Causes of the changes in the location of retail establishments in downtown Wilmington, Delaware between 1955 and 1963
Date
1965
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Between 1955 and 1963, 462 retailers were involved in changes in the location of retail establishments in downtown Wilmington. During this period, ninety-seven fewer outlets were opened then were removed. Store removals outnumbered new openings and expansions in all sections of the downtown area. Nevertheless the retail center has been shifting toward the office District in the section between Eighth Street and the Brandywine Creek. During the 1955 to 1963 period, over one-half of the total net store loss occurred in the section from Fourth Street to Front Street at the opposite end of the downtown area. ☐ The loss of retail stores that downtown Wilmington experienced was not confined to certain categories of retail outlets. Although some specific types of stores within certain categories increased, the number of stores in all general categories of retailing declined. Removals in the food, clothing, and hardware categories accounted for over fifty percent of the loss. ☐ As conditions which affect the profit potential of a retail area change, the pattern of retail location is altered. During the decade between 1950 and 1960, the population of the city of Wilmington decreased by over thirteen percent while, in the surrounding suburban areas, population nearly doubled. During this same decade, median family income outside the city increased twice as rapidly as that of families living in the city. These changes prompted many retailers to locate their establishments in suburban areas. By 1963, shopping centers had been built along every major thoroughfare leading from the suburbs to the downtown area. These new centers have reduced substantially the flow of suburban consumer traffic coming into downtown Wilmington. ☐ Problems which exist downtown impede the ability of center-city retailers to compete with merchants located in non-core shopping districts. At most suburban shopping centers, these problems have not been encountered. ☐ Foremost among the problems faced by downtown merchants is the provision of enough parking spaces for shoppers. At most suburban retail centers, the number of parking spaces per store far exceeds the number provided downtown. Although off street spaces were increased by approximately sixty percent between 1955 and 1963, the problem still continues unabated because of the increased use of the automobile for shopping and a growth in downtown employment. Many merchants removed their establishments from the downtown area because of the lack of parking spaces. ☐ In addition to the parking problem, the ability of the downtown merchants to compete has been reduced substantially by blight in and around the downtown area and by traffic congestion. These conditions, also, caused store removals. ☐ During the present decade, retail outlets and shopping centers will increase in suburban areas. Downtown retailers will be opposed by a large number of competitors. Before 1970, ever, the removal of population from the city is expected to cease, and city population should begin to grow. Construction of two large, private office buildings and a civic center should be completed by this time. This new construction will benefit retailers by assuring a larger downtown workforce and by improving the appearance of the downtown area. If the problems of traffic congestion and parking are removed, net store removals will be halted by 1970.