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September 3, 2008

Big Boxes Go to Flatbush

target_08_08.jpg
The 300,000-square-foot Triangle Junction development in Flatbush had been having a bit of trouble finding tenants, the New York Times reports, until Target saved the day. The idea was to "rejuvenate an anemic mix of mostly small retailers at Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues," but since the two-story, 225,000-square-foot Target — the company's largest — signed up in April, more chains are trickling in: David’s Bridal, Children’s Place, Payless ShoeSource, and Applebee’s. Two ground floor spots are still open, and rents are rising all around the area; retail space rents "within a two-block radius of the intersection have doubled, or in some cases tripled, over the last two years, to about $100 a square foot annually," according to the Times.
Big Stores in Odd Shapes Arriving in Brooklyn [NY Times]
Flatbush Junction Target Coming Soon [Brownstoner]
Photo from BrooklynJunction.




Posted by lisa at 8:57 AM | Comments (17)
Categories: Flatbush, Streetlevel

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Comments

ugh, same ol ghetto "establishments"

Posted by: blackstoner at September 3, 2008 9:02 AM

Anyone here remember when the Campus Sugar Bowl was still around? Converted into a Starbucks a few years back.

Does Canal Jean Co. still have an outlet down there?

Posted by: Jack at September 3, 2008 9:20 AM

Mr. Blackstoner... that was a bit unnecessarily inflammatory. But I guess that was your point.

The new Target is actually quite good - especially compared to the one at Atlantic Center, which is probably one of the worst stores anywhere. The Flatbush Target actually keeps items on the shelves and the staff are very helpful and even friendly. It's a brave new world in Flatbush!

Posted by: tybur6 at September 3, 2008 9:25 AM

Blackstoner kinda has a point. Target is awesome, but the rest are the same crap stores you find in the Atlantic and Fulton Malls. What does it take to get more appealing shops into Brooklyn?

Posted by: jwald at September 3, 2008 9:38 AM

David’s Bridal, Children’s Place, Payless ShoeSource, and Applebee’s - uhhh sorry but NONE of these are really 'big box stores'

Chains yes - but big box - nope.

Even Target while often considered a 'big box' is really just a modern (depending on how you define that) department store. Which while housed on a large foot print is a bit different from the Cosco, Home Depot, Super Kmarts etc... that 'big box' often refers.

Posted by: fsrg at September 3, 2008 9:51 AM

Honestly... it take a store to be appealing for more appealing shops to take root in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the boutiques of Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights are not appealing to the demographic of Flatbush. OK - they might be appealing, but the average person can't afford a $45 t-shirt as a matter of course. So those places can't make it.

As was discussed yesterday (in the Dunkin' Donuts thread), there ain't much else other than chain establishments for the middle ground. Yes, there are higher-end chains like Crate & Barrel and Restoration Hardware and Banana Republic - but they don't have a market in Flatbush. Maybe Houston Street and Brooklyn Heights, but not at the Junction.

When I want my Brooks Bros. shirts, I am a little annoyed I have to go to Manhattan, but I know they probably wouldn't be as successful on this side of the bridge. Simple as that.

Posted by: tybur6 at September 3, 2008 9:52 AM

Those "ghetto" establishments happen to be chains that are successful in lots of communities which aren't considered "ghetto." It's so impressive when someone has to toss in a gratuitous remark because they can't make an intelligent one.

You don't have to like them but Brooks Brothers and higher end chains are still holding their noses at the thought of Brooklyn.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 3, 2008 10:00 AM

i like target and am happy to hear that this store is better than the atlantic center hellhole.

Posted by: z at September 3, 2008 10:23 AM

Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware and Banana Repblic would probably do well in Flatbush. People living in Crown Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Ditmas Park, Kensington, etc... may find it more convenient to frequent these stores in Flatbush, which is in the center of Brooklyn and accessible by train and bus, than to go into the city. There is even indoor parking for those who choose to drive to the Target Mall. People living in Sheephead Bay, Midwood and other surrounding areas shop in higher end chain stores as well. There are some very high end boutiques along Avenue M, Kings Highway and Avenue J. When I shop in any of those stores, I see stay-at-home-moms with young kids, who are not going to take their children into the city to shop.

I personally steer clear of the Target in Atlantic Center because they are always understocked. Flatbush Target is so much better. If the above mentioned high end chains were to come to Brooklyn, the most populus borough BTW, they would get plenty of business.

Posted by: Chaka at September 3, 2008 10:49 AM

Chain stores, actually any retailer with a brain, looks at the demographics and history of an area, and then moves accordingly. No retailer, especially in this economy, is going to take a major chance at failure. The history of that Junction is middle to lower income, so that's what kind of stores and merchandise will go for it, at least for now.

Besides which, I've seen the number of higher end stores that have tried to take hold in Bklyn Hts or Park Slope, and have failed. It takes a long time to find the right mix of product, build clientele, and grow your business. While that is happening, slowly, one still has to pay rising rent, insurance, overhead, salaries, and buy or make product. That is an expensive drain, and you need really deep pockets to do that, especially if you are counting on the business to pay for the rest of your life, too. Been there, and it is no picnic.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at September 3, 2008 10:49 AM

montrose - i am guessing that pottery barn does have pretty deep pockets. probably not deep enough to float an outright loss leader, but I bet they could handle a few unprofitable years while shoppers get used to doing their mid- and upscale shopping in brooklyn.

the problem is that most of the areas in the "brownstone belt" that could sustain a large retailer like that are already established as lower-end or purely functional, like atlantic center, flatbush, gowanus or the fulton mall, or aren't really established at all. this is why i have absolutely zero problem with the plan to bring in higher-end retailers to the fulton mall - it's an appropriate place for them, and lower-end retailers and their customers have about a billion other places in brooklyn they can shop.

Posted by: i disagree at September 3, 2008 11:10 AM

I disagree, I have no issue with bringing in higher end stores to either Fulton Mall or Flatbush Junction. They will thrive or die as per the will of the shopping public.

I do have a problem with replacing high end for lower end using a reasoning such as "lower end retailer and their customers have about a billion other places in brooklyn they can shop." These places are established, successful, paying rent and taxes and serving the needs of their clientele. I may not like what they sell, or how they sell it, but I defend their right to be there.

The reverse could also be said: higher end retailers and their customers have about a billion other places they can shop. Maybe not in Brooklyn, but an upper income person's ability to go elsewhere is greater, as well.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at September 3, 2008 11:58 AM

Blackstoner - if you don't like the Payless, Target, etc...in Flatbush then simply stay in your yuppie favorite areas of Carroll Gardens and Park Slope. You can buy your American Apparel tee stroll around Smith Street and feel great about not shopping in a "ghetto establishment".

Posted by: Nanook at September 3, 2008 1:33 PM


'ugh, same ol ghetto "establishments"'

What is that "The What" says about this site facilitating "covert class/race warfare?" I guess he/she was wrong about the "covert" part.

Posted by: East New York at September 3, 2008 3:51 PM

Don't make me say I agree with the What on this. Please don't make me go there.

Posted by: east river at September 3, 2008 4:08 PM

If retailers based store placement soley on history, they would have missed their opportunity to open the chain stores that are now downtown Brooklyn. I would think that they also consider changing demographics. Isn't that part of what lead to the proliferation of big box stores in the borough? Many of those stores like Ikea, Target, Home Depot and Lowes are among their company's top grossing stores.

I don't neccesarily agree that the smaller stores who have been around should be displaced but how can a building or lot owner be prevented from renting or selling to a proprietor who can pay more.

Posted by: Chaka at September 3, 2008 4:36 PM

Shakespeare & Co. is still there on Hillel Place. I think the Canal Jeans location is selling furniture or something.

Target is so depressing. I would much rather have a Kohl's or Wal*Mart, or even K-Mart.

Posted by: Flatbushwhacker at September 3, 2008 5:21 PM

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