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“Cities are hot again:” Downtown Master Plan could boost district’s retail sector
Back in the 1940s when department stores reigned supreme, downtown Missoula captured nearly 70 percent of the retail market, selling anything and everything, from a new mattress to a new car.But times have changed, not only in Missoula but across much of America.
“That was before shopping centers and strip centers were invented, and at that time, cities were very sustainable,” said Robert Gibbs. “If you lived in a surrounding neighborhood, it was a short walk to do all of your shopping. You didn’t need one car per driver in your household because it was still very convenient.”
After researching the local market, Gibbs – who teaches retail strategies at Harvard University – said downtown Missoula could support 70,000 square feet of additional retail space by 2025.
That equates to 25 to 30 new retail businesses and restaurants.
By Martin Kidston
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Welcome to the “Garage” A new concept in retail from Target https://matr.net/news/welcome-to-the-garage-a-new-concept-in-retail-from-target/
I had the pleasure of visiting the garage in SF. Target believes that this is the future of big box retail. How many products did you purchase for Christmas where you traveled to a store, parked, went into the store to find what you were looking for, purchased it and then carried it home so you could wrap it and eventually get it to the post office for delivery to a loved one? How many products did you buy and have delivered to the ultimate recipient from the comfort of your home? Target is trying to bridge the gap between the two options.
The garage is a much smaller footprint that could easily be part of main street USA in any sized community. Many products are available to see, touch, learn about and purchase for home delivery. Inventory doesn’t have to be onsite. New product introduction is easy and constant. Customers can continue to purchase those products that they’re familiar with and have them delivered either by conventional modes or, more and more frequently, by robotic delivery but this is the way they can be more confident in new products.
The Missoula 10 year plan facilitators recently highlighted the value of having big box stores in downtown Missoula. Consumers would be thrilled to visit one of Missoula’s heritage buildings that provided the latest in technology and consumer goods that they could purchase but didn’t have to carry out of the store with them. The Garage and similar sites are the way that Missoula can proactively increase the value of downtown and attract more visitors and show the way for other communities struggling to preserve their historic downtowns.