Sunday, October 31, 2010

Steven Lagerfeld

List the criteria Robert Gibbs uses to evaluate a Main Street
1. Gibbs evaluates Main Street by observing the mall management and looking at the generators (like a gym). Another important aspect of Main Street is the appeal to local entrepreneurs that rent spaces (known as incubators). These three aspects are all considered to be in Main Street's favor. When Gibbs evaluated Main Street, he examined the placement of trees, planter boxes, and benches. He explained that these items either cover signs or they instigate loitering. Things like expensive streetlamps, trash cans, and fancy stone for the street/walkway are nothing more than money wasters, since the items simply become dilapidated over time which will look out of date. Instead, Gibb says that focus should be more on up keep, rather than fanciness. Potential customers are drawn to cleanliness in the civic realm. The realm should also be free of crime, which will be promote by visible security as to reassure the safety to customers.
When Gibb evaluates store fronts he focuses on size and signs. He has observed that small window displays typically display more expensive items whereas bigger window displays display less expensive items. In addition, Gibb observed that a store is more appealing to potential customers if the signs indicate well-known brand names. Visible brand names give a store credentials. The length of a vista is also important, as it should draw the customer to the merchandise. Additionally, he discusses the straight streets are the primarily handicap to most shopping centers because it prohibits customers from viewing the store fronts a majority of the time. Even the placement of restaurants in relation to clothing stores is important. If a restaurant is placed too close in proximity to a clothing store, it is repels customers  because they find the smell unappealing.



Think critically of Gibbs’ argument.  Do you think “Main Street” should be a mall?

2. The intention of Main Street is important because changing it into a mall will give it a completely new feel. Shopping malls are typically goal oriented towards visiting numerous stores for large amounts of shopping. I feel that Main Street should remain what it is currently because it will lose its relaxed and casual feel of community and retail diversity.


Make your own checklist to judge a Main Street.  What things do you think are important?


3. My judgement of Main Street would be based on cleanliness and order. I think including park benches in a shopping area is important because I read in an article from class that stores we actually more successful because they had numerous park benches. I would also judge the appearance on a store's window displays and my appeal to enter a store based on them. I think simple, yet detailed window displays are important. If too much is in a window display, the store gives off the feeling that it is cluttered and disorderly.

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