Could Park Avenue be affordable and trendy too?

S even years after the original Jacobson's closed on Park Avenue in Winter Park , a void remains.

[Dennis]

Orlando needs a restored shopping district of trendy independent stores (my guess is much like LA's Silver Lakes) to give people a shopping experience different from Baldwin Park's and Park Ave's. This would give creative types a community of creative retailers with low rents to nurture the risk-takers.

On the other hand such destinations invariably become trendy and fashionable and rents and valuations escalate.

[Heather Whaling]

I'm originally from Columbus, OH, where we had Easton, the Short North and a variety of upscale shopping areas. But, the one thing that defined each of those areas was the ability to draw diverse crowds. Park Ave lacks that broad appeal. However, a store like Trader Joe's would be a great addition -- and a wonderful way to revitalize that part of Winter Park. As a current resident of WP, I would welcome that!!

Heather (@prtini)

[Enough Already]

I would LOVE to see Trader Joes come to the Orlando area. That said, I think a bit longer hours by the retailers would help. I've had several friends in from out of town who were ready more than willing to shop, shop,shop, but the stores were closed at 6:30 in the evening. Very fooolish, stay open until 7:00 or 7:30.

[peanut gallery]

Neither chain is even in the state of Florida, so forget it. Come up with something that is possible. Then we'll discuss.

[YesPleaseUpdateT hisCity]

I would love Trader Joes and/or H & M

[Chris]

Park Ave better not hope for a discount store, else you'll get Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market...with the emphasis on "the 'hood"

[Ty Webb]

why not get rid of that silly park down there and put it a giant Super Target. that would bring people down there in a hurry.

[Mr Smith]

who cares about park avenue?????
i don't give a rat's a$$ if the area struggles. they've been so elitist in the past. aren't all those buildings down there owned by rollins college or long, standing trusts? i've always heard that the owners never budged on rent because they didn't have to.
you're not going to get any "discount" stores down there unless you lower rents.

[Foot traffic]

Enough Already wrote:

I think a bit longer hours by the retailers would help. I've had several friends in from out of town who were ready more than willing to shop, shop,shop, but the stores were closed at 6:30 in the evening. Very fooolish

Agreed - the cafes are open, why aren't the stores?

[SLM]

I work on Park Avenue and it is really sad to see the area slowly slipping away, but hoping that with the renovation of the new "shops on park" area and the new mayor, we will revive the area!
More unique and popular stores (no discount stores!) and stores open longer and people will start coming back. Look at the popularity of the events such as the art festival and some of the more prosperous happenings at Central Park. There is the business to be had, the right people just need to work harder to make it happen!

[King Whitee]

Chose carefully WP the last thing we want riff raft walking around because of a promo on WTKS

[goodidea]

I agree. Frugality is the new trend. I don't think having an H&M or Trader Joes would subtract from the charm of Park Avenue if it is done right. These businesses would certainly draw traffic to the street. The times are changing and even people with money are looking for a bargain. Over the next year more high end stores on the avenue could fail. Been into Restoration Hardware? It is deserted. Get some interesting recognizable, stylish yet affordable alternatives on the avenue and things will improve.

[Ebenezer]

The great thing I remember about the Park Ave of the past, and Jake's (Jacobson's), was the professionalism shown. Today's workers are not pros, they are clerks. Very few still pick up the phone to let you know of a new line or better price. Elitist or not, professionalism is appreciated by this shopper.

[Dont shoot Ask first]

H & M would be amazing. They would bring in so much more business and also a much younger crowd. I'd like to see them on Park Ave. or somewhere downtown.

[Brian]

peanut gallery wrote:

Neither chain is even in the state of Florida, so forget it. Come up with something that is possible. Then we'll discuss.

H&M is on their way to the Florida Mall once the new addition is built.

Park Avenue hasn't been the same since the Winter Park Mall was redeveloped into the Winter Park Villages. I find it funny that residents there are against chains. I distinctly remember during the 90's chains being apart of the shopping experience of the street. Foot Locker, B. Daltons, & Banana Republic just to name a few.

[Mike]

I think a Trader Joe's would be great! Growing up in on of Los Angeles' most exclusive neighborhoods, my mother and I would walk to Trader Joes and pick up things for dinner that night before dad came home. It was a great comunity market and you would see everyone from soccer moms to Freddie Prince Jr.... Even Bob Hope's wife, Delores made visits to the market. Toluca Lake is much like Winter Park and the Trader Joes was a great staple for the community.... And, as for retail, why not some bigger names? Perhaps a J.Crew on New England? I highly doubt the area would support two H&M's since one is going in at the Florida Mall before years' end.

[Lake Jessaminer]

The ridership of the commuter rail will dictate what stores will survive and which new ones will be needed. Some of that expensive botique crap is useless really. Stores need to be more practical. Days of 500 dollar blouses are over ladies.

[Rollins Alum]

Bring back drinking past midnight. By golly, make it til 3am and watch that luxury afterhour liquor tax reel in millions. Open more cafes and bars that appeal to everybody and not just the same 50 hip wannabe residents and locals. When the Crocodile Club, Border Cantina & fat tuesdays were on the block, it rocked. Now that's a vision. Lower the rent, and bring on practical vendors who live and work in the area.

[remember]

Rollins Alum wrote:

Bring back drinking past midnight. By golly, make it til 3am and watch that luxury afterhour liquor tax reel in millions. Open more cafes and bars that appeal to everybody and not just the same 50 hip wannabe residents and locals. When the Crocodile Club, Border Cantina & fat tuesdays were on the block, it rocked. Now that's a vision. Lower the rent, and bring on practical vendors who live and work in the area.

Harrigan's

[celia mcculty]

I used to love to go to Jacobson's when I was a courier for a law firm in Winter Park. I window shopped more than anything but it was nice. With the economy the way it is now an expensive store would depend solely on the rich of WP whereas some other type of store might draw more money for the community. I think there should be a high end huge store with everything in it, a one-stop deal for everyone. If the WP residents have to be elite then they may stay the way they are, not too much buying and selling on Park Avenue. Have to think both sides here and hopefully come up with a solution which will work for all of us. Of course I live in Winter Haven, Heaven I call it, now so I wouldn't be coming to Winter Park very often. I have no idea where it says I'm from, GA or CO. Don't know how that happened, changes on any given day.