What's next for Franklin Avenue?

Carnivore wrote: [quote=MHA]God, a used bookstore would be so sweet on Franklin Ave, but I really don't think the bills could be paid with that alone, not in this realty market, and in this era; but it would be great, wouldn't it? I can only imagine that possible if someone who owns property had the love of books, and did it for the sake of it, and not for any other reason.

I still don't know how the used book shop on Vanderbilt is still open. I love the idea of it, but I honestly never go there and rarely see people inside.


Unnameable Books (on Vanderbilt) is a great little book store, with a good mix of used and new books, particularly from uncommon publishers. Not sure of their financial situation, but I always see several people in there, the staff is friendly, and they're open late (I think until 11pm most nights?).

I'd really hate to see it close anytime soon, and I try to support it and the other independent places like Greenlight (on Fulton in Ft. Greene) instead of B&N. It'd be great if Franklin could also support a small book store, but unfortunately opening one would likely be a labor of love rather than a smart investment.

In this environment, I believe many business owners are taking a "wait and see" approach. Franklin Ave is changing, but they aren't ready to open up shop (our invest in their current shop) yet.

...the converse of "laissez faire capitalism" is something I call "laissez faire cartel-ism".

In the former, all stores lower their prices and increase services in order to gain and maintain customers. When they can't stay in business anymore, they stop both techniques and "hold". [everyone was told in college this is what the US strives to be? Ah, the endless quest for the perfect market]

In the latter, all stores raise their prices and treat people rudely until people stop going to them. When they are about to go out of business b/c they don't have enough customers, they stop both techniques and "hold". [everyone was told this is something that only occurs in broken markets. i.e. places other than the U.S.]

Both factors seem to be competing for dominance over Franklin Ave. Which will win?

Note for local evidence of market failure, please visit a C-Town supermarket located within a large NYCHA project. Complete monopoly is established as a result of the customer's inability to shop anywhere else. Fruit is no where to be found....

Franklin Avenue has improved greatly, together with the surrounding area.

The renovation of the hospital complex (among other developments) has brought some additional disposable income into the 'hood.

...your "foot traffic" comment though has me thinking. I suspect that some of Franklin's potential for capturing $ from that market is lost by some of the "new people" avoiding the avenue due to ongoing crime, trash, and idle men.

Which is a Catch 22: If they stopped avoiding the avenue, it might end up better.

(kinda like a large group of people who complain that their local schools suck, and send their kids to private schools. If they all could simultaneously convince each to send their kids to the public schools, the schools would improve.... a lot of tuition would be saved.)

Also, I've been in the neighborhood going on 3 years and still buy aspirin, shampoo, sunscreen, etc. at Duane Reade near my office in midtown. (Better than shopping one of Franklin's craptastic 99-cent stores.)

I've heard rumbling about a possible Walgreen's going up at Franklin & Eastern Pkwy, but any full-scale drugstore would be most welcome!

whynot_31 wrote: [quote=AP]I would be thrilled to have a Housing Works thrift store, Goodwill store or other type of used clothing/books/housewares/furniture shop that takes donations.

Anybody?

I think the closest "we will take your old stuff and put in a large pile store" is on Atlantic ....almost as you get to Trader Joe's.


There's a goodwill store on Fulton b/t Franklin and Classon. It's got ok stuff sometimes.