March 10, 2016
A few decades ago, Northwest 13th Street was considered Gainesville’s premier retail district. The city’s original mall was situated on 13th Street near Northwest 23rd Avenue. When Oaks Mall opened on Newberry Road, however, shoppers migrated to that side of town, as well as to the growing Archer Road area, which continues to develop and expand at an ever-increasing pace. There was a bit of a lull for retail on 13th Street, until recently.
A stronger than expected market for retail remains here, and within the past 18 months, large chain retailers have moved in, including Burlington Factory Outlet and Ross Dress for Less, both of which are discount clothing stores, and smaller independent retailers are moving in, as well.
Gainesville residents are looking for an alternative to the mall and Archer Road, and 13th Street is filling the need. It started to pick up the pace ten years ago when small storefronts took over the old Pick n’ Save grocery store and movie theater that closed when Oaks Mall moved in to town. After a few small shops moved in, a Planet Fitness followed suit, creating more of a draw to the area and more of an attraction for retail there. Lucky’s, an independent grocery market, recently moved in and has been wildly successful. The more shops that occupy 13th Street, the more retailers want to be there.
There is now a Chipotle, a hair salon and a mattress store on the strip, as well as a commercial space referred to as “The Square," which is currently home to an ice cream parlor and a nail salon, with hopes to have restaurant there soon.
For more information on the burgeoning Northwest13th Street, check out the article at gainesvillebizreport.com.
