Laserfiche WebLink
2.3.3 Overall Retail Market Opportunities <br />The retail malket potential for Ellensburg combines many different facets of the data gathered <br />above. Retail malkets depend on both quantitative and qualitative information. Moreover, just <br />because there is retail malket potential for a potential retail store type in no way ensufes success <br />of that store type in the community. <br />There are many reasons why a business might succeed or fail, and the retail market is but one of <br />those factors. The days of the downtown compcting with suburban locations for primary retail <br />have long since vanished, The major "pro" of keeping all retail in the community is that once a <br />shopper has left, they have left for the day and their money will follow. This section explores <br />retail development likely to develop in suburban locations in Ellensburg. <br />. Family clothing - This category includes stores such as TJ Maxx, Ross, and similar type <br />stores that cater to all family members. They typically locate in suburban market <br />developments. With over $5 million in leakage from thc primary trade area, this could be a <br />strbruban opportunity for Ellensbwg. A store of similar tlpe (though unlikely a chain) could <br />also work in a downtown setting, <br />e Auto Dealers * Ellensburg is home to a number of highly successful auto dealerships, though <br />not all auto brands are currently represented in the market. There is an opportunify for new <br />car dealerships that would likely develop in a suburban location. There is also a growing <br />trend of downtown auto dealerships decamping to suburban locations for better exposure. <br />t Electronics - While Ellensburg is leaking sales in the elecfronics category this store type has <br />proven to be problematic as of late with the demise of Circuit City and the bankruptcy of <br />Radio Shack. A regional electronics store may be successful based on the market leakage. <br />t Pharmacies - Surprisingly, Ellensburg leaks sales in Pharmacies. This could be a trade of <br />the retail dollar for in-store pharmacies at stores like Fred Meyer or, more likely, a signal for <br />additional demand. The location is likely to be suburban and will have littte to no impact on <br />the downtown pharmacy in Ellensburg <br />t Home Improvement Stores - This is an intriguing category for Ellensburg in so far as <br />independent garden dealers, hardware stores, and similar store types have proven to be great <br />for the community. A home center such as Home Depot might be plausible based on these <br />numbers but would likely have a negative impact on existing independent merchants, <br />t General Retail - This category includes stores like Fred Meyer, Target, and Walmart. <br />Ellensburg currently has a high quality Fred Meyer in very close proximity to the core of <br />downtown, although separated by storage and warehousing uses that would not encourage <br />walking between the two. Retail leakage indicates potential for some degree of additional <br />general retail. The impact of such a store on downtown would be minimal and would likely <br />benefit downtown Ellensburg and the community as a whole as it would retain customers that <br />are currently leaving the community to shop in Yakima, metro Seattle, or Wenatchee. <br />I7