It’s always gratifying to read about someone who “gets it” when it comes to neighborhood retail. Boutique owner Kristin Wild gets it at age 24. She seems to know that the right merchandise and the right location are keys to the success of her clothing store, Atticus, in downtown Madison near the University of Wisconsin.

A recent article on Madison.com tells how Wild recognized that retail was all that was missing from the city’s downtown, which has seen a boom in urban housing in recent years. As a former buyer, she jumped at the chance to take over the space vacated by a bookstore that was relocating. She found the right mix of casual designer clothes and had her sister design pedestrian-stopping displays in the two large storefront windows. Look at the photos to see how appealing the store is for the youngish shoppers Wild attracts.

Not surprisingly, Wild carries a good amount of eco-friendly “green” items made from organic cotton. Surprisingly, the article cites a study that Wal-Mart “is the biggest buyer of certified organic cotton, but many emerging designers are using it, too…(The study) estimates that the market for green apparel will grow from $3.05 billion in 2007 to $4.18 billion this year.” With so many green-conscious university students nearby, Wild should have an easy time selling her hip apparel.

As I’ve said before, rejuvenated downtowns are a great place for retailers to get their start, or for existing ones to expand. The Main Street business district of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is another good example. Coincidentally, it also is near a large university. This article on mlive.com is about how a renovated building should help draw more students, faculty and staff from the University of Michigan to the downtown area. Keep your eye out for stories like these. You should be among the first to know when opportunities arise for relocation or expansion.

Think green. Think downtown. Those who do will have a good shot at keeping the green rolling in at the POS…