Brokerages with Store Fronts - Are they worth it?

I curious what peoples thoughts are on Brokerage Firms that store front locations. Do they actually generate any additional business for the brokerage company or do you think they serve only as window shopping. With sites like StreetEasy is there any need to walk into a brokerage office these days? Are these offices just Street Level billboards, and are their rents justifiable by the business and... [more]

I curious what peoples thoughts are on Brokerage Firms that store front locations. Do they actually generate any additional business for the brokerage company or do you think they serve only as window shopping. With sites like StreetEasy is there any need to walk into a brokerage office these days? Are these offices just Street Level billboards, and are their rents justifiable by the business and brand awareness that they generate? Also, I'm curious what people think of the actual office space and experience once inside. I went into Halstead's UWS office and got a great feeling from the receptionist as well as the overall look and feel of the office; very professional, I wanted to give them my business. Contrast this experience to the Elliman office on the UWS, the place is tiny and you see the agents desk from the front window, the place looks a little messy and dingy too. The receptionist was somewhat rude and as a result I didn't even feel like waiting to speak with an agent whose listing I saw in the window. Anyone have a similar experience or insight into brokerage store fronts? [less]