There was a thread that I believe Jeff started some time back about the possible destruction of the historic shpping center at the Northeast corner of this intersection. Has anyone else noticed that all of the businesses are now gone? Has anyone heard what the final decision was (I believe a giant-extra crappy- Barnes & Noble was discussed)? Also, while I have you and we are discussing this general area - has nayone heard what is going into the olf Laff Stop location a little farther down Gray?
I thought I read in the Chron last week that the theatre might be saved, but I really didn't read the whole article.
I attended an info session at the company that owns the shopping center. That section in the north corner of Gray and Shepherd will be torn down and a B&N built there. The movie theater is saved for now. They expect the whole thing will eventually be replaced by multi-floor developments. Given the shopping center's strength as a shopping destination and the high value of the real estate, they'd be throwing tons of money out the window to not redevelop that area. From the conversation, they seem a little sympathetic to the historical loss -- but only a little; they are far more concerned about maximizing the opportunity there. Expect there to be nothing original left a decade from now. The Bookstop on Alabama was going to hang around a while to see if it will, in fact, lose any business to the new B&N. Likewise, Starbucks is going to continue running both stores at Shep/Gray. The guy said Starbucks had built that second one so they could have a drive-thru and was going to close the original after the lease was up. But, the second one didn't lose any sales after the first one was up, so they decided to keep both open.
no, it won't. i'm hopeful. people inherently appreciate beauty. the pendulum will swing this way and that...but there will always be a remnant. my glass is so half full!
Oh good lord, don't open that can of worms...we will be here all day (wait, are we already here all day?). Hint to Max: beauty does not exist.
No, that is just the current consensus of cutting edge aesthetic philosophers. They also eat babies, though so be careful. heyp - I agree. That picture of you dancing with a mustard yellow shirt and a baby blue hat has ruined all visual reception for me. I think my retinas hurt.
speaking of eating babies I just found out recently the reason people boil water when someone has a baby is that if the baby dies, they can make baby soup. seems reasonable to me
Well, I can't say that I'm heartbroken to know that the Black Eyed Pea won't be back. But the movie theater? That's the last place in the city to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show!!!
I wouldn't be surprised if they open another starbucks.. that would make it 3 in the same street. If that happens, does that officially mean that the end of all existence is upon us? Btw, I really hate the relocating of the new Laffstop.. it was so much better at the old place.
