University Plaza strives to compete with downtown expansions

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Video by Jen Bellissimo

Story by Drew Parker

Over the past few years, area residents have witnessed an evolution of downtown Kent. With this fall’s esplanade extension, members and students alike have quick access to new restaurants, bars, and retail spots, causing other retail areas, like University Plaza to fall behind.

 Linda Benedict, owner of Four Seasons, a trophy shop in the plaza, was forced to relocate from a retail space in downtown Kent last year for a new retailer to move in. 

  “I have less exposure than I did downtown but the move has been good for many of my customers,” Benedict said. “So many of my customers had to drive around the block 15 times to park downtown and get to my store and this spot works out better for them,” Benedict said.

 Benedict said she believes support from the city of Kent could help the plaza succeed.

  “The move hasn’t hurt me because I have a very unique store, but many businesses wouldn’t survive here,” Benedict said. “The plaza owners can’t fix this on their own. They need backing and promotion so that this area doesn’t die.”

  Brian Carnes, owner of Death Starr Lounge & Tattoos, brought his shop to the plaza two years ago after doing tattoos in Canton for over 20 years. Carnes said he feels that many tattoo shops in town are ignored simply because they aren’t within walking distance of the university.

 “I drive downtown on a regular basis and it makes me sad. I know we have a top-notch place and we could do very well downtown with the way we handle our business. I kind of regret coming down to this part of town, but there was nothing left in the downtown area,” Carnes said.  “My main artist has to beat the streets for business. There are no walk-ins here.”

  Although plaza business has been rough, Carnes plans to update his shop to appeal to a larger audience. This fall, Carnes will be adding a café to his tattoo and smoke shop, and strives to find ways to work with other plaza businesses.

 “Some good things are coming,” Carnes said. “Everyone working here in the plaza is like family and we all talk and try to come up with strategies such like plaza days and taking advantage of $5 movie Mondays at the theater.”

  City of Kent economic developer Dan Smith said that the downtown revitalization has been a multi-million dollar effort over a  5-year span, with 50 grand openings in the past 48 months.

 Smith said even though other retail areas of Kent may be struggling, downtown updates are actually helping them.

  “The tide is rising for everybody. There are areas of town like the plaza that need renovation,” Smith said. “With 50 grand openings in the central business district there are far less storefronts available. So we’re seeing interests in the university and Top’s plazas.”

  Smith said that he has noticed some interest in the plaza from retailers due to its affordability.

“The university plaza seems to be one of the areas that has continued to say stagnant but we are seeing a lot of proposals now that the downtown area is filled up,” Smith said.