To the editor:
Re: "Art gallery moves east after 25 years," July 4.
It is unfortunate that your reporter didn't fact check before he wrote his article regarding the departure of Equinox Gallery. These are the facts:
From September 2007 to August 2008, South Granville lost 26 out of 183 retail businesses. From September 2011 to July 1, 2012, we lost 18 out of 183. Out of the 18, 16 were what I consider "independents."
2007-2008 was probably the worst year for turnover since 2000, when I began tracking the data. On average, we see about 10 per cent of businesses leave for a variety of reasons-retirement, bad management, global economic pressures, changing demographics or styles, or the business model simply no longer fits the neighbourhood (another way of saying the business has not grown sufficiently over the course of its lease to absorb new market rental rates).
We currently have 11 shops for lease or just over six per cent. According to commercial real estate experts, that is considered healthy. In 2007, South Granville had 17 art galleries. As of September 2012, we will have 15. While I have huge admiration for Andy Sylvester and his gallery, it is also true that Equinox Gallery has never participated or responded to any neighbourhood initiative in 12 years. I find his endearment to the neighbourhood perplexing. As an example, Equinox chose not to participate in the most recent June 23 ArtWalk involving 15 galleries. Some galleries reported 800 people through their galleries in seven hours. Additional information: excluding banks. In 2007, South Granville had 43 national chains (multi province or international). In 2012, SG has 43 national chains-five of them located north of Broadway. In 2007, there were four.
In most cases, our current national chains have replaced other national chains. Social media feedback would suggest these were all welcomed improvements. Are high profile nationals good for neighbourhood profile and walkby traffic? You be the judge. The nationals locate themselves carefully and bring with them huge marketing budgets. The spin off for savvy independents is beyond anything they could afford.
Make no mistake, the cost of doing business in South Granville is high and it requires talent, attention to detail and nerves of steel to make a go of it.
By all indications, South Granville continues to flourish and is considered to have some of the best shopping in the city.
Sharon Townsend, South Granville BIA
