The latest one we came across is an ad for yet-another end-of-the-world movie plastered all over the vacant retail space at the base of the 50 East Chestnut residential tower. It's a shame that a location so far off the tourist path should be marred in this fashion, but it's understandable since it's not like stores are beating down the door to locate on the corner of Chestnut and Rush.
Nearby, Intel's two-story store-wrap ad at the dead CompUSA on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Rush Street have been replaced by a giant Puma Store ad.
But it's really not in that bad of a location. It's on Rush right next to Ikram, across from Sofitel and the Gold Coast Bentley/Lambo dealership, Ditka's and the Tremont Hotel are next door, and that new Culti is opening just a couple hundred feet away. The asking rents must be pretty high because you'd think that at least a coffee shop would be interested in opening a store on that corner.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that there are a good number of nice stores in that little area (Penguin leaps to mind along with Intermix), but it really doesn't get the foot traffic it should.
ReplyDeleteThe whole area seems a little dark and dank most of the year. I think that little triangle park in front of the Swissotel is part of the problem. It needs to be re-done in a manner that makes it more welcoming. In the middle of the day it should be filled with people having lunch, not napping vagrants.
I don't think a coffee shop would want to be on that corner, though, because there's a Starbucks just about 100 feet down the street, across from Ditka's.
The location does seem like it would be perfect for something. What, however, I don't know.