Entertainment vs. drinking as entertainment

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal has an interesting article about the closing of the Borders bookstore downtown, "What does Block E do after Borders is gone?." This follows the closure of other key nearby national retail chain locations. The story is interesting because it discloses that alcohol-oriented venues (bars, taverns, restaurant attractions) are doing well, while signature retail and nonfood related entertainment--a 15 screen movie theater--are not doing well.

When I was in Minneapolis in this area last October, it occurred to me that "locals" may not find chain retail unattractive even in places that are supposed to be unique, because even if we go from town to town and see ESPN Zones, if you stay put for the most part, the fact that there is an ESPN Zone in Baltimore or Kansas City or Washington DC doesn't really matter.

What is further interesting about this is that it sheds light on the types of demographics most likely to consume downtown experiences, and how much they spend. Lately I have been writing about this quite a bit, that the retail and attraction mix in traditional commercial districts has to be planned more purposively, in terms of dayparts and patron demographics, to increase patronage at all desired times throughout the day and evening.