Saturday, May 28, 2011

White Oaks Mall, Springfield IL

I have the pleasure of reviewing a beautiful classic mall today in White Oaks Mall, Springfield. This little gem is just a few minutes off Interstate 55 when travelling between St Louis and Chicago (take the 72 west exit at Springfield and go about two miles). You can tell you're getting near the mall because you'll come into a retail mecca with dozens of well recognized names such as Best Buy, K-Mart, and Walmart to name a few.

Pulling into the mall, it's easy to see it was built in the late 70s or early 80s. Much of the external architecture retains the original austere brick walls, landscaped with trees sectioned off in square brick planter areas, as visible in the White Oaks Mall signed entrance below.



Inside, we find a very well appointed two-level mall, probably redecorated sometime in the early 1990s. The atmosphere of this mall is very vibrant, though there are a few dead stores. A large carousel stands in the middle, and a children's play area near Sears on the lower level makes this mall a nice place to shop with children in tow. The lighting is very strong except in dead areas, and the skylights add plenty of natural lighting as well. For dining, there's a small food court including a Charley's Subs (a favorite of mine in the St Louis area), Subway and a couple others. Also, there's an unusual free-standing Panda Express outbuilding, and several other casual dining restaurants are nearby.



The mall includes most of the standards for clothing, such as American Eagle Outfitters, GAP, old 1970s standard Buckle, Aeropostale, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Other stores include the ubiquitous Game Stop, Dick's Sporting Goods, a Hallmark store, Spencer Gifts, Claire's, and many more.



In short, this is a beautiful little mall located in a great shopping area. If you're going past Springfield and feel the need to shop, this is definitely the place to go!

Pros: Most of the standard stores, great area for shopping

Cons: Small food court, A little off the beaten path for non-Springfield natives.

I give White Oaks Mall 4 Kiosks.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

West Park Mall



I had mixed feelings while exploring this small local mall in Cape Girardeau, MO. On the one hand, it reminded me a lot of the malls of my midwestern youth. On the other hand, this IS a small local mall. It can't compete to the larger malls of urban and suburban areas. There appears to be a food court, for example, yet the only place to eat is a lonely China Star, and there is seating for approximately 30.



The mall has three wings off a central hub (where said "food court" is located, in addition to the now common bungee jumping toys) and still decked out with a lot of what is probably original 80s design (though it could also be 80s refit of a 70s mall). There is ample light treatment, though the overall lighting effect is dim, as is common for malls of this design.

When it comes to stores, this mall is actually pretty packed. Many of the required staples are here. There's a Victoria's Secret, a Claire's, and Game Stop, an American Eagle Outfitter, and anchors JC Penney and Macy's. There's also a quite adequately sized Barnes and Nobel. Food choices are VERY limited in the mall, though there are many nearby choices, including a Texas Roadhouse and Steak &
Shake. Other nearby stores include a Target, a Sears, and Toys R Us.

The mall is easily accessed via highway 55, about 100 miles south of the St Louis area. It's not right off the highway, but can be found less than a mile east of 55 on Highway K. For those traveling on 55 from St Louis toward Memphis or vice versa, it can be a welcome shopping break on a long trip. It's not worth a special trip out of the way, either for shopping or aesthetic purposes.

Pluses: Availability of most commonly expected mall stores, lots of restaurants and other shopping nearby.

Minuses: Lack of a proper food court

I give West Park Mall 3.5 kiosks