Closing Bell: Williamsburg Apocalypse Is Nigh
The fourth estate in England is very concerned about the fate of Williamsburg and its anti-mainstream credibility. From a Guardian article this weekend… But, beneath the bitchiness, there are real issues at stake. The new Duane Reade is part of a chainstore invasion; perhaps inevitable following the money the new youthful residents have brought in….
The fourth estate in England is very concerned about the fate of Williamsburg and its anti-mainstream credibility. From a Guardian article this weekend…
But, beneath the bitchiness, there are real issues at stake. The new Duane Reade is part of a chainstore invasion; perhaps inevitable following the money the new youthful residents have brought in. In fact, there is already a Duane Read there, tucked away in a corner of the neighbourhood now dominated by giant, new and expensive apartment buildings. CVS Duane Reade’s main rival is also building a store. Fast food chain Subway has opened on Bedford, as has the American Apparel clothing chain. To cap it all, it is rumoured Starbucks may be coming next year, replacing a bagel shop. If that happens, the hipster apocalypse may be nigh.
Presumably these stores won’t stay in business, though, unless the locals spend their money in them.
This whole discussion is asinine.
@dash. The subway is pretty recent (last couple of years), but aparently a neighborhood guy bought a franchise. I’m not entirely anti-chain, but the anywhere USA bland interiors, the need for the suburban plastic flag trimming and the awful posters they put in the window. I saw a 7-11 on 14th street and really got depressed.
^ ^ ^ that’s just begging for a RT. ^ ^ ^
hey buddy, don’t @randolph me. i hate that twatter crap.
citing the Subway as part of the chain store invasion is kind of inaccurate. I believe they’ve been there since before the hipster invasion. pre-hipster, pre-cool.
I went in that DR Sat night, while I was killing time between bands at The Charleston… I doubt that the tap beer thing will ever take off. The walk-in fridge will probably be a great place for kids to chill (pun intended) during the summer, if they don’t have a/c in their apts. The overall vibe seemed about as Jetsons as I’ve ever seen in a drugstore, or as futuristic as I’ve seen in the ‘burg. Ultimately, people will vote with their wallets, though. Incidentally, the place was almost empty (I think it was about 10ish), but having a big 24hr place like that never killed any ‘hood. If I lived out there, I’d be glad it existed, especially when I needed something at 3am. Also, it doesn’t have the behemoth presence I was expecting from the street (more than half the store is underground).
Overall, it doesn’t seem like such a bad thing, and I’m not really pro-gentri-w’burg, either.
@randolph other things than drugs are sold at a drugstore.
I’m not really a fan of the chains but the mom and pop’s near me generally have a small, dusty, dated selection of stuff. Neergaard is nice although I haven’t lived there for years.
Kings Pharmacy across the street isn’t anything to write home about.
And this Duane Reade is amazing.
“What’s to like about a mom and pop drugstore? Less selection and higher prices?”
I’ve noticed quite the opposite, actually. Neergaard is absolutely cheaper than Duane Reade and they have a much better selection, especially of brands that run of the mill drug stores simply don’t carry…
I won’t set foot in a Duane Reade if at all possible.