It’s a year since the Cours Sextius was so suddenly closed to traffic: the inhabitants of numbers 90-98 were given just half an hour to collect what belongings they could, and leave their homes which were in danger of imminent collapse.
Since then, traffic and bus-routes have been redirected and the unlucky home-owners have had to face the dual reality of having extensive works carried out and finding the money to pay for it. Neighbouring businesses have suffered too from the lack of passing trade – for instance, the nice boulangerie on the corner of rue Cordeliers has closed. Indeed as La Provence has pointed out, the whole road has an abandoned feel, especially given the re-paving and replanting going on elsewhere. Apparently there are no plans to renovate it and there is still no firm date for the houses to be safe enough for their owners to return. ‘Spring’ is the latest word.
Meanwhile, the commercial and aesthetic health of the Cours Mirabeau has been giving cause for concern. At a meeting of the juges consulaire du tribunal de commerce, which took place last week, concern was raised about the number of businesses closing. They also commented on the trend, here and elsewhere, for expensive brands to take premises, not to contain staff and stock, but to act as a shop-window for their online operation.
‘Est-ce qu’ apres-demain nous aurons un Mirabeauland?’ they asked. Will it become a ‘village des marques’?
The closure of the Librarie de Provence was singled out as a major setback, followed of course by the destruction of the Deux Garcons, now under criminal investigation. No-one seems to know when it will re-open – the discussion is in numbers of years – or what form it will take. Will it be re-created as it was? Or as something else? Good to see Pizza Capri back in business but it’s somewhat obscured by the hoardings shielding the burnt-out building and its sales have dropped dramatically.
At the weekend, the independent shoe-shop Silvy (number 57) announced its closure with the retirement of its owner. His father had opened the shop in 1954: it had shod some famous feet in its time, but internet purchases have proved too much competition.
The fast-food store Quick has been empty for a good year now, beset by wrangles over the use of the courtyard where the kitchen had been installed. According to La Provence, it could become a Starbucks.
Headaches for Aix for sure, but a situation shared by so many other town centres. At least, blessed with 300+ days of sunshine a year, the café terraces and markets prosper.
Background plus excellent photo here: https://www.laprovence.com/article/edition-aix-pays-daix/5871583/cours-mirabeau-de-voie-royale-a-voie-banale.html
A Starbucks on the Cours Mirabeau! Say it isn’t so…Oh my these changes break my heart.
Still speculation but whoever owns the former Quick premises must need a tenant. But It does sound like the town authorities are concerned about the cours- it’s one of France’s most beautiful thoroughfares after all. I’d be surprised if a global franchise would be acceptable….let’s see!