Fulton Mall Appears To Be Bucking Retail Downturn
Biking through the Fulton Mall this week we were struck by how unaffected it appeared to be by the recession and broader downturn in the retail environment. We obviously don’t have any numbers on sales trends at any of the stores, but we were impressed by the fact that there was only one small store…
Biking through the Fulton Mall this week we were struck by how unaffected it appeared to be by the recession and broader downturn in the retail environment. We obviously don’t have any numbers on sales trends at any of the stores, but we were impressed by the fact that there was only one small store that was empty and only one other For Rent sign on the entire seven-block stretch. This is in marked contrast to the scene on Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues and, well, almost everywhere.
Yuppies are at a total loss to understand or appreciate Fulton Mall because it is an authentic piece of urban culture. Not transplanted suburban culture. It is a place were all kinds of people go, because it is convenient and because you can get all kinds of goods for a variety of prices. It may not be “Martha Stewart Living” but it is not a shithole either. I think that fancy house culture whether in the city or the country, is all about pretentiousness. Fulton Mall is not at all pretentious. It is a bustling down-home marketplace as it has been for over a hundred years. It isn’t SoHo, it is real. It’s one of the last places where you can go and not see tourists.
However you can’t presume to understand or appreciate what black people “deserve.”
*****
I don’t. Black people (or any people) are a diverse enough group that no one can make that kind of a presumption. My point was to make an equally silly (and fake) argument, like the ones that were being thrown at me, to stave off all those “you’re a racist” comments. I do dislike malls in general.
“African-Americans deserve better deserve better than shopping in the shithole that is Fulton Mall.”
I’m black. I shop there. I also shop on 34th street in Manhattan, and all over this city and other U.S. cities, for that matter. Like I said, it’s not great, but it’s not a “shithole” to me. If you don’t like it, it’s your right to say so. However you can’t presume to understand or appreciate what black people “deserve.”
It’s amusing to me that the “person” complaining about online commenting is the one using profanity with the nastiest comments so far on this thread.
And you’ve just admitted to not being sane either.
*****
You’re right, I knew I’d get called out on that. I think my point still stands, though Brownstoner board tends to be much more civilized and more informative than most others.
Also, I have to point out, I’m just stating my opinion and not advocating that some external entity force its aesthetics on the people who are more than happy to spend their money at Fulton Mall.
gee, heck of a- A little paranoid and defensive there, aren’t you? You and billiamsburg friends? Because the 2 of you seem really asinine to me. That was the “asinine” conclusion I came to.
I noticed about 6 vacancies along Fulton Street. You just need to keep a better eye out. They don’t all have real estate for lease signs up.
If its thriving, leave it be. God knows we need at least some parts of the economy working.
“I might’ve said this before, but here goes anyway: the fuck is wrong with online commenters in general? I guess the sane ones tend to be quiet and not post.”
It’s amusing to me that the “person” complaining about online commenting is the one using profanity with the nastiest comments so far on this thread.
And you’ve just admitted to not being sane either.
Billiamsburg,
Pretty much any poor urban or semi-urban area. (go to a strip mall in Upstate NY, the welfare office is usually very close).
It’s funny to hear people call Fulton a shithole, among other things. It used to be a real shithole, with empty stores and groups of teens waiting on the corner to relieve shoppers of their heavy bags. My friends and I used to spend our allowance there and had to shop in packs to avoid being mugged.
But you know what, it was still better than 5th Ave was at the time (mid 80’s).
Fulton is not pretty, but it’s reasonably clean for the amount of traffic it gets and it is very safe. It also attracts many city and court employees, who shop during lunchtime.