Let's Commercialize Raleigh!

So, I recently stumbled upon a blog or two that really got me thinking (and one got me to actually DO something). Wouldn't you just love to see an H&M pop up in downtown Raleigh? Or a Sephora pokes it pretty, little nose in Cameron Village? Or have an American Apparel open up off of Glenwood South (or more preferred, Fayetteville St.)? Well, it could happen.

How? Well, if you click on the first link I provided (Raleigh Philosophical Society), the people at RPS made it a bit easier to DIRECTLY contact some great commercialized stores in hopes of bringing them to Raleigh. Because of that list, it made it VERY easy for me to send off e-mails to H&M, Dean & Deluca, and American Apparel. Out of those three, I have received responses from both H&M and Dean & Deluca within a twelve-hour period.

Hello Myles,

We appreciate your interest in H&M.

Since our launch in the U.S. 9 years ago, we have been focused on a rapid expansion and are currently looking for the perfect location in your area.

Although that seems to be a somewhat computer automated response, it does give a shimmer of hope to those who truly are hopeful. Especially considering of the years-past rumors of a possibility that H&M would come to downtown Raleigh.

Dear Myles,

Thank you for your recent email to Dean & Deluca.

At the present time, we have no plans for a store in Raleigh, North Carolina. However, this area is a great market and we would love to come once we find the right location!

... :'(

Anyway, one can only hope Dean & Deluca can find that "right" location here in Raleigh someday soon!

While at work today (I work in Cameron Village), I couldn't shut up to any of my co-workers about the "what ifs" of the possibility of having some commercialized stores making an appearance in Cameron Village. I mean, think about it, the Village would be an IDEAL location for the not-so-daring corporate honchos to try out one of their stores. Cameron Village already gets plenty of foot traffic, both during the weekdays and weekends, plus everyone who goes there typically has the mindset to at least shop for something. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the appeal Cameron Village has for the fact that they have many independent boutique-style stores, but I could see an even greater improvement in customer and sale counts if they push for more mainstream, commercialized stores like H&M, Urban Outfitters, Armani Exchange (c'mon Raleigh, we need one!), Burberry, Sephora, etc.

Cameron Village is also close enough to downtown to have it be dubbed the "fashion district" of downtown Raleigh, and hopefully bring more of downtown towards that direction as well. With both a rather controversial residential tower and a two-story Chik-Fil-A (the first ever, I believe) slated for construction soon, Cameron Village will be seeing some changes. Now, the question is: Will Cameron Village be able to attract more commercialized businesses (beside Victoria Secret)to make it an even great "downtown" attraction? That may not be something we can make happen, but we can certainly try to!

What I'd love for everyone to do is to go out and contact each business you'd love to see in Cameron Village, on Glenwood South, or throughout the Fayetteville St./ Downtown District and let them know that you WANT them here! The more voices heard, now matter how small they may be, may give us just a bit more hope to have them here! Also, let me know what commercialized businesses you'd love to have here!



Thanks goes out to:

Raleigh Philosophical Society
The Raleigh Connoisseur
gogoraleigh

Each of them for having very comprehensible and helpful blogs!