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Enterprises
Comings and goings: the gentrification edition
Wed Jun 13, 2007 Miss Vicky
Ok, I know that Hintonburg and West Wellington are going through a baby boom - I see it every day as WeeG and I play chicken with other strollers while we shuffle up the mainstreet. Our Momspace group is growing, the parks are full, Bridgehead overflows with Moms (and a few Dads) and babies every day. And daycare spaces are impossible to find...
But honestly, do we really need another high-end children's boutique in the neighbourhood? As we headed up to Westfest this weekend, we noticed a sign in the former location of a pub - what was it called? Wild Rover? - for Chickpea children's boutique. This makes the third in under a year, and the fourth if you count the Hush Little Baby consignment shop. Is this not a little much for our mainstreet?
To make matters worse, on our stroll last night we noticed a lot of empty space in Just4Kidzzzz, the used baby clothing store in Hintonburg. A sign on the door said they were closing on June 15. No word about relocation, so I'm guessing it will be shutting down for good. That just leaves St. Vincent de Paul for cheap used kid stuff. Boutiques are great for those who can afford it - I totally support small local businesses like Red Chair and I hope that Monica can make a go of it in the face of all this competition. But we're a mixed income neighbourhood and we need to have affordable places to shop. Not only that, we need services as well. Like a day care. Or a health clinic. Or both.
Some people were moved to reply
Yes, there are those of us here who eat for a week off of the same amount one of those boutiques charge for cute baby overalls. We buy almost all of our son's clothes at thrift and consignment shops. We certainly hope the rents don't force places like consignment shops out of business(ahem).(or force them to retire). We would also love to see a health clinic here and lots more free things for kids and families to do.
Just4Kidzzz was in a bad location--not easy to get to for folks needing a vehicle to cart purchases or items, and not easily seen from the road despite facing onto Wellington. The few times I was in there I wasn't overly impressed with their pricing--I found Boomerang to be better and to be more selective about what they listed as well. As unfortunate as it is to see a local business close, I can't say that I'm overly surprised.
As far as kids clothing goes, maybe we need to organize some sort of community swap-n-shop event where folks can bring used clothing to sell for pre-set prices (ex. all pants size 2 - 6x : $3 ea). I'm thinking off the top of my head here, but I don't see why something like that couldn't work. An organizing committee could set the item categories/prices, and anyone participating would be required to adhere to the posted price list.
As far as another high-priced childrens' shop in the 'hood--why not? With this many, our neighbourhood will become a place to go for folks expecting--a place with lots of choice (albeit pricier) and easier parking than other parts of town. And while they're here, who's to say they won't stop into The Agave for lunch, or pick-up some salad ingredients at the Herb & Spice, or browse some books at The Weekend Reader, etc? The way I see it, this brings outside dollars into our neighbourhood and supports our existing local businesses.
My understanding is that Just4Kidzzz closed because of a dispute with the landlord, not because of lack of business. It served the community and Boomerang Kids, although well organized and trendy, is a bus ride away for some folks without cars. Consignment stores aren't about money, however, and environmentally, given a choice between a boutique and a consignment store in our neighbourhood, I would choose the one that helps us Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. We also appreciate the good work St. Vincent de Paul does with the profits from its sales. The swap idea is a good one.......how would a standard price(for pants, for example) account for wornish knees and certain brands?
With more boutiques, our neighbourhood may be a place to go, but will it be a place to live? The needs of the community should be met first. How does someone from outside the neighbourhood shopping in a small privately owned boutique, improve quality of life for those of us who need to meet our daily needs?
The swap idea is a good one.......how would a standard price(for pants, for example) account for wornish knees and certain brands?
It wouldn't. IMO, that would be the beauty of it. Obviously, it would be buyer beware. I don't set out to buy certain brands--I tend to go by condition, and then esthetic appeal. If someone was trying to sell something with worn knees, it would probably still be on their table at the end of the day.
The idea of the set-pricing would be to simplify it for buyers. Setting the prices low would encourage a better turnover in items. Realistically $3 for a pair of size 4 jeans is all you'd make in "profit" from a consignment shop anyway, so why not just charge that?
Right now, I can't be bothered to consign clothes. It's a lot of effort and with two boys in similar sizes, it's a challenge to sort the clothes for the current season and know what will fit them. By the end of the summer, I know what has been outgrown and either store for future children or donate it to St. VdP. I don't buy a lot of new clothes for my boys, and the stuff I do buy new is purchased with the intent of it passing along to my younger son.
I do a lot of "Frenchies" shopping when I'm down East every summer, and have honed my technique. I buy pants and shorts in anticipation of the next couple years. I am saddened that there is really no equivalent to that sort of shopping here. There's nothing like scoring brand-new Gap shortalls with the tags still on them for $0.50. ;) I bought $150 worth of clothes (over $900 new--estimate) and mailed them back to myself here in Ottawa. I'm itching to get down there next month!
[Edited By liss76 Jun 14, 2007 10:01 AM]
Will Wellington be too trendy and too upscale--expensive bistro restaurants, three high-end kids shops within blocks of each other, landlords raising rents higher and higher--for its own good?
A main street such ours needs to become the local neighborhood shopping that the city strives it to be, not the kind of car-centric destination shopping strip similar to a big mall.
Hey, Wellington Village doesn't have adequate parking for shoppers and diners and residents already face an increase in traffic on their streets. If this is just the start of what's to come with more development, then what we look forward to where we live is for our community to become like Toronto's The Annex or Montreal's Plateau.
Can I say, what we are seeing is actually the "yuppification of Wellington Village"?
As a previous writer said, will Hintonburg be a place to live?
While I find it exciting to see new shops coming in, we are five months into the slow move out of baby stuff (after four kids, I would like to think I have done my share). So, while it is fun to window shop, I do not patronize these stores. I do use Boomerang lots, yard sales, occassionally Freecycle Ottawa, and love St. V de P (or, as in my family Chez Vincent).
As my kids grow out of their clothes, there are hand-me-downs that find their way to other moms who are willing to take it on as a starter package. I also do some free swaps with a couple of Moms whose children fit between mine - thus solves my swapping issues. Anything that does not make it through those channels goes to Chez Vincent because I do not want to loose this community connection. (There was a point when we had a Neighborhood Services point of sale, and they closed down. I have heard over the past few years calls for items from VdP to keep them afloat).
Alas, because some of these resources cannot always serve my needs, it does require a trip up to the Bank Street Value Village (the closest thing to Frenchies I can find, and you are right liss76, why can t we get one here!!??!! wah). But, in the end, what I bring back into my neighborhood, often gets a second life here.
Sorry to hear Just4Kizzz is leaving - they were a good source of used clothe diapers!
Can I say, what we are seeing is actually the "yuppification of Wellington Village"?
ahem. The name "Wellington Village" is itself proof of this. Someone at some point in time figured houses would not sell if they called it by it's proper name "Hintonburg", so they gave it a nice yuppy name and essentially separated from Hintonburg. My guess would be that it has it's origins in real estate agents.
Hey, if the shoe fits, wear it :-) Or perhaps better "be careful what you wish for, as you just may get it".
you're right Amkay, the Wellington Village moniker *was* made up by real estate agents trying to 'class up' that stretch between Westboro and Holland ave.
Of course, now that both En Route Magazine and London's Financial Times have done pieces about how 'Hintonburg' is the new 'it' neighbourhood, I think you'll see that change.
We heard an interview with the writer of the FT article on CBC the other day. She seemed to think "house flipping" and new loft condo's being built were the most exciting things happening to the neighbourhood.
Through the years, name keeps changing. Dating back, it was Elmdale and Hampton Park (as I knew it when I bought here), and lately everyone is settling on calling it either West Wellington or Wellington Village or West Wellington Village, without one of these names coming on top, yet anyway. A once working class neighborhood gives way to a new "upper" class and with it a new name to reflect the gentrified face of high end boutiques and shops, trendy bistro eateries, and upscale condos. Maybe locals--a ten-year resident established here--to identify themselves as tried and true locals oughtta start calling their neighborhood "the Well". What you say?
The FT. My goodness. Read by people who could sell their flat in London and buy, oh, a couple of blocks worth of the neighbourhood...
Yeah, I was yelling at the radio. She seemed to e focused on house prices, flipping and lofts. What a limited view of the neighbourhood. The article is slightly better, but still focused on real estate - with links to agents, even!
I was speaking with the owner of Just4Kids the other day and she is closing up shop due to family matters. I won't go into details out of respect for their privacy but it has nothing to do with competition issues. Regardless of your opinion of types of small business or clustering of services in an area, the health of a neighborhood tends to rise and fall with the vibrancy of the local business community. Lots of vacancies indicates problems, new business establishment shows confidence in the neighborhood and ultimately brings dollars into the area. I've also noticed quite a bit of renovation work being done around town...investment in infrastructure only bodes well.
That being said, it's very important for a community that has established a personality to work at retainning that personality. There seems to be a current of fear about losing "what we've got"...I think if you take that angle, you've already lost what you had. Give people credit, they generally want to fit in, not change the social landscape.
Some of the previous comments sound very insular and protectionistic...the more the merrier I say!
It's the vacant storefronts on the Hintonburg side of Wellington that worry me, and the stories from business owners about unaffordable rent hikes. Unlike the small business owners in the neighbourhood, some landlords do not seem to be interested in the health of the mainstreet. Although I fail to understand how it can be better to have a vacant shopfront for months (sometimes years) than a rent-paying tenant - even if that means lowering rent expectations (which in some cases exceed current rates in the Glebe or Westboro). Much of Hintonburg's retail space is owned by a handful of landlords, I am told. Not sure what they are waiting for - Starbucks, perhaps?
Oh, and thanks for the info about Just4Kidzzzz... I'm sorry to hear about their family issues.
[Edited By Miss Vicky Jun 17, 2007 09:32 AM]
Hi all,
I had to add my 2 cents as someone with a very biased opinion regarding the addition of another high end kids boutique in our neighbourhood! I almost choked when the new franchise owner of Chickpea came into the store one busy afternoon and announced she was opening a similar store down the street. Despite pleading (yup, I really grovelled...not exactly the hardened business woman approach, but if you had witnessed what I put my husband, three kids, our bank account and the dog through since opening the store, you would understand) she was adamant that this is going to help our business. Frankly, I would never have opened the store if I knew I would have such intense competition so soon after opening. While I understand the argument that there is competition for all the restaurants in the neighbourhood, everyone eats and not everyone needs a shower gift!
On a positive note, I love being part of the neighbourhood in a more intimate way. And the highlight of our spring? Watching our daughter's soccer team at Fisher Park wearing "red chair kids" team jerseys!
offering a different perspective, I think the addition of several baby businesses to the area is a good thing for current retailers. Think about where MEC is -- all of those outdoorsy stores seem to be coexisting just fine, and I seriously doubt everyone needs a canoe. Chantal from Chickpea Baby Boutique also came into our store to introduce herself, and I appreciated that. I think as long as everyone manages to find their niche, and stick to it, we'll all be fine...
susie ;)
Maybe locals--a ten-year resident established here--to identify themselves as tried and true locals oughtta start calling their neighborhood "the Well". What you say?
I say "Why make up names when there is already a perfectly good one : Hintonburg"
I have lived here twenty-five years....near the Herb and Spice.
What changes! I like some and don't like others. High end stores or boutique stores or whatever you call them are not my cup of tea. A few are alright for a mix, but what a sense I am getting of ordinary service stores giving way to expensive little shops. Yuk.
I am an empty nester now, and don't need a lot, it's true. However, I need to walk easily to stores that are service oriented, interesting, and not high end. We are under serious gentrification here, and no, I do not like it a bit. I think I can't afford to live here after all these years, but that's what a pension does. I am not poor, and I am not rich. I like variety, and we are well on our way in Hintonburg or Wellington Village or Hampton Park, to being a place that might be nice to visit, but harder to live in.
I noticed yesterday that JIJ's is closed and being renovated to become the (new?) home of Absinthe.