Retail has become one of the most talked about topics in Downtown Phoenix.

As our neighborhood continues to grow, welcoming new residents, employers, students, and visitors, so does the desire for more places to shop. But what a thriving urban retail district looks like today is more nuanced than it may seem, prompting Downtown Phoenix—and many cities across the country—to rethink what constitutes its success.

One of the city’s oldest buildings, the original home of the Phoenix Bakery, remains in immaculate condition. Unfortunately, there’s no irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from the bakery these days, but Downtown Phoenix residents can still enjoy its ambiance in other ways.

Public transportation systems are vital to cities all over the world, and have become iconic urban arteries that shape their cities’ unique personality. Phoenix is no exception. The Valley’s light rail system is an essential  and historic part of the Valley, which provides affordable accessibility to residents and visitors.