These days, Mom and Dad can finish their shopping, then stop for coffee and pastry while the kids finish their games or sports. There are probably many reasons for this change, ranging from the desire of retailers to hold potential customers in their stores for as long as possible, to the quality of life issues that seem to be so relevant to today's society. As my associate Peter Botsaris reports, retailers have always looked for the more densely-populated areas. It only makes sense that, as space becomes tight and competition increases, the retailer would join forces and combine their services and goods. Incidentally, we're seeing this emphasized in Staten Island.
Manhattan Let's face it, Manhattan is always the first to set the trend.
In Manhattan food, fashion shows and shopping are combined at the model-owned Fashion Cafe. Food is joined with the music of the 1950s for a nostalgic touch at The Motown Cafe. The All-Star Sports Cafe located next to the new Virgin Records superstore is a memorabilia trip extra extraordinary. The Smithaven Mall on Long Island has always had its movie theater, says Arnold Widelitz, but now its expanding to include a recreation center with a bowling alley, golf course and driving range. In Connecticut, Pat Smith, another associate says that Norwalk has some news.