Stores you hate...stores you love

shellz
Fri, 08 May 2015 03:41:15 +0000

We live in a newer master planned community that touted only allowing non-chain stores/restaurants (aside from the grocery stores) in its literature and sales ads. Kind of like an old-time community, with lots of biking/walking trails, parks, clubhouses with pools and activities for kids and families. It sounded so idyllic. Well, 15 years later, we have numerous empty store fronts which had previously been occupied by mom and pop type establishments. Why? The rents were too much for such businesses to thrive. So, now they sit empty, because even the chains won’t pay the steep leases. The community had to reasses their stance on no-chains, so now we have the usual crap fast food places (McD’s, A&W, KFC), and low end clothing retailer Kohls. Would have loved a Chipotle, and a TJ’s. And a bookstore…and for the love of God no more nail salons, dry cleaners or phone stores! It would have been nice to live in a community with a unique downtown/restaurant district…maybe next time.