Khamm·net

With Borders closing on Mill Ave, Downtown Tempe is losing more of what little it had to offer. While there are many people out there happy to see it go, I am not just yet. It is leaving behind a wake of empty spaces on Mill as it goes. I would love it if Downtown Tempe finally got a grocery store, and what an almost perfect spot. Whole Foods had been opening larger and larger stores in the early 2000′s but they realized how these stores underperformed their smaller predecessors and they have recently switched to designing smaller new stores. The space Boarders leaves is 25,000 square feet, the same size as the Whole Foods planned to go in 690 Stanyan in San Fransisco. The only problem I can think of off the top of my head is parking and delivery. Border’s loading dock is currently a lot smaller than would be needed for a grocery store. Also there is no ample parking within sight, however there is an empty lot across Seventh St that could be turned into a small parking lot… maybe 40 spaces?

Anyway it’s just a shame that Downtown Tempe has lost so much of it’s potential and character during my time in the valley.