News Article: Hurricanes Extend Lease at PNC Arena for Five Years

[Borsig]

All arena merch shops I think are on game day

 

[tarheelhockey]

All arena merch shops I think are on game day

True, they're inevitably going to get swarmed. I think the main things you can do to mitigate the issue are:

1) Make the store physically bigger, of course. Recognizing that much like expanding a highway, it will just attract more people and eventually end up re-congested.

2) Locate a store outside the arena OR add some sort of alternative like pop-up kiosks outside. This is more like building an alternate route which re-distributes the traffic and relieves congestion.

3) Break things up a bit. Fair to say the mini-Eyes scattered around the arena are basically just shitty versions of the main store, and rarely crowded. Those could be utilized better, especially to serve buyers who are shopping with a specific purpose. For example, put a "Lidz" type store on one side of the arena for people who just want to shop the hat selection, a jersey-specific store on the other side. I think they have already started to move in that direction recently. I would suggest a specific store for rolling out brand-new releases, so people don't keep diving back into the main store just to scan around for new tshirt or hat designs. All of these demographics can be better served by going to a specialty kiosk or mini-Eye.


edit: the tricky thing about #3 is that you still need to have all the new merch/hats/jerseys inside the main store, because the main store is the only thing that stays open during regular business hours. This is another argument for having a larger store outside the arena, and using smaller shops/kiosks on the interior.

 

[ONO94]

I like the idea of additional, temporary space set up outside on game days. Going to Fenway a few years back, they had closed off Yawkey? and made you show your ticket to enter. Once inside, you had access to food and merch vendors and could go into and out of the stadium and it was a big (money making) street party. The Canes have the courtyard area out front already that is tailor made or they could deck over the player entrance out back and use that.

 

[DaveG]

They already somewhat do option 3 there: on the main floor concourse the Eye site on the opposite side of the building is primarily jerseys-only. They do carry a few shirts but that is basically the location you need to go to if you want to get a jersey of any sort, especially a personalized one. I do like the idea of taking one of the mini locations on the concourse and making that a lidz type location, would help spread things out even more.

They did try the external location for The Eye at one point at Crabtree IIRC. Don't recall that going as well as it probably should have. Setting up popup booths outside the arena is probably the one approach that I don't think I've seen them take yet that just doesn't make sense that they haven't. Every college FB game that I've been to uses that approach. And as ONO just pointed out it's viable for pro sports as well.

 

[tarheelhockey]

They already somewhat do option 3 there: on the main floor concourse the Eye site on the opposite side of the building is primarily jerseys-only. They do carry a few shirts but that is basically the location you need to go to if you want to get a jersey of any sort, especially a personalized one. I do like the idea of taking one of the mini locations on the concourse and making that a lidz type location, would help spread things out even more.

Yeah, the jersey store is a really smart move. If you're about to drop $350 on a custom-lettered jersey, that should be a somewhat well-catered experience. The main store is not the right environment for that. Even just buying one off the rack, you're standing there watching kids rub greasy hands over the one you've got your eye on. It's just not a good way to sell the product. The standalone store allows for a more "special" feel, including actual staff attention. That's enough to get someone to drop $$$ if they're kind of on the fence about it.

They did try the external location for The Eye at one point at Crabtree IIRC. Don't recall that going as well as it probably should have.

I remember that. IIRC it was deserted most of the time, even when the Canes were in that 2002-09 phase. I would have thought it would work out better, but I guess mall crowds just aren't the right audience? Guess they should have learned from the Whalers...

 

[raynman]

Yeah, the jersey store is a really smart move. If you're about to drop $350 on a custom-lettered jersey, that should be a somewhat well-catered experience. The main store is not the right environment for that. Even just buying one off the rack, you're standing there watching kids rub greasy hands over the one you've got your eye on. It's just not a good way to sell the product. The standalone store allows for a more "special" feel, including actual staff attention. That's enough to get someone to drop $$$ if they're kind of on the fence about it.



I remember that. IIRC it was deserted most of the time, even when the Canes were in that 2002-09 phase. I would have thought it would work out better, but I guess mall crowds just aren't the right audience? Guess they should have learned from the Whalers...

People go to the mall still?

 

[cptjeff]

People go to the mall still?

What's a mall?

 

[raynman]

What's a mall?

Pall Malls? The cigarettes?

 

[tarheelhockey]

People go to the mall still?

Crabtree is still doing pretty well. I actually get a little nostalgia kick from walking around a mall that's still busy and thriving.

 

[raynman]

Crabtree is still doing pretty well. I actually get a little nostalgia kick from walking around a mall that's still busy and thriving.

I was just half joking, I know in higher population areas they’re probably still doing well enough. Down here the only reason to go is Buffalo Wild Wings it seems

 

[tarheelhockey]

I was just half joking, I know in higher population areas they’re probably still doing well enough. Down here the only reason to go is Buffalo Wild Wings it seems

I think the upscale ones have stayed afloat. I haven’t been to SouthPark (Charlotte) in ages but I assume it’s probably doing fine. The more working-class ones are dead or dying from what I can tell.

 

[SvechneJerk]

RIP Cary Towne Center.

Spent a whoooole lot of time at (when it was) Cary Village Mall back in the day. In my early teens, I pumped an endless amount of quarters at the arcade that was at the main entrance back then. Walked up there all the time since we lived so close. Going to the mall was just part of the social experience for so long. It's weird now watching them slowly fade into oblivion.

 

[Chrispy]

I think the upscale ones have stayed afloat. I haven’t been to SouthPark (Charlotte) in ages but I assume it’s probably doing fine. The more working-class ones are dead or dying from what I can tell.

Southpoint has survived, Triangle Town has not. Crabtree I don’t get surviving. Terrible traffic, worse location due to flooding, most of the stores that interested me have now left. Nevertheless, it persists.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Southpoint has survived, Triangle Town has not. Crabtree I don’t get surviving. Terrible traffic, worse location due to flooding, most of the stores that interested me have now left. Nevertheless, it persists.

It’s simply that it’s upscale. A bunch of expensive stores have their only Raleigh location there. Apple Store, Lego Store, Brooks Brothers, Abercrombie, North Face, etc. And several others that have only maybe 1 other location nearby. As long as those are all clustered in the same place, there will be a critical mass of upscale shoppers for other stores and restaurants to feed off of. Funny enough, those stores now serve as an “anchor” for what used to be the big department store anchors, like Belk and Macy’s. That’s a lot of people spending hundreds/thousands per shopping trip. That allows them to have high rent and keep the mall looking nice and clean and safe. It becomes a momentum thing.

If the big attractions like Apple ever leave, the whole mall will likely follow suit. Rent drops, the place starts feeling dingy, the second-tier stores close and get replaced with crap (or not replaced at all), people no longer feel like it’s trendy or even safe, you get a “grittier” clientele in the few remaining stores, and the death spiral ensues. That’s happened to pretty much every other traditional mall in the area. SouthPoint might hang on, but even that one could turn on a dime the way Northlake Mall did in Charlotte.

 

[Svechhammer]

Members of the Centennial Authority, the arena landlord, received an in-depth report on proposals for the extensive project, which authority chairman Philip Isley would like to move along as swiftly as possible.

The report to the authority’s building and construction committee centered on proposal prioritization and again emphasized the need for a consensus on the individual project concepts by the major stakeholders – the authority, Carolina Hurricanes (Gale Force Sports & Entertainment), N.C. State and the “political partners.”

Among the upgrades for the arena that were proposed by Ratio/HOK are an expanded entry lobby at the south end -- a “grand entrance” -- with space for a 4,000 square foot sportsbook; and a rooftop bar with a “view terrace” on the upper level at the south end facing Carter-Finley Stadium.

Other proposals include: new office space at the north end of the arena; an updated exterior with digital signage; bars on the main concourse that overlook the playing surface; and premium clubs under the stands at the arena level and the main concourse.

 

[Chan790]

I was just half joking, I know in higher population areas they’re probably still doing well enough. Down here the only reason to go is Buffalo Wild Wings it seems

Is there a reason to go to BWW? Last time I went, the wings were average quality and 3x the price per wing of the dive bar across the street which had much better wings.

That's been my experience everywhere, not just in Upstate NY.

 

[raynman]

Is there a reason to go to BWW? Last time I went, the wings were average quality and 3x the price per wing of the dive bar across the street which had much better wings.

That's been my experience everywhere, not just in Upstate NY.

I personally don’t go but where I live everything is closed by 9 aside from pizza delivery

 

[Chan790]

I personally don’t go but where I live everything is closed by 9 aside from pizza delivery

I can sympathize. Everything here seems to close by 8pm when the University is out for summer break.

 

[DaveG]

Is there a reason to go to BWW? Last time I went, the wings were average quality and 3x the price per wing of the dive bar across the street which had much better wings.

That's been my experience everywhere, not just in Upstate NY.

Honestly no idea since I make better wings in the air fryer, but I think some people just like the consistency even if the quality is kinda shit anymore.

I'm trying to remember the dive bar in Morgantown I used to go to for wings but that place absolutely killed it. There's a couple good places here in Winston as well though not that cheap unfortunately.

 

[NotOpie]

Is there a reason to go to BWW? Last time I went, the wings were average quality and 3x the price per wing of the dive bar across the street which had much better wings.

That's been my experience everywhere, not just in Upstate NY.

In my experience, dive bar and/or hole-in-the-wall food is always better than the fern bar chains

 

[Bub]

Crabtree is still doing pretty well. I actually get a little nostalgia kick from walking around a mall that's still busy and thriving.

Good to hear. Used to live about a 1/2 mile from there and would sometimes walk there on the Greenway trail behind our apartment.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Is there a reason to go to BWW? Last time I went, the wings were average quality and 3x the price per wing of the dive bar across the street which had much better wings.

That's been my experience everywhere, not just in Upstate NY.

The life cycle of BWW makes a lot more sense if you know that BWW was acquired by the company that runs Arby's in 2017.

Prior to the acquisition, BWW legitimately was a good guys-night-out option, especially if you didn't have some legendary local dive nearby. The wings were solid, the menu was pretty well put together, and the atmosphere felt like a sports bar should feel.

I noticed around the time of the acquisition (without realizing what was happening) that they switched from Coke products to Pepsi products, changed the menu to sell wings by weight instead of number of wings, and soon thereafter dropped key items like Buffalitos from the menu.

The last... let's say five times I have been to a BWW, the place has been depressingly empty, the wings are noticeably smaller and not as good as they used to be, and the menu kind of sucks. A couple of times, the service has been outright terrible and the restaurant dirty or in disrepair. It very much feels like the kind of corporate, soulless, "why would anyone eat here voluntarily" experience that you get at an Arby's or Long John Silver's. I'm fine with it because there are other/better options in the Triangle, but it really sucks for smaller towns where BWW was the one good local sports bar.

 

[NotOpie]

I'm fine with it because there are other/better options in the Triangle, but it really sucks for smaller towns where BWW was the one good local sports bar.

Some of the best wings that I've had in the Triangle are at Heavenly Buffaloes in Durham. Little takeout place on Markham between Broad and Iredell. I think the guy the guy that owns Dains Place on Ninth Street started it.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

apex wings #1 wing place with best sauces don't @ me

 

[Navin R Slavin]

why would we @ you no one is going to @ you