Clothing retailer to open downtown; Chico’s arrival rekindles debate on chain store ban
NEWBURYPORT - Chico’s is moving into the downtown district, a move a local group says could help destroy the district’s character but others say could create more foot traffic - and business - for the district. The women’s clothing retailer will be located at 19 Water St., the former home of the Newburyport Lighting Co., said Ann Lagasse, who manages the property for Newburyport Waterside Group, which is owned by Stephen Karp.
Lagasse said that in the decades she has worked with Newburyport property, her goal has always been the same: to create a vibrant downtown district. She said that goal is not changing with bringing Chico’s into the city. “We’re excited. I think they are a quality retailer,” she said. “We’ve always tried to make the downtown a real shopping destination.
We believe a couple of these chains will be a plus and that they will create somewhat of a destination and bring foot traffic downtown.” Opposition reinvigorated The arrival of Chico’s is expected to relaunch a debate over banning chain stores from the downtown.
“Whatever product lines they bring in they are going to be in competition with existing businesses we have in town, for instance the Monkey’s Fist and the Elephant’s Trunk,” said Allyson Lawless, the founder of www.supportNBPT.org, the group that submitted a chain store ban ordinance to the City Council earlier this year.