Retail Practices

Retail practices were influenced by the introduction and implementation of new zoning regulations that were a complete opposite to the former downtown organization that had revolved around an effective mixture of residences and businesses. These new zoning regulations dictated that functions would now be separated and grouped into residential, commercial and industrial zones in different areas around town. This along with the rise of automobiles initiated the nationwide exodus of city dwellers to new residential developments located on the outskirts of most city limits. About this same time, larger department stores and shopping centers began opening up in closer proximity to these developments, as downtown was becoming too far and out of the way.

The vitality of downtowns began to falter, as populations declined and these newer shopping centers and larger department stores took over. Businesses were no longer able to keep up with the cheaper and more numerous competitors and many of these small and local businesses were forced to close. This created vacancies in downtowns and as many individuals were not frequenting the area, they slowly became disconnected fragments. Cities were striving to find ways in which they could compete with this new wave of retail practices, so they opted to follow lead, destroying existing buildings to erect newer and shinier buildings, in hopes it would attract more people.

An example of this can be found in the history of Clematis Street, which is the main street of downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. In the 20s, Clematis Street was a connection to the local train station with the ferry headed to Palm Beach, but as development began taking off a new bridge began shuffling traffic around Clematis. Next, all the big department stores such as Woolworth and Sears Roebuck soon moved to other parts of towns leaving Clematis irrelevant and mostly vacant. It lost its identity and sense of community. Through the years it opened more higher end stores but as malls brought more competition it did not fare that well. Until recently the area was run down and looking like a forgotten part of town. With planners taking lead of the situation, Clematis has been renewed with life and vibrancy once again, especially with the introduction of the Thursday evening event ‘Clematis by Night’ which has successfully taken off, making shops and restaurants on the street available and open after the past closing times of 5 or 6 PM, with extra entertainment (similar to a block party). It has become more central and inviting to neighboring residents once again and they seem to be encouraging this return to the experience of taking part in a downtown.