Four Picks For Medaille MBA Market Study
While watching the unbelievable Sabres’ comeback at Jack Devine’s on Chippewa last night, a couple of us began to think of a few market studies that Medaille College should conduct. Already, the college has been instrumental in establishing a second location for a men’s clothing store (Get Dressed Downtown) as well as a sole location for a start-up women’s clothing store (The Jenny Shop). In just a couple of years the Medaille MBA program helped to bring two retailers to downtown Buffalo… that’s quite an accomplishment.
The MBA students have already begun to brainstorm on their own regarding future projects… and developer Rocco Termini has them working on a study for a downtown public market. The other evening Rocco asked the students what sort of businesses they envisioned being successful and… well, I can’t tell you what they came up with because chances are some of the ideas might become reality.
So without giving away their ideas I thought that we could give them some of ours. I like the idea of tapping into existing suburban businesses that don’t have a city presence. One of the first ones that came to mind was Stereo Advantage outlet. In order for The Advantage Company’s Smart Office+... video conferencing technology, custom conference tables, smart glass, etc. The company’s downtown presence could be a catalyst to expand into stereo and computers at a later date. I also liked the idea of having a Smart Car or hybrid car dealership situated on one of empty lots… maybe a glass-enclosed showroom of some kind. Think of all the businesspeople that might test-drive a car during lunch hours. The third idea was inspired by commentor ‘dpbflo’ who recently asked, “Why the hell is there no Ted’s in the city? I remember one being over by LaSalle Park when I was a kid… I think they need to invest in Buffalo again.” I agree. I still can’t believe that there’s no Ted’s downtown. And finally… Dick’s Sporting Goods. I think that there is a real need for a sports store for golfers, tennis players, joggers, soccer players, skaters… maybe a satellite store that caters more to the businessperson who does not have time to spend a day at the mall on any given Saturday.
Those are my four picks for Medaille MBA market studies, what are yours?
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WCPerspective
Salvatores Italian Gardens II maybe? jk How about a Lucky Strike?
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sinkingbuffalo
probably becouse most retailers did market research of their own. With a shrinking population and 0 [acutually negative] job growth it will be awhile before you see a thriving downtown. That is why half the inner core is empty. If Elmwood has a problem keeping stores open which is a "core" retail district, what chance does downtown have?
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Martin
This is "Buffalo Rising" not "Sinking Buffalo" why so negative? We need positive thoughts in order to make a change! Damn, this site is getting pretty negative lately, is it cabin fever or just hateful people?
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mmiller
What about two strong and expanding Niagara Falls businesses: Como Deli and DiCamillo's Bakery?
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LastCall
sinkingbuffalo - Check your facts, but we've gained jobs over the last several years. Also, What problem does elmwood have keeping stores? Outside of Latina's, I can't think of many. Anyways, Buffalo could use a small grocer in the city. A dash's or other small grocery store that offers more than the washington market would really work nicely in the downtown area that continues to add residents(this might blow your mind sinkingbuffalo)
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queenseyes
WCP. I'm with you on the Lucky Strike.
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bison716
7-Eleven, Subway, La Nova, Macy's, JC Penny, CVS, Fleet Footwear, Fye's, Alpha graphics, Fed-Ex Kinkos, McDonalds, Arby's, Wendy's, Hard Rock Cafe, Burlington Coat Factory, Foot Locker, Payless, Star Bucks, Radio Shack, T-Mobile, Verizon Wirless, Sprint Store, AT&T, Avis Rent-a-car, Cinco de Mayo, Movie Tavern, I can go on and on and on!
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Jay
The car dealership is a cool idea.
Downtown is seriously lacking a Mighty Taco. Mighty Taco is a friggin' staple in Buffalo. Personally, I like to see a nice Italian joint take up one of those 3-4 story buildings across from the Hyatt entrance. That block is terrible and a well done Italian resturant, large enought for seating in the upper floors would be bellissimo.
BTW on dowtown's new retail front, Chop Chop is a great place to get lunch. Went there once and looking forward to my next trip there.
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mikejm
I agree with the stereo advantage. It would also be nice if there was a Tony Walker section. Besides urban, all of the trendy clothing stores in the city are too upscale (Lu's modern and Ultimate Men's shop.) I have to drive out to Amherst or the mall to buys jeans or a shirt
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bison716
Your right "Jay" Mighty Taco is a great idea, how about 2nd locations for Great Wall and ETS! Or maybe even a smaller upscale Pano's.
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NBJOHN
Can’t we go to the Main Place Mall and get Jeans and a t-shirt (sarcasm)?
Inexpensive trendy clothes place is right or maybe there is one and I do not know about it
Reuse for the crack mall...er Main Place Mall.
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NBJOHN
A "Costco" store
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mwh82
I think a well-planned IKEA would be remarkable for the city, a "bass pro" without all the headaches. It's a shame that city officials don't have any type of vision and make a push for a store like this. Not only would this draw tons of surburanites into the city, but it would draw from Canada and Rochester. People drive for hours to go to IKEAs. And it would be a good lunch spot for downtown workers....
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Mariner
How about a GAP Store downtown or on Elmwood? We need a casual mens store with reasonable prices. A place you can pick up a pair of jeans and a polo shirt without breaking the bank.
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dpbflo
Newell- I could not agree more about smart office in this time of Buffalo investment and what an excellent company they are. I would like to see w stereo advantage/smart office combo in the city. Another local outlet I would like to see in the city along with Teds is a Pizza Plant. The food is amazing and the beer selection is stellar. The owner Bob Syracuse is a true inspiration in the way he operates. Very involved in the community, and buying local.
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sbrof
I will agree that Mighty Needs to come back to Blo. With only one or two locations in the whole city anymore it is a shame, you know they would do very well in DT / Allentown or EV. Bring them back.
As for other ideas, We should look at what is really missing from our current selection of stores. I agree that a larger sporting goods could be a benefit, maybe bring Laux back into the city or as QE said a Dicks etc. But maybe there are already places to get your needs from Fleet Feet / the archery place on Kenmore etc.
What is REALLY lacking and has been for many many years is some sort of computer electronics shop. Especially since Radio Shack on main closed there is nowhere to buy a computer or their accessories, Am left with going to Office Max to look for a decently priced CD's or Printers. The computer shop on Hertel and I have gone there a couple times is great but something more comprehensive would be fantastic.
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Bellajl
I would bring in stores not found anywhere else in Buffalo first.
Like IKEA, H&M, even a department store like Nordstroms too. Then a mix of local and chain retail and restaurants.
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WCPerspective
Interesting- not one call for a true non-campus Barnes & Noble? (forget Borders, they're shaky right now). How about Crate & Barrel, West Elm or Container Store?
Benderson is going to have a few million bucks to dangle in front of secondary anchor tenants for Canalside that have to be new to the region. It'll be interesting to see who they sign. ESPN Zone perhaps?
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simcoe
All these great ideas for different stores. It would be great to come up with a way to put them all under one roof, you'd need a great deal of parking too. Why hasn' t this been done yet?
IKEA & the Gap have been dealt with ad nauseam on BRO before. IKEA only goes into metro areas that have something like a billion people & the GAP is getting out of cities altogether (except NY, LA, SF, etc). And don't even mention an Apple Store!
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joeyg
My first job was at Ted's back in 1996. It was around that time (give or take a few years) when they closed the Porter location. I remember my manager at the time saying something about Ted's was forced out of the neighborhood by a three punch combo - high taxes, high crime rate, and no customers (he said that while punch his fists into the air). But that was over 10 years ago... maybe its time to bring it back into the city considering it is a Buffalo tradition.
How many people have heard a senior citizen talk about Ted's?... "I remember when hot dogs cost a nickel! We would go down to Massachusetts Avenue, at the foot of the peace bridge and eat hot dogs all day... for a nickel! "
I agree with mwh82 - Ikea would be a great addition to the city. Have you ever been in one? they are huge! You need a freakin' map just to find housewares. It would also create a lot of new jobs.
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reflip
Bass Pro.
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WeLovePanos
Buffalonians are too fat for an H&M as they cater to a thinner healthier audience
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magnum
Great Post Quenny, Here is an off the wall idea, you know that huge swath of land next to Buff state were they wanted to build that sex offender housing? How about a mini mall. Not a shopping Plaza, but a cool looking Atrium styled 3 or 4 story mini mall with 1(maybe 2) decent anchors and then places for atleast 15 other stores within. I'm thinking a Sears as an anchor(we could close the one on Sheridan). You guys fill in the blanks.
With Gas prices were they are and the growth of high income people moving to downtown plus those living near Elmwood, plus all the people in riverside, Kenmore, students at Buff State and lets not forget the Canadians - that 30 minute round trip to Galleria would be a thing of the past. Lets take back from the Burbs! I really believe the Canadian factor would be huge given its proximity to the border and major roads. In addition, maybe some of those Canadians might actually go visit the city now instead of hitting the Galleria mostly. And, if space permits, a skate park nearby would be ideal. Let’s face it, Main Place Mall died years ago and there is still no sign of life, plus who wants to pay for parking to go to a mall? Before anyone points out why it will not work, how about discussing the benefits and how it would work :) Here is a link to Google maps if you don't know the area: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1000+Niagara+St,+Buffalo,+N.Y.+14213,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image
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magnum
Sorry, wrong link before. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=100+Tonawanda+St,+Buffalo,+N.Y.+14207,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title
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mwh82
SIMCOE.... not necessarily true about IKEA, Pittsburgh has one and that is roughly the same size as Buffalo. Also, we have a couple of major universities, college students flock to that place to buy furniture and what not. There's one in Burlington, ON but because of the exchange rate a store in Buffalo would pull in a lot of Canadians.
I think it would be a grand slam for the city.... surrounding development would follow close after. Imagine downtown having an IKEA and a Bass Pro....
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simcoe
Yeah that is necessarily true abt Ikea. If you recall there was a lot of buzz regarding an Ikea possibly going in on the Waterfront after the Bass Pro junk was being "finalized" Byron Brown even went to Las Vegas to meet various companies including Ikea. Eventually an Ikea rep came on the radio & squashed it all by noting that the company only considered metro areas that exceeded a certain population and Buffalo wasn't even close. It would be great I agree but he was very emphatic about it not happening. The Burlington Ikea is like an outlet for the other store in TO (plus don't forget hamilton alone is almost as large as Bflo)
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icecreamsub
actually Stereo Adavantage use to have a store on Elmwood back in the mid 80's...from what I remember it was pretty basic...no showroom...........has a butcher shop ever been considered for the EV? It kind of sucks having to drive to Wegmans, Dash's or Federal for a decent cut of meat. Or maybe a Sunglasses Hut......nah
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RisingDamp666
Grants, Woolco, Two Guys, maybe an Ames too: the possibilities are endless!
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wizardofza
icecreamsub, c'mon man...you know damn well Elmwood stores don't exist to actually serve the everyday needs of immediate neighborhood residents . All those boutiques are here to give a bunch of bored suburbanites their weekly dash of "flavor" in their otherwise banal lives.
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RisingDamp666
As a suburbanite, I want to say that I would patronize Elmwood far more often if they'd change the name to "Fox Chase".
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ArkoWillie
The absolute best place to get burgers, dogs and fries (aside from Ted's for the dogs) is called Five Guys. It started in the Washington, DC area with a couple of family -owned locations and has been voted "best" by Washingtonian Magazine for many consecutive years. Now they've begun to offer franchises in other cities. BFLO would be a great place for a Five Guys, and perhaps a downtown location could work. The typical clientlele is mixed----guys/gals in jeans and business suits all standing in line . . .
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ktownhope
I think this is all fun to read, and hopefully our city elected officials are reading this too! It is not a lack of ideas and enthusiasm from people who love Buffalo that has made the city what it is today- it is the local politicians who forget they were elected to actually serve their constituents! I think that all the empty storefronts along Main Street (killed by the subway) should be leased out for free for, say, two years, to encourage small businesses and franchises to get off the ground and revitalize that area. Then the subway would be good for something. What could it hurt- the city is not gaining anything from empty buildings now- why not build a strong economic center for the future? Forget trying to create another Elmwood- it is a one of a kind! And fabulous- but there are other alternatives- and we never lack for ideas- just open avenues that are not blocked by local government at every turn!! C'mon, Mayor Brown, I had hoped you would be different!
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Geomike
Here are my votes: 1. Tell Dicks they can have the Bass Pro site if they can open it before Memorial day 2008 (with 4 stores in WNY they obviosuly don't need additional "lure"-ing....ha ha); 2. Mighty downtown, pick an empty storefront on Main; 3. Gap / Old Navy? 4. A Car dealer in the city would be novel, but alas I think Tunmore was the last new car dealership in the city. Maybe something paired with the Pierrce Showroom and "coming" FLW "gas station" for hybrid and more "trendy" cars (eg no Yukons, Suburbans, Hummers, etc). 5. A Grocery Store on the EAST SIDE - like the vast tracts of land behind ECMC and along Fillmore where those hideous vacant buildings sit. How about a nice market study there for TOPs?
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