Glancing at the title you might expect that this blog might be a finger-pointing, guilt-ridden message about how we all need to shop downtown because I do.
I am just like most Southeast Michigan residents. I drive my car almost everywhere I go. I use 3,500 pounds of steel, glass, rubber and cloth to move my 195 pounds of mass all over town because it takes much less time than walking or riding my bike. Also, there aren't many cheaper options available to get me as far as I need to go. At $3.79 a gallon and 25 miles per gallon, it costs about $0.15 per mile. My round trip to work costs about $4.50 a day. If there was a train or bus that went that way do you think it would cost more than $4.50 a day? Throw in car insurance and we're up to $7.50 round trip. Still cheaper than any non-existent public transportation.
So why all the math? To prove a point.
It is still still cheap enough to drive all over town to shop and be particular in what you want. There was a Patch article last year about people, including me, who drive to multiple grocery stores for different items. This is one of the factors that hurts downtown Rochester. It isn't the only game in town. The other factors that hurt downtown Rochester are that its retail competition in the malls often have better or more visible parking, national chain name brand stores and the biggie for me: they stay open until 9 p.m. or later.
I live downtown near the library. I should want to just walk or ride my bike downtown and take care of everything I need rather than drive my car anywhere unless I couldn't carry something. Unfortunately, two things keep me from doing my shopping downtown: store hours and selection. I don't get home until 6 p.m. and by then most stores are closed.
If you are like me, you do most of your clothing shopping at the big box outlets and department stores or online. When you need tools, you go to the Home Depot or Lowes. When you need groceries, you drive up to Kroger, Hollywood, Trader Joes, Busch's, Papa Joes, Meijers or Whole Foods. I wish I could walk downtown and pick up some groceries. I might be more likely to window shop then. Grocery shopping usually takes me out of town and I end up doing my other shopping out there. Case in point: often you go shopping for things you need, then end up buying things you want.
What does downtown Rochester provide that you need?
Downtown has a lot to offer. Check out http://www.downtownrochestermi.com/business-directory/. They list 409 businesses downtown. Perhaps I'll have to take a closer look at my needs before I venture out. There are:
- Accountants
- Alterations
- Animal Care
- Antiques
- Architects
- Art Supplies, Hobbies & Crafts
- Audiology & Optometry
- Automotive Repair, Collision & Detailing
- Bakeries & Confectioners
- Banks
- Bicycles
- Book Shops
- Bridal Products and Planning
- Cellular Services
- Childcare
- Children's goods
- Chiropractic & Physical Therapy
- Clothing
- Coffee
- Communications & Marketing
- Community Services
- Consulting
- Convenience Stores
- Dental
- Dry Cleaning
- Employment Services
- Fitness Clubs
- Firearms
- Florists
- Framing
- Funeral Services
- Furniture
- Galleries
- Gift Shops
- Government
- Hardware & Appliances
- Heating & Cooling
- Ice Cream
- Industrial Sales
- Insurance
- Jewelry
- Legal
- Lodging
- Martial Arts
- Music
- Pharmacies
- Photography
- Physicians
- Printing
- Psychology & Counseling
- Realty
- Resale
- Restaurants & Catering
- Salons & Spas
- Security
- Senior Living
- Shoes & Repair
- Signage
- Silk Flowers
- Sporting Goods & Apparel
- Technology
- Travel
- Wine
- and more!
The only thing missing for me is a grocery store, a movie theater and a hardware store. I suspect if they had those, I would be less likely to jump in my car and drive one mile + in any direction.
During the construction this summer, many businesses will have to get creative with how they attract shoppers. They may have to turn to later hours, sales, or even internet sales to help stay open. Perhaps now is the time to start thinking more about what people need to attract them to downtown over things they may want.
