“Hip and authentic downtown environment needs entrepreneurs, visionaries, restauranteurs, retailers, urban dwellers, creatives, and aggressive city leaders to reinvent its main street/city center. Ability to think outside the box a plus.”
Blame it on the economy. Blame it on developers like DMB whose postponed “Centerpoint on Mill” re-development plan caused many Mill Avenue retailers and restaurants to go “dark”. Or, here’s a popular one, blame it on “Tempe Marketplace”! Whatever we want to blame it on, there is little doubt that Mill Avenue and downtown Tempe is in need of some new energy.
A few weeks ago, the Bamboo Club, a “not-popular-enough” Asian bistro closed it’s doors. Today, with rumors already swirling, Borders Books & Music posted giant, yellow “store closing” signs. This, on the heels of other recent closings-- Harkins Centerpoint Cinemas, Abercrombie & Fitch and Bath & Body Works. Once Borders Books closes it’s doors, Mill Avenue will barely look the same to those who haven’t been around the block since last years Christmas time Fantasy of Lights.
So, what is the downtrodden urbanite to do? Should we all just pack it up and move back to the stick, stucco and red tile roof suburbs? We don’t think so... these urbanites prefer to look at the brighter side of things (we know that is a very unpopular stance to take nowadays, but hey, urbanites are usually counter culture anyway, right?).
Just take a gander at this list: Chronic Tacos, La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Fresh & Easy, Bliss Yogurt, Dunkin’ Donuts, Chipotle, and CVS Pharmacy. These are all brand new stores and restaurants that have just recently opened or will soon be opening on Mill Avenue. Couple that with the following list: Metro Light Rail, Tempe Center For the Arts, Tempe Town Lake+Beach Park & Boardwalk, the top ranking for Best Downtown in Arizona, Top ranking for Best place to work for small businesses, and Mill Avenue- which is the most authentic, urban experience bar none in Arizona. Add all that up and what we have is an opportunity to re-invent downtown Tempe all over again. Sure, we will miss the edamame at Bamboo, and the quick reads at Borders, but we are sure to love the new concepts that will take their places on Mill Avenue and are yet to be discovered.
So, all you entrepreneurs, visionaries, restauranteurs, and urbanites... what are you waiting for? CREATE! Mill Avenue is counting on you!
Click here to find out more about retail, office, and live/work opportunities on Mill Avenue and Downtown Tempe
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