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It either says it or it doesn't. It doesn't.It implies it pretty strongly.
It either says it or it doesn't. It doesn't.It implies it pretty strongly.
It either says it or it doesn't. It doesn't.
you are wrong on so many levels...But it is the truth. There is insufficient demand for another outlet center in the region. Two south in Clinton/Westbrook, 1 coming at Foxwoods, 1 in West Stockbridge/Lenox and the equivalent of outlet malls at Buckland Hills and Enfiled malls based on how they are tenanted right now. Outlet malls thrive when they are next to a destination/vacation area that drives traffic from out of region shoppers. There is nothing to drive shoppers to the Rent area except Cabelas. And Cabelas shoppers are not going to the Polo, Nordstrom, Nike, etc. outlet stores. Cabelas is its own draw It does not need anything else. And bargain shoppers from the higher income demographics around Hartford (Avon, West Hartford, Farmington, etc), they will go to NYC before they go to East Hartford to shop.
The entire retail concept at the Rent should be rethought and changed into an entertainment/dining venue. The best potential tenant, Dave and Busters, is now in Manchester (although I do not think D & B as a company has a lot of play left in that format, plus their food sucks). They need to put a new multi-plex theater there with all the bells and whistles along with about 5 bars/clubs and another 5-6 restaurants. Something along the lines of this -
http://boisespectrumcenter.com/
Would be great for year round draw, close enough to Hartford to attract some of the younger people that will be in the new residential and a vital link/entertainment destination for events at the Rent.
Since I am wrong, why have no other leases been signed? Have you seen the sales reports and shopping patterns for west of the river? Have you paid any attention to the demographics and shopping profiles east of the river? Do you know the sales volume at Clinton/Westbrook? Do you understand the demographic requirements, traffic counts and radii that outlet stores focus on? Every outlet retailer that would consider a store at the Rent has way more data on CT shopping patterns than you could ever dream of. They know who shops, where they come from and how much they spend on each visit. There is no reason for outlet shopping to be at the Rent. The numbers don't lie. Visit the Tanger website and look at their map and you can see where they like to locate.you are wrong on so many levels...
a) have you been to Gillette Stadium/Patriots Place? It's not a standalone Bass Pro Shops. There are other venues for both shopping and dining. Even a hotel, medical center, and other entertainment options
b) multi-plex theater? seriously? how many shuttered theaters do you pass on 84 and 91 going through the state?
c) grew up in CT and never made trips to NYC specifically for shopping. Westfarms, West Hartford Center, Bishops Corner, and Rt 44 in Avon had everything.
Orrrr if East Hartford's Old Burnside Brewery were able to open something similar to what Hooker is doing downtown.
Kings Bowling is awesome. FYI I just finished designing a similar bowling/bar/restaurant/lounge which is about to start construction...in Southington!Kings Bowling /Restaurant venue is a big draw in an Evergreen-like development in Lynnfield, MA. Its an upbeat fun family friendly place--perfect for a Rentshler Field area development. Kids and adults both love it.
http://kingsbowlamerica.com/lynnfield/
Not going point by point but one of the largest outlet centers in ma is about 5 minutes from foxboro in wrentham. Add to that all the other retail on rte 1.Since I am wrong, why have no other leases been signed? Have you seen the sales reports and shopping patterns for west of the river? Have you paid any attention to the demographics and shopping profiles east of the river? Do you know the sales volume at Clinton/Westbrook? Do you understand the demographic requirements, traffic counts and radii that outlet stores focus on? Every outlet retailer that would consider a store at the Rent has way more data on CT shopping patterns than you could ever dream of. They know who shops, where they come from and how much they spend on each visit. There is no reason for outlet shopping to be at the Rent. The numbers don't lie. Visit the Tanger website and look at their map and you can see where they like to locate.
And to compare Patriot Place to the Rent, that is not wrong?
Gillette hosts events at least 100 days a year between the Pats, the Revs, concerts, lacrosse and Pats training camp. The Rent, maybe 20. Throw in for good measure the concert facility in Mansfield with another 50-80 nights per year with events. That supports the hotels, shopping and restaurants.
The nearest shopping center/major mall relative to Gillette were 12 to 15 miles and the only lifestyle center that existed in that area of SE MA was about 30 miles away.
The area was severely under retailed for over 20 years. The Hartford area has 3 malls (Westfarms, Buckland and Enfield, altho Enfield is on Deathwatch). It also has a lifestyle center at Evergreen Walk. Every major etailer has multiple stores within 15 miles of the Rent. Some studies suggest east of the River is over retailed.
The area was even more under hoteled for even longer. Best hotel for many years was a Holiday Inn. With about 200 event nights per year within 10 miles, hotels were a natural choice.
The income demographics and population patterns supported significant retail expansion. Beyond Patriot Place, there were at least 3 other major retail developments along 495 taht have gone up and all have very high occupancy and strong sales.
Kraft got the state to pay for all of the road improvements to the stadium and Patriot Place. Without those free infrastructure improvements, the costs would have made the development unfeasible. Throw in some of the tax breaks he has, and the numbers worked.
The Rent area can not support traditional retail and no one is going to build a major retail center there. So the option and logical choice is to make it an entertainment related venue. Cabela's is a unique draw. Play on it with more reasons for people spend an entire day in East Hartford that also compliments the stadium.
Yes, movie theaters. The shuttered theaters are that way because they are obsolete and their chains went out of business (Showcase). The cinemas at Buckland Hills are way outdated in almost every way but have decent sales. The cinemas in Hartford/West Hartford are marginally better. The sales volume suggest that a modern facility would fit in the market. If you have ever been to some of the brand new multi-plexes around the country, you would get it it.
Build restaurants and bars around it. Think a Buffalo Wild Wings, On the Border, Geno's, Frank Pepe's, Plan B, Max, Wood N Tap, etc. along with some slightly higher end restaurants would not work? Put some other niche retail around it to occupy people while they wait for their movie or table. That would work if the rents are right. It won't work with just Cabelas. Not enough bodies coming to just Cabelas.
I just had an epiphany. We need to fill the Rent on game days and these birds are losing their home. LET THE BIRDS IN THE RENT ON GAMEDAY. Problems solved.
200 event nights per year within 8 miles of Patriot Place versus 25 at the Rent. Better demographics and lack of competition.I live about 25 minutes north of Gillette in the suburbs and what Kraft has done is remarkable. The route 1 area of Foxboro used to be a complete dump. You were more likely to see prostitutes at a motel than people out.
Patriot Place has now turned in a destination to drink, dine and marginally shop (worst part of the development) for the entire SE Massachusetts area. There are 5 big bars, supermarket, great restaurants, a hotel, so on.
The area around Rentschler could EASILY be the same. And the best part is that it's way closer to a major city. It could turn East Hartford into a destination for companies and apartments instead of a wasteland. Connecticut has a model to look at. Perhaps a smaller model than Kraft's billions but a model they could copy.
nope - they leave droppings on bleachers...I just had an epiphany. We need to fill the Rent on game days and these birds are losing their home. LET THE BIRDS IN THE RENT ON GAMEDAY. Problems solved.