"There are some great businesses there now to shop but they are separated by many empty store fronts. The empty locations are in terrible condition in many cases (broken windows, junk everywhere), that just doesn't make for a pleasant shopping experience. The run down locations contributes to a feeling that the area is not safe. The avenue is not a place to take a nice leisurely stroll, have a cup of coffee, visit some shops, have lunch at a cafe and just relax and enjoy a beautiful afternoon. When we want to do that we go to ferndale, royal oak or downtown. There are more options there and it is clean and safe. My family would love to see a microbrewery, some restaurants with patios, maybe a home goods/kitchen store that also offers cooking lessons/demonstrations (Isabella's Copper Pot in Gaylord Mi would be a good example and is very successful in a small town) and some more clothing/shoe stores to go with avenue of fashion theme. And maybe a fabric store - fabrics and some craft supplies are pretty much the only thing I need to leave the city to buy now."

---