November 2, 2009

1) List the criteria Robert Gibbs uses to evaluate a Main Street.

-aesthetic appeal/beauty, yet not too distracting

-generators: places (like parks) that draw consumers and businesses to the area, and into the vacant stores

-successful stores, that convey a message of importance and status

-color scheme/palette and enhancements: simplicity is key, less is more

-flow of traffic: the way streets are set up needs to easy for cars and pedestrians and to avoid confusion, but keep people in the area

-recognizable stores, big names: people enjoy smaller, unique stores but shop more at well-known, department stores

2) Think critically of Gibbs' argument. Do you think "Main Street" should be a mall?

I dont think that Main Street will ever be seen as a mall to consumers. Although, there are many similarities between the two, most of the people who shop in both environments do not relate the two besides the fact that they both allow a place for retailers to sell their products. If you overlook the fact that Main Street is "outside" and has some smaller store names, the mall and Main Street try to convey the same message. It's a matter of location and environment, they both have the same concept and qualities. They are almost identical in classification, but simply are different species.

3) Make your own checklist to judge a Main Street. What things do you think are important?

I agree with Gibbs....

-aesthetic appeal/beauty, yet not too distracting

-generators: places (like parks) that draw consumers and businesses to the area, and into the vacant stores

-successful stores, that convey a message of importance and status

-color scheme/palette and enhancements: simplicity is key, less is more

-flow of traffic: the way streets are set up needs to easy for cars and pedestrians and to avoid confusion, but keep people in the area

-recognizable stores, big names: people enjoy smaller, unique stores but shop more at well-known, department stores

but I think that having a concept or theme to build a shopping environment around, is crucial and needs to be executed perfectly in order to be truly successful. The architect needs to make sure that everyone is on the same page when developing the complex, and paying attention to the finer details as well as the larger ones.