Comments on: VCU retail struggles to take hold on Broad St.

By: Two new shops in Richmond coming soon : Richmond BizSense

Two new shops in Richmond coming soon : Richmond BizSense — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:52:41 +0000

[...] location was previously Cuppa Tea, which closed last year but now sells tea online. BizSense wrote about them in June. Filed Under: [...]

By: Ted Hurlbut

Ted Hurlbut — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:41:15 +0000

I am very familiar with the Carytown area, and the most successful merchants there have successfully translated their passion into compelling, memorable customer experiences. It’s passion that leads to buzz, and you can tell which stores have it as soon as you walk through the door.

By: Casey Quinlan

Casey Quinlan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:55:08 +0000

East of Belvidere seems much more successful than the Broad St. strip west of Belvidere – low-margin retail like coffee bars that don’t have franchise chain support will struggle in that stretch between Belvidere and Lombardy. It doesn’t help that those blocks seem like a strip mall/frat house mashup…which doesn’t encourage visiting the area as a destination, only as a proximity choice.

By: The Fan in Richmond Virginia | Fan News, Restaurants and Events. -- Fan of the Fan

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:25:59 +0000

[...] Richmond BizSense reports that Cuppa Tea has closed after 2 years in business near the corner of Main and Morris. With the economy the way it is, not many people are looking for the luxury items they sell. Especially VCU students. The article explains how many businesses in the VCU area are struggling especially now that it’s summertime. Who will go to these stores if students don’t? There seems to be a certain stigma for those outside of the VCU area when it comes to “that part of town”. About a year ago my husband and I went to a show at Empire Theatre (home of Theatre IV) with a couple who lived in another part of town. We were both struck by other theater-goers comments regarding the “bad” part of town in which the theatre is located. It didn’t seem so bad to us. How are local businesses going to survive without the support of the locals? [...]

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:45:25 +0000

Parking turnover, getting students and residents out of cars altogether, and other alternatives would make a big difference. Trani could have been a hero and seriously partnered with GRTC for mass transit, but he was too obsessed with building more buildings. A ZipCar franchise in the area would be awesome.

By: Joann

Joann — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:46:44 +0000

For me, it’s all about parking. Better parking and I will come.

By: John Lindner

John Lindner — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:02:33 +0000

This article seems to have the wrong headline, confusing “VCU retail” with retail in the VCU area. Retail with a strong VCU draw continues to grow (i.e., the new Panara and Chipolte right around the corner on Laurel), but retail around VCU that doesn’t strongly cater to VCU struggles. Every college town struggles with the shrink/swell phenomenon. The businesses that last are the ones that have the ability to wow both the students — and townies.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:17:51 +0000

This story is a bit lopsided; despite the closings, there are also a good number of new store openings along the corridor ie Verry Berry, BoDizza, Smoothie King, Oasis Cafe

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:08:06 +0000

Imagine if the City Auditorium had been repurposed BACK into an indoor farmer’s market like D.C.’s Eastern Market?

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:32:29 +0000

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association has voted in favor of small business district rezoning for West Cary since 2002. We would like to see more small businesses on W. Cary Street.