Filling Retail Voids

CD-4

Observation

The retail trade is currently underdeveloped and underutilized by all trade areas and demographic groups.

Discussion

The main retail areas that Downtown Baton Rouge has focused on have been: Arts/Crafts/Antiques, Sit-down restaurants, Business Service/Retail, and Men’s Apparel. (See Appendix H: Current Tenant Mix) In order to create a critical mass of retail space, that Downtown must now attract the retail types below. Please note that GPG only recommends those retail types that were deemed supportable through a Void Analysis.

Recommendation

In addition to a major department store, we recommend the following:

• A 15,000 square foot Public Market and Farmers Market, such as the Red Stick Farmers’ Market (but on a permanent basis) offering quality perishables. This would attract both the nearby residents and the worker population. [A 9,000 sq. ft. public market, Main Street Market, will be located in the Galvez Garage. Projected opening date is October 2002.]

• 20,000 square feet of drug/convenience stores, such as Rite Aid or Walgreen’s.

• 20,000 square feet of arts/crafts/antiques, operating in four to six retail stores. [Two antique stores have opened.]

• 17,000 square feet of restaurant/bar establishments. A sports bar and grill of 5,000 feet catering to Louisiana State University fans, as well as three sit-down restaurants (with liquor) unique to the area. Some strong New Orleans restaurant operators should be encouraged to open an ad-ditional establishment in Downtown Baton Rouge. [Red Star Bar opened in December 2000.]

• 3,800 square feet of personal service retailers, specifically a telephone/cellular store and a beauty salon. [Atelier Salon opened in 2001.]

• 3,900 square feet of coffee and bagel shops such as CC’s, Starbucks and Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery. Specifically, we recommend two coffee shops and one bagel shop. [Joey’s Java and Mickey’s Coffee Shop have opened, along with Donna Louise’s Fudge Kitchen.]

• A 2,000 square foot tapes/CDs/records retailer such as Musicland.

• A 15,000 square foot office supply store such as Staples, OfficeMax, or Office Depot.

• An 18,000 square foot book store such as Barnes & Noble or Borders Books & Music.

• A 1,000 square foot ice cream parlor. [An ice cream shop is scheduled to open in Main Street Market.]

• 18,000 square feet of apparel. Specifically, we recommend up to three women’s apparel stores (12,000 square feet) and two men’s apparel stores (6,000 feet). [The Pointe, a men’s apparel store opened in 2001.]

• 5,000 square feet of fashion footwear, operating out of two stores. We recommend one women’s shoe store and one family shoe store.

• A 3,000 square foot fast-food operation, such as Burger King or Wendy’s.

• A 10,000 square foot health club, such as Bally Total Fit-ness or Powerhouse. [Charles W. Lamar YMCA opened in LaSalle Garage in 2001.]

Additional retailers are welcome, but the Downtown would be best served by the above uses, as they were identified in the Void Analysis. Unnamed retailers that will be most at risk are those that compete with the big-box and discount retailers in the south end of the City. These retailers’ competitive pricing coupled with a large selection, free parking and long operating hours will make it difficult for Downtown to compete.

Responsibility

Downtown Development District and Plan Baton Rouge

Project Status

As of 2004, there are 42 restaurants and 13 entertainment venues in the Downtown Development District. Plan Baton Rouge and the DDD led the effort to pass an amendment to the Cafe Ordinance to allow alcohol to be served in outdoor seating areas within the downtown development district boundaries.The Metro Council passed the amendment on February 11, 2004.

Third Street will receive new tenants in the old Gordon’s Jewelry building purchased by Ben Hu and in the Piccadilly building purchased by Danny McGlynn. Marrazil, a Brazilian Morrocan steakhouse opened on February 27, 2004 in the Piccadilly building with 8 loft units above.

Two locations of Joey’s Java currently operate: One American Place, North Street side (January 2000) and Cortana Mall (November 1999).

Avoyelles Café doubled its size and opened the expanded area in January 2000. The bar and restaurant have proved to be a popular after-hours gathering place.

Red Star, a downtown cocktail lounge owned and managed by Frank McMains, opened in late December 2000.

Swamp Mama’s opened in July 2002 in the former M’s Fine and Mellow space.

Atelier Salon opened on North Boulevard in mid December 2000, providing a range of salon services to downtown customers.

Downtown Seafood opened in early December 2000 on 130 Third Street. Henry Zare’s restaurant seats 50 people, catering to the downtown lunch crowd.

Mortorano’s Deli opened in April 2002 at the corner of Third and Florida.

Acadian Insurance acquired the renovated offices formerly occupied by McGlynn Glisson on 236 Third Street.

Tabby’s Blues Box opened in March 2000 in the old Rathskellar location on Lafayette Street.

Harrington’s Cafe opened in March 2000 attracting a busy lunch-hour crowd.

The McGlynn Glisson & Koch Law Firm (the old Varsity Shop) opened in January 2001. Mickey’s Varsity Cafe is located on the first floor of the building.

At a Plan Baton Rouge Press Conference in November 2001, Baton Rouge Area Foundation unveiled plans for its new 22,000 square foot headquarters at the corner of Laurel and Fourth Streets. Architect Buddy Ragland of Robert Coleman and Partners designed the building within the Plan Baton Rouge context by incorporating sustainable design elements such as solar shading and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. Duany Plater-Zyberk gave a highly favorable architectural review of the design for the building. BRAF moved into its new building on January 17, 2003.

Construction of the St. James Episcopal Church Great Hall on the corner of Fourth and Florida began in March 2002. Buquet & LeBlanc was awarded the contract for the $2,690,000 building.

Bruce Foreman renovated a live-work space on Main Street.

ABMB purchased the Joy’s Building from Hunt Hearin in July 2002 as a result of Act 60 which allows a 25% state historic tax credit for the restoration of properties located within the DDD boundaries. ABMB opened its new headquarters in the beautifully restored building in March 2004.

Baton Rouge Business Report has relocated its business offices to City Plaza in March 2002 to contribute to downtown revitalization efforts.

Remson Haley Architects relocated its offices in April 2002 to a beautifully restored building on St. Ferdinand Street. Wampold Companies announced plans in February 2001 for a 280,000 square foot building with a 14-story tower and parking garage. Retail is included in the new tower and also in the first floor of the parking garage. Construction plans are uncertain.

Outside the CBD:

Beauregard Gallery, a lunch spot and art gallery, opened in early 2002 in the heart of Beauregard Town neighborhood. A new retail store, Sogo has opened in Beauregard Town.

Beau’s Bistro opened late 2004 near the overpass.

E. Eric Guirard Law Firm moved into its new 10,000 square foot office in April 2001.

Remson Haley Architects relocated its offices in April 2002 to a beautifully restored building on St. Ferdinand Street.

Implementation

Explanation of Terms

Product

Centralized Retail Management

Responsibility

PBR & DDD

Implementing Agent

DDD

Feasibility Analysis

DDD

Initial Financing

PBR

Project Financing

FF & PI

Timing