Transforming Retail in the Hamptons

Esperanza and Irwin discuss the ongoing metamorphosis of our downtowns with veteran Commercial Realtor Hal Zwick.  Is the homogenization of our downtown districts mimicking a worldwide pattern of sameness?  Is Main Street Southampton/ East Hampton really that different from Beverly Hills, London, or Singapore?  Hal describes how the vibrancy of Sag Harbor's downtown as compared to both East Hampton and Southampton was the foresight of installing a sewage system allowing for more wet uses.   While the cost per square foot  is high by local standards, compared to NYC rents it can be profitable, especially considering the complimentary high seasons.  But there is a bigger picture:  has Main Street become driven more by transaction rather than community?