11-02-2017, 06:14 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-02-2017, 06:15 PM by robdrimmie.)
Quote: It's why I'm always curious to know how new places that do open up (eg J&P Grocery, Black Arrow Cycle) are doing.
Anecdotally, every time I've been in Black Arrow (at least once a month between May and September, usually around 5:30) there's been two other people there as well. It feels like a similar volume to King St Cycle (which I frequent about the same, I really like both shops and try to spread my purchases out between them).
I go to J&P less often, closer to once every six weeks or so, at around the same time in the early evening. There's usually several other customers there as well. I'm only picking up one or two things that we need for that evening's dinner though.
None of these experiences are really an indicator of anything other than an impression that they feel like they're at least sustaining and possibly even thriving. As a customer it's impossible to know, but they both seem to have a fairly high amount of inventory and the walls and shelves always seem to be well-stocked. There's no outward indication that I've seen that they're struggling.
Edited to add: None of this is offered as rebuttal to your lack of retail revival, in fact I'm inclined to agree with it. Just trying to help satisfy your curiosity a bit.