DCBID Continues to Survey Downtown
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Downtown Center BID launched its 2008 Demographics Survey roughly ten days ago, and as of yesterday afternoon 1,873 people had contributed their information to the effort. DCBID hopes to use the information about those who live and work here to make a case for businesses to open Downtown.
Unlike past surveys, which targeted only residents, this time the BID wants to get data about everyone who visits Downtown. All of the data helps to build a more comprehensive picture about the Downtown market.
In its marketing materials for the survey, DCBID points out some Downtown favorites as targets: Trader Joe's, Target, Whole Foods and Cheesecake Factory. While big names have long been reluctant to open Downtown, the combination of great success stories from locations that have opened and good demographic information on the market should continue to make that pitch easier.
JM on November 12, 2008, at 01:03PM – #1
A Cheesecake Factory Downtown? Seriously??
Ryan on November 12, 2008, at 01:59PM – #2
I don't think any of those businesses belong in Downtown. Am I the only person that does not need to buy their food and supplies from megastores? What's wrong with Grand Central Market? What's wrong with Mai's Super Tacos? Who's vision of Downtown is this? It certainly isn't mine.
meekorouse on November 12, 2008, at 02:26PM – #3
Ryan: that's all the more reason for you to fill out the survey if you haven't.
I like Central Market for some things too! However, I would also like a Trader Joe's. While not a 'megastore' it is a chain that I like shopping at. I'd ideally like to be able to go to one without worrying my ice cream will melt riding the goldline back home.
Purple Haze on November 12, 2008, at 02:58PM – #4
Ryan: we should accept complexity and contradiction in our lives. Adapt to living in the lion's den! Political and religious fanaticism arises from our inability to deal with these issues, as well and the general uncertainty of life.
Russell on November 13, 2008, at 04:16PM – #5
how does one fill out this survey?
JM on November 16, 2008, at 10:26PM – #6
My remark about the Cheesecake Factory was not made out of any kind of snobbery. I'm just really surprised that it's something people would want to see Downtown. I'd love to see a Trader Joe's as well as everyone else Downtown and I don't think it qualifies as a megastore. I also think there's a huge (so far missed) opportunity for big brand stores to open along the Figueroa Corridor. Surely big stores should be cashing into some of that USC money by now... I think there's just a big dichotomy Downtown in terms of what office workers who commute into the area want to see and what the 24/7/365 residents want to see. How many stores and restaurants have opened recently that do not open in the evening or on weekends? I think Bunker Hill's a good example of this. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. I also think a lot of the smaller stores on Broadway will be wiped out by the recession and gradually they'll be replaced by big-brand stores. It's pretty much inevitable at this point. Downtown's changing and that's life.
Susana on November 18, 2008, at 04:47PM – #7
And Ralphs isnt a megastore??? You cannot stop businesses (big or small) from expanding in Downtown, you can choose which survive by patronizing them. I want a Target. Those tofu and veggie burguers and other "fake meat" items are expensive at Ralphs and not offered at Grand Central Market. Have you seen the produce there? It's sad to say because I used to go there as a kid but it can get pretty disgusting. Once GCM spruces up its interior and raises the quality of the veggies (particularly tomatoes and avocados) then you can market is as a rival to a chain like Target. I would not like a cheesecake factory but I already said that on the survey. I live in Downtown and have visited or worked here all my life, I want it to provide all of the essentials so I won't have to take my money elsewhere.
Jasmin on November 20, 2008, at 12:14AM – #8
Well, I don't want downtown to look like suburbia either, with rows of big box stores, but I also don't like having to drive for 20 - 30 mins just to buy new towels, an affordable sweater, or a DVD for my son. Having Ralph's here has made daily life a lot easier to manage (though it is way more expensive than TJ's or Von's) and Target would, too. I don't think that's selling out. It is saving gas :)
Besides, that doesn't mean Target (or insert your "target" of choice here) will take over the heart of the Historic Core or anything. The Figueroa corridor, as JM pointed out, would make sense, or maybe City West. Still reachable for those of us who live here (on the DASH, in an ideal universe!) but not compromising what drew most of us to live downtown in the first place.
As others have, I, too, entered my personal preferences for or against certain things in the survey, which is, after all, what it's for.