Strip malls - especially the ones from the 50's/60's that mimic main streets - are actually much, much better than the recent commercial retail developments in MCC...
I hate big box and category killer-style developments with a passion. Power centres go against absolutely everything that a downtown should be.
Main street retail vs. those large commercial developments is debatable. Both have pros and cons.
The fact more are going up every year means they are successful. There may be some store turnover here and there, but the power centre stays and parking lots are crowded.
The trend for downtown is and will be more big box stores and mini-power centres..... more like mini-power blocks. That Best Buy/Canadian Tire combo at Bay/DUndas is a perfect example. Two large franchises eating up a corner by Eaton Centre. The stores are jam packed. The renovated Future Shop and Best Buy are pretty new and more mainstream grocery stores are opening. That's what happens when population density increases..... you attract the big players in retail. With all the new condos going up, this retail trend will continue. They won't have the huge suburban parking, but the store layouts and product selection will be all familiar.
Suburban power centres are different. You need space, you need parking, and many of those power centre stores or restuarants are not the kind that seems worth putting in expensive downtown real estate.
Is it good? Is it bad? Depends what you shop.
I know many people downtown who buy groceries strictly at mainstream stores like the huge Loblaws on Jarvis or Metros. At worst, they'll force themselves to buy stuff at Rabba or that Sobeys Express on Yonge. Someone mentioned to me a new Sobeys is opening near St Lawrence market (somewhere around there) and she can't wait. These friends hate all those small unique market stores of any kind. They enjoy downtown living and the partying and restaurants, but their shopping is mainly mainstream stores.
On the other hand, there are people I know who like buying their food at small independent stores, shop the trendy clothing stores and buy furniture at unique shops.
Which kind of stores will win out in the long run? Who knows. But I doubt those large franchise stores are going to stop or go away anytime soon.
Does it fit the downtown shopping stereotype? Maybe. Maybe not. For every independent store you find, you'll find the store next to it being a familiar franchise. But if more are coming downtown and they thrive as people support them, then why shouldn't it part of downtown?
