Probably a good indication of the retail strength of an area is the state of its storefronts. Considering conditions of only the sex and fetish shops in the West Village (all except one along the retail corridor of Christopher Street) one would say the area is in downfall.
Apparently Badlands has gone through a name change, but not all of the signs have been changed. London has lost an "o". The innovative and provocative windows of The Leatherman have mellowed. (And in contrast, Harmony seems to have become a graffiti free zone.)
Downfall is not what is happening though. It is more reflective of transitions occurring to the area. (Not pictured are the new teahouses and baby goods and clothing stores.) Gentrification is not the only reason for these changes. The Internet provides what many of these stores once did. Soon Christopher Street will be indistinguisable to any other West Village shopping street.
MOre: This just in ... CondoMania has closed!
