MTA Seeking Higher End Retailers
When you think of the NYC Subway, images such as dirty platforms/tracks, & rats come to mind. Over the years, the MTA has tried to change that perception by having stores at stations such as 59th St-Columbus Circle & 42nd St-8th Ave.
The agency is continuing the push by looking for higher end retailers to open up storefronts throughout the system. Heather Haddon & Tim Herrera of AMNY has more in this report:
The subways could be getting swanky soon.
The MTA is pushing for higher-end retailers to open up down below, amNewYork has learned. The agency is hoping the stores will spruce up the system and bring in some much-needed dough.
“It’s a new approach,” MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said. “We’re looking to attract a new wave of edgy and stylish vendors that put some thought into their store’s design.”
Earlier this week, a high-end toy and clothing store opened in a new space at the 42nd Street and 8th Avenue station. Merwin Andrade, a city retailer who made his mark in Japan, designed the store, called GRAST, as a tribute to “the NYC underground art scene,” he said in a statement.
In the last few weeks, the MTA has been “knocking on doors downtown” to find some stylish retail stores for the system, Ortiz said. Officials also hope to dress up the look of its newsstands, he said.
Click here for the complete report.
I think this would be a great idea for the MTA. It could bring in much needed revenue for the agency & fuel the obsession with shopping that many riders have. However with saying that, my suggestion would be to watch exactly how high end of a retailer they seek.
They have to factor in if the store’s clientele actually ride the subways. Take a high end store from 5th or Park Ave that deals with extremely pricey goods, do you really think the majority of their customers ride the subways? I highly doubt it so such a retailer would not make a good fit for the agency. If they can avoid this pitfall, & setup fair market rental deals, this project should pay big dividends for them.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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