LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by Easy

Serious. They had a speaker on a tripod out front. You can barely make it out in a couple of pwright1's photos. Not sure if they were mixing up the music selection, but all that I heard when walking by was in Spanish. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

It's nice to know I'm being thought of .

I've said it a million f'ing times and ill keep saying it. Ross is not what we want on Broadway. It certainly can't be thought of as a bringing back success.

Same customers as the other shitholes on Broadway. Same attitude. Same music. Prettier building.

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by HunterK

It's nice to know I'm being thought of .

I've said it a million f'ing times and ill keep saying it. Ross is not what we want on Broadway. It certainly can't be thought of as a bringing back success.

Same customers as the other shitholes on Broadway. Same attitude. Same music. Prettier building.

Correction: It's not what you want. Ross may not be the store you'd shop at, but others will (yes, they're people too). And it's still a step up from the stuff that's currently on Broadway. The place isn't gonna become a second Rodeo Drive overnight.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by HunterK

I've said it a million f'ing times and ill keep saying it. Ross is not what we want on Broadway. It certainly can't be thought of as a bringing back success.

Same customers as the other shitholes on Broadway. Same attitude. Same music. Prettier building.

I'm sure this comment will illicit some interesting responses.

Anyway...

There is a vast ocean of difference between a national chain like Ross and the swap meet retailers which occupy most of Broadway. This is a big step in the right direction, whether or not you choose to see it that way.

The nice thing about Ross is that it appeals to the existing demographic (poor/working class), but also gets patronage from middle class shoppers. There's nothing else on Broadway which remotely fits that description.

Check this out:

http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/03/09/36297/ross-opens-in-historic-downtown-la/

Sara Lundquist said she was thrilled that the Ross opened two blocks away from where she lives. She normally shops at the Ross and Target in Santa Ana, where she works as a vice president for student services at Santa Ana College.

"I'm crazy about it. I've been so excited for it to open," Lundquist said. "It fits in perfectly with the neighborhood, but it offers something we've really been missing. It's a one-stop value shop here at Ross for everyone who lives downtown."

Lundquist shopped at Ross during the store's "soft opening" on Friday, spending $100 on a swimsuit and clothes. On Saturday, she planned to spend $100 more.

That's a well-educated white woman with spending power. And she actually CHOSE to shop on Broadway because of Ross.

I think this is a major turning point. Ross opens the street to a new demographic, and will be a building block in the efforts to revitalize Broadway.

[SD_Phil]

Originally Posted by Pink Floyd

Correction: It's not what you want. Ross may not be the store you'd shop at, but others will (yes, they're people too). And it's still a step up from the stuff that's currently on Broadway. The place isn't gonna become a second Rodeo Drive overnight.

Sometimes I really just have to slowly back away from some of HunterK's posts.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by SD_Phil

Sometimes I really just have to slowly back away from some of HunterK's posts.

You guys can say what you want whilst playing spectator from who knows how far away, but any store that blairs hispanic music into the street for all to hear, is a bad idea for Broadway.

Let me point out some serious stupidity. People complaining about a 7 story building not being 20 stories.

But then having some crazed idea that Ross shouldn't be complained about, and is actually a beautiful stepping stone for the community.


--In bigger, much more positive news than Family Pants biggest competitor opening next door. Fatburger on Fig has put up 24hour signs. That place has been packed constantly since opening.

[pwright1]

As for the new Ross on Broadway, the loud music has to go. I couldn't understand why it was so loud. And way too much security. Not intimidating, just young security kids in the way, inside and out. The interior has nice touches of the old like the original columns throughout. Still that same old Ross merchandise though. Love the exterior and such an improvement over what was there before.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by pwright1

As for the new Ross on Broadway, the loud music has to go. I couldn't understand why it was so loud. And way too much security. Not intimidating, just young security kids in the way, inside and out. The interior has nice touches of the old like the original columns throughout. Still that same old Ross merchandise though. Love the exterior and such an improvement over what was there before.

I would hope that the music is an opening day only type of thing. But it does show one thing: Ross is clearly targeting the existing consumer base of Broadway, which can be construed as Ross specifically wanting to maintain the existing status-quo. While disappointing, there is luckily enough momentum on Broadway right now targeting 'new downtown' that the negative aspects of Ross are very easily overshadowed.

@Blackcat Personally, I don't really know of anyone who shops at Ross that is of the socio-ecenomic class that some of us might want living in greater numbers downtown. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule, but I don't think Ross should be held up as an example of middle class retail returning to Broadway.

And HunterK is back! I've never really minded your opinions (the truth stings, though perhaps the hyperbolic negativity could be toned down). This thread has been a little empty without your daily (or sometimes hourly) photo updates.

[XAVIERinSF]

HunterK...

Same racist attitude....same idiot.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by HunterK

You guys can say what you want whilst playing spectator from who knows how far away, but any store that blairs hispanic music into the street for all to hear, is a bad idea for Broadway.

Let me point out some serious stupidity. People complaining about a 7 story building not being 20 stories.

But then having some crazed idea that Ross shouldn't be complained about, and is actually a beautiful stepping stone for the community.


--In bigger, much more positive news than Family Pants biggest competitor opening next door. Fatburger on Fig has put up 24hour signs. That place has been packed constantly since opening.

You are too quick to dismiss the opinions of those who don't spend every day in downtown. People who live/work in the neighborhood have a unique perspective on things. People who don't live or work in downtown also have unique perspectives.

Your opinion certainly isn't more important just because you happen to live a few blocks away.

I think you expect too much too quickly. You can't convince a bunch of luxury brands to set up shop on Broadway just because you want it to gentrify. You need to gradually shift the demographics over time. This is the first store which can actually draw in middle class shoppers. After you draw in more middle class retailers, you can start bridging the gap to higher end stores.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by XAVIERinSF

HunterK...

Same racist attitude....same idiot.

Do you realize that 75% of your posts (which, admittedly, are few) are about how much you hate HunterK?

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

@Blackcat Personally, I don't really know of anyone who shops at Ross that is of the socio-ecenomic class that some of us might want living in greater numbers downtown. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule, but I don't think Ross should be held up as an example of middle class retail returning to Broadway.

I know enough for the both of us, lol.

Don't get me wrong: Ross is not a middle-class oriented store. However, many people with the economic means to shop elsewhere frequent Ross for bargains. That's what I mean when I say it will draw middle class shoppers. But once you get those people there, that opens up the opportunity for retail that does target the middle class demographic.

[Valyrian Steel]

The truth does sting, and the truth is Broadway isn't gonna become yuppie central anytime soon.

I agree about the music. I don't like walking by stores and having music, whatever the genre, blasting in my ear.

[SD_Phil]

Originally Posted by HunterK

You guys can say what you want whilst playing spectator from who knows how far away, but any store that blairs hispanic music into the street for all to hear, is a bad idea for Broadway.

Because thinly veiled racism is something I have to live in DT to notice? HunterK has, repeatedly, made comments that belie his thoughts on race. But I'll just add him to my ignore list and see his photos when others comment on them. That'll solve the problem for all involved.

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

I think you expect too much too quickly. You can't convince a bunch of luxury brands to set up shop on Broadway just because you want it to gentrify. You need to gradually shift the demographics over time. This is the first store which can actually draw in middle class shoppers. After you draw in more middle class retailers, you can start bridging the gap to higher end stores.

This.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

I know enough for the both of us, lol.

Alright, I'll take your word for it. If Ross is a stepping stone to greater things, then, while I wouldn't say I'm all for it, I certainly won't mind it as much. Also, I don't really think that any of HunterKs perceived racism should be cause to ignore him all together. Unlike other maligned people on this forum, HunterK also happens to often write posts that actually have substance to them, and are often worth reading for aspects other then his possible thoughts on race.

I'm sorry that my posts are so purple-prosy right now. There is a direct correlation between the verbosity of my writing and the lateness of the hour. Certainly helps when I have to pull all nighters to write papers.

[Easy]

Originally Posted by HunterK

It's nice to know I'm being thought of .

I've said it a million f'ing times and ill keep saying it. Ross is not what we want on Broadway. It certainly can't be thought of as a bringing back success.

Same customers as the other shitholes on Broadway. Same attitude. Same music. Prettier building.

I admit that I know very little about Ross, but based on what I do know I was surprised at all of the semi-positive comments here about its opening on Broadway. I'm sure that it's a step in the right direction, but I am hoping to see more stores open that reflect the changes that downtown has been experiencing demographically in terms of income and economics.

Walking by the Ross and hearing the music and seeing the security, I had no sense that Ross has any optimism about Broadway being "back". My impression was that Ross sees Broadway as the same Broadway that it's been for decades. And that they are probably only there for some unknown political reasons having to do with Huizar.

[Gram3000]

I think the type of retail that Hunter (& others) expect to see on Bway will be more likely to hit Spring or other areas of DT (7th, Olive, Figueroa, Arts District, etc) before Bway becomes that premier shopping destination that we long for. In Bway's case, it will take more consistent programming of its theaters & other upcoming elements like ACE, Bway Arts Center, Cliftons, street beautification and the ultimate gamechanger: Streetcar, to alert ppl coming DT that Bway is a destination to be seen not just "stumbled upon" which pretty much is still the conscientious that is Bway today. It takes time to establish a destination! Ross & the aforementioned elements have to gradually embed themselves into the urban fabric of what Bway is evolving to. Once that happens then everything & everyone else will continue to take notice meaning more eyes, more $$$.

Could take 5 years, 10, 20 but it will work wonders not only for just Bway but DT and region as a whole. Hopefully Urban Outfitters is next up because that alone will speak to retailers as a group that Bway is open for business per its compact nature & can sustain it.

[Easy]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

The nice thing about Ross is that it appeals to the existing demographic (poor/working class), but also gets patronage from middle class shoppers. There's nothing else on Broadway which remotely fits that description.

I think this is a major turning point. Ross opens the street to a new demographic, and will be a building block in the efforts to revitalize Broadway.

The crowd did appear to be a mix of races and ethnicities, but I'm not sure what the economic mix was. Do you think that Ross being on Broadway will tend to make the future opening of stores targeting the middle/upper middle class of any race/ethnicity more likely or less likely? I think that it almost hurts with a discount retail future being more likely. So it may end up being a step up from what's there now, but a step down from what I was anticipating.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Easy

The crowd did appear to be a mix of races and ethnicities, but I'm not sure what the economic mix was. Do you think that Ross being on Broadway will tend to make the future opening of stores targeting the middle/upper middle class of any race/ethnicity more likely or less likely? I think that it almost hurts with a discount retail future being more likely. So it may end up being a step up from what's there now, but a step down from what I was anticipating.

I don't think it matters. Northern Broadway has a few adaptive reuses going on, the planned 22 story tower, the advantage of being adjacent to OBD and Grand Central Market. Southern Broadway has Ace, Umami, a couple boutiques, the planned Palmer Development, ALMA, and more. Eventually, these will end up bleeding into central Broadway, Ross or not. Gentrification is inevitable. Really, this is why I don't really care about Ross that much: it doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by HunterK

It's nice to know I'm being thought of .

I've said it a million f'ing times and ill keep saying it. Ross is not what we want on Broadway. It certainly can't be thought of as a bringing back success.

Same customers as the other shitholes on Broadway. Same attitude. Same music. Prettier building.

I don't think there is anything wrong with Ross opening up on Broadway, it looks pretty nice inside... one thing i don't like though is the Ross signage.. yes its their trademark but maybe they could change it to make it look a little more high class.. i just think of the suburbs when i see a Ross sign. An urban Ross signage would be nice... mabe in the same font and gold color that the woolworth had before.