How many fashion boutiques does the West Village need?

by Fiona Norton

Why not make the neighbourhood more livable. It's with a "u" because Fiona speaks the Queen's English, you see.

DALLAS — I moved close to the West Village almost seven years ago, shortly before its construction was completed. The then manager of my apartment complex was very excited by the imminent arrival of the new neighbor and all the amenities it would provide for residents. It was certainly a great selling point for me, although I was a bit bemused by her enthusiasm for the “novel” concept of mixed usage. I come from a country where residential and retail go side by side as a matter of course.

Anyway, I have been generally very pleased to live here through the evolution of The West Village, from the opening of its first tenant – Starbucks, to the growing number of shops, eateries, a salon, and most excitingly, an arts cinema. I was, and still am, happy to have easy access to chain clothing stores like Gap and Banana Republic and a few independent fashion retailers. However, I am beginning to feel discontented with the lack of retailing diversity and have a sense that the potential has not been fulfilled.

Nearly every retailer in the complex is a fashion boutique. Other, more interesting shops, have come and gone – a chocolatier, a tobacconist, a gift shop, a Scandinavian interior décor shop. In their place goes yet another chi chi clothing boutique or shoe store.

Why is this? I am suspecting prohibitively expensive rent with which only clothing stores with their outrageous markups and high profit margins can cope. I think this is a shame. I would love to see a more interesting array of stores, which really cater to the needs of local residents, rather than just providing yet another bland hangout for affluent Dallasites.

Top of my list would be a newsagents or corner store (an up market convenience store, I guess) to purchase that overlooked pint of milk, pick up some nice cheese and crackers with which to feed an unexpected visitor, satisfy a late night candy craving, restock the beer or to grab an out of town newspaper. I am watching The West Village, Phase Two, with interest, but not much hope.

This story was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.

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