Booming Brooklyn Still Carries Bad Retail Reputation

Although the most-populous borough, many experts believe Brooklyn is significantly "under-stored" as national chains, familiar with suburban settings, have shied away from the area's density and reputation for crime. This perception - based on outdated ideas about race and socio-economic status - has proven difficult for local leaders to change despite rapid gentrification. Big-box retailers, rather than adapt their sprawling single-story buildings to fit the denser neighborhoods, simply pass on the opportunity. With the opening of the Atlantic Terminal mall, a new era of Brooklyn retail begins.