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Shopping hub’s ‘teeth knocked out’
Chris Michlewicz
With the closure of four major stores at one commercial center in Parker, some can’t help but wonder whether it’s the poor economy or a laundry list of other factors that has left its storefronts bare.
The northwest corner of South Parker Road and Lincoln Avenue has long been thought of as a prime location to establish a successful store. More vehicle traffic passes by the Parker Marketplace shopping complex per day than any other corner in Parker. But the commercial hub that was once home to Target, Albertsons and Pier 1 Imports has clearly struggled in recent years.
Now, just five months after opening for business, Circuit City announced that it’s closing its Parker store. Circuit City even went as far as to renovate the former Target space to its specifications for a smaller, 20,000-square-foot prototype layout before opening its doors. But by the end of the year, the space will again be vacant.
The decision to close Circuit City came just before corporate officials filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a bid to reorganize the fledgling chain. It is one of 155 stores nationwide to be shut down. While not based on sales numbers — those with knowledge of Circuit City’s profits say the store was actually performing well — it is nonetheless “heartbreaking” to see yet another store go under on that corner, Parker Mayor David Casiano said.
“We figured with a brand new store, a new model, it would be given the chance to excel. We were hoping they would leave it alone,” Casiano said. “With Sprout’s [Farmers Market] going in on the other end, we thought it would bounce that little shopping center back.”
Attempts to reach a representative from Circuit City were unsuccessful.
Laura Yancey, owner of Cheezies Pizza, which sits between Circuit City and Sprout’s Farmer’s Market, said she is concerned that the closure could negatively impact her business.
“We were just getting the shopping center moving, and now all of a sudden it’s a setback for all of us,” she said. “The shopping center got its front teeth knocked out.”
Yancey opened Cheezies in April because she was told that two major anchors would be moving in. While the success of Sprout’s has greatly increased exposure for the pizza joint, the closing of Circuit City could have the opposite affect.
“I’m hoping someone else will look at that location, but the problem I see is when two or three stores close in a location, it adversely affects everyone,” she said. “It makes merchants more hesitant to come in.”
Now, just a few months in, Star Buffet, which occupies the old Pier 1 Imports space, has closed its doors.
Those who closely monitor the economic conditions in Parker say Circuit City’s success might have ultimately led to the resurrection of the shopping center.
“I know they were heading toward bankruptcy, but it doesn’t make sense because Parker is still growing and our consumer spending capabilities are strong,” said Ben Snow, executive director of the Parker Economic Development Council. “We were happy to see them come to Parker, but we’re powerless in these situations. We see this stuff happening in Parker, but it’s really all over the country.”
The economic struggles of the last 60 days were the “death nail” for the company, but it still came as a surprise that the corporation would close a prototype model that had proven successful in its infancy, Snow said.
“People liked the concept and thought it could be a way for them to better compete against Best Buy during the next phase,” he said. “Some companies choose to close underperforming stores; others close in the first order of when they opened.”
The closing does not only affect businesses in the immediate vicinity, but also potentially leaves dozens of Parker residents unemployed. It is unclear if the corporation plans to transfer employees to another store.
Yancey has already hired a Circuit City employee for a part-time position because she expects to lose her job.
“My heart really goes out to the employees,” she said.
Some say the lack of easy access to the shopping complex, or its distance from Parker’s main commercial center where Walmart and SuperTarget are based, could be compounding the issue at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and South Parker Road, but Snow dismissed the ideas, saying the high traffic area is still an ideal location for a large store.
The high rate of restaurant closures and failure of smaller, locally-owned shops is “disappointing,” and it will take strong mental fortitude to work through the crisis, Casiano said.
“If we can get through this for the next 18 months, we will be okay. We can weather the storm,” he said. “Hopefully, there won’t be any more closings. I hate to see small businesses closing down because they really balance out the big box stores.”
The mayor said Parker Town Council will study the issue and try to come up with “creative ideas” to market Parker and its amenities.
“If I have to stand on a corner with a horn, I will do it,” Casiano said. “We will do what we can to promote Parker and get people to shop here.”
Yancey has contacted experts to help her figure out a way to improve lagging sales and is “trying to do everything right” to ensure Cheezies’ success.
“We will try our hardest to stick it out and do everything in our power to make this location work,” she said.
It could take about a year to secure another tenant for the soon-to-be-vacant Circuit City space, as well as an adjoining 60,000-square-foot shell, Snow said. But he is not concerned about the future of the Parker Marketplace.
“It’s just another indication of the lean economic times that are all around us. People just have to grin and bear it until it passes,” he said. “But long term, I’m not that concerned about Parker.”
Snow said bargain hunters could find the empty storefronts as a great investment opportunity. Casiano suggested that the vacant tenant-improved spaces would be perfect for a K & G Men’s Center or Burlington Coat Factory, neither of which is represented in Parker. Casiano said solidarity will be key to pushing through the difficult times.
“Everyone has to get on the same page,” he said. “We’ll get through this. We’ve just got to do it together.”
Economy hampering shopping center
Circuit City closure could have ripple effect
With the closure of four major stores at one commercial center in Parker, some can’t help but wonder whether it’s the poor economy or a laundry list of other factors that has left its storefronts bare.
The northwest corner of South Parker Road and Lincoln Avenue has long been thought of as a prime location to establish a successful store. More vehicle traffic passes by the Parker Marketplace shopping complex per day than any other corner in Parker. But the commercial hub that was once home to Target, Albertsons and Pier 1 Imports has clearly struggled in recent years.
Now, just five months after opening for business, Circuit City announced that it’s closing its Parker store. Circuit City even went as far as to renovate the former Target space to its specifications for a smaller, 20,000-square-foot prototype layout before opening its doors. But by the end of the year, the space will again be vacant.
The decision to close Circuit City came just before corporate officials filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a bid to reorganize the fledgling chain. It is one of 155 stores nationwide to be shut down. While not based on sales numbers — those with knowledge of Circuit City’s profits say the store was actually performing well — it is nonetheless “heartbreaking” to see yet another store go under on that corner, Parker Mayor David Casiano said.
“We figured with a brand new store, a new model, it would be given the chance to excel. We were hoping they would leave it alone,” Casiano said. “With Sprout’s [Farmers Market] going in on the other end, we thought it would bounce that little shopping center back.”
Attempts to reach a representative from Circuit City were unsuccessful.
Laura Yancey, owner of Cheezies Pizza, which sits between Circuit City and Sprout’s Farmer’s Market, said she is concerned that the closure could negatively impact her business.
“We were just getting the shopping center moving, and now all of a sudden it’s a setback for all of us,” she said. “The shopping center got its front teeth knocked out.”
Yancey opened Cheezies in April because she was told that two major anchors would be moving in. While the success of Sprout’s has greatly increased exposure for the pizza joint, the closing of Circuit City could have the opposite affect.
“I’m hoping someone else will look at that location, but the problem I see is when two or three stores close in a location, it adversely affects everyone,” she said. “It makes merchants more hesitant to come in.”
Now, just a few months in, Star Buffet, which occupies the old Pier 1 Imports space, has closed its doors.
Those who closely monitor the economic conditions in Parker say Circuit City’s success might have ultimately led to the resurrection of the shopping center.
“I know they were heading toward bankruptcy, but it doesn’t make sense because Parker is still growing and our consumer spending capabilities are strong,” said Ben Snow, executive director of the Parker Economic Development Council. “We were happy to see them come to Parker, but we’re powerless in these situations. We see this stuff happening in Parker, but it’s really all over the country.”
The economic struggles of the last 60 days were the “death nail” for the company, but it still came as a surprise that the corporation would close a prototype model that had proven successful in its infancy, Snow said.
“People liked the concept and thought it could be a way for them to better compete against Best Buy during the next phase,” he said. “Some companies choose to close underperforming stores; others close in the first order of when they opened.”
The closing does not only affect businesses in the immediate vicinity, but also potentially leaves dozens of Parker residents unemployed. It is unclear if the corporation plans to transfer employees to another store.
Yancey has already hired a Circuit City employee for a part-time position because she expects to lose her job.
“My heart really goes out to the employees,” she said.
Some say the lack of easy access to the shopping complex, or its distance from Parker’s main commercial center where Walmart and SuperTarget are based, could be compounding the issue at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and South Parker Road, but Snow dismissed the ideas, saying the high traffic area is still an ideal location for a large store.
The high rate of restaurant closures and failure of smaller, locally-owned shops is “disappointing,” and it will take strong mental fortitude to work through the crisis, Casiano said.
“If we can get through this for the next 18 months, we will be okay. We can weather the storm,” he said. “Hopefully, there won’t be any more closings. I hate to see small businesses closing down because they really balance out the big box stores.”
The mayor said Parker Town Council will study the issue and try to come up with “creative ideas” to market Parker and its amenities.
“If I have to stand on a corner with a horn, I will do it,” Casiano said. “We will do what we can to promote Parker and get people to shop here.”
Yancey has contacted experts to help her figure out a way to improve lagging sales and is “trying to do everything right” to ensure Cheezies’ success.
“We will try our hardest to stick it out and do everything in our power to make this location work,” she said.
It could take about a year to secure another tenant for the soon-to-be-vacant Circuit City space, as well as an adjoining 60,000-square-foot shell, Snow said. But he is not concerned about the future of the Parker Marketplace.
“It’s just another indication of the lean economic times that are all around us. People just have to grin and bear it until it passes,” he said. “But long term, I’m not that concerned about Parker.”
Snow said bargain hunters could find the empty storefronts as a great investment opportunity. Casiano suggested that the vacant tenant-improved spaces would be perfect for a K & G Men’s Center or Burlington Coat Factory, neither of which is represented in Parker. Casiano said solidarity will be key to pushing through the difficult times.
“Everyone has to get on the same page,” he said. “We’ll get through this. We’ve just got to do it together.”
Economy hampering shopping center
Circuit City closure could have ripple effect
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