When a new business comes to an area and eventually establishes itself it’s hard to see how that business has become an essential part of the area. Yesterday, Ariana Lee, Mathison Chicetawn and I ventured down to the Gallery in Center City. It was during this trek that I was able to see how one business could have such a profound effect on an area.
This particular trip turned out to be a little sad because the owners of the mall decided not to renew Kmart’s lease as they want to turn the Gallery into a place that will attract the rich and detract the not-so-rich.
It was then I realized that Kmart had assumed the position once held by Lits and Gimbels: it had become the heartbeat – the pulse – of the mall and now that it’s gone the Gallery seemed to be on life-support. Very sad.
It also amazes me how they could get rid of something that brought in revenue and customers in exchange for something that most likely won’t work. It will be interesting to see how much money they’ll be able to admit to losing once Christmas shopping commences and shoppers who once went to Kmart as well as venturing to the smaller stores in the Gallery have gone somewhere else.
For now, the store sits vacant almost like the 40,000 other abandoned properties that litter this city, but this is one abandonment that will be felt by residents and tourists alike for a long time.
Perhaps it will also be a stark representation of the greed that this city’s political leaders are known for as they continue on with their plan of pushing the poor and low-income residents out of this city.
mchicetawn 