Fulton Mall Mallification' Inevitable?
Yesterday the Times had a loving portrait of the Fulton Mall, a chaotic throwback to the era before the sanitization and, yes, mallification of New York City’s retail districts. The article examines how the thoroughfare stays successful (it sees more than 100,000 shoppers each day) by catering to working-class minorities. Despite the fact that retail…
Yesterday the Times had a loving portrait of the Fulton Mall, a chaotic throwback to the era before the sanitization and, yes, mallification of New York City’s retail districts. The article examines how the thoroughfare stays successful (it sees more than 100,000 shoppers each day) by catering to working-class minorities. Despite the fact that retail rents at the Fulton Mall are extremely high, the commercial strip still boasts plenty of mom-and-pop shops and a dearth of big national retailers. That may not be case for much longer, according to Downtown Brooklyn Partnership prez Joseph Chan. With all the housing stock that we have now and the demographics in the communities that surround Downtown Brooklyn, the fact that there’s not a Bed Bath & Beyond, a Pottery Barn, a Pier 1 in the downtown of a city of 2.5 million people is odd, says Chan. He argues that more chain stores won’t necessarily mean the end of the Fulton Mall as we know it: Having greater retail diversity means having more choices. It doesn’t mean eliminating what’s there today. The reality is it’s never going to be all or nothing.
Step Right Up! Brooklyn Mall Is Oasis and Anomaly [NY Times]
Photo by johnkay1.
“i like the mall- it reminds me of europe”
How? Seriously, what part of Fulton Mall reminds you of what part of Europe?
I am white, middle class and I used to buy my children clothing at the stores at the mall. It was when A&S was still there before Macy’s – which is not very nice.
The “ghetto mall” is making money, and serving the needs of people who have shopped there for generations. While I would love a Pot, BB&B and Pier 1, I hope those can be incorporated within suitable spaces as they become available, and no one is shoved out unless they choose to leave. There is room for everyone.
The Fulton Mall didn’t become what it now is overnight, or by itself. It was always a working and middleclass shopping area. The “complexion” changed as white people fled to the burbs, and neighborhing Bklyn Hts, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, etc, etc residents stopped going there. The stores changed, reflecting the economic situation and tastes of their customers. Why wouldn’t they, it’s in an excellent commuting and commercial hub.
I personally thing they overdo most of the merchandise there, with too much repetition and not enough imagination as to what they think will sell, and have dumbed down to teenage hip hop dominated merchandise. There are still a couple of stores I frequent for bargain goodies. If I need better, I know where to get it in Manhattan or elsewhere, so it’s never bothered me that they don’t have what I want. I don’t expect the world to cater to me, but I am also not a huge shopper.
I have to say, I do miss McCrory’s, Woolworth’s and A&S, especially their restaurant. They had the best lunch in downtown Brooklyn.
Preservationista
agreed, 11.49. The mall is a headache and needs upgrading. It’s old, outdated and always dirty – garbage is constantly blowing everywhere and the entire street is an eye-sore.
i am white
i own a house
i buy clothes for my kids at cookies – and goodwill right off the mall.
i like the mall- it reminds me of europe
Leave Macy’s and gut the entire place. Thats it.
11:07 AM
You are obviously a very old adult.
They also like comic books, video games and hip hop. A lot
I was unaware that there were adults afflicted with sneaker fetishism. I thought it was just adolescents.
Whitey dosnt like Bed-Sty – racist
Whitey likes Fulton St Mall – phoney
Give Whitey a chance