Empty Retail 04
©2012 Craig Ashby
Digital Photograph

Empty Retail 04 is a raw space inspiring apocalyptic real estate fantasies again. It’s all the things mentioned in previous posts. A theme that is currently running its course through real life, only skin crawlingly lit.

Whenever these would be retail spots post the square footage my head begins to dizzy. Can you imagine the rental prices of many retail flagship stores? There is a reason many are called vanity storefronts.

Unless you are selling mass quantities of goods there is no way into the black. For many luxury brands it is just more advertising and public relations. There is no way some of these stores have any chance of digging their way out of the red.

In spite of all this the storefronts remain empty. No rent breaks in hopes that they can fill the vacancy with some multimillion dollar chain ready to put their stamp on New York. This is a disease in New York City real estate.

Imagine the capital it would take to start a mom and pops business. Relegating the startup to outer boroughs at best. Even there the goal is unnattainable. Making corporate ventures the only possible solution.

Which means we have less choices in who we buy from and who can start a business. Which is not the American Dream. Which is sad.

Note here that I work for a corporation and it does great things for me. So don’t take this the wrong way. It’s actually a discussion of variety and opportunity.