Great Harvest Bread leaving 143rd: Give us our daily bread

The bleeding continues for retail strip mall dwellers in sojoco at the bermuda triangle of retailers hopes and dreams. The strip mall developments around 143rd and Metcalf continue to struggle. Anchor tenant Dillon's grocery pulled out some time ago and the aftermath has been rough.

In an area demographers would call can't miss based on home values, income, education, etc can't seem to find it's baseline for large or small tenants and we are the ones losing. Dinky and Coco's closed as well as the custard store. In the face of that and other's closing their doors the Great Harvest Bread Company announced it is pulling the plug on their southern most outpost and will retreat back to the north end of joco.

This is too bad. We'll miss them. My family bought at least 2 loaves a week from them. I loved the multi-grain bread there. It was so good. Sorry guys, we just can't eat anymore than that....They are always so nice. My kids loved going in there and getting a warm slice of fresh bread.

So what's the end game for this area's retail woes? Well, with the retail a little further down at 151st and Nall struggling to fill up, I'm not sure it gets better anytime soon. Maybe some payday loan operations and rent to own stores? Maybe an adult bookstore, massage parlor and finally a full fledged gentleman's club?

In talking to people who would know I understand that the Tanner's on the corner of 143rd and Metcalf is their best performer and I think the Lionsgate Wines and Spirits generally looks pretty busy. I've always said quality wins but then why would Great Harvest not make it?

Rumors have persisted about what will take the place of Dillon's and certainly that space will hold the key to the future. We've heard Whole Foods or even a Trader Joe's. Either would be great although I'm not sure we need another grocer. Trader Joe's would awesome.

Anyway, if you loved Great Harvest like we did you'll have to either make a special trip north of I435 or go back to buying crap bread at Price Chopper again.