Zappos Downtown...

Zappos is in the news moving office downtown. Question: will/does Zappos sell out of its complex downtown?

 

I'm not sure what you mean? "Sell out of its complex?" I'm not aware of any intent to have like a retail outlet or store-front, if that's what you mean. I swear by these folks... I can order shoes on Tuesday and sometimes they arrive on Wednesday, but for sure on Thursday!!! To be fair, I'm in Northern Nevada, but that's pretty damn efficient.

 

Zappo's is the absolute bomb! Their delivery is so fast I swear they have elves in every town.

 

I got $1,000.00 in gifts cards from the Cosmo promo last year.
Still have most left. I've tried to order some stuff and yes it comes
Super quick. However, buying shoes online doesn't work for me.
I have to send everything back like 3 times get the right fit.
They are awesome with returns/exchanges, just not my thing.

Does it really matter if the HQ is is in downtown vegas or the
The backwoods of kentucky ? It's cool I guess but what good
Does it do for any of us?

 

With regards to buying shoes "online", I absolutely agree... I always buy my first pair of something locally to be fit properly, but then just reorder from Zappos. It's become far more convenient for me. I tried so hard to support a local Fleet Feet store, but they never were able to keep a decent inventory, so when I'd go back, I have to wait a week to 10 days for the shoes... that's how I found Zappos. Instead of 2 trips and 10 days, I spend 5 minutes on their site and in many cases get them the following day.

On what "Zappos being downtown does for any of us?" On the shoe front... nothing... but their commitment to downtown Las Vegas puts up to 2,000 employees in the old City Hall building that they (Amazon) spent I think $60 million renovating. IMHO, that building could've sat empty for quite some time and their employees should be spending a chuck of change in the downtown area on food, drinks, etc. I sincerely believe that oughtta help merchants thrive, which will make for a much better downtown "experience" for all of us who visit. For what they do, these employees are pretty well paid and many are actually moving to some of the downtown high-rises... again, more people walking around the area with money in their pocket = a more vibrant downtown.

Two schools of thought on the crime... more money downtown= more opportunity for the riff-raff to thrive OR a more vibrant downtown pushes them a little further out on the fringe. Jury's still out on that one.

 

Thanks for posting the link---always nice to see new life in DT area.

 

Did I miss something here?

Anyways, Zappos is building that new Recycle Park, or whatever it's called downtown. I remember reading about this awhile back. It's supposed to help revitalize Fremont and Fremont East.
Hard to believe they would leave and back out of this awesome project.

 

I didn't think about it that way, thanks for clearing that up. Would absolutely make sense that an operation such as Zappos would contribute nicely to the local economy and residents.

 

What exactly is Zappos? I have never heard of them. Perhaps the last to know. Is it a company like Amazon.com?

Jimbo338

 

I'm no expert (when has that ever stopped me from offering my opinion), but Zappo's is kinda a success story around these parts. Perhaps they have a history on their website, but my understanding is their owner Tony H. is kind of a techy type guy outta the Bay Area. I'm guessin' he's early 30's or so. He moved to Henderson sometime ago with Zappo's. I buy shoes, but they offer a lot more. I called them the first time and their phone experience is incredible... people are very friendly, speak English... WELL!... and just really customer oriented.

Anyways, Tony H. at some point sells the business to Amazon and makes a ton of money, but stays on as CEO of the venture, but now he's got Amazon's pockets to expand and grow. He really misses the sense of community that say a San Francisco has and is determined to try to build that in Las Vegas.

He negotiates with a local developer to buy the old City Hall downtown and he (Tony H.) and Amazon will lease it long-term. They just opened the building Monday and are putting their staff in. He's invested heavily in downtown over the past few years and is taking his fortune and attempting top create a vibrant area in downtown that people will want walk, shop and live. He's putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak. He's got a book out that I'm told is very good... I've just only seen him interviewed a lot.

Skeptics say it's "just a bunch of hipsters with money trying to turn downtown into what they want." Some local businesses, like the sandwich shop across from the El Cortez, have been forced out due to increasing rents and other speculators buying up property in the area and looking to profit from all the anticipated increased activity.

I'm just happy to see construction and improvements in the area. The homeless and "ner-do wells", no longer seem in charge in that area and things are really just getting started.

There's a lot more to the story and nit pickers may quarrel with my time line a bit, but that's a Reader's Digest version I think.

 

Zappos

Zappos is now owned by Amazon, but Tony Hsieh still runs it. He lives in The Ogden, the high-rise condo project that is just northwest of El Cortez. My wife and I have spotted him a couple of times in East Fremont during our trips the past year. We talked with him briefly one time. He had a rather large "posse" that moved in to screen us out after a few moments.

They used to offer a free tour of their headquarters in Henderson, which we took last year. They came and picked us up at the Plaza and brought us back. We signed up for the tour online. No charge, but we tipped the driver $5 each way. He said it wasn't necessary, but appreciated it. They definitely don't run things like any company I've ever worked for - a heavy bias toward twenty-somethings and a "fun" atmosphere. Goofy themes and decor are the norm throughout.

My wife has always been a Zappos fan, and their free shipping and returns policy is nice given how hard it is to know if shoes bought online will fit. Their "bargain" site is 6pm.com. It has cheaper prices, but charges for shipping and returns. They have no inventory at their headquarters. Fulfillment is from warehouses elsewhere.

There seems to be a range of opinions about Hsieh's influence downtown. I'm for anything that spreads the "safe zone" and adds more flavor. He doesn't appear to be the gaming type, so one thing I see happening is that all his purchases to the east and north of Fremont will constrain anything casino-related. Good thing the Downtown Grand happened when it did!

 

Be nice to see a Zappos internet cafe with next day delivery to your hotel. Maybe a little Zappos experience store downtown showing you what they do and how they do it along with exhibits on their commitment to social responsibility, environment, etc.