T07:27:39.644-06:002010-11-23T07:27:39.644-06:00TIF money to finish out the commercial space, afte...TIF money to finish out the commercial space, after the fact? What a load of crap. Your a big boy, have some accountability. In the period of lowest commercial interest rates in history, why should we have to bail this developer out? Then it appears this developer is not sufficiently qualified to be the developer, let it fail and get someone in there who can get it done. <br /><br />By giving this guy TIF money, all you are doing is then artificially allowing other commercial spaces to keep their rents higher which is exactly the main problem in the South Loop. These commercial space holders are screwing it all up for the residents and potential businesses. No one wants to make money the old fashioned way, earning it over a longer period of time - they want the home run easy deal. <br /><br /> It has become more cost advantageous to take a tax loss by not renting, then lowering rates and signing mutually beneficial long term rental rates, that benefits the neighborhood and future development.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-78207383132140446442010-11-22T22:06:08.143-06:002010-11-22T22:06:08.143-06:00I have been a visitor to this blog for nearly a ye...I have been a visitor to this blog for nearly a year now, and I am always amazed at the racial undertones many of the comments include. Can we all have an honest and open discussion about the issues affecting our neighborhood without fear of being labeled a racist. I think Roosevelt's businesses do leave a lot to be desired, but all be respectful. I mean, pimp clothing stores, really? Is it really black and white comparison?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-19772104871882875812010-11-22T21:15:19.680-06:002010-11-22T21:15:19.680-06:00the anonymous kids posting on this blog don't ...the anonymous kids posting on this blog don't seem to remember but 20 short years ago when about the only things of interest at north/clybourn were sam's and hookers. heck, even the CTA station there wasn't open on weekends back then. north/clybourn then had roosevelt road beat hands down in the category of seediest street. if there were blogs back then people like you would have been prophesizing a much bleaker future for n/c than what you're saying about roosevelt road now. cynics like ya'll are a dime a dozen. always have been.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-36383320845011174322010-11-22T19:23:03.937-06:002010-11-22T19:23:03.937-06:00The Pimp clothing stores and currancy exchanges al...The Pimp clothing stores and currancy exchanges along Roosevelt don't exactlly jive with J Crew and Banana Republic. Don't kid yourself, this is NOT North and Clyborn. Apple is not going to open a high-end store on Roosevelt. CB2 is not coming to Roosevelt. Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn aren't going to open next to Target.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-14901560114858017392010-11-22T16:11:47.507-06:002010-11-22T16:11:47.507-06:00I'm torn on this too. TIF funds are indeed int...I'm torn on this too. TIF funds are indeed intended as development investments but I'm skeptical about how Centrum is currently running their business. They really should have locked-in retail anchor stores before breaking ground . . . not sure Centrum is making for the best of neighbors.<br /><br />A CB2 or West Elm seems like a no-brainer . . . can't believe there's not even a coffee or sandwich shop there yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1167519580792566980.post-11583305303008523772010-11-22T13:44:43.649-06:002010-11-22T13:44:43.649-06:00I'm torn on the TIF comment. If Roosevelt con...I'm torn on the TIF comment. If Roosevelt continues to develop as the "southern retail" corridor for big box shopping (ie like North Avenue corridor has developed for the Northern neighborhoods), I think this would be a good thing for the South Loop in general. People would come to Roosevelt and as a result other businesses around the area would benefit. In this case I would say TIF dollars would help the entire neighborhood and as a result should be given.<br /><br />I wish we could do something like TARP. Give Centrum TIF but get paid back down the line when they're doing better...not sure if that's possibleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com