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Originally Posted by borkborkbork
I want to know which retailers they're talking about. If Forks Trading Co. is suffering, I'll count that as proof that something's wrong. If it's the place selling Ukranian tschotskes and unlicensed Jets junk, I'd take that all with a big grain of salt.
I'm guessing that the tacky souvenir places are blaming everyone but themselves.
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Yup – Forks Trading Co, Jenna Rae, Ellement Wines, Coal and Canary are al doing massive numbers (I've seen them). I don't think many people are going to miss the several stores that sell the same crap from China you can find in the PP skywalks, the long-gone Irish themed store, factory made incense, etc. Those businesses only survived because they had such low rent before.
And yes The Forks takes 15% of revenue – as they should. Most of the businesses before had horrible marketing, if any. They did nothing to promote their businesses, just hoped people would show up, and complain when they didn't. Meanwhile TFNP spends a ton of time and money and other resources to program The Forks and bring people to the Market.
The reason why this beer lab idea and some of the other ones have come up, is they do want to slowly move away from non-destination retail on the second floor, and let some of those tenants take spaces in Railside.
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Originally Posted by optimusREIM
I think part of that attitude has to do with the absolute shitshow that winnipeg transit is. If I can take a train or a bus and not have to screw around parking and get more or less where I want to go then I'm happy. It also allows you to have a good night out instead of being stuck having to say "sorry I have to drive later" all night.
Also i have to add that BRT is a garbage idea unless we find a way to make weatherproof stations i.e. heated in winter and out of the wind. Rail has always been the better idea, and preferably underground. I think having access to that would change a lot of winnipegers minds about needing to drive everywhere. The forks would almost certainly be able to do more if better transit existed.
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It's funny because all the small stations in residential areas are heated, but the flagship showpiece Osborne Station is a frigid wind tunnel.
One of two things should be done. Either just install really fast garage doors – the ones at Portage Place are amazing. Rubber and go up and down in literally one second. OR enclose the waiting areas and put sliding doors where the bus doors would line up, like at an airport tram or some LRT stations.
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Originally Posted by Hecate
I know I’m in the minority here but I think free parking should be maintained at the forks. The majority of people that go there are spending money on something. So to me the idea of trying to push people to use transit to access the forks and it’s amenities is short sighted and foolish. What family of four is gonna take the bus there to go skating for the afternoon?
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Most of the parking has been paid parking for a long time, the parkade was the last free piece. I have no problem paying (just as I would anywhere else downtown, or in any other city) if it means The Forks is going to continue this incredible trajectory they're on.