Westwood Center II now has, among its vacancies, what are arguably two of its highest-visibility storefronts - the former Mostly Monograms, and the vacant Weight Watchers space. Given that any potential redevelopment of this property is at least two years off, I'm curious to see what kind of tenants owner Equity One can fill these spaces with in the meantime.
The average income and demographics around Westwood Center II are out-of-this-world, and you would think any retailer or restaurant would want to capitalize on that. Yet the ground-level West River Deli space remains vacant over 2 years later. Meanwhile, other long-time tenants there continue along just fine, so you can't blame the vacancies on the building itself.
"The average income and demographics around Westwood Center II are out-of-this-world, and you would think any retailer or restaurant would want to capitalize on that."
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't possibly have anything to do with the fact that the entire strip along River Road looks like a ghetto, and the local NIMBYs want to keep it that way, forever.
It is a mystery...
I don't get it either. the area looks like crap. With the crazy incomes and demographics Dyer points out, why do they not want this area improved upon?
Delete10:46/11:03: Talk about hyperbole! The area looks like what it is - a commercial/industrial area that serves the neighborhood around it. Losing all gas stations, shopping convenience, trades and auto repairs - as the November plan draft showed - would be a disaster, not an "improvement." Dr. Tauber, Capital Properties and Equity One have all had the option to build a fancy new Westwood Shopping Center for decades, with no zoning change or neighborhood input necessary. They declined to do so, and that's their decision, not the residents'. Aesthetic improvements are the responsibility of the property owner, not "NIMBYS".
DeleteThey even have surface parking the ultimate draw to any business! What more could they do?
ReplyDeleteSurface parking is great but if the shopping center sucks it doen't sell it for me.
ReplyDelete10:46 you totally discredit yourself when you use that word to describe the area. You must not get out very much.
ReplyDeleteHow come that word discredits him? Not arguing, just don't see why.
DeleteIt's empty because the building is literally crumbling to the ground. I'm surprised it's still structurally safe. There's literally a bomb shelter in it. Time for it to go. No business wants to be there and no person wants to shop there.
ReplyDelete12:57: So why are there always cars in the parking lot during business hours? And businesses operating for many years in some cases? Your statement is hyperbolic.
DeleteI hate to be the one to break it to you, but hyperbole is a perfect description of your opinions and writings about said opinions. But of course we all have that right. It is your blog and we do have freedom of speech.
DeleteWhat part of it is crumbling? I can't tell from the picture.
ReplyDeleteI guess anonymous doesn't like Yirasai Sushi?
ReplyDeleteBecause it is ridiculous to use a word like that to describe westbard! What is this guy talking about??? He obviously doesn't even know what a ghetto is! SMH
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste of time.
"Meanwhile, other long-time tenants there continue along just fine, so you can't blame the vacancies on the building itself."
ReplyDeleteRobert, why not?
Why is it not POSSIBLE that the building itself is at least part of the problem?
I look forward to your fact-based response supported by solid reporting. (Your welcome in advance for this free lesson in Journalism 101).
5:04: The reason is that if the building was a prohibitive disaster, it wouldn't have the solid, long-term tenants it does in other units. Your focus on journalism does greatly narrow down who you might be, Anonymous.
DeleteLet's work to qualify that. What are the tenants there now and when did they sign their leases? What was the economy and real estate market and demand then? How much are their leases and lengths? Do the services they provide for the previous era they signed in and are they still relevant? Length of time being in one spot doesn't tell the entire picture. Plenty of old businesses with long cheap leases when rents were low and demand was low are coming to term and with businesses no one wants or needs anymore. Let's do some research and qualify those statements
DeleteI have to admit, the name "Mostly Monograms" leaves me a bit confused. First of all, I keep mistaking it for "Mostly Mammograms". But how often does the typical person need to buy monograms in their lifetime? Darned few times, I'd daresay. And "Mostly" implies that they are "Occasionally Not-Monograms". But what else do they actually do?
ReplyDeleteImagine how many vacancies there would be if Greenhill owned it.
ReplyDeleteBob Woodward is sooooo busted.
ReplyDeleteYour focus on journalism is lacking
ReplyDelete