Southwark Paint Closed

[busted]

another store closed. 90+years. done.

[queenbee]

This paint store was only open Mon-Fri 9-5. It is a shame but they made it harder to buy from them.

[iheartphilly]

Oh shoot. I need to paint my door & was planning on going there. I don't drive, so Lowe's is out. Remember the days when we could walk everywhere because all we needed was South St? The original Cohen's, that great housewares place, The General Store? Atlas Paint? Even the Gap? Beautiful Things? Now I have my choice of knock-off bags & tacky bling & don't even bother looking anywhere
there for nice gifts or anything I might need for my house. I honestly don't know why building owners think it's ok to keep renting to these fly-by-night places that only cater to the teen set, thereby shutting the (older) locals out. Quick money, I guess.

I once wrote to the SS Association asking them the same thing. They didn't respond, but a few more ugly bling shops popped up just after I wrote. I mentioned to him that I was a 30-year resident & we need a few shops to make the street useful for locals. For some reason I expected some sort of reply, but I guess he was too busy making sure that each store sold exactly the same things and appealled to the teenagers that swarm the place on weekends. And I guess they pay the rent.

Change can be good, I know, but the street has become so seedy & cheap. I miss the artsy, funky way it used to be, with more emphasis on the locals instead of the kids who flock here, buy crap, then leave.

The loss of Pearl is a big one. Who's going to fill that huge space? Who can afford it? Another bling & counterfeit bag place? We already have, what, 5 or 6 & counting?

I've digressed. What I'd like to know is how I'm going to paint my door now, without having to schlep it all on the bus. Paint's heavy. Somewhere along the way this city because much less walkable than it used to be, what with all the stores on DE Ave. Sometimes I feel like I live in the burbs.

[Evelyn]

I have to agree with you 100%! Am all for local stores but I find myself shopping and wishing for bigger stores set up shop here due to the inconvenient hours these stores have! Who is it that they cater to by closing shop at 5 pm?? I sometimes get off work passed 5! Nowadays you need two income household, is no secret. Local businesses here need to change with the times or peace out, sorry.

This paint store was only open Mon-Fri 9-5. It is a shame but they made it harder to buy from them.

[Hospitalitygirl]

Oh shoot. I need to paint my door & was planning on going there. I don't drive, so Lowe's is out. Remember the days when we could walk everywhere because all we needed was South St? The original Cohen's, that great housewares place, The General Store? Atlas Paint? Even the Gap? Beautiful Things? Now I have my choice of knock-off bags & tacky bling & don't even bother looking anywhere
there for nice gifts or anything I might need for my house. I honestly don't know why building owners think it's ok to keep renting to these fly-by-night places that only cater to the teen set, thereby shutting the (older) locals out. Quick money, I guess.

I once wrote to the SS Association asking them the same thing. They didn't respond, but a few more ugly bling shops popped up just after I wrote. I mentioned to him that I was a 30-year resident & we need a few shops to make the street useful for locals. For some reason I expected some sort of reply, but I guess he was too busy making sure that each store sold exactly the same things and appealled to the teenagers that swarm the place on weekends. And I guess they pay the rent.

Change can be good, I know, but the street has become so seedy & cheap. I miss the artsy, funky way it used to be, with more emphasis on the locals instead of the kids who flock here, buy crap, then leave.

The loss of Pearl is a big one. Who's going to fill that huge space? Who can afford it? Another bling & counterfeit bag place? We already have, what, 5 or 6 & counting?

I've digressed. What I'd like to know is how I'm going to paint my door now, without having to schlep it all on the bus. Paint's heavy. Somewhere along the way this city because much less walkable than it used to be, what with all the stores on DE Ave. Sometimes I feel like I live in the burbs.

FWIW, I usually shop at the MAB store at Broad & Kater. And have come home on the bus with two gallons of paint.

[loveisnoise]

FWIW, I usually shop at the MAB store at Broad & Kater. And have come home on the bus with two gallons of paint.

Exactly. There's also sherwin on 10th and wash., and cohens sells valspar paint that they'll custom order for you in a day or two if travelling is a problem.

[SouthStMan]

Oh shoot. I need to paint my door & was planning on going there. I don't drive, so Lowe's is out. Remember the days when we could walk everywhere because all we needed was South St? The original Cohen's, that great housewares place, The General Store? Atlas Paint? Even the Gap? Beautiful Things? Now I have my choice of knock-off bags & tacky bling & don't even bother looking anywhere
there for nice gifts or anything I might need for my house. I honestly don't know why building owners think it's ok to keep renting to these fly-by-night places that only cater to the teen set, thereby shutting the (older) locals out. Quick money, I guess.

I once wrote to the SS Association asking them the same thing. They didn't respond, but a few more ugly bling shops popped up just after I wrote. I mentioned to him that I was a 30-year resident & we need a few shops to make the street useful for locals. For some reason I expected some sort of reply, but I guess he was too busy making sure that each store sold exactly the same things and appealled to the teenagers that swarm the place on weekends. And I guess they pay the rent.

Change can be good, I know, but the street has become so seedy & cheap. I miss the artsy, funky way it used to be, with more emphasis on the locals instead of the kids who flock here, buy crap, then leave.

The loss of Pearl is a big one. Who's going to fill that huge space? Who can afford it? Another bling & counterfeit bag place? We already have, what, 5 or 6 & counting?

I've digressed. What I'd like to know is how I'm going to paint my door now, without having to schlep it all on the bus. Paint's heavy. Somewhere along the way this city because much less walkable than it used to be, what with all the stores on DE Ave. Sometimes I feel like I live in the burbs.

I'm curious what the SS Association is? As a member of the South Street Headhouse District, I've never heard of them - is it a business association?

As for the SSHD, the most we can do is make sure that zoning laws are followed and approve/decline variance requests to existing zoning. But, as much as we all agree that the direction of the retail vibe needs a bit of guidance, it is the Realtor that make that call; not the SSHD. If a business fits all legal zoning for that property, there's not much we can do to stop a building owner from allowing that business to rent their building.

With that said -having spent the past year sitting in monthly marketing meetings for the district, as well as attending the monthly general board meeting - i can tell you that your hope for the retail direction is one that most of those in attendance share (quite openly -haha)

[iheartphilly]

I'm curious what the SS Association is? As a member of the South Street Headhouse District, I've never heard of them - is it a business association?

It's the St. Street Headhouse Assoc. I couldn't think of the correct name when I posted. They're the ones I wrote to & never got a reply, acknowledgment or anything else. Apparently the fact that I've lived & shopped here since 1981 means nada. My impression is that they're going to do whatever they want to fill empty spaces with junk store after junk store, not giving a damn about the locals & our needs. As a member, do they ever discuss what they've let the street become? Don't they have some say as to what kind of businesses open? I seem to remember that once upon a time they did. Now some places (4) have been raided by L&I for counterfeit merchandise & I can't imagine how all those junk accessory places stay open.

It's been in general decline for years, but getting seedier by the day. I miss the early 80's, when there was something for everyone & it's a damn shame that things have been allowed to become so seedy & useless to the locals. What I think is a head shop just opened at 8th & South. Another fly-by-night place that'll be gone soon. Why not put something else there that will stay & generate long-time rent AND be more useful to those of us who could care less about water bongs? Did the Assoc. approve that store too?

I'm interested in how the Assoc. approves businesses that only add to the the cheapness & seediness while the street continues to decline. Does every store have to cater to teenagers? NO. Why can't we regain some of the street's charm & uniqueness? Oh, & while I'm asking you for the other things, do you think you could find out why my letter went ignored?

[Hospitalitygirl]

It's the St. Street Headhouse Assoc. I couldn't think of the correct name when I posted. They're the ones I wrote to & never got a reply, acknowledgment or anything else. Apparently the fact that I've lived & shopped here since 1981 means nada. My impression is that they're going to do whatever they want to fill empty spaces with junk store after junk store, not giving a damn about the locals & our needs. As a member, do they ever discuss what they've let the street become? Don't they have some say as to what kind of businesses open? I seem to remember that once upon a time they did. Now some places (4) have been raided by L&I for counterfeit merchandise & I can't imagine how all those junk accessory places stay open.

It's been in general decline for years, but getting seedier by the day. I miss the early 80's, when there was something for everyone & it's a damn shame that things have been allowed to become so seedy & useless to the locals. What I think is a head shop just opened at 8th & South. Another fly-by-night place that'll be gone soon. Why not put something else there that will stay & generate long-time rent AND be more useful to those of us who could care less about water bongs? Did the Assoc. approve that store too?

I'm interested in how the Assoc. approves businesses that only add to the the cheapness & seediness while the street continues to decline. Does every store have to cater to teenagers? NO. Why can't we regain some of the street's charm & uniqueness? Oh, & while I'm asking you for the other things, do you think you could find out why my letter went ignored?

I beg to disagree. If anything, the street has changed, and is possibly even friendlier to residents than it ever has been. I say this as someone who has been coming to and living on South St, off and on for nearly 14 years. There was the era of the Goth shops; there were more "urban" stores a couple of years ago than there are now.

I don't think that a business association can exert too much pressure on individual landlords on whom they choose to rent to, provided the tenant can pay that rent. It is still a free country. The business association can possibly look around for some businesses to examine the South St. area more closely, and see the demographics included within, and the sort of traffic that passes on a daily basis, as an incentive to set up, but beyond that...you would be hard pressed to have the business association dictate to landlords to whom they can and cannot rent to, provided the tenant is within code.

[gideon]

[QUOTE=iheartphilly;151272]

I
Why not put something else there that will stay & generate long-time rent AND be more useful to those of us who could care less about water bongs? Did the Assoc. approve that store too?

Way easier said than done in all respects. Especially now.

When I was looking in the area for space, the rents were very high. The best thing I found was on 4th near Bainbridge which needed a ton of work. Then the owner turned out to be extremely difficult to work with and wanted to work out a lease in my personal name which would have negated the insurance he stated I needed to carry. When I brought this up he got confused and angry. Other spaces were run down with very high rents, many property owners wanted me to pay not only my insurance plus other fees for the whole damn building so a $2000 month rent would be $2500 - $2600 and nobody negotiated. Rent was it was regardless how long the space remained vacant. On some I viewed, I had noted some properties were vacant at least two years.

Also, what exactly do enough neighbors want or need in the area to prompt somebody to open a place?

LL's want people who can pay the rent and many could care less what gets parked in the place. That's just how it is.

[Hospitalitygirl]

Other spaces were run down with very high rents, many property owners wanted me to pay not only my insurance plus other fees for the whole damn building so a $2000 month rent would be $2500 - $2600 and nobody negotiated. Rent was it was regardless how long the space remained vacant. On some I viewed, I had noted some properties were vacant at least two years.

We really need to charge more!

Also, what exactly do enough neighbors want or need in the area to prompt somebody to open a place?

A Street with two supermarkets; shoe stores; clothing stores; restaurants and eateries of all prices galore; hardware store; bars; salons; dry cleaners; post office; yoga; gyms; banks; what have I missed? And if it isn't on South St, it's quite close.

LL's want people who can pay the rent and many could care less what gets parked in the place. That's just how it is.

They care, but the mortgage needs to be paid. As long as they don't run afoul of codes it's not the big issue.

[gideon]

The business association can possibly look around for some businesses to examine the South St. area more closely, and see the demographics included within, and the sort of traffic that passes on a daily basis, as an incentive to set up, but beyond that...you would be hard pressed to have the business association dictate to landlords to whom they can and cannot rent to, provided the tenant is within code.

The headhouse association got in touch with me to show me the area and talk about the plans I was making. They were very helpful and kind. John(?) Foy of got in touch with me.

[Hospitalitygirl]

The headhouse association got in touch with me to show me the area and talk about the plans I was making. They were very helpful and kind. John(?) Foy of got in touch with me.

Yes, John Foy, of Bridgette Foy's. You were provided with demographic information, etc, correct? Helpful to you in deciding whether to locate on South St or not. And possibly some help in getting through the permitting process, or at least a point in the right direction. But you had to deal with the individual landlord on your own. There are limitations.

[gideon]

We really need to charge more!



A Street with two supermarkets; shoe stores; clothing stores; restaurants and eateries of all prices galore; hardware store; bars; salons; dry cleaners; post office; yoga; gyms; banks; what have I missed? And if it isn't on South St, it's quite close.



They care, but the mortgage needs to be paid. As long as they don't run afoul of codes it's not the big issue.

Pretty much what I am saying - your area is well stocked with places, so what else does your area need which will be supported by enough local foot traffic to stay open?

I don't understand your comment about needing to charge more rent?

When I was negotiating the lease on 4th, the primary concern of the building owner was that no special permits were needed and that there would be no issue with zoning or the CA to dis-approve of my business. That was it.

Yes, mortgages do need paid...

[Hospitalitygirl]

Pretty much what I am saying - your area is well stocked with places, so what else does your area need which will be supported by enough local foot traffic to stay open?

I don't understand your comment about needing to charge more rent?

When I was negotiating the lease on 4th, the primary concern of the building owner was that no special permits were needed and that there would be no issue with zoning or the CA to dis-approve of my business. That was it.

Yes, mortgages do need paid...

We have a storefront to our house. We charge our tenants, who have been here for more than 14 years, about $1200 a month rent. I am always astounded to see rentals in the area. It was just an editorialization, nothing more.

[SouthStMan]

It's the St. Street Headhouse Assoc. I couldn't think of the correct name when I posted. They're the ones I wrote to & never got a reply, acknowledgment or anything else. Apparently the fact that I've lived & shopped here since 1981 means nada. My impression is that they're going to do whatever they want to fill empty spaces with junk store after junk store, not giving a damn about the locals & our needs. As a member, do they ever discuss what they've let the street become? Don't they have some say as to what kind of businesses open? I seem to remember that once upon a time they did. Now some places (4) have been raided by L&I for counterfeit merchandise & I can't imagine how all those junk accessory places stay open.

It's been in general decline for years, but getting seedier by the day. I miss the early 80's, when there was something for everyone & it's a damn shame that things have been allowed to become so seedy & useless to the locals. What I think is a head shop just opened at 8th & South. Another fly-by-night place that'll be gone soon. Why not put something else there that will stay & generate long-time rent AND be more useful to those of us who could care less about water bongs? Did the Assoc. approve that store too?

I'm interested in how the Assoc. approves businesses that only add to the the cheapness & seediness while the street continues to decline. Does every store have to cater to teenagers? NO. Why can't we regain some of the street's charm & uniqueness? Oh, & while I'm asking you for the other things, do you think you could find out why my letter went ignored?

I think you missed my original point - but HospitalityGirl reiterated it with her follow ups.

I've lived off South Street since 1981, and I truly appreciate your frustration with the ever-changing vibe of the street - - but sadly the SSHD has little power to dictate to a building owner just what type of business we want. All we can do is make sure zoning guidelines are strictly followed.

This is a building owner situation; many of which are owned by out-of-state companies who have no stock in the neighborhood's personality and only care that their monthly rent is paid. When it isn't; out they go and in comes another.

There's no law that can stop that - at least not at the moment. What the SSHD has done over time is create limits to issues like 'take-out establishments' and such.

As for your letter - I've no idea, since I don't know who you are or when it was sent. If you have issues that SSHD can help with, just send me a PM and I'll forward it to the proper people.

R

[gideon]

We have a storefront to our house. We charge our tenants, who have been here for more than 14 years, about $1200 a month rent. I am always astounded to see rentals in the area. It was just an editorialization, nothing more.

Gotcha.

[iheartphilly]

We have a storefront to our house. We charge our tenants, who have been here for more than 14 years, about $1200 a month rent. I am always astounded to see rentals in the area. It was just an editorialization, nothing more.

My post was (sort of) an editorial & I expect that nothing will change, because obviously it's getting worse & nobody seems to care. I hate the junk stores that pop up like fungus every time I turn around & the head shop does nothing to change my mind. I don't get all the shopping that that people do (I mean the locals), what can you buy except coffee & booze. Cohen's is fine, but their prices are obscene. I go to Wolinski's now, but I really miss being able to go to S. Street for everything I need. I can't even get the most basic of housewares. (Cohen's charges $15 for a small trash can , the kind you put in your bathroom)

Yeah, I'm one tiny voice who isn't well-off & doesn't have any influence, BUT I've lived, worked & shopped there for 30+ years, & I think we're being sold short by greed & efforts could be made to make it better, but all I hear are excuses. The junk stores wouldn't stand a chance on say, Walnut Street,, but maybe in the Gallery. I also admit I'm nostalgic for the old days, when I
could get whatever I wanted, knew all the business owners & people actually cared about the quality of their merchandise & the other stores that opened. And incidentally, these places stayed in business for a while, till the landlords decided to raise rents so high that they had to leave. So now we have umpteen phone stores, stores that sell counterfeit crap, a head shop, countless cheap accessory places that only do business on weekends with all the teenagers. How they stay in business is beyond me, but they kep coming. Were they offered special rent deals? It's also no longer a safe place to be, especially on weekend nights. To me it's a sad decline that isn't being made any better buy the
powers that could & should be. I doubt the Association is that impotent.

Maybe I'd feel a little differently had someone taken the time to answer my letter & explained to me why things are the way they are. Now I'm a little pissed that no one from the Association bothered to do that. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm not in a position to donate to them, who knows, but I think that as a long-time resident they might have made the effort

[iheartphilly]

Pretty much what I am saying - your area is well stocked with places, so what else does your area need which will be supported by enough local foot traffic to stay open?

Well, the shoe stores are Payless & BareFeet. Can't remember the last time I've been in either. Payless is pretty much hit-or-miss & their right shoes don't fit me well. Bare Feet has a weird vibe, like they expect me to steal something. The clothing stores you mention are, what, Dr Denim & City Blue. Try finding normal jeans without rhinestones & low waists. I'm 44 & that doesn't do it for me. I do like Greene Street, but it's a consignment shop.

We just lost TLA video & I really liked being able to browse for something good.

I don't care about the bars, but do frequent several restaurants. I don't hate South Street at all, I just wish it would take a step or two back from what it's become.

[gideon]

My post was (sort of) an editorial & I expect that nothing will change, because obviously it's getting worse & nobody seems to care. I hate the junk stores that pop up like fungus every time I turn around & the head shop does nothing to change my mind. I don't get all the shopping that that people do (I mean the locals), what can you buy except coffee & booze. Cohen's is fine, but their prices are obscene. I go to Wolinski's now, but I really miss being able to go to S. Street for everything I need. I can't even get the most basic of housewares. (Cohen's charges $15 for a small trash can , the kind you put in your bathroom)

Yeah, I'm one tiny voice who isn't well-off & doesn't have any influence, BUT I've lived, worked & shopped there for 30+ years, but I think we're being sold short by greed & efforts could be made to make it better, but all I hear are excuses. The junk stores wouldn't stand a chance on say, Walnut Street,, but maybe in the Gallery. I also admit I'm nostalgic for the old days, when I
could get whatever I wanted, knew all the business owners & people actually cared about the quality of their merchandise & the other stores that opened. And incidentally, these places stayed in business for a while, till the landlords decided to raise rents so high that they had to leave. So now we have umpteen phone stores, stores that sell counterfeit crap, a head shop, countless cheap accessory places that only do business on weekends with all the teenagers. How thet stay in business if beyond me. Were they offered special rent deals? It's also no longer a safe place to be, especially on weekend nights. To me it's a sad decline that isn't being made any better buy the
powers that could & should be. I doubt the Association is that impotent.

Maybe I'd feel a little differently had someone taken the time to answer my letter & explained to me why things are the way they are. Now I'm a little pissed that no one from the Association bothered to do that. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I'm not in a position to donate to them, who knows, but I think that as a long-time resident they might have made the effort

You seem very angry.

What can a neighborhood association do? Brow beat landlords into taking riskier businesses? Boycott businesses locals really don't shop at anyway?

Before moving to Philly, I had been coming down frequently since 1988/89. South Street seems very much the same to me now as it did back then - about 20 years ago.

The drag reminds me a lot of E 8th Street/St Marks. Very similar shops and on either side, on the quieter blocks are the businesses frequented by the people who actually live there. Even during the boom times and even as the east village gentrified, St Marks Place has stayed largerly the same. W 8th too.