The most important downtown Spokane business
The most important downtown Spokane business
Nope. You're not blind. The most important business in downtown Spokane is Rite Aid. Much talk is given to Nordstrom and Macy's and Apple, but if our goal is to increase the amount of people living downtown, then Rite Aid remains critically significant to the area's long-term success. Why? No other store downtown offers such basic needs. Where else, for example, could you purchase a toothbrush at 9pm when you realize that you need a new one? (Answer: nowhere.) When deciding whether to live downtown, people don't worry about shopping. Our downtown shopping scene is already excellent. They worry about where they are going to find basic needs: food, medication, supplies.
Indeed, in order to drive long-term success in attracting young professionals to live downtown, city leaders and businesspeople should be focused on bringing more basic retail to the area. Attracting a grocery store should be the number one priority. (In contrast to Mark Richard's proposal to close the Spokane Public Library branch and insert large-format retail.) Local favorite Rosauer's could explore an urban concept store, or Albertson's could build a local version of "the market by Safeway" (Albertson's will soon complete its Safeway purchase). But one thing's for sure: basic needs trump outside desires in the new downtown.
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What do you think? Is Rite Aid the most important business in downtown Spokane? Do you shop there? Live downtown? What would be your most important store? Where would you like to see a grocery store downtown? And which retailer would you like to see operate it? Share your thoughts in the comments below, on Facebook, and on Twitter. We love to hear from you.