Crain's got into analyzing why the Costco at the East River Plaza was not performing in an article this past weekend. The recession has brought increased sales nationwide to the discount chain and it is also doing well in Brooklyn, Long Island City and Queens. So what's the problem and what's killing this branch of the mega retailer? Blame it on that ugly parking lots.What the East River Plaza is currently depending on to bring business into East Harlem might just be another example of poor city planning. All the other Costco stores in the area are right by subway stops. New York City is heavily dependent on foot traffic and the new East Harlem mall is a good 15 minutes from the nearest subway station. To make matters worst, they are charging $2.50 per half hour parking while the Brooklyn brethren is free of charge. What is not mentioned in the article is that the entrance faces the FDR highway and is very difficult to even view from Manhattan proper. The concept of this Costco mall relies heavily on cars and folks hauling freighter size bulk items to tiny apartments using those said vehicles. Does this scenario start to make sense anytime soon? Read more about it in Crains: LINK or check out our past articles on the mega mall that moved into the former Italian section of East Harlem: LINK. Photo by Ulysses.
I think the cost of parking is a major issue....I think the parking should cheaper if not free. The mall across the 145th st bridge in the Bronx also charges a lot for parking.
ReplyDeleteGet rid of the parking fees and more people will go to their stores. The thing is, you feel as if your being taken advantage of when your paying almost $5 for parking approx.40min.
totally agree -- the parking cost offsets the savings. They should negotiate credit for parking with the operator -- maybe a flat fee and a max time limit
ReplyDeleteSigned up recently with a membership and still can't quite get to grips with the location of the place. I feel like they are losing customer on two fronts. It is a real pain to get to if you don't have a car (and I would imagine the majority of people who shop there coming from Manhattan do not own a car). Those who do drive are penalized by the parking fees and whatever tolls they have to pay just to get into Manhattan. Decent set up with the car service though.
ReplyDeleteIf they're concerned about people abusing a "free" lot, why not validate parking at the store(s)?
ReplyDeleteThe Gateway Mall in the Bronx charges the same 2.50 per hour for parking also.It appears that all of these new inner city shopping areas charge for parking, which in my opinion is the Minority Tax we pay in some form or another..
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the above. I think if the Manhattan Costco is to survive it will need to have free parking at the very least. It can also do what IKEA has always done which is to provide free shuttle bus service (in addition to city buses)to the subways - in this case the #6 and the #2,3 on 116th Street. And if all else fails, it should temporarily suspend the membership fee so that people who are reluctant to join can try it out for a few months. (I live in Harlem and only went on the one day that they allowed AMEX cardholders to shop w/o a membership. I bought a few items but have not been back since.)
ReplyDeleteExcellent point about the free shuttle bus service.
ReplyDeleteI live 10 blocks away from this Costco. I think the validation recommendation has merit. I don't own a car but fellow members that do will try to park over by the high school.
ReplyDeleteAs for me. I bring my shopping cart and either walk there and back or take the bus.