"What Main Street Can Learn from the Mall" Q&A's

1.       Instead of answering the questions about the criteria Robert Gibbs uses to evaluate a Main Street in a paragraph, I am going to give a list:

a.       Does a “generator” exist? Is there a big store that will attract customers and businesses to the location?

b.      Is/are the retail store(s) are to adjust to the demand of customers quickly and effectively?

c.       Are the stores easy to see? Are there any objects (trees, benches, etc) obstructing the sight of stores?

d.      Do the sidewalks/streets encourage customers to explore or socialize more?

e.      Does the scene give the customers a positive feeling? (Security, landscape, etc)

f.        Which side of the street is the store located on?

g.       Does the store follow the cardinal rule: keep shoppers’ eyes on the merchandise at all times?

h.      Do the stores located next to a specific store attract or repel customers (ex: restaurants repel customers from clothing stores)?

i.         Does the store advertise effectively?

2.       Main Street should not be a mall for one crucial reason. Malls are effective in areas that have high population density. Since the 1960s, people having been moving to suburbs, which lowers the density of the population. Since the population has lower density, malls are not very effective. A more effective method is the stores have their own location instead of many at one location. This method would be more effective because the customers would have to do less traveling.

3.       My checklist to judge a Main Street:

a.       Is it easy to access?

b.      Are the stores visible enough for customers to know what they sell and what is on sale?

c.       Is it a friendly environment? Do customers have a sense of safe haven?