Why Inglewood Isn't Cool

The Inglewood Community Association (ICA) is working in earnest to revitalize this inner city neighbourhood however, Inglewood will never be a hotspot if the ICA doesn't include urban realities in its design initiative.
The ICA foresees Inglewood as a fashionable hub for discerning urbanites, flush with edgy boutiques, upscale eateries and prolific antique dealers. Framing the history of the main drag that is 9th Avenue are peaceful residential streets and riverside parks.
Inglewood has the potential to achieve this dream. In many ways it already has; the district is of legitimate historical value, it offers some of the best dining in the city and truly beautiful homes. As well, the prostitutes and vagrants have moved on and businesses are cleaning up their image (“The Dirty Duck” pub was persuaded to become “Swans”). Auto dealerships are on the chopping block (history aside, Farmer Jones just isn't in line with Inglewood's new image). The district hardly fails to bring people in either, since Sunfest reportedly drew 30,000 attendees this summer.
None of this will matter if the ICA doesn't address accessibility.
The first problem is that Inglewood has very little parking. Residential streets are off-limits. Few businesses have more than a loading dock. This means that visitors must walk, take the bus or pay to park on the quickly cramped main street. The situation is the same in Kensington, a neighbourhood that is very similar to Inglewood. It was once a seedy dump of a neighbourhood, now gentrified and trendy. The difference is the C-Train station in the heart of the community. Walking or using public transit to Inglewood is a decidedly less pleasant experience.
The second obstacle to becoming the hub that Inglewood's website boasts to be already in existence; is its business community's conspiracy to discourage customers. Most shops in Inglewood are open from 9:00–5:00, often closed completely on Sundays. Even restaurants like the popular Spolumbo's Deli shuts down at 5:30pm each day. It's logical to assume most shoppers are themselves at work from 9:00–5:00. Few have time for midday antiquing. If the boutiques can't afford staff for a 12-hour day, couldn't the business association agree to promote Inglewood's business hours as noon to nine?
The final issue (on this list) is of concern to residents. To bustle, a neighbourhood needs to appeal to its residents. Inglewood has no grocery store. Most go to Forest Lawn or Kensington markets, both of which are a 15-minute drive away. In emergencies of laziness they resort to the two corner stores where they can try their luck picking over the dusty shelves for a box of overpriced cereal or petrified deodorant. Again in comparison, Kensington has a bank, gas station, grocery store, pharmacy and post office on its two main streets. House and rental prices are the same in both communities.
This is not about Kensington's superiority. Rather it's a request that the ICA examine its fantasies about Inglewood to determine where the needs of actual humans can be incorporated.