Quote:
Originally Posted by shermanator
The construction is brutal in Marda Loop right now but it's not the sole reason some of these places are failing.
Doodle Dogs opened 1 block away from another pet store that had been in the neighborhood for years. And they signed the lease after construction had already started. Not the best location to choose it turns out.
I remember APT 22 bragging about how in Marda Loop they could lease a space double the size of their space in the Beltline and within a year they were blaming construction for their store closing, and not the fact that there were already two well established consignment stores close by that offered the same for less money with loyal clientele.
Phil and Sebastian has seen significant competition enter the neighbourhood and they are losing customers because the other coffee shops are where people are choosing to go.
Most of the small businesses a couple blocks down from the places complaining are thriving, and they faced the same construction challenges along the way.
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Exactly. I live in the neighbourhood and went to Doodle Dogs when they opened and thought "why would I go here when they have better selection and pricing at the place I've been going to for years?"
There are legitimate concerns about the volume and pace of construction in Marda Loop. The planned tower (where the other pet store is) is concerning due to access, egress and congestion and there are more examples. However, it's really been affecting 33 and 34 Ave, with the majority being 33rd where it's mostly commercial. I still walk there most days and go to the same stores. I don't know for sure but I'd guess that Shoppers Drug Mart, which is in the same building as Doodle Dogs, hasn't seen any downturn. The amount of whining about the construction has been substantially louder than the noise from construction.