The renaissance of central business districts like Downtown Los Angeles are challenging many precepts of what makes for a strong retail location. So many franchise brands were born and cultivated in the suburbs. Urban locations are considered non-traditional and relegated to the “B” list. Urban core locations do not align with features found in typical suburban shopping center locations.
The differences include daytime population versus resident population, modes of transportation, and the biggest amongst them, parking. The thought of putting a store in a building with no dedicated parking would scare most corporate vice presidents of real estate to death.
But while the rest of the franchise world frets, brands like Subway and Five Guys are gobbling up urban street front locations. Subway must have 10 locations in Downtown Los Angeles (where I live) and all of them are open 24 hours.
It’s time to think out of the parking lot, don’t you think?
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