Aldi - you can find some great things!

Ikea!

Aldi would be great. The closest one is either Sterling Hts. or Clawson. Anita is right.

How about a Children's science museum similar to the Ann Arbor Hands 0n Museum.

How about a larger version of Game Over Lounge? A place where middle school and high schoolers can go and play video games. Maybe expand with other activities like ;ing pong, pool, etc. Maybe add an indoor skateboard area. Kids that age need a place to go and socialize - this offers a safe controlled environment:)

Steinmart--The only one in Michigan is near Battle Creek
or Sweet Tomatoes restaurant -- there are none in Michigan.

Aldi would be great!!!!

With Great Oaks Laundry now gone and Summit Sports on its way out and the other vacancies, that entire strip mall is just about dead. Sad, really. But should serve as a reminder to everyone that things are still precarious in our area.

I think we need another pharmacy in that corner, 7 is not enough

If it continues to decline, it may have to raised in order to attract the right business-
wether it is senior living, medical/office space or another strip mall---
We lack in this area a place to allow for antique and flea market type of sales by the average mom and pop through out the year, kids science museum with hands on, something similar to Joe Dumars Field House, and a chain or more big box type of retail--Personally, Joe Dumars Field House would be good, or an abbreviated version of it.

How about a cheescake factory? Yum!

Another business in this plaza is leaving in February...Maybe we need to start looking at why all these businesses are leaving this plaza???

add another vacant building / space to a growing list. The old World Market, Borders, Bed and Bath, Block Buster (all in prime locations off Roch Rd).
I agree with the Ikea or Aldi suggestions. Something we just don't have anywhere close by in Oakland Co.
Of course if had the $, I'd open a PF Changs in either the Borders or World Market space.

I would love to see Hiller's Market open a store there. We don't have one in this neck of the woods

A food co-op!!!!!

The reason for the decline is revenue-the public, i.e. taxpayers, are spending more judiciously than ever before as there is still too much uncertainty in the market.
As more retirement, health care and other provisions are shifted to the employee
there is less money to spend. Families and people want a bang for their buck-and
they want completive pricing, quality and choices. Another problem is rent and upkeep of the properties. When a parking lot or strip mall starts to look old and worn or unkept, people are less likely to want to go there-

Joe Dumars Field House was packed last night, there were so many families and kids that it was hard to find parking. There were plenty of the high schoolers there as well.
It was the first time I played Whirly Ball--and I would make the drive and do it all over again-We lack in this type of venue in this immediate area-I think a lot of people would enjoy it-

I would love if Cost Plus would come back! Maybe a used bookstore? I agree, something for kids would also be good. There are a lot of parents looking for more choices of activies to do outside of the house for parties or rainy days.

I think something geared for kids is fine, however, not at taxpayer expense. I am all in favor of a private business, entrepreneur or a group coming together for the investment to finance and own a business that would provide a venue primarily for kids and teenagers. For more varied economic development, there is nothing stopping individuals from contacting business that is successful in other cities that have such venues up and running-most companies and business people appreciate the inquiries and exploratory calls -we certainly don't need another bank, pharmacy, pizza place, beauty salon, etc. etc. and there is thin profit on grocery type markets--

All of these ideas make for a truly inspired Saturday morning. What a bunch of creative minds we have in this town.

How about trying to create a tax insentive on the property to remove the dated strip mall all together. Our city council, mayor and our city planner have allowed thru poor planning our city to be overzoned commercial. And unfortunate rule of thumb money zones our land lately not intelligence. Back to the strip mall let's get rid of it, any other use would be better than retail let's also get rid of the ugly towering poll sign out front. Upscale towns don't have tall signs...look at Rochester. Let's offer the developer a tax insentive to build something non retail...how about a nice seninior retirement community...being so close to the hospital a good idea? Or work out a deal with OU a satellite campus for learning? Or something for RARA they are looking for a new home. But please no more retail the economy is not the fault for all our empty stores our elected officials are...during my 9 years on council we saw the future and downzoned hundreds of acres from strip mall to either ORT or residential. Bryan Barnett and company reversed most of those decisions and that is why we have empty storefronts today. Existing stores we could offer (moving) property tax incentives. P.S. for those who do not know city planning there are federal formulas: the amount of spendable income, population, size of city that one should use to base zoning on and as of late our zoning has been based on political contributions. Patch thanks for the post and thanks residents for all your great comments.

If the cost could be negotiated and the square footage was right, what about a new location for RARA in this plaza? Another news outlet reported on their search for a new building; it might not have outdoor space, but maybe it could be reworked to fit the other needs. No other tenants seem to be clambering for these vacant spaces, so it might be time to think of community or nonprofit uses.

Love the idea of a small Joe Dumars type complex.

Sub-divide the the store into Mini 10X20 sq ft cubicle apartments for those Rochester/Rochester Hills residents who have been evicted from their homes because of bank forclosure. It would be a cheap roof over their heads and nothing more.

RARA or ALDI or Trader Joe's closer to town

I would like to see a fabric and craft store on this side of town

Up Rochester Road is certainly not centrally located for the residents of downtown Rochester. It is a nightmare to drive up there.