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Renaissance Park Retail | Renaissance Park Neighborhood Association & Community Watch
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November 9, 2009 [Monday]

Renaissance Park Retail

by Anthony McLeod

What would you like to see?  We’d like to hear your feedback on what would be most beneficial to you and what kind of retailers you would like to see in the area.  We’ve already established what we don’t want as a community – if we could pick from here on out what would you pick?  We want your suggestions but – don’t just say coffee shop – give us some ideas of local or national vendors that you would approach and why.

15 Responses to “Renaissance Park Retail”
JRussell Says:

1. Harris Teeter – we need a grocery store to anchor this retail, I believe. I think we have a better shot at HT than we do Whole Foods. If HT is not willing, Lowe’s Foods continues to build nicer grocery stores.

2. CVS/Walgreens – I think this is very do-able. There are NO drugstores in our area. Target and Wal-mart are the only options. If we were to get a Harris Teeter or Lowe’s with a pharmacy, we wouldn’t necessarily need a drugstore.

3. Dry Cleaner – makes it a lot less easy to forget to drop it off or pick it up when we have one in walking distance

4. Coffee Shop – it would be hard to pull in a SBucks or Caribou without Tryon’s completion. The bigger coffee shops thrive on traffic. Even with Tryon being completed, it might be hard to convince them that an area off the main road (Wilmington) would be an easy stop for people coming from Garner/Fuquay on their way to Raleigh. Finding a mom & pop would be easier in my opinion.

5. Panera – Panera could be a very good answer to the cofee shop/restaurant question. Coffee shop meets bakery meets deli. Without a Panera presence in south Raleigh (closest being in Cary), proximity to the main road isn’t as important. If people know a Panera is going up, they’ll go there. Cafe Carolina, as far as I can think, would be the next best thing (seeing as its very similar).

On a side note, I think these business should have a very “muted” exterior color scheme. North Hills is a good exampe, but even some of the stores’ have loud signage.

Just some of my immediate thoughts.

-Jason
November 10th, 2009 at 12:21 am
1308PalaceGarden Says:

First, Anthony…thanks for all you have done to keep the residents informed of the goings on regarding retail development. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say your hard work and dedication to our neighborhood and its development is much appreciated.

I like all of Jason’s suggestions and feel they more accurately reflect what the residents of Ren Park would like. If not a Harris Teeter, a Fresh Market or Whole Foods would also be good, but admittedly a Harris Teeter has more appeal to the general public but is still in line with the type of retail the residents would support. It would also nice to have some type of quaint restaurant where residents could go for lunch or dinner. Nothing too mainstream, but something where one could sit, be waited on, and relax.

John
November 10th, 2009 at 7:44 am
857180 Says:

All of Jason’s suggestions are great. I am afraid to be a realist, none of the businesses that we would like to see are likely to locate on either of the two parcels until a firm date of completion is posted for Tryon Rd. I think along with pushing for these type businesses to locate, we must find out who to push for a Tryon completion and start showing up at meetings in mass. After listening to all the double talk at last nights meeting, I am afraid Wakefield will lose patience with the economy soon and allow less than desirable business to open on the two tracts. I would like to suggest that all residence keep any and all of the brouchures and printed information given to us when looking to buy our homes. It might come in handy if Wakefield backs down on the “North Hills type development” that was promised to us to get us to purchase here. I think it would open them up to a class action suit if they deviate from their promises. Better to be prepared and not be blindsided as we were with the meeting last night.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Ccraddock Says:

I agree with the comments above. And a big “thank you” to Anthony!

In my ideal world, I would love any of the following:
1 – Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, or Fresh Market – some type of nice grocery store
2 – Starbucks or Caribou
3 – CVS
4 – Better food options: Bonefish, Panera, Pei Wei, Chipotle, a good deli or pizza place, Sushi place, or Greek place
November 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
sclarke Says:

My husband was able to go to the meeting last night and said it was a huge turn-out. Thanks to all that went. It sounds like most people are in agreement as to what we want in the neighborhood. Sounds like we are all very passionate about what the future holds for Renaissance Park, of course. I, too, agree with the above comments. I would like to see……….
- Harris Teeter or Fresh Market
- Carolina Cafe / Flying Biscuit
- PF Changs / Pei Wei
- Jimmy Johns
- On the Border Mexican
- a nice seafood restaurant would be great, but I can’t think of one – too bad Shuckers in North Raleign/Wake Forest closed – actually Bonefish would be good
- CVS Pharmacy
- First Citizens or other bank
- dry cleaning
- Hollywood Video perhaps

That is all that comes to mind right now.

thanks for doing this Anthony!
November 10th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
cgreer Says:

Last night’s meeting really opened my eyes; I was appalled that people who don’t live in our neighborhood had such strong and might I even say biased opinions as to what type of businesses will reside in my neighborhood. I plan on attending more of these meetings just so I can make sure I am putting in my input. Thank you Anthony and the whole RenPark team for alerting us to this matter; please keep us updated.

1. By way of restaurants I think a healthier option would be profitable. In our immediate radius we have a Wendy’s, Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Bojangles, Dunkin Donuts, Cookout, and a Stanley’s. All of these fattening resturaunts contribute to obesity in urban areas. I would love to see something like a Noodles & Company, Panera, Jason’s Deli, or a sushi restaurant.

2. Sorry folks, but I don’t see Harris Teeter being able to compete with the Super Walmart right down the street. As much as I hate to admit it , Wes was right. Our neighborhood would be the only neighborhood in the area to buy at the store; the rest would go to WalMart. Economically speaking, not a good deal for HarrisTeeter.

I love a nice over-priced apple like the rest of you, but it is simply not realistic. A pharmacy like a Walgreens would make sense, there are no convenience stores in the immediate area and it could be profitable for them.

3. Instead of being so intent on running the Hispanics out, offering some of the smaller Hispanic businesses a chance to come in would be great. There is a small Mexican bakery beside International Foods; enticing that establishment to integrate with the architectural aspirations of RP might convince the others to fall in line or seek cheaper opportunities elsewhere.

4. A coffeeshop is definitely needed but I kinda want to keep this for within our neighborhood. A coffeeshop outside our neighborhood would mean more difficulty for us in creating commercial opportunity within our borders. But…it’s a shame I have to go to Cary to get a cup of Starbucks (admittedly, Starbucks isn’t doing too well in the stocks right now…)

5. Finally, an independent bookstore would be nice as well; a bookstore is not anywhere nearby so there are economic opportunities to be had in a venture such as this. There was a small bookstore that recently closed down in another part of Raleigh, might they be looking for an opportunity?

The undertones of the meeting took on a dark, hateful tone; the underbelly of the beast emerged to be sure. Yes, economic times are tumultuous and we don’t want to see our home investments go underwater. But I see no reason why we should let the baser part of our existence take root. Let’s seek alternatives that can make homeowners and developers not happy…but happier.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
ecbrunk Says:

I am for any retail option that will cater to people within walking distance as well as those that would drive in. In order for this retail/mixed use area to be successful we need to have merchants that cater to both our community and the surrounding area.

-Coffee/bookstore caters to both the daily needs of the community and others
-A wine store like a total wine or the wine merchant etc.
-A healthy alternative to the fast food, like a bagel shop / lunch spot.

A great retail area that is doing well even in the down economy is Ridgewood shopping center. They have a healthy grocer, a wine store, active lifestyle stores like shoe stores and a bike store, a drug store, cleaners and bagel shop among others!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Brian Says:

I would like to see more of the standard retail stores. First of all, we have plenty of international stores within walking distance or a short drive already, such as International Foods, the Plaza El Toro shopping center across the street and Compare Foods and Neustro Banco in the North Station shopping center.

However, we are missing other stores closeby, which would do great in this neighborhood, such as Harris Teeter, Lowe’s foods, a nice coffee shop, a deli, a pharmacy and maybe a clothing store. Think North Hills. This is an upscale community and the more pricey stores like Harris Teeter and Lowe’s Foods may actually do rather well here, especially considering the fact that they will be sitting along the main road that goes from Raleigh to Cary (what will be Tryon Road).
November 11th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Brian Says:

We really need a daycare here also.
November 11th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
sdodson Says:

So it’s one thing to list what we’d like. Other than trying to convince Wakefield that the current options on the table are poor what can we do in order to move towards better options?
November 12th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Anthony Says:

sdodson – great question. Right now we need to advocate for the completion of Tryon Road and the revitalization of the South Saunders Corridor (the areas between and immediately adjacent to South Saunders and South Wilmington Streets from Raleigh to Garner). The sooner Tryon Road is completed the more attractive the area becomes and the more attractive the South Saunders Corridor becomes the more likely we are to attract the businesses we desire. These points were developed by Mo Johnson and the Local Government Committee but you’ll hear me repeat them frequently. Why? Because I strongly believe that development in these areas is our best chance of changing the landscape and preventing retail that hurts our property value.

We need to stay involved as a community in the SWCAC. This last meeting was an eyeopener to a lot of our residents and to the CAC regulars. Our neighborhood may not agree with a lot of the established neighborhoods in our area about even the kind of retail we’d like to see. Bars/alcohol being a defining point of contention. Attending these meetings and being more involved in the process will only help us. We made a great impression this week. I am extremely proud to say that Renaissance Park packed the room and drove the conversation. I’d like to see us do it at every meeting. Traditionally our side of town has been overlooked and it shows. It is time for that to stop and we are the ones that can make that change.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Sgt. Slaughter Says:

I think the Tryon Rd. project has been put on the backburner with all the budget changes made and cuts this year. If you check last years list (http://www.campo-nc.us/TCC_Agenda/2008/Agenda-TCC-2008-08-20-Att-06B-2009-2015_Priority_List_carried_to_2011-2017.pdf) the project is listed at priority #37. Its the one with MTIP ID Raleigh 8 btw.

The latest TCC agenda I could find has it much lower and doesn’t even show any benefits of the project like it does for others. ( http://www.campo-nc.us/TCC_Agenda/2009/Agenda-TCC-2009-04-02-Att-06A-Project-Ranking.pdf )

this just makes me feel this is something thats going to get put on the back burner, esp with all the $$ being piled into the Hillsborough Street project. The realignment is something that will take a good deal of time to complete even after they start the physical work even.

I hope I am wrong about this as I do not know who to contact about getting better information but that is one thing I plan on looking into this weekend and next week.

As far as the retail space, I would hope that if Wakefield Dev. took a sec to sit and think about the sale of homes in the neighborhood with the impact of a golden corral versus having a Harris-Tetter. Sales would be dramatically different depending on which one goes in there. They own Chesapeake Homes which is a builder in the community which one would think make them want to make the area the most pleasing as possible.
I’m sure the neighboring International Foods doesn’t help the situation for selling the space, nor the people that are in the near by apartments, but I hope something comes in to build a better environment on.

I am assuming that we have absolutely zero control over what gets put in here, correct? I mean at least nothing more than voicing our opinion and hope they listen. I love the community greatly and want nothing but the best for it, I wish I would of checked the website to know about the meeting and could of attended but I missed it and didn’t get any notice of it either.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
ench87 Says:

I agree with the suggestions above, and also agree with Anthony that probably when Tryon is finished it will be a larger draw for us. Maybe then the “mom and pops” will have the money to open the specialty shops, florists, private restaurants etc. in the RP retail spots. The grocers and larger staple stores will have to do demographic studies and we are probably just not going to have the draw for the nicer, large ones. Wegmans is in Va, and it would be very nice to have them, but there again we have the demographic issue…
I think we need to realize that what we prefer may not be what actually goes in the first retail area off Tryon, but we should especially focus on the area INSIDE our development, and take a very positive and proactive stand on that. That really is probably the more important issue at hand. I am very thankful that the Walmart was not put there! I guess there could have been worse choices than GC!
I too appreciate all the effort on behalf of those that make these meetings happen and even though I don’t agree with Wes, i do appreciate his attending. I thought that someone from Strayer and Golden Coral were going to attend as well….it would have been nice to hear from them also.
I would like to say that it appears that the people who were there and MOST effected by GC etc. should not allow those who do N0T LIVE in RP to have too much voice/ influence in the outcome here. Many people DO like to have the ability to purchase liquor etc. either while dining at a nicer or a more upscale restaurant or the ABC store( which by the way is already there!).I like the diverse community we have here and do not want to go back 40 years… lets continue to have discussions and meetings and hopefully positive outcomes.
Thanks Antony, Mo, and MaryBeth for all the help and information you have given us! keep up the good work! we do appreciate it!
November 13th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Jgurram Says:

Hello to all neighbors and special thanks to Anthony and Cara for bringing this community together and focus on issues that matter most.

Me & hubby do agree on having a pharmacy,bread/coffee shop (Panera),small grocery store (Fresh market or Whole foods),a day care and definitely a pizza shop.

When Wakefield development is able to negotiate with Golden Corral and Strayer university to move their business to Tryon & S. Wilmington junction, why can’t they apply the same concept to negotiate with some of the businesses that are located off of Chapanoke road, like State Employee Credit Union,Smile Starters (dental clinic),Dunkin donuts and near by Urgent care & pvt doctors to set up their business in cozy new neighborhood offices off of main road. In my opinion this type of offices will bring business but do not draw crowds. Hope all these discussions would bring something good and better.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
andreadavis Says:

I would like to see an ice cream parlor- nothing too fancy, either a walk-up or a Dairy Queen where folks in the neighborhood could walk, bike, or walk their dog to. The taste-e-freeze was THE gathering spot in our previous neighborhood.

I too would like a Panera or similar deli/bakery and a casual dinner spot such as a Buffalo Wild Wings, ZPizza, On The Border- a place where we would walk in and meet up with our neighbors. It’s a fine balance between need, accessiblity, and upscale. I don’t want places to be so fancy that I would have to dress up to have a meal.

I never thought about Fresh Market- that would be fantastic. They offer wine tasting evenings, and other great events, and carry great deli salads and desserts. This is a place I go out of my way to shop; why not bring that kind of business near us?
November 14th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
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