Comments on: The State of… Upper Princess (Part 3 of 3)

By: Harvey Kirkpatrick

Harvey Kirkpatrick — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:13:50 +0000

Just an update on Inside Out. They had announced at least a month ago that they intended to move. We speculated with the owner that they might be destined for a downtown location, and suggested that Modern Fuel would be a great, albeit expanded space for them. In the end, they moved to 842 Fortune Crescent, which is on the doorstep of the Invista Centre. A sad loss for the downtown…and I'm anxious to see if they are able to make a go of it in their new location.

By: Stumack

Stumack — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:13:32 +0000

I'm a Kingston native who moved away in 1989. I don't get down too much now, but I was there last June, and this stretch of Princess was an absolutely depressing sight. "Upper Princess" had its own role in the community, which was as the strip for auto dealers, gas stations and some of the early fast food places. Many of the new car dealers were here up until the early '70s (the Keg property was the site of University Pontiac Buick until about 1972 for example). I remember it as a busy, active area. I don't know what the solution is, but it's very sad.

By: Flying_Monkey

Flying_Monkey — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:28:37 +0000

Green Tray looks so up-market in comparison to everything else round there, you've got to suspect it's a front operation for something… (only joking).

By: RyanT

RyanT — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:56:40 +0000

A lot of redevelopment needs to happen to Princess between Division and Bath road.

I am not sure there is a need for so many commercial properties along this route, since the proper downtown core has expanded slightly, leaving little demand for store fronts in this unusual stretch. I think apartments would be the smarter way to go, as there is never any difficulty leasing them with all the students and professionals looking to be close to the downtown core. Apartment buildings (Princess towers excepted) are usually easy on the eyes too. Basically more of what they did with Cec's Chinese restaurant would be ideal – knock down a derelict looking old building and put up a 4-5 floor apartment building, with a single store front at ground level (chez t's in this case), if any at all. Again, they did the same thing at the corner of Barrie and Queen, it was a vacant car lot, and they put up a decent looking apartment building. It's a good direction, but unlikely to happen.

By: rgsc

rgsc — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:22:25 +0000

I just noticed Green Tray for the first time the other day. (Izumo as well). I'm curious to hear what it is like so hopefully you'll have a chance to review it, Harvey.

By: laura_carter

laura_carter — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:02:03 +0000

That's Inside & Out (http://www.inside-and-out.ca) and I cannot say enough good things about them. We bought a couch there a year ago and the service is fantastic. But I agree, those windows could use more frequent cleaning. In their defense, I think it's pretty difficult this time of year, with all the sand and salt used on the roads, and their store being very close to the street.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:38:50 +0000

The upper portion of Princess has become something resembling a ghost town…Its like once you cross Division your in a different city. Hopefully some enterprising entrepeneurs will see the potential of all those empty store fronts and empty lots and do something with them. The city could even potentially take some of those empty lots and make them into green areas…Small parks or patios for people to sit and enjoy. that would at least improve the look of the street. Unfortunately in this current economy people are not so keen on taking risks.

By: Leif Gruenwoldt

Leif Gruenwoldt — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:24:01 +0000

Been there a few years, but that furniture store across from Holy Chow is a nice addition to an otherwise bleek neighbourhood. I went in there last summer and they had some nice stuff that was priced on par with Brick, Leons, etc. They might get some more business though if they cleaned the dirt off their windows. Nothing says "new couch" like mud.

By: La Gourmandesse

La Gourmandesse — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:23:55 +0000

In the 4 years I have lived in Kingston, I've always found this stretch of road a bit on the depressing side. Reflecting about what has been bulldozed or moved in the last few years, things are definitely the worst I have seen them.

It really needs a mass re-development, because I agree with Harvey……which exciting new stores are going to take up residence there on their own? Quite the gamble, even with cheaper rent than lower Princess.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:21:50 +0000

The empty lot where the Keg (and Biggs before that) was at one point planned to be home to an apartment building geared towards students. I believe it was planned to be an 8 story building with mostly 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. I lived across the street when the empty building burned down and hoped it meant the new building was one step closer to reality… unfortunately that was about 6 years ago and there has been no progress or mention of this project.