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January 19, 2009

Atlantic Center To Lose Major Tenant

circuit-city-0109.jpgAfter sixty years in business, consumer electronics retailer Circuit City announced on Saturday that its attempts to find a buyer had failed and that it would close all of its 567 stores as part of the company's liquidation. One of those stores happens to be in the Atlantic Center, Forest City's mall overlooking the site of its proposed Atlantic Yards project. The Atlantic Center store is on the second floor of the mall and won't be easy to fill in this environment.
Circuit City to Shut Down [NY Times]




Posted by Brownstoner at 11:01 AM | Comments (19)
Categories: Streetlevel

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Comments

Let's keep our fingers crossed for a city agency. Unfortunately, they didn't have the best location. Bit of a walk from the action.

Posted by: Shoots and Leaves at January 19, 2009 11:17 AM

That Atlantic Center is so miserable. They should implode it.

Posted by: dittoburg at January 19, 2009 11:18 AM

Apropos of nothing, really: Circuit City is the only place where I've had a cashier be in the middle of checking me out and then turn to her coworkers and start screaming "MY TONGUE! MY TONGUE! IT JUST WENT NUMB! MY TONGUE IS TOTALLY NUMB!" (which sounded more like "MA TUM IS TOLY NUM!") and then calmly turn back around and continue checking me out.

That's my story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at January 19, 2009 11:20 AM

I had a date like that once.

Posted by: misterbubble at January 19, 2009 11:26 AM

Maybe it was their brain that was numb. Good story cwbuecheler. The Atlintic Center needs all the help it can get.

Posted by: BklynPEZ at January 19, 2009 12:20 PM

Actually, I disagree. Chain stores like to be with other chain stores in an indoor mall environment. Where else can you find that in this part of Brooklyn? This reminds me of the Fulton Mall sucks discussion which completely ignored the fact that the Fulton Mall commands high rents and is very crowded. I think a certain snobbiness is getting in the way here. Despite the retail downturn, I think they will fill this space--maybe end up subdividing or lowering rent though.

Posted by: Carol Gardens at January 19, 2009 1:09 PM

i think the hasids would riot if Atlantic center shut down.

Posted by: Santa at January 19, 2009 1:15 PM

This holiday season Circuit City in the Atlantic Mall was a great place to buy stuff that was sold out everywhere else--Wii and its spawn.

I had to laugh, though, when they asked if I wanted an extended warranty.

Posted by: rf at January 19, 2009 1:30 PM

rf, why'd you laugh?

I know I'm gonna get hustled in these stores so I have a standard line. I tell the sales clerk, 'I'll make you a deal. I didn't break your stones with a lot of questions. I know exactly what I want and I'm prepared to buy it and I'm not gonna waste your time. So don't waste my time with the extended warranty story, because I don't buy them.'

Posted by: denton at January 19, 2009 3:09 PM

And under his breath the storeclerk is saying "Christ, what an asshole!!" :) :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 19, 2009 3:14 PM

Something that downtown Brooklyn needs is a Bed Bath and Beyond. I don't care where it is and there are a lot of possible retail locations available but there is a need.

I was in the Tribeca location today and it was empty... which isn't a good sign for them expanding anytime soon but they were doing their Zip Code quiz at the registers, so there is hope if enough 11201's and 11231's and 11217's start to show up in the computer.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Modells move into the Circuit City space where it would get more traffic. Until the arena is dead, Modells won't abandon a presence in this collection of buildings. It's too valuable a location if/when the Nets ever get to Brooklyn.

With regards to Circuit City, the particular location had a terrible selection of merchandise, was always sold out of what I was looking for (I always found it funny that Office Max had a better selection of computer supplies). I had good luck with their Firedog service the once I really, really needed it.

The Atlantic Terminal/Atlantic Center is an improvement to what was located on this site before they built it (basically nothing) but it is as if there was no plan for how people would move in, around and through the spaces. Access to Taxis, buses and subways seem to be an afterthought which is surprising considering it's on top of a railway terminal.

Posted by: duckwalk at January 19, 2009 3:47 PM

I second the implosion suggestion. For a building of that size to take up that much prime real estate and be that poorly designed, well it's just no good. You know what could go there though? An arena, that's what.

Posted by: Footprint Gazette at January 19, 2009 3:53 PM

I am on the implosion bandwagon.

Posted by: Xander Crews at January 19, 2009 4:27 PM

I was there today and had to go through the usual navigating stroller over curbs with no curb cuts, across active parking garage entranceway, to doors that aren't even automatic opening... and again, for the thousandth time, wondered why it was built like they don't want people to shop there.

Posted by: Heather at January 19, 2009 4:36 PM

DIBS, you're probably right!

Heather/Duckwalk/FG, when that mall was built, Forest City was quite clear, publicly, that they DID NOT want it to turn into a hangout place for local kids. Given who the local kids might be. So it's not badly designed, it's intentionally badly designed.

DW, don't forget 11215! Agree about a BB&B. You think BB&B would know what a duvet is?

Posted by: denton at January 19, 2009 4:56 PM

Given who the local kids might be? What, black? I've heard that before, but is it really true?

Posted by: Heather at January 19, 2009 5:33 PM

The mall is needed, but it's horrible on all levels. No planning for moving people in/around anything and for a place that is near tons of public transportation options, it's a pain to get to any of them from anywhere else in the mall.

The teen comment is ridiculous. By that logic, why build a stadium?

I actually have jumped on the bus and headed over to King's Plaza instead of dealing with this ass of a mall. Hop on the bus, get dropped off in the mall, hop back on and back home. TONS easier than even crossing the street to get to this Forest City Disaster.

Posted by: Jack at January 19, 2009 10:47 PM

That's right Heather. Pls see
http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2008/06/is-criticism-of-atlantic-center-mall.html

From above, Ratner says:

We know Bruce Ratner's explanation for the isolation imposed in the interior, which reflects on the exterior as well. The New York Times reported 5/26/04:
“It’s a problem of malls in dense urban areas that kids hang out there, and it’s not too positive for shopping,” Mr. Ratner said. “Look, here you’re in an urban area, you’re next to projects, you’ve got tough kids.”

Jack, kids can't afford pro sports any more.

Posted by: denton at January 20, 2009 6:31 AM

atlantic center isnt a good mall at all. It discourages "going to the mall" as a social event instead of going to one particular store for a particular item.

Queens plaza is actually a pretty nice mall. Lots of other urban areas have nice malls, although they are largely in warm weather cities that are car oriented.

Bruce! you can do it!

Posted by: slick at January 20, 2009 6:42 AM

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