Jonathan reports…
So Rare on W. Ponce by Gibson Chiropractor is going out of business, there is a sign outside.
My wife has anticipated this announcement ever since they put out a “40%-50% off everything” sign and began to show a noticeable reduction in inventory outside.
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So sad. I’m sorry to hear about it.
I saw that sign and thought the same thing. That’s a shame – I’ve gotten some cool garden art from them.
I am afraid this may be just the beginning of shop closures in Decatur. I will do ALL my shopping locally if I can. I have read (and can’t remember the source exactly) that statistics show that when you shop local, much of what you spend ends up coming back to your community in several ways. Whereas shopping at a big box store, only gives a small portion back locally. If you like a local shop, then we all should shop there this holiday season, otherwise I am afraid that many more closures will occur soon.
Rebecca, I love ya, but if I had a nickel…
I might shop more in downtown Decatur if parking weren’t such a pain. What’s ever going to be done to solve that problem?
If the city build more parking decks, etc then you will complain about an increase in taxes . . . walk or ride Marta. The #2 bus goes right down Ponce.
seriously..and 10 mins for .25???? so unfair!
It’s sure less than Atlanta.
Nathan, I understand! We live on the extreme SW side of Decatur, so only Oakhurst businesses are in everyday walking distance for us. We usually drive and park when we go downtown.
Did you know you can park in the courthouse deck at Commerce and Trinity for free after hours and on weekends? The deck does not advertise this on their signage (which seems to indicate a $6 charge), but we use it all the time for free! There is even a stairwell/door that lets you out right next to the Marta bus area and the west side of the square. From there, it’s literally a 2-3 minute walk to most anything you would want to do downtown.
Also, if you don’t mind walking a few blocks, I recently discovered the parking meters on the outskirts of downtown are significantly cheaper (something like $0.10 for 15 minutes), and there are always open spaces. To go to the Farmer’s Market, I park on Candler (near the mini-Kroger) for $0.20, which is significantly cheaper than the $3 (or boot) at the pay lot. And I never have to circle the block looking for a metered spot right next to the Market.
I think the key to Decatur parking is to get used to the idea that you will have to walk a block or two, which is good for your health anyway! Just accept it, go straight to the deck and stop wasting time circling blocks to find that perfect parking spot.
Parking isn’t a problem, if you have legs and can walk a block or 2, or if you have a dollar or 2 for either a lot, or meter. Many of the shops have their own lots and free parking.
Walk! It’s faster, more affordable and better for the environment.
How is walking faster? For those of us who live about a mile from the square, walking indeed means a longer trip. I would certainly walk everywhere if I had the time–and my family already does a lot of walking or bike-riding on a regular basis. But the sheer number of people in my household and their everyday commitments and activities preclude us from walking as much as we would like. We’d be perpetually three hours late to everything.
I’m not actually complaining about parking in Decatur. I’m just saying there’s another side to the “walk everywhere!” argument. It’s not just about hating the environment and not wanting to exercise.
Or take the buses and trains.
All right transit-cult, let’s not all pig-pile on Nathan. (yes, pig-pile is my word of the week)
Remember that for many folks, the implications of the car on the urban environment aren’t top-of-mind and every parking advocate shouldn’t be immediately scolded for their views. If and when you do that, you almost guarantee they’ll never side with you.
Believe it or not Nathan, the city is intentionally stingy about parking and where it’s located. If you saw what the town looked like 50 years ago when car was king, you’d understand why. So, yes we do have parking, but it’s not as “convenient” as most people are used to. The city chooses a middle ground because residents love walking down a street and looking in a window instead of across a blacktop.
You make a good point on how we can respond to folks who advocate for more parking. I am a very anti-car, shop local, etc kind of guy, but I can’t convince my friends by yelling at them. Lord knows I have tried. Just point out where the parking is and we have plenty of it, is a good start.
Believe what Rebecca was referring to was the 3/50 project which can be found at http://www.the350project.net/home.html
Sorry to hear about So Rare and I agree that we most likely will be seeing more of the shops and resturants closing in Decatur. I try to do all my shopping with Independent businesses when I can. Makes a big difference to our local community economy all around.
Sorry to hear of a local business closing. But seriously, did anyone every buy any of their rusted, broken chairs and tables?
I meant “ever”, not “every”….
I’ve lived in Decatur almost 20 years, bought a small table once from them.
No, we never actually bought anything from them.
If you Google the business, you will see my “review” of what happened to our porch chairs earlier this year. (The second review there is an obvious shill.)
After this experience we suddenly realized why nearly every item in the store is for outdoor use — easy pickins, I guess.
Good riddance. Really.
I understand why they went out of buiness. It always seemed as though the owner never wanted to sell any of her stuff.
For example my mom went into So Rare once and a couple months ago and wanted to buy this falling apart rusted chair for 50 dollars but the owner was so rude to her and insisted the chair was worth 200 dollars and said that my mom should leave if she didnt want to buy it.
when ever i drive or walk past So Rare i see it even mor rusted and the owner put another chair on top of it.
I have never, ever seen anyone in that store.
Does anyone know if they vacating the house as well? They’ve lived there for decades.
Re. Barry’s comment:
I am a longtime Decatur resident and am aware of the occurance to which you are referring. Someone took your chairs and then sold them to the store. I don’t know why on earth you insist that the owner “knowingly” purchased your stolen chairs. When thieves steal things and try to resell them, it is highly unlikely that they would actually inform the people they sell these goods to that they are stolen. In fact, to do so would be illogical and only decrease the chances of selling the items.
So Rare has been a Decatur cornerstone and its owner has worked hard to build, establish and maintain an upstanding business and reputation in our community — that’s why the store has lasted for over 12+ years, and thrived for the majority of those years until the recession hit. Your libelous comments are completely unfounded and unfair. Think about it…and remember, “…do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The police asked the owner if she had seen the license plate of the man who sold her the chairs (who she said she bought from every now and then) and her answer was that it was “covered up”.
When you buy things repeatedly from someone with covered up plates, it would be logical to wonder if perhaps you are buying stolen goods. The merchandise may be cheap, but by buying it you are giving the thieves a reason to keep stealing.
If you haven’t had something stolen, only to see it appear for sale in a nearby business, I can tell you it feels like a violation. Sorry if you think we are over-reacting.
I hope someone picks up the house and reuses it instead of turning it into a parking lot or something. That’s my concern…what happens to the site?
are there any regs regarding tearing it down. There is no need for another parking lot. I would like to see an adaptive reuse of it…even if its just someone’s office or soemthing.
and on the downtown parking issue…there is pleanty of parking downtown. if you want a plethora of parking…move to Gwinnett. I mean really, come on, its the city folks.
copied and pasted from the city website…
Downtown Decatur parking is plentiful, convenient and affordable! There are 300 metered spaces, 2,200 deck and lot spaces, and private spaces located conveniently in front of many of Decatur’s fine merchants.
How do people in Chicago deal with out the sea of parking we have…hmmmm…..
Since it’s not in a protected historic district, there’s no restriction on demolishing it.
Take heart Land. The old Century 21 is now a doctor’s office.
But I agree. Will be interesting to see what is put in it’s place.
For years I thought it was pronounced SO-RAH-RAY. Thought it was Spanish or Italian or something.
I don’t think it will be missed. IMHO, it was very overpriced and I am being kind.
The owner is a “character” that I will miss. She helped make our town what it was and what we are rapidly losing.
I agree, Another Rick. I may not have shopped there but I always stopped and looked. I’ll miss the funkiness of it. So long, Sorare.