breaking: downtown macy’s to close (7+Fig location)
Macy’s will be shuttering its secondary Downtown Los Angeles location at 7th and Figueroa, according to the LA Times. The move is part of a cost-cutting measure that will close 11 stores nationwide, taking 136 Downtown jobs with it.
After acquiring Southern California-based Robinsons-May in 2005 — the last big department store based in Los Angeles — Macy’s had two stores separated by a mere block, with its primary Downtown location at Macy’s Plaza (7th and Flower).
That acquisition ended an era of Downtown department-store shopping that included such names as Bullock’s, Hamburger’s, May Company and the Broadway, among many others.
A close-out sale begins next week.
What retailer would work in that space? Let us know!
135 comments
Target!!! It was crazy to have 2 stores so close to each other with same merchandise.
TARGET!
“…part of a cost-cutting measure… ”
Finally, and it only took them 3.5 years to do the math. Two stores that close was ridiculous.
Target would be nice.
TARGET DUH!! PLEASE some should write to Target heh
And Target already has their eyes on downtown. At LA Live, I was so excited to see the Target Terrace… but sad when I realized it’s just a balcony with Target’s name on it.. blah.
A real Target store here would be amazing at that location…
I would love a Target but they would need to do something to not make it so ghetto. I feel like a Target downtown could turn into a 711. Maybe a target with a membership haha.
has anybody suggested target?
defnitely a Target or big-Box home goods/ retail store that is a prime intersection for many people. and maybe add another story to the structure so that it can be visible above ground as well. Whatever happened to that “major overhaul/ repositioning” suppose to take place by the new buyers of that property?
Target was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the title. Then I saw the comments and realized everyone’s on it. Hopefully Target’s on it as well. The location is perfect just a few blocks from LA Live.
since nobody else has seemed to even think of it, let me throw this crazy idea out there: TARGET!!!
Like everyone else I can’t say I’m surprised to hear this. The idea of two of the same department stores located a mere two blocks from one another makes no sense what so ever. As Lola said, what took them so long to figure this out?
I’d said a Target would be great in downtown since moving here in April, often to the angry protest of those frowning on big box stores and needing to support local businesses. However it appears as though there is a growing need for such a retailer in the area.
I have to imagine this is one of the few spaces downtown that could support a Target right now? (Speaking sheer space wise)
TARGET.
Oh btw, Rich, the Ann Taylor at 7th & Fig is also closing down next month.
Thanks for the tip-off, Sarah.
Local 7th & Fig. word has it that the developers are looking for very high end and according to 7th & Fig. *gossip* have been pushing people out. Already a number of stores besides Macy’s has gone out of business. Businesses are being pressured. Don
As long as they keep the high parking fees a Target should have minimal ghetto elements…and keep shopping carts from leaving the store like they do at Ralphs. I dont mind the parking because its a block away from me (:
Target has been remodeling their stores in the San Fernando Valley, some of which are really nice. The newly remodeled stores in Granada Hills and Northridge come to mind.
Pasadena’s needs some work.
so prior to reading all these comments i thought to myself “target”…
Target sound good, but what about an IKEA. They sell all those lofty type furnitures.
I think downtown needs a BIG bookstore. As far as I know we only have the borders express.
that whole “mall” needs an overhaul.
except Gold’s. they just got one.
Seb, have you ever been in an Ikea? They are a wee bit bigger than a Macy’s.
Target please!
How about Wal- Mart?
joking.
Uh-oh, Steve. Now you’ve done it.
Eff Target. I want a Nordstrom. Downtown should make an effort to go more upscale.
How about a Borders or a Barnes and Noble? Since there isn’t one at LA Live it would be a great catch for Downtown. Most urban areas have at least one big Borders or Barnes in their epicenter. The ideal location would be Figueroa Central but since who knows when that will break ground this might be a good alternative.
I hope you are wrong Don … I think everyone area could use a high end retailer or two but with the changing demographics of downtown and the sheer number of people moving into the area I think there is a real need for some stores like Target. If Macy’s and Ann Taylor can’t make it, what high end retailer will fit the bill?
Claudia is right about a big bookstore too … I have it on good authority Borders was looking into the ground floor at the corner of 7th and Hope across from Rite-Aid before Walgreens took the space.
TARGET!
I work out at Gold’s and it makes sense in terms of parking availability.
TARGET!
Is that Walgreen’s still going through? I work across the street and I haven’t seen any activity there. The sign still says for lease? Did the deal fall through? I would be happy with a Walgreen’s or a bookstore in that location.
I’m all about a Target in the 7th and Fig Space too. I agree with Brian in that downtown probably isn’t ready for really upscale retailers yet, especially in this economy. I think we need more everyday retailers like Target etc. before more specialized luxury retailers can make a go of it.
Sorry, Nordstrom is not “upscale” in my book… TARGET!!! (more need for necessities than upscale)
K-town: Good question. I’ve been meaning to follow up with Derrick Moore about that. I’ll see what I can get..
some of you guys are too much, you want a Target in downtown, but are afraid it will become “ghetto”? making it members only?
C’mon, Downtown and the surrounding areas are very diverse- economically and racially, if you can’t accept that, move back to the Westside or South Orange County. You can’t just move here and be hostile against lower income, people of color (who have called the area their home for much longer). It’s a freaking Target!! not a members-only dining club.
seriously, this site is becoming more like Curbed.
Ive always thought they should put a giant bookstore (Borders or B & N) or big box retail with additonal g/f retail in that 2 story vacant, abandoned black glass structure on Figueroa @ 8th Pl across from Denny’s its a total eyesore. And it makes that stretch really dark and forbidden when coming from 7th down to LA Live. maybe its those damn trees too.
Bring back Bullock’s
=]
Any idea how long it is going to take for Macy’s to wind down?
Yeah Target would be nice and the bookstore ideas are dope too, by the way Target is not ghtetto they got nice stores your trippen! Wal-Mart is still more on that tip and Kmart is kind of slowly changing but not quite there. I just want to save money and high end is not saving money!
As much as I love Target and know that DT needs one, this would not be a good spot unless they re-opened and renovated the lower level access to the parking structure. One thing that every Target has is relatively easy access for high traffic conditions. The old Robinson’s building on 7th and Grand might be a better spot…
Dowtowner: “I would love a Target but they would need to do something to not make it so ghetto. ” I’m not understanding why the fear that a Target here will be ghetto. Target = ghetto? I’ve been to one or two that’s bad, but most Targets are clean, well-lit, and have customers from all economic levels since we all need toothpaste and toilet paper. With rents and condo prices around here, I hardly think a Target in downtown will be ghetto. Especially on this side of Grand.
Target makes the most logical and practical sense…. big enough space about 135,000 sq ft and got good location and parking.
Target is not ghetto..they provide the best balance between value and quality.
Target always reminds me of the 90′s movie with Jennifer Connelly- Career Opportunities.
Walmart does not have a chance in that space..plus they want (now) usually 150,000 sq ft minimum to start.
As my second choice i would love to see a BIG-ASS bookstore like a BORDERS or Barnes & Noble..none of this “express” b.s.
I don’t think the above posters meant that Target is ghetto, but a Target in Downtown WILL be ghetto because of the surrounding area. Unfortunately, there are a lot of pricks who have recently moved Downtown who are afraid of minorities as #33 pointed out.
I thought I’d be first on here to suggest a Target but I’m LMAO at seeing so many suggestions of Target. There’s a movement here people, let’s make it happen. Target might not agree, but where there’s a will and strength in numbers. Whatever goes in will hopefully fill in quickly, too much down time could be dangerous.
I agree with #33! It would be great for all people surrounding downtown to have access to low priced quality products. It would also be good for those who want to live in a sterile downtown bubble to rub shoulders with folks from Pico-Union or South Central and see that they are regular folks looking for good deals for themselves and their families, just like you and I.
You people live near downtown and yet are afraid of things getting ghetto??? HAHA LMAO
This talk of a ghetto target is just ridiculous. If stores are well staffed and well maintained then everything is fine. Downtown thrives off of the diverse clientele it could potentially serve. Also, if becoming “ghetto” is such a huge threat, wouldn’t the new Ralphs have already suffered this fate…
As far as I’m concerned, the new Ralph’s is still one of the nicest in all of L.A
Whole Foods would be nice, not gonna happen though. A giant Hooters could also work. Target probably already has an agreement though.
It’s 3 levels inside, right? So how about the top 2 floors make a Barnes and Noble, and the bottom floor a TJs
The idea of a downtown anything becoming “ghetto” (what does that mean anyway?) is crazy. Target stores are always well kept and maintained, having a different feel than say a traditional WalMart or Kmart.
Also, when downtown residents express their opinions and thoughts it’s getting a little old for some to come back with “move to Hollywood/Orange County etc”. New residents are just talking and commenting, relax.
As for Whole Foods – I could be wrong but I remember hearing something in the news during late 2008 about a hold being put on new store openings for the next year or so.
Whole Foods signed for a location at LA Central. We reported on that back when we were a tiny blog. http://angelenic.com/42/whole-foods-confirmed-for-la-central-project/
Of course, LA Central is stalled now…
#37 the ground floor parking garage access at 7 & Fig WAS restored several months ago.
What about a bestbuy.
or a costco.
Keep in mind that with a potential re-tenanting of this project, the unbuilt pad on 8th Street could also enter the discussion, and could ultimately become the Target location, while the owners carve up the Macy’s space into smaller users.
But as to a bookstore, it is all Border’s can do to pay the bills today, so B&N might be your only option, yet that might be a bit far from reality. Many of us had tried for years to get Macy’s to convert this store to Bloomingdales, yet that was before the Fall of 2008!!!
The former Robinson’s Dept. store building on 7th was looked at by both Costco and Target, yet turned down as the floor plates could not handle the weight of either the merchandise. Truly built in another era.
Should be an interesting time to see who does show up.
Target!!!! Apparently their marketing over at LA LOVE is working huh? lol Ann Taylor’s could be a tiny Trader Joes! Very tiny. lol I like the Pasadena Target, it has cheap morningstar veggie products.
Sorry LA LIVE..lol
I think the concept of a members only target that a poster brought up earlier is BRILLIANT! A big problem with a lot of places downtown (frankly the Macy’s comes to mind) is that it tends to attract a VERY low class clientel. This can making shopping quite uncomfortable for someone who just spent $900,000 on a loft. Not to mention the selection ALWAYS tends to be targeted to those lower class shoppers. If the Macy’s was any indication, I can only imagine what kind of products a Target at this location would stock. A members only target could be a great new direction for Targets in urban areas, offering an exclusive shopping experience for yearly membership dues. It’s kind of like a gym, think of the Bally’s downtown versus the Los Angeles Athletic Club. I wouldn’t evenTHINK of going to Bally’s clad in lycra and wearing an iPod touch (germs and robbery) but the Los Angeles Athletic Club is truly a classy gym that does the urban environment proud.
I do think the Macy’s location would be a great spot for this new members only Target, with all the taxis outside of 7th/Fig it would truly feel like a REAL New York experience!
Best BUY
New York Experience.. STUPID whats this a Theme PARK
LAMO
h, maybe you should try visiting New York City for once in your life (forget about living there, NYC spits out wusses like you for breakfast) before you starting making fun of it and calling it a THEME PARK. give me a break. New York is the most REAL city in the WORLD. All you people who call it a theme park are either ignorant or just plain RACIST. the fact is that in new york city you can get a taxi ANYWHERE. not just some dumb hail-a-taxi program. you cant even find a good pizza in LA (papa johns? don’t make me LAUGH).
Nobody wants to freaken spend on membership fee’s these days! didn’t you read the LA Times article on how low memebership at gyms are it was linked on one of these blogs.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-gymdeals5-2009jan05,0,3527583.story
Target would stock the same items as any other Target! wtf are you talking about? what a joke
target .
Dona, that does not apply to the 24 hr fitness downtown, it is too busy. Since everyone gets an idea, mine is they should put a 24 hour fitness where Macys was and clost the other one when its built.
The one on flower is completely packed during the week, there is not enough space and equipment to support the demand.
Give Macy’s credit for keeping the 7th & Fig store open this long when it could have closed at an earlier time after Macy’s takeover of the Robinson’s-May store. Unfortunately the extremely slow economy and Macy’s 7th & Fig location a block from Macy’s Plaza did this store in. As for what should go in there, turn 7th & Fig into a 24 hour entertainment center destination with movie theatres, a 24 hour bowling alley, nightclubs (maybe even a Trader Joe’s) that will compliment the Nokia Plaza development area. This is a prime location near major hotels, easy freeway accesible parking and across the street from a busy subway station which serves three major metro rail lines.
There’s no way that VIPasshole…..oops, sorry, my fingers slipped…access, isn’t a hoax. No one who lives downtown would be so cunty. And people with serious money wouldn’t be contributing to this blog.
Yeah, a Target would be nice but a MUJI (http://www.muji.com/ ) would be way more interesting. Otherwise, you’re setting up downtown to continue along the lines of every other city in the States. You can go to Target and Trader Joes anywhere.
Are you kidding me? A members only Target? Urban = various racial, ethnic and socio-economic people living together in a densely populated area… if you can’t hang, move to the OC or the Westside.
The one thing about Target that is pretty consistent is their high quality design and products at ALL locations. I’ve been to Targets in NYC, the suburbs and in the “ghetto” (which clearly is a passive aggressive euphemism for poor Blacks and Latinos) and they pretty much have the same stuff. Are you afraid that a homeless person is going to ask you for money? Oh wait…that happens outside your $900K loft anyways so what’s the big deal?
I can see how the floors might not support all the Costco merchandise (large pallets piled to the ceiling with stuff), but many other standard department stores at malls converted to Target without a hitch. Besides, there are many structural engineers that would love to be hired by Target to help strengthen the floors so that it can accommodate their wares.
When I can afford a $900K loft (eventually?), I will still shop at Target for my laundry detergent and ziploc bags. There’s still always an option to drive to a farther, nicer, snobbier Target elsewhere. No one is forcing anyone to shop in downtown if it makes them uncomfortable.
It would behoove Target and the purveyors of this mall to retrofit that part of the building, strengthening it to stock heavy products (see #52). I’m afraid that if they carve it up into smaller parcels, there won’t be a big enough draw. And no offense to bookworms out there but I don’t think B&N clients would set foot in any of the other stores there. Besides, half the spaces are already empty. They really need a big-box store. Preference on Target but Best Buy wouldn’t suck.
Target is definitely needed in DTLA. If one were to locate at 7th and Fig, maybe that would provide the impetus for more people to move to DTLA and develop into the critical mass needed to promote the movement of other retail stores to DTLA. I really believe that a Target in DTLA would do wonders for the development of DTLA. We should all lobby (email) Target.
You would move to a neighborhood because they have a Target?
Uhh…..
The parking shouldn’t even be an issue. If you live downtown, you would not need to drive to Target…use your cart. And, if it is too big to cart home, why buy it at the store? Order it online and have it delivered.
Target! Target!
(However, it would be so neat to have a Nordstroms downtown…I don’t think 7th/Fig is the place for it)
(And, I still vote for a Trader Joe’s for 7th/Los Angeles.)
We like LA for la which is why we dont want to live in New York (and the weather). These new lofts, and luxury condos going up are looking to attract people from “OC and the Westside”. It seems that the old school downtown residents and the new ones seem to clash a little bit on here. LA will always be a bit pretentious, image-conscious, and maybe even a little fake. Not everyone, but there will always be people like that. We cant just say, move to OC, westside, valley….thats LA, and downtown is LA, it a unique city. We dont want to be New York, please stop the comparisons. All the people who want LA to be New York should just move there.
Survey Says!
23: Target
2: Big Bookstore of some type
2: Best Buy
2: Trader Joe’s
1: Costco
1: IKEA
1: “LA LIVE North” (Cineplex/Bowling Alley, etc.)
1: Muji
1: Nordstrom
1: Whole Foods
1: Bullock’s (joke); Wal-Mart (Joke)
well maybe this location is too big, but maybe it could be broken down to make a flagship H&M location, an apple store, a gap, and a banana republic
A member’s only Target??!
eh?
kmart! super wal-mart! or a giant famima?!
LOL. Giant famima ftw
To serious? #68: to whom are you referring?
Someone should print this thread out and mail to the Target HQ in Minnesota. (well you can delete racist comments #3 downtowner and #65 VIPaccess…..douchebags)
oops, i meant #69
Hmmm… I think H & M is a great idea! Any clothing store downtown other than American Apparel would be great!
Ghetto money buys the same hair conditioner that xenophobic-prick money buys. The audacity of someone to continue to use this “ghetto” notion reveals someone too cowardly to openly use words like nigger, but who thinks them none the same. If you moved downtown, you elected to move into a ghetto, unless you exist inside a frozen confection shop. Vanzant, you’re one of the worst offenders of this sensibility, consistently. DTLA is not a unique city — it’s a village experiment within a big city. Sometimes, it succeeds but will fail at the hands of those who deny their inherently bourgeois support of a have/have-not split. A barefoot walk a few blocks east, around San Julian and 7th, would do you some good.
Great idea but omit none of the comments so that Target HQ can see who lives downtown and how they think.
…
Actually, I just took care of it now.
To be fair, serious, there are an awful lot of frozen confection shops one could make their home in.
Yeah, with the senseless abundance of them downtown, homelessness could be eradicated if those without took cover inside every dumb fake ice cream shop.
Goodbye Tent City, hello overweight, sprinkle consumer!
Here is the number to call Target to request a store at this location
1.800.440.0680
“If you moved downtown, you elected to move into a ghetto” Um, hello. Serious, have you even been in downtown in the last 5 years? Have you gone to LA Live yet? Ever been in the financial district at lunchtime? Far from ghetto. I know. I left one.
ha, what is going on with the racial sensitivity. Since when did ghetto become a racial term? If it does, I apologize and am unaware. at least 5 other people used it here, so dont attack me.
When I refer to “ghetto” its when I go to eat at a decent restraunt, the CPK on 7th and fig (next to the Macys) and when my wife goes to use the restroom there are 2 bums (white for that matter) using the bathroom and changing. The restroom is small so she cant use it, even tho we are paying customers. I told the hostess she cant use the restroom because theres people changing in it, and they finally told them to leave. When I went back to my table I observed another bum walk right past the hostess to the restroom. Im sure mr serious is happy to go out to eat with his wife and share the restroom with bums, I dont think I should have to pay for that.
My wife is mexican and used the word ghetto to describe this bathroom, with “white” bums. stop turning it into a racial thing.
My wife and I live downtown, pp, in the Gallery Ghetto Row, so yes, we have been down here in the last 5 years. Should have seen the junkie who OD’d outside the front door a few weeks back. A spectacular site more colorful then Britney’s tree lighting you all ran to. LA Live doesn’t interest us in the least, nor do CityWalk, The Block, Times Square and the like. If you like that kind of overblown, corporate funpark thing, that’s cool, but don’t kid yourself that it’s some cultural 2nd coming for downtown. LA Live is”Strange Days” with a bowling alley. Can’t wait til those who can afford to live in Ritz Carlton do their go-sees high above all those…ghetto people, as Vanzant would call them.
CPK is a “decent” restaurant, Vanzant? Ok. Now I understand you better.
Meanwhile, back to Macy’s…
As some have mentioned, 7th + Fig needs a makeover. To me, it’s a hole in the ground with escalators (and confusing ones at that). The “hole thing” needs to be opened up, made more visible.
86, Whats wrong with calling California Pizza Kitchen (cpk) decent ? I like the food, sorry we cant all afford Mortons.
I dont get the cpk diss, bbq chicken pizzas rock. #6 started this ghetto discussion, im tired of hearing about it in every downtown thread.
Cmon Target, we want you here!!!
ugh i love macy’s. so sad they are closing this one down
i would’ve liked having 5 or 6 of them surrounding me. that’d be a dream.
Have you guys EVEN seen the AMAZING display 7-11 did for Christmas? Tell me Downtown is Ghetto. You people need to grow up, or move back the Valley/OC.
i’m totally game for a
FAMIMA!!
that’s FAMIMA!!
I think the James P. post gets buried in all this bs. Everyone here should take a couple minutes and call the number he posted – 1.800.440.0680 to request a Target at this location.
Any idea about the square footage of the retail coming under the Concerto building in the Fall? Or the retail coming next to Market Lofts with the emerging parking structure?
Hey Bruce (comment 72) – why the joke about Walmart?
I think that’s a really good idea, one I didn’t even think of.
A Walmart would be way better than a target. It offers more services for better prices. In fact you could fit your average Target inside a Walmart, hard to argue with that. AND have you seen the new Walmart logo? it’s super clean and friendly, well designed, not that redneck schlock it used to conjure up.
Eric: ~5,000 sq. ft at the new structure on Hope, ~18,000 square feet opening up on Flower. Still iffy on the details.
Sounds like we could should have 2 or 3 Targets downtown! Ive never seen a blog with this much demand. We already have all the signage up at LA live.
How bout a movie theatre? I know they’re opening one at LA live in a year or two, but that one will be packed with tourists, and we need one a little more north
No. The new Walmart logo is no good. You must be joking.
I think a Target would be great here. Perhaps a Target with an urban focus. Less gardening supplies and more wine. More upscale. More yuppie.
How about a Fry’s Electronics (especially since they arrested that sales dude for the $65M in side deals)?
Anything but a Lowe’s or a Home Depot. Or else all the lofts will start to look like some cheap Barry Shy project.
But seriously, when will Old Navy open on Broadway? Does anyone know how crazy busy that would be?
target would be good but best buy is better! where can u buy electronic in downtown? other than junks or items from 5 seasons ago. some stores still sells VHS players!
No one else wants a Hooters downtown?
Actually wasn’t Barney’s Beanery supposed to come dt?
Gay disco!
LoftLA: There were discussions but I don’t know if anything ever came of that. I’ll check into it.
Restaurant on top level (entry way)
H&M on level 3
Bed Bath Beyond on 2
Borders on 1
Hot dog (#97) (aka: Wal-Mart Marketing Rep):
The thorough, ultra-scientific survey of this blog revealed only one “just joking” vote for a Wal-Mart (see #24). Hey, I just report this stuff.
sounds perfect Jimbo!
how about 12 pinkberrys next to each other
MUJI
UNI QLO
worlds biggest FAMIMA!!
Giant Famima FTW.
But seriously target is the best idea for the location.
Hotdog (#97):
Perhaps you wouldn’t feel so loyal to Wal-Mart if you watched a little documentary called “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.”
It is shameful how this company operates and destroys communities. I was never a Wal-Mart junkie, but admit to have used them for certain goods until I saw this 98 minutes of eye-opening truth.
When you have senior managment of 20 years telling their stories, and see the factories that our government allows Wal-Mart to do business with overseas, it’s quite shocking.
I am in NO way saying Target is perfect, so don’t start attacking me, but the truth is, you rarely see stories of Target destroying towns, Mom and Pops, abusing tax laws, paying poverty-level salaries, refraining from offering quality health care, etc.
I encourage anyone to really do the research…and believe me, seeing the number of cities that won the fight to keep Wal-Marts OUT are far happier than those who sold themselves for tax dollars…all the while ruining the fabric of their community.
With that said, I vote for a Super Target
Always a party, I’m not gay but what about reopening the circus in downtown. I heard that place was packed.
Target? Borders? Best Buy? Why did any of you move to downtown Los Angeles if all you want to do is see it become Glendale? This suburban mentality is why Los Angeles is such a disconnected vacuous mess. VIPAccess nailed it regarding the mentality of the downtown crowd and their elitist, classist attitudes.
Sure I’m down for that. Why not have it be a club. Does anyone remember Club USA in Times Square from the “party monster” days of the middle 90s? A 3 level club downtown would be a blast.
A Super Target sounds good. The top floor a Target grocery store (45k sq ft) and the lower 2 floors the regular Target (90k sq ft). That’s the best idea yet, in my opinion.
Hey Everyone,
I’d like to thank you all for your informative input over the last 114 comments. As a Target executive I’ll be bringing up this very conversation tomorrow at my board meeting in Minneapolis (if I could only get my printer to work
). I think it will truly help my pitch to replace the now closing Macy’s at 7th and Fig with a brand new Target “Great Land”. My theory is that bringing in the higher end “Great Land” Target will cater to downtown’s diverse and ever-burgeoning upper class demographic. Though I could be wrong and would love more of your input on which store Target should actually be implementing. To the people supporting a membership style Target; that has been discussed and though we’ve not broke down the specifics, in the next coming weeks we could have some breakthroughs. A fellow executive, and to be completely honest, rival, is trying to halt the membership only Target. But I keep with the idea that if any location can support another high end business, it’s downtown Los Angeles. Thanks again everyone. I’ll keep you updated and please keep supporting a Target here on your blog and other blogs. We read them religiously and much of what we do is based on the input of people like you.
Regards,
Norm Polan
Chief Executive in Charge of West Coat Marketing
^^^wow if you want I will totally chip in and help buy you a printer if me and a couple of other fellow forum members can maybe chip in lol. Thanks your imput was the icing on the cake of this whole day!!! amazing what soo many people commenting on a website can accomplish in just under 24 hours.
^ Wowee! I think such a response, and the fact that this particular topic has received more replies than almost any other in the history of angelenic, proves that this blog really is becoming, or has become, a vital forum for the community.
Target Executive (#115):
Wow, I’m so impressed that you help run a multi-billion dollar multinational by culling (mostly) anonymous blog comments.
What is this “Great Land” Target that you talk about? I’ve heard about Target “Greatland”, but I thought those are being phased out. Its only regular Target or Super Target these days. Sometimes even an urban format Target, but we all know thats just a regular Target with more glass. Too bad Santa Monica turned down your proposed urban store. That would’ve been nice.
Anyway, good to see Angelenic influencing the influencers.
Dear Brookfield Properties,
Please open up a Fry’s Electronics at 7th and Fig.
Hey, Norm. Great to have you chime in. As a former ad guy, I’d caution you against any kind of membership catering to a higher economic demographic. Sure, there’s a new influx of affluent residents. However, the area is ringed by many more lower income residents who would be absolutely delighted to shop at a Target. Check out the crowds which pack Broadway and the Fashion District. These are value shoppers and exactly the bread and butter customers that make a Target thrive.
My mother-in-law works downtown in garment manufacturing and lives in Pico-Union. She probably makes less than $25,000/yr. But, that lady knows how to shop and she is all over downtown looking for deals. Whenever I’m at Target, I call her and ask what does she need. The only thing stopping her from going herself is that she relies on public transit. She is not alone. Her neighbors are a hard-working bunch who’d also spend their hard-earned cash at a classy store offering value like Target. Moroever, I’d point out their kids are totally typical in terms of their wants and needs. They, too, would be all over your store. If you run the numbers, there are way more of these prospective customers compared to the affluent voices here on this blog. (With all due respect to everyone here.)
My wife and I are comfortably middle-class with a combined income of about $120,000. (Although with three young children you never seem to stop worrying about bills). We’ve hauled out to the Target in East L.A. on Whittier Boulevard for years. A downtown Target has been on our wish list for years.
I hope these comments are helpful in Target becoming a new downtown neighbor. And, dude, just look at Ralphs. Those guys are printing money and everyone told them they were nuts for opening a store downtown. Good luck. I hope some day to see your smiling face at the grand opening and then months later as the store sets sales records.
I’ll have my mother-in-law say a pray for you at your meeting tomorrow.
Oh yeah, Norm. I’d also point out this place called L.A. Live opened up three blocks down on Olympic. I’ve noticed large crowds thronging the place and they are only getting started. Wait until that hotel opens and those movie theaters. Oh yeah, and all those tourists and convention visitors, too. All those people with time to kill and money to burn. Sounds like an opportunity to me.
Hmm…should we open a store or not open a store? Decisions, decisions.
The Target wiki entry says the last “Greatland” opened in 2006 and they are being phased out, as mentioned before. Not to mention, the Greatland version says nothing about being more upscale.
Oh, wow. Can’t wait until Target opens downtown. And Best Buy and the Gap. OLD NAVY on Broadway! What a concept! And the Target employees will need more Taco Bell / Pizza Hut combo stores to eat lunch, so let’s open up 5 of them. Let’s see…how else can we totally bland out downtown and make it look like EVERYWHERE ELSE?! Hmmm…what’s missing? I know. 10 American Apparel stores….on one block. Yes. The new Broadway trolley can stop in front of each of the stores. Downtown is a such a unique place to LIVEWORKPLAY!
how about Target??
lol
haha
yeah
no they should Bring a Ross
OR
OLD NAVY
Hey Everyone,
I know it’s late and my New Year’s resolution was to turn my Blackberry off after 11pm (my husband is going to kill me
) but before I’m in meetings through the weekend I wanted to get on here and clear up any misinformation. As you pointed out, “Greatland” has been phased out in most markets, however, they were never phased out for lack of popularity. Some markets just don’t want anything but a classic Target. In other words, if it works, it works. I’m sure David Kennedy would agree with those words. Sometimes you can’t predict your target audience, but if it works in your favor, GO WITH IT! “Greatland,” soon to be “Great Land,” believes in this same philosophy. The Minneapolis Target is a Super Target, but the Peoria Target is still “Greatland.” Whatever works. With this philosophy, talks are currently underway for a “Great Land” (2 words) re-launch, with the idea that they’ll be of a higher grade of Target. Much like a Ralph’s Fresh Fare. Nothing has been finalized of course and that’s what this is all about. To figure out what YOU all want.
I only want to say one more thing before I finally get to bed (early flight) the membership idea is not exclusivity based. David, everyone would be welcome to go to the store, but being a “member” would allow you to get certain discounts others might not be provided with such as: “Wine of the Month Club,” organic tote bags, line priority and so many other things for a nominal monthly/yearly fee (tbd).
Also, in case you were at all looking for other ways to help me (us) out, you could give me some ideas for different eateries within the Target. With the downtown Los Angeles Target we’re also hoping to get other restaurants within the store itself, and not just the fast food style Target express food we have at most stores. All ideas are welcome!
Regards,
Norm Polan
Chief Executive in Charge of West Coast Marketing
Target?
What’s a… Target?
cheers @ comments 33, 113, and 121!
Here’s hoping the space stays nice and empty – I mean totally vacant – until it becomes home to a rowdy troupe of squatters that look (and smell) like they just walked out way, way beyond the thunderdome. They could slowly take over all the other crappy stores in that mall until the place had been thoroughly ghettoized.
Then, finally, our dear neighbors who are so consternated by this “blight” may find themselves looking for a more congenial locale to live. You know, some place where the picket fences and the fellow-shoppers are all nice, tidy, and white.
It’s pretty obvious that “Target Executive” is just an elaborate prankster feeding on the somewhat naive hopes of Downtown residents. Please don’t be fooled, it makes me feel embarrassed for us all.
Yeah, JT Leroy would have been obvious. But Norm Polan is a perfectly believable name for a gay marketing guy who is cruising the web after midnight. If he were my husband and posting on blogs this late, Norm would be feeling some serious dick embargo when he finally dragged his over-achieving ass to bed.
Sounds too good to be true.
haha, the “target executive” made my day, lol, and the people who believed it!
oh god, some of you guys need get out of your trendy lofts and experience the real world, so naive.
Thank you Norm Polan for acting quickly and incorporating the community needs and wishes! Me and my partner would like to invite you to our downtown loft for dinner sometime as a token of our appreciation. We will have Chilean organic wine, Thai-Guatemalan fusion tapas, and creme brulee (prepared by our lovely maid/cook Rosario).
As for this upscale Great Land Target- valet parking would be great, as well as a line just for AMEX members. In terms of the food court, a sushi bar would be nice or maybe an express version of Spago or Mr. Chow. Oh, and no Starbucks, but a Peet’s.
Can’t wait for the grand opening!
Has anybody thought of Target?
MACY’S IS CLOSING…COULD FAMIMA BE FAR BEHIND …….. WITH TWO LOCATIONS ON THE SAME BLOCK. BLOCK HEADS…………..HA
Thanks James P. (#85), I called this morning and requested one.
Hold up. I’m calling hoax on “target executive.”
Thanks for the comments, everyone! I’m closing this off for now. More later.
Please funnel your enthusiasm into phone calls to 1-800-440-0680 for store location recommendations.