Downtown Lawrences retail presence is shrinking, according to a recent report. The number of stores is down from 126 in 2006 to 72 in 2018, or about 43%, when numbers were collected for the citys 2018 Retail Market Report.
For the most part, bars and restaurants have replaced those departed retailers. Downtown also has become a more desirable place for professionals such as attorneys, architects and web developers to locate. Another growing component of downtown are living spaces in the form of apartments and condominiums, which are not factored into the report.
So theres still lots of traffic downtown especially foot traffic which continues to make downtown Lawrence a hub of activity and the center of the community.
For the most part, large chain stores eschew downtown, opting for larger footprints and cheaper rents on the outskirts of town, particularly that to the south.
South Iowa Street is bustling and beats downtown in terms of overall retail/restaurant space. According to the report, more than 40% of the retail/restaurant square footage is on South Iowa. But look at the stores there: Dicks Sporting Goods, Target, Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx, World Market, etc.
Still to come is another shopping center at the intersection of Highway 10 and South Iowa Street.
ALL THE DATA reaffirm that Americans dont think twice of using their vehicles much like the rest of the citizens of the world use bicycles or other simple means of transportation. We think nothing of driving a mile to buy a pair of shoes followed by two miles in the opposite direction for some other errand, perhaps to purchase dog food. This is why shopping venues can be scattered to the far reaches of town and still succeed.
And if we cant be bothered to venture out of the house, the internet suffices for our purchasing needs.
Downtown merchants know the challenges. To bring people out of their homes they have to make the shopping experience extra special. In Lawrences case, the successful downtown merchants have created customer loyalty through superior customer service, consistent branding, good marketing and high-quality goods.
With its wide and shaded sidewalks, downtown is also the perfect venue for art fairs, parades and sidewalk sales. Its also worked to become a culinary mecca with a plethora of restaurants that appeal to a wide variety of types and tastes.
FOR US smaller communities, we can learn that just because retail will likely never rebound to that of 25 years ago, it doesnt mean our downtowns have to suffer the same fate. With some creativity and insight, we can keep our downtowns vibrant. Its just a matter of looking at success through a different prism.
Susan Lynn
