What's in a chain? Apparently not much, according to participants in a recent survey conducted by Downtown Madison Inc.
The survey suggests that the public wants more retail options downtown that offer a wider array of specialty shops to enhance the downtown experience. The public wants the opportunity to shop at retail stores they could not find anywhere else in the area.
Recent local history with several national chains has shown that some are more successful than others. Stores like Gap and Chipotle have thrived, while others such as Reebok and Moe's have not.
State Street is an iconic location in Madison because it mixes the convenience and comfort of chain stores with the local charm of small, specialized shops.
What separates State Street from any other commercial street is its authenticity.
There are many stores on or nearby State Street that offer selections of entertainment, food and other goods not found anywhere else in the country.
The bottom line is that people are not looking for everyday shopping on State Street. They are instead looking for exclusive gifts and dishes that constitute the Madison experience.
Chains offer an easy option for many, but those are not the stores that will bring visitors to the area in their own right.
The more chains that set up shop on State Street take away much of the mystique and local flair of the downtown area.
This survey was informal in nature, only given to 79 people at a DMI event, and we remain suspicious that the small sample only represents the most vocal of Madison residents.
The survery does encourage an interesting debate regarding downtown development, and poses an important challenge for the incoming city council.
We urge the council to support these specialty stores and pass legislation that is friendly to local small businesses to preserve the charm of the downtown area.
