Comments on: Is a Shift From Free to Pay Parking Really Anti-Community?

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:45:06 +0000

Bruce is back for Jazz night charging $5. Avoid the big H lot

By: Deanne

Deanne — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:26:49 +0000

Scott- You’re the VERY person who could help Oakhurst make a persuasive case to offset the traffic/density! Let’s figure out all of the WHY’s, not the why nots. Some are:

1. If you’re looking beyond a cars based model for new growth, then Oakhurst is ideal because folks are already “sold” on walkable businesses.

2. Good mix of household types: home owning familes (many are well above DG’s targeted $75k demographic) + good base of reliable DG consumers in seniors home owners/ seniors community & renters.

3. Number of nearby schools, including Renfroe Middle & 4/5 Academy that draw from all of Decatur. Parents (car poolers/Safe Routers) will make a well stocked store a regular stop due to convenience factor.

4. Numerous community events that bring in additional foot traffic.

C’mon people! There’s lots of reasons a retailer would find success in Oakhurst!

By: cubalibre

cubalibre — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:01:32 +0000

Thing is, Token, the very best Cuban food is almost always found in people’s homes– no matter how good the restaurant, it’s just really hard to get Cuban food the way it is at home. No offense, STG, but CocoLoco is only OK. I’ve had worse, for sure, but I can make you some sopa de ajo & pollo con mojo that will make you forget all about CocoLoco!

By: cubalibre

cubalibre — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:58:11 +0000

Heyyyyy!!! Good to “meet” ya!

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:26:07 +0000

It’s not about upscale locales so much as it’s about access to customers. Plain and simple, chain discount retail cannot survive on walk-in traffic at the density found in Oakhurst. They would need it supplemented significantly by drive-in traffic and East Lake just doesn’t have the traffic counts they need.

This will be true of any chain grocer or similar. The margins are too thin. The only way to land one would be to significantly increase through traffic on East Lake. Gotta assume that’s a path most of Oakhurst would rather not go down.

It’s true some new establishment could serve as a magnet and draw additional traffic where it currently doesn’t exist. Oakhurst Market will surely do this. But nationals are much less likely to take a chance. They want the numbers in place.