Comments on: John Leidy Shop to Close in Late February

By: Rici

Rici — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:39:12 +0000

I’ve lived here nearly 20 years, and I’ve only been in the Leidy Shops once – and that was to buy girl scout cookies from someone working in the store! I’m just not in the social or economic class that shops there, I suppose.

By: jo mathis

jo mathis — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:20:20 +0000

Maybe a few of us could be Ladies Who Lunch just for an afternoon. I have an extra set of (faux) pearls if someone could lend me some little white gloves.

By: Suzanne Parker

Suzanne Parker — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:04:53 +0000

I grew up in Ann Arbor, was born in 1955, went to Mack School, Slauson Junior High School, Pioneer and then the big UM. John Leidy’s was THE place to get unusual, high end gifts that could not be found just anywhere. Mr. Leidy was a very nice man who knew his customers well. My parents being of Finnish heritage bought Finnish goods there because that was the only place to find it. Now you can find Iitala, Merrimekko, Dansk, etc just about every where else especially on the internet. That is why it was such a cool place to shop. I visited Liberty and State just recently (this fall) and the place is a mad house compared to the 60s and 70s. Everything has changed with the times and Leidy’s shop is certainly not fitting in anymore. Too bad. This is what happens with time, but I will always shop locally. Where I live now, Traverse City, Michigan, I do just that for the same reason as everyone has mentioned above. Good-bye John Leidy, I will always remember your lovely stuff all under two roofs. My mom still has the rocking chair she bought there in the late 60s (when they ventured into furniture for a brief moment).

Suzanne

By: Martha Johnson

Martha Johnson — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:02:08 +0000

My sister and I still fondly remember “shopping” at the entrance to the parking garage of Shilito Department Store in Cincinnati. We couldn’t leave without some cookies, candy or treat for the trip home. The parking garages have built-in customers for retail, in my opinion. What about service businesses? Cleaners, delivery services, etc.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:20:49 +0000

As for parking structures with stores-anyone remember the fiasco of the Liberty Plaza shopping center that had stores in the basement, neon lights, and food stalls no one visited? Quickly closed. Coming downtown is a treat but one that happens weekly, not daily for me, and mostly it is Borders, Leidys, Michigan or restaurants. Once in awhile it’s Urban Outfitters or Bivoac or Aveda. Yes, it’s too student focused; yes, easier, plentiful parking would help; that they got rid of one way streets has helped (even if as a pedestrian they’re not helpful); and there’s a large gap between State Street area and Main St. that could be filled with stores (one must drive from part of town to part of town and they got rid of the shuttle.) There’s no one way to help Ann Arbor. What succeeds is hit and miss. Maybe it’s better marketing, maybe it’s stores closer together which people want to shop at and know about. All we can ask is that retailers keep trying to move to A2 and give it a chance. Maybe the DDA should be aware of businesses in need and have ways to advise and help them stay in business. I’m sure Leidys would have stayed in business somehow if they could have.

By: TeacherPatti

TeacherPatti — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:39:47 +0000

I loved the “ladies with pearls and going to tea” description too! And heck, I’m in my (mumble mumble late mumble) 30s and I totally want to do that! That’s awesome :)

By: Joel Batterman

Joel Batterman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:24:01 +0000

I’ve seen retail in the first floor of parking structures in cities as varied as Detroit and Portland, OR. Although our structures might not be on prime shopping streets, I think these spaces have potential, and one could argue that it’s in the public interest to foster an active, pedestrian-friendly face along the street. The Fourth and William structure is well placed to take advantage of pedestrian activity from Blake Transit Center. An active face of shops along Fourth would help safety and offer welcome relief from the current bare stretch of cars.

By: Dave Askins

Dave Askins — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:54:07 +0000

Regarding some of the comments on the idea of "affordable small business space," I realize that what people have in mind is probably retail. But it would also be nice if there were space for programmers, developers, internet consultants, marketers, and people of that general ilk to operate from, without having to invest more than, say, $300 a month in rent. And whataya know, circulating today in the corner of the Internet where The Chronicle sometimes hangs out is an announcement of space on Main Street Ann Arbor at The Brickyard, just downstairs from Le Dog. Per desk: $280/month. It's a slightly different arrangement from The Workantile Exchange's $100/month space, where I am a member -- chief difference being that WorkEx's $100/month does not get you your very own desk that is available every single time you go there. (Though it's worth mentioning that WorkEx is developing a dedicated desk option as well.)

By: Cosmonican

Cosmonican — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:49:46 +0000

It was usually blocked off, I only snuck up for a peek once. The counter help may have let you by if the owners were out.

By: Rod Johnson

Rod Johnson — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:46:41 +0000

Whuh? I used to eat and study in the Martian Room all the time in the 70s. Should I be checking my white cell count?