Reverse Gentrification

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According to the Shophound, the arrival of Burberry Brit on Bleecker Street might actually symbolize the downscaling of the neighborhood: "Crain's describes the ejection of Les Pierre as a result of ongoing gentrification, but really, isn't an exclusive boutique specializing in expensive French country antiques actually more upscale than yet another shop devoted to Burberry's contemporary priced sportswear line? If anything, with all the chains and brands that have transformed it, what has happened to Bleecker street is a sort of anti-gentrification. The rents are certainly higher, but many of the stores (Sunglass Hut?) are far less interesting and exclusive that what they replaced, to say the least." [The Shophound]