Somehow, I can't see the average Lake Street K-Mart shopper gamely trooping over to Saks FIfth Avenue.
I'm no business student, but it seems that closing the unprofitable stores in the suburbs could help prop up the core city stores. I remember reading that Somali residents were very distressed at the thought of losing the Lake Street K-Mart. And I remember the rejoicing of Detroiters when K-Mart entered the city proper, going where no other retailer dared to go. Sure, you can take a bus somewhere else. But if you have a big shopping trip planned (which is unavoidable for stores like K-Mart), and have a kid or two to take along, a closer store is loads more convenient. Sure, the clothes are cheaper at Savers. But you can't buy Pine-Sol and toilet paper and WD40 there too. Love them or hate them, chain department stores are sorely needed in urban areas. And if you rely on mass transit, "one-stop shopping" takes on even more value. In north Mpls., shoppers may curse "Targhetto" on Broadway for its limited selection and higher-than average prices, but for many shoppers, it's the only game in town. Susan Maricle __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games http://sports.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
