Dead Malls are no new phenomenon. In fact, the famous Mall Scene from The Blues Brothers was filmed in a mall that had already been dead for years, Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois. But back then, people didn't possess drones.
Here's some nice footage from the lot of a dead mall local to the St Louis area, the former Crestwood Plaza.
Crestwood Mall
Friday, March 31, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Malls in the news - Store Closing article on USA today
Some interesting observations in the article below.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/02/24/which-mall-stores-are-closing/96535386/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/02/24/which-mall-stores-are-closing/96535386/
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Continued evolution of St Louis area mall as Macy's pulls out of Alton
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/mall-operator-prepares-for-loss-of-one-of-its-biggest/article_61536e01-ad2d-56a1-98c0-0930b8d54d7f.html
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Tri-County Mall, Cincinnati OH
This medium-sized mall, located in the northern part of the Cincinnati area just off Interstate 275, was completed as an enclosed mall in the late 1960s, and has very much the 1970’s mall feel. The decor is in the 1990’s mall style from an obvious renovation sometime in the late 80s or early 90s. There is nothing spectacular or particularly interesting about the design or decor, except perhaps the fountain, shown below.
The store selection covers all the bases well, making this, in my mind, a very useful mall to live near. There are holdovers from the original tenancy (The Buckle, Foot Locker), 80s/90s additions (Suncoast, Victoria’s Secret), and common modern mall favorites (American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale). Anchors include Macy’s and Sears. There is also a Game Stop, Bath and Body Works, and other specialty shops, many of which are local. One thing I found a little perplexing was the presence of not one, not two, but FIVE separate jewelers. Kay, Zales, Hannoush, (two more).
The Food Court is modest, with the usual chinese restaurant, Great Steak and Potato, pizza, a japanese place, and a Subway. There is also a Ruby Tuesday. Plenty of other places nearby make for a wide dining selection in or near the mall.
This mall has a lot going for it, despite some closed up stores in one corner. It’s very accessible, even to an out-of-towner, it’s got a wide array of stores, including some that are getting harder to find (I always like hitting a Suncoast now and then, streaming movies notwithstanding), and plenty of food options in or nearby. It’s the kind of mall I love, but it’s also, sadly, the kind that’s dying off more and more these days. I’d call it a living and functional piece of mall history.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Mall robbery in St Louis Metro East area
The St Louis Post Dispatch has this to report on 2/16/2015:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Snow in a mall
This is a great article on US Today with photos of an abandoned mall now coated in snow after recent storms.
snow fills abandoned rolling acres mall
snow fills abandoned rolling acres mall
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Northwest Plaza
This is my first post in quite a while to this page. I'm coming out of mall-blogging retirement not to comment on the beauty of an aging but lively mall, as I've done in the past, but to show some pictures of an officially deceased mall, Northwest Plaza in St Ann, near Lambert Airport and Interstate 70.
I usually leave these types of blog posts to people like Deadmalls.com, but this one is local, and I was interested at getting a closer look at the ruins of yet another dead mall, soon to be resurrected (if you can call it that) into another form, probably a lot less like a mall and a lot more like an open air lifestyle center.
So, without excessive commentary, here are my pictures. It should be noted that, despite this mall being closed and that no work was going on today, both the St Ann PD and the property owners' security were out in force, and circled me several times to make sure I didn't try to get into any restricted areas. Thus, any sneaky (and thus much more cool) pictures I might have obtained were denied me.
There's a big difference between "We're looking out for you" and "We're watching you, buddy."
I usually leave these types of blog posts to people like Deadmalls.com, but this one is local, and I was interested at getting a closer look at the ruins of yet another dead mall, soon to be resurrected (if you can call it that) into another form, probably a lot less like a mall and a lot more like an open air lifestyle center.
So, without excessive commentary, here are my pictures. It should be noted that, despite this mall being closed and that no work was going on today, both the St Ann PD and the property owners' security were out in force, and circled me several times to make sure I didn't try to get into any restricted areas. Thus, any sneaky (and thus much more cool) pictures I might have obtained were denied me.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Ohio Valley Mall
It's been a while since I've done a review, and although I didn't get a chance to see any malls on my recent DC trip, I did manage to squeak in a roadside local mall on the way back in Ohio. This little mall, aptly named, is near the Ohio river (meaning it's not far from the WV border), and serves the St Clairsville OH area. It can be conveniently reached by exiting I-70 onto the also aptly named Mall Road (the mall is located south of 70).
At first glance, this local mall doesn't look like much from the outside, so much so that I was hesitant to even review it. The exterior of the mall has had a facelift, probably in the late 80s, but generally looks mismatched and out of date.
Upon entering the mall, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The mall extends back quite far, and there are a large number of stores to the left and rear of the main entrance.
The compact nature of the mall is due in part to its age; we see a lot of really small storefronts, common in malls of the late 70s and early 80s. From it's design features, particularly the style of tiling and some older dark wood-grain panelling, I would guess that this mall was built in the late 70s and updated most recently in the late 80s.
The assortment of stores at Ohio Valley is impressive for a mall of its stature. Anchors include Macys, K-Mart (a mall with a K-mart? VERY 70s!), and Sears. There is also a large furniture outlet, Levin Furniture, and a crafts store. Mall staples are well represented by Bath and Body Works, Hallmark, Game Stop (two of these, for some reason), Aeropostale, Pac Sun, and Victoria's Secret. Also seen are old mall standards Radio Shack, Payless shoes, and Sam Goody, as well as relative newcomer Books a Million.
Food choices are somewhat limited (there's no proper "Food Court", which reinforces my opinion of the mall's age). A rather nice looking Japanese steak and sushi restaurant called "Osaka" is near the main entrance, and a place called Fabio's Pizza, reminiscent of Sbarro, is along the same hall. There are, however, several major food choices in nearby, including St Louis born Panera and McDonalds.
Do to it's convenience to a major highway, it's relatively impressive selection of stores, and it's classic (if somewhat understated) mall design elements, I give Ohio Valley Mall four Kiosks.
At first glance, this local mall doesn't look like much from the outside, so much so that I was hesitant to even review it. The exterior of the mall has had a facelift, probably in the late 80s, but generally looks mismatched and out of date.
Upon entering the mall, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The mall extends back quite far, and there are a large number of stores to the left and rear of the main entrance.
The compact nature of the mall is due in part to its age; we see a lot of really small storefronts, common in malls of the late 70s and early 80s. From it's design features, particularly the style of tiling and some older dark wood-grain panelling, I would guess that this mall was built in the late 70s and updated most recently in the late 80s.
The assortment of stores at Ohio Valley is impressive for a mall of its stature. Anchors include Macys, K-Mart (a mall with a K-mart? VERY 70s!), and Sears. There is also a large furniture outlet, Levin Furniture, and a crafts store. Mall staples are well represented by Bath and Body Works, Hallmark, Game Stop (two of these, for some reason), Aeropostale, Pac Sun, and Victoria's Secret. Also seen are old mall standards Radio Shack, Payless shoes, and Sam Goody, as well as relative newcomer Books a Million.
Food choices are somewhat limited (there's no proper "Food Court", which reinforces my opinion of the mall's age). A rather nice looking Japanese steak and sushi restaurant called "Osaka" is near the main entrance, and a place called Fabio's Pizza, reminiscent of Sbarro, is along the same hall. There are, however, several major food choices in nearby, including St Louis born Panera and McDonalds.
Do to it's convenience to a major highway, it's relatively impressive selection of stores, and it's classic (if somewhat understated) mall design elements, I give Ohio Valley Mall four Kiosks.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Circle Centre Mall, Indianapolis IN
I'm not sure I can say enough good things about this mall. Undoubtedly part of an urban revitalization, this mall (unlike the failed St Louis Centre) is a stunning success!
Reaching the mall is a relatively complicated task, if you're not parking there. I was already parked on a downtown street, having driving south from our hotel near 92nd street down Meridian. I wandered the street for a few minutes trying to find the La Bamba burritos at 111 S Meridian. Alas this was not to be; evidently it closed at some point in the not too distant past. After that, I wandered some more, looking for the main mall entrance. There are restaurants everywhere, as well as external store fronts, but I was looking for a main entrance. Instead, I found the parking garage, where some people from Nashville were kind enough to point me toward the mall entrance.
Once inside, I was immediately at home. Despite its distinctly urban setting, this place is all mall. Plenty of sky lighting lets in not only the sun, but visions of the urban jungle in whose heart it resides. Since my quest for a burrito had failed, I headed right to the food court, and it does not disappoint. Many of the old standards are here: a Chick-fil-a, a Subway, an A&W, and a Villa Italian Kitchen (which are beginning to replace the ubiquitous Sbarro in many malls). There's also a Johnny Rocket, a Japanese place called Maki, a Great Steak and Potato (at which I purchased a truly massive large fry) and many others. An Akoo station plays the latest and retro music videos, and Simon wifi is easily connected.
The architecture is classic white with black trim, with the common domed lighting treatments. Escalators are easy to find, and balconies give one a clear view of various levels to help you find the store you want. And wow, is there a large assortment of stores! All of the clothing standards are here, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Lane Bryant, Aeropstale, Banana Republic, Gap, H&M, Forever 21 and More. Anchors include Nordstrom and Carson Pirie Scott (thought all of these closed in the early 90s). Other stores include Hot Topic, GNC, Sungless Hut, Nine West, Aldo and Gamestop.
I could gush on about this mall for a while, but my main point is that this is not only a shopping center, it's a destination. If you're in Indianapolis, you've got to come see it.
Pluses: Huge variety and quantity of stores, great food court, beautiful urban feel and wifi.
Minuses: May be slightly confusing to get to, depending on where you're coming from.
I give Circle Centre Mall 5 out of 5 kiosks!
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.
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
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Chesterfield Mall, Chesterfield MO
Chesterfield mall is a large suburban mall, possibly the largest in the St Louis area when it comes to square footage. It's located in Chesterfield county, about 10 miles west of Interstate 270 just off Interstate 64 (or highway 40, if you're from 'round her). Though it's obvious by looking at the exterior (especially Sears) that the mall's been around for a while, both the inside and outside have had extensive renovations and additions. The end result is a mall that's beautiful if somewhat eclectic in it's layout.
Inside, you will find many of the "staples" of the modern mall; the ubiquitous Macys, a Forever 21 which ten years ago were hard to find and now seem to be everywhere, Abercrombie and Fitch, and, lovely in it's anachronism, the above mentioned Sears. All in all, some really solid stores from clothes shopping.
Additionally, you'll find a huge Borders, Banana Republic, Body Shop, Gap and Gap Kids, and at least 3 different jewelers. There's also an interesting little "Asian Gifts" store, for all your Asian decorative needs. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't point out the AMC megaplex theater.
For the kids, there is a small play area and two story carousel. For the older kids, and maybe some of you adults as well, the ever-present Game Stop will provide endless choices on which to spend your hard-earned cash.
One disappointing area is the food court. There are only six choices: Subway, Hibachi-San, Charley's Subs, WOW Chicken fingers (which I'm unfamiliar with in any other location), Sbarro, and Panda Express. That's basically two sandwich places, two stir-fry places (one with sushi), a chicken place and a pizza place. Also, there is no free Wi-fi in the food court. You MIGHT be able to sit close enough to Borders to access theirs, but I had no success with this. So, you can get Wi-fi, you just need to go to Borders to do it. Fortunately, in addition to the food court, there are Macaroni Grill and Chilis as out buildings.
All in all, this is a solid mall with many choices for shopping. It's somewhat inconvenient to get to unless you're traveling through the center of St Louis area, as there is no access from Interstate 70 and a decent distance to 270.
Pluses: Attractive mall, large number of stores, ample parking
Minues: Average to poo food court, Wi-fi in Borders only
I give Chesterfield Mall 4 Kiosks.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Jamestown Mall, MO
Jamestown Mall in the northern St Louis area (north of Florissant on Lindbergh) is a small mall; it appears to have been originally designed to serve a growing community of subdivisions that never quite materialized. Regardless of it's origins, I'm sad to report that Jamestown Mall is quickly on it's way to becoming a dead mall. Approximately 40% of the square footage is closed, with the remainder being mostly filled with small independent shops. The main draws are a Macys and a fabulously large JC Penney Outlet store.
For mall lovers like me, however, this place is purely beautiful. Both the interior and exterior speak of a classic 80s mall design. I was so impressed by the ceilings and large interior fountain with sculptures (that picture didn't turn out, unfortunately) that I found myself really saddened by the mall's slow death.
With the state Jamestown is currently in, I'm not going to bother with the traditional "Kiosk" rating system or listing pluses and minuses. There are few reasons other than an appreciation for mall history to visit Jamestown. It's out of the way and there are not many stores. The JC Penney outlet, while out of the way, offers much in the way of reasonably priced clothing (my wife was able to purchase 7 new shirts and a few other items for about $100), and if you have an interest in supporting independently owned specialty businesses, this mall might be worth a short trip.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
St Claire Square Mall, Fairview Heights IL
St Claire Square is one of the first malls I visited in the St Louis area, back when my wife and I had first gotten married and long before I thought of moving here. The mall is an older mall, with many stores that have been there for decades. It has managed to remain lively and active; I only noticed two closed storefronts during my most recent visit, and it is full of shoppers on almost every visit.
Located just a few minutes from downtown St Louis across the river in Fairview Heights, just off of interstate 64, St Claire Square is easy to reach for visitors to the St Louis area, and provides a wide assortment of modern mall staples, such as Victoria's Secret, Macy's, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Hot Topic. Several older mall staples, such as RadioShack, Deb, and General Nutrition Center, can also be found here. One thing that impresses me about this mall is the size of some of the stores. In particular, I noticed the Justice and Forever 21 stores are massive compared to their counterparts in other malls I've reviewed (though, by contrast, their Layne Bryant is one of the smallest I've seen).
The food court is acceptable without being spectacular, taking it's cue from other St Louis area malls (or perhaps the other way around) with a Sbarro, Charley's Subs, and Panda Express. Also included are a place called Gyro Gyro, which I've not encountered in a mall before (guess what they sell) and a Quizno's subs, which is unusual in malls, at least those in the Midwest. Located off the food court is Hanley's Grill and Tap (keep meaning to eat there someday, looks good). Satellite stores include Casa Gallardo (a St Louis Mexican restaurant chain which is quite good), and a soon to open Qdoba. Many other restaurants and shopping venues are nearby.
One aspect of this mall which does not particularly stick out to me is the architecture and design. Internally, it's got an L-shaped layout, except for a couple small wings that lead a person to basically a dead end. The sky lighting is fine but somewhat overdone, and the white tile design which seems elegant in The Galleria is less impressive due to improper lighting.
In short, there is something for everyone in St Claire Square mall. Children (particularly girls) have many stores to interest them, and the clothing choices are both many and quite impressive. I recommend visitors to the area to try this mall if they've already seen many of the more iconic St Louis malls.
Pluses - A great many stores, many of which have a lot of square footage and thus a large inventory. A large variety of stores. Near many other shopping and dining venues.
Minuses - Design is nothing spectacular, traffic getting to the mall is a little nuts (if you're in the wrong lane getting off the highway, it can be almost impossible to get left when you need to).
I give St Claire Square mall 4 Kiosks.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Eastland Mall, Bloomington IL
I have to start of this review by saying that Eastland Mall is one of the first malls I ever visited. My first trip to this mall was in the mid 1970s, and I have a lot of fond memories. It has changed a lot over the years, shedding it's classic 70s decor for the brighter, shinier mall of the 80s and 90s. Some of the original features are still visible externally, such as this view of Bergners.
Inside Eastland Mall these days, one will find a wide assortment of stores and, surprisingly, one of the better food courts I've seen recently. The picture below illustrates the open-air feel of the food court, which has recently been repainted. Several spaces that were closed during my last visit are now filled. Choices include A&W Rootbeer, Great Steak and Potato (very similar to Charley's Subs here in St Louis), a Sbarro, a Subway, and a Kobe Japanese. In addition, there are TWO pretzel stores, one directly off the food court, another in a different area of the mall.
Though I am quite familiar with this mall, I looked over the selection of stores carefully for this review. Gone are the Woolworths and the Hardees restaurant of the 70s. A selection of modern fare includes Macy's, Victoria's Secret, Aeropostale, Hot Topic, and PacSun. For kids' clothing, there is a Justice and a Gap Kids. Additional stores include Gap, Old Navy, Game Stop, and Bath and Body Works. Anchors include Sears, Bergner's, JC Penney, and Kohl's.
I did not get a chance to test WiFi availability, nor could I find any information on it. The mall is very near a McDonald's which offers free WiFi, as well as a Starbucks which has WiFi available for purchase.
Pluses - Decent store selection, smaller crowds, and nearby availability of several dining, banking, and other establishments. Located right off of Veteran's Parkway, so it's easy to get to for both "townies" and out of town visitors.
Minuses - It's hard for me to find many minuses with this mall, but I will point this out: don't go here thinking it's a true regional mall. It's nowhere near as large as several of the malls here in St Louis, or others I've been to. Also, the layout is a little counter-intuitive, so be prepared to walk back and forth a bit to get to the stores you want.
I give Eastland Mall 4 Kiosks.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Century Shopping Centre, Chicago IL
This week, owing to my recent visit to the Windy City, I'm reviewing the Century Shopping Centre. This mall has a lot of sentimental value to me, as it was the only mall I discovered in my brief stay in Chicago in the mid-1990s.
Unfortunately, the Century Shopping Centre has seen better days. The last time I visited, it was undergoing renovations. These renovations, while not actually improving any internal features, seems to have been the death of it. I am sad to say, the Century is not a destination for anyone unless they fit into a very specific niche market. If you are female, between the ages of 18 and 40, and spend a lot of time and money on your appearance, and if you live in the city of Chicago and rarely leave it, this mall might be of interest to you.
Located on North Clark Street in the City, the Century is built inside an old multi-story theatre. When I visited this mall on a regular basis, there were all sorts of interesting stores. I remember a Role Playing and board game store I visited on occasion. Now, however, stores of interest are limited to Victoria's Secret, LA Tan, a Bath and Bodyworks store, and other similar fare. A hair salon is located on the first floor. Evidently, there is once again a functional theatre here as well, which I did not remember from my time living in Chicago.
A beautiful building on the outside, the Century does not contain much in the way of standard mall architecture. The interior is very utilitarian in appearance. Lighting is marginal, and functional escalators criss-cross the central open area.
By and large, though it pains me to say this, the Century Shopping Centre has little to offer except for those who live close enough to visit it as a convenience.
Pros - It's in the city, and is easily accessible by bus (the 22 Clark). It's a beautiful piece of architecture. There's no WiFi, but with a Borders right across the street, who cares?
Cons - There's not much here of interest except for stores catering to maintaining one's appearance.
I give the Century (a tear in my eye as I say this) 2 Kiosks.
Unfortunately, the Century Shopping Centre has seen better days. The last time I visited, it was undergoing renovations. These renovations, while not actually improving any internal features, seems to have been the death of it. I am sad to say, the Century is not a destination for anyone unless they fit into a very specific niche market. If you are female, between the ages of 18 and 40, and spend a lot of time and money on your appearance, and if you live in the city of Chicago and rarely leave it, this mall might be of interest to you.
Located on North Clark Street in the City, the Century is built inside an old multi-story theatre. When I visited this mall on a regular basis, there were all sorts of interesting stores. I remember a Role Playing and board game store I visited on occasion. Now, however, stores of interest are limited to Victoria's Secret, LA Tan, a Bath and Bodyworks store, and other similar fare. A hair salon is located on the first floor. Evidently, there is once again a functional theatre here as well, which I did not remember from my time living in Chicago.
A beautiful building on the outside, the Century does not contain much in the way of standard mall architecture. The interior is very utilitarian in appearance. Lighting is marginal, and functional escalators criss-cross the central open area.
By and large, though it pains me to say this, the Century Shopping Centre has little to offer except for those who live close enough to visit it as a convenience.
Pros - It's in the city, and is easily accessible by bus (the 22 Clark). It's a beautiful piece of architecture. There's no WiFi, but with a Borders right across the street, who cares?
Cons - There's not much here of interest except for stores catering to maintaining one's appearance.
I give the Century (a tear in my eye as I say this) 2 Kiosks.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Westfield West County Center
The first thing that pops into my mind when I see this mall is: BIG! No, it's not the largest mall ever, but located on a ridge overlooking Interstate 270 at Manchester Road, this mall seems both towering and expansive.
Much of this has to do with the architecture. There is a three story parking garage which wraps around 2/3 of the mall (you can literally drive around a large portion of the mall on the 2nd floor), and the external facades are many and grand.
Inside, you will find a large variety of shops, for the more common (Hot Topic, Foot Locker, Victoria's Secret) to the up-scale (Nordstroms, Macy's), to the eclectic (Wet Seal, Teavana). There is also a variety of shops of interest to parents and children (Build-A-Bear Workshop, The Children's Place, Game Stop, Toy Tyme). The food court includes many standards (Subway, Charlies Subs, Sbarro).
One of the more interesting internal features is the lighting. Many malls make good use of natural lighting or original artificial lighting treatments, but this mall has both, in many varied forms. From large overhead skylights to lighting effects on the facades of internal stores, this is a mall of many moods. Walking from one end to the other, you will go from cosy to vibrant to relaxed. You will also go from JC Penney to Macy's to Barnes and Noble.
I would consider this mall a must visit if you're in the St Louis area, simply for its variety of shops and interesting architectural features. For out-of-towners, it's easily accessible from interstate 270 OR by taking interstate 64 to 270 and heading south for a short drive. For those who prefer a city route, Manchester road drops you off right there.
Pluses - Variety of stores; interesting architecture, great parking
Minuses - No WiFi in the food court
I give Westfield West County Center 4 Kiosks!
Much of this has to do with the architecture. There is a three story parking garage which wraps around 2/3 of the mall (you can literally drive around a large portion of the mall on the 2nd floor), and the external facades are many and grand.
Inside, you will find a large variety of shops, for the more common (Hot Topic, Foot Locker, Victoria's Secret) to the up-scale (Nordstroms, Macy's), to the eclectic (Wet Seal, Teavana). There is also a variety of shops of interest to parents and children (Build-A-Bear Workshop, The Children's Place, Game Stop, Toy Tyme). The food court includes many standards (Subway, Charlies Subs, Sbarro).
One of the more interesting internal features is the lighting. Many malls make good use of natural lighting or original artificial lighting treatments, but this mall has both, in many varied forms. From large overhead skylights to lighting effects on the facades of internal stores, this is a mall of many moods. Walking from one end to the other, you will go from cosy to vibrant to relaxed. You will also go from JC Penney to Macy's to Barnes and Noble.
I would consider this mall a must visit if you're in the St Louis area, simply for its variety of shops and interesting architectural features. For out-of-towners, it's easily accessible from interstate 270 OR by taking interstate 64 to 270 and heading south for a short drive. For those who prefer a city route, Manchester road drops you off right there.
Pluses - Variety of stores; interesting architecture, great parking
Minuses - No WiFi in the food court
I give Westfield West County Center 4 Kiosks!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Mid Rivers Mall, St Peters, MO
Mid Rivers is a medium sized mall that's been around for a while, and looks it. The decor, with it's gray and white mat tiles, is the epitome of the late 80s/early 90s mall. Most of the storefronts are new, of course, and there are some more modern choices in both shopping and Dining.
Located in St Peters Missouri, across the Missouri River from the St Louis area and past St Charles on Interstate 70, the mall is a relatively easy destination for anyone from the St Louis area on the road to Kansas City. For out-of-towners coming from the east, it can be approached by taking I-270 around the north of St Louis and merging onto 70 west in Bridgeton (my town), thus bypassing downtown traffic. There are no easy non-car routes out this far.
The mall has several anchors, both more traditional mall anchors like Sears and JC Penney and more recent additions like Macy's and Dillards. Also included in major features are a Cinema 14 and the requisite food court. Dining choices include Sbarro, Charley's Subs, Taco Bell (unusual for food courts in St Louis), [add more here]. Outside the food court are a Qdoba and a Pretzel Time, and outbuildings include a Chilis.
Mid-Rivers hosts many old mall standards, including a Spencer Gifts, Deb, Tilt (yes, a Tilt arcade, complete with a Galaga machine), Gap, Radio Shack and the Limited. Also included are many modern favorites, such as a two-level Borders bookstore, an AT&T Wireless store, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Finally, there are several specialty stores including a Yankee Candle Co., a Game Stop, a martial arts dojo called Bushido, and one (very cool) sci-fi specialty store called the “Neutral Zone.”
Mid-Rivers is a suburban mall with some years behind it, but still draws a crowd. There is a wide variety of stores, and it is close to a large number of casual dining facilities. I find little here to go out of the way for, but for those passing through on I-70, or those that live in the St Louis area, it's definitely worth a visit.
Pluses – I was unable to test the presence of WiFi, but with a Borders in the mall, there is likely WiFi available there at least. Mid-Rivers has a wide variety of stores for many different types of shoppers, from teens to adults. This mall is not usually as busy as many St Louis area malls, and would make a good shopping destination for someone not wanting to deal with crowds.
Minuses – I did not see a lot of kid-friendly stores or entertainments. If you have kids under 7, Mid-Rivers is probably not your best choice.
I give Mid-Rivers Mall 3 kiosks. It's a nice mall, and great for nostalgia, but has little to offer that other malls do not.
Located in St Peters Missouri, across the Missouri River from the St Louis area and past St Charles on Interstate 70, the mall is a relatively easy destination for anyone from the St Louis area on the road to Kansas City. For out-of-towners coming from the east, it can be approached by taking I-270 around the north of St Louis and merging onto 70 west in Bridgeton (my town), thus bypassing downtown traffic. There are no easy non-car routes out this far.
The mall has several anchors, both more traditional mall anchors like Sears and JC Penney and more recent additions like Macy's and Dillards. Also included in major features are a Cinema 14 and the requisite food court. Dining choices include Sbarro, Charley's Subs, Taco Bell (unusual for food courts in St Louis), [add more here]. Outside the food court are a Qdoba and a Pretzel Time, and outbuildings include a Chilis.
Mid-Rivers hosts many old mall standards, including a Spencer Gifts, Deb, Tilt (yes, a Tilt arcade, complete with a Galaga machine), Gap, Radio Shack and the Limited. Also included are many modern favorites, such as a two-level Borders bookstore, an AT&T Wireless store, and Dick's Sporting Goods. Finally, there are several specialty stores including a Yankee Candle Co., a Game Stop, a martial arts dojo called Bushido, and one (very cool) sci-fi specialty store called the “Neutral Zone.”
Mid-Rivers is a suburban mall with some years behind it, but still draws a crowd. There is a wide variety of stores, and it is close to a large number of casual dining facilities. I find little here to go out of the way for, but for those passing through on I-70, or those that live in the St Louis area, it's definitely worth a visit.
Pluses – I was unable to test the presence of WiFi, but with a Borders in the mall, there is likely WiFi available there at least. Mid-Rivers has a wide variety of stores for many different types of shoppers, from teens to adults. This mall is not usually as busy as many St Louis area malls, and would make a good shopping destination for someone not wanting to deal with crowds.
Minuses – I did not see a lot of kid-friendly stores or entertainments. If you have kids under 7, Mid-Rivers is probably not your best choice.
I give Mid-Rivers Mall 3 kiosks. It's a nice mall, and great for nostalgia, but has little to offer that other malls do not.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
St Louis Galleria
This time I've chosen to review a St Louis standard, the Galleria. In my previous post, I mentioned that The Mills Mall was not the "hip" St Louis Mall. This is. Despite it's age, this mall is going strong. It's got a sophisticated urban feel, owing in part to it's proximity to both western St Louis and the suburb of Clayton. The crowd of the Galleria is generally stylish, youthful, and modern.
Getting to The Galleria from out of town is relatively simple; it's near the intersection of Highway 64/40 and Highway 170 (aka "The Inner Belt"), both of which dump you out near the Galleria with little trouble. Also, if you happen to be staying in downtown St Louis or near the airport, the Galleria is easily accessible via the Metrolink.
The fact that this mall is a little more upscale than other St Louis malls is easily visible from the outside. Sporting a Macy's and Dillards as anchors, The Galleria's exterior is done in vast marble facades and tasteful exteriors. The greenery outside the mall is fresh and well maintained, giving the mall a touch of nature despite it's urban location.
The inside of the mall continues the theme of marble, with tiles and several store facades virtually glistening with light reflected not only from the ample white ceiling lights, but from the plentiful skylights as well.
This mall has two stories with multiple escalators, plus a "ground" floor (which is actually a sublevel; the actual ground floor is 1) on which is located the food court and the cinema. A central open area allows one to view the lower level from both upper levels, as well as allowing a great view from the food court. Plus, if you park wisely, you can walk straight in from the parking garage on the 2nd floor to the elevator, which you can take straight to the lower level for casual dining or a trip to the movies.
It's not only through its design that the mall maintains its higher end image. The choice of stores attracts a more cultured crowd. Included are the anchors of Macy's and Dillards, an Apple store, Anthropologie, Nine West, Regis Hairstylists, and Godiva Chocolatier. Food choices include California Pizza Kitchen, Starbucks, and a Cheesecake Factory.
All of this is not to say that the Galleria is a mall only for those of the upper middle class, however. Stores include Lane Bryant, Torrid, LensCrafters, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Claire's among others. Low-to-mid-ranged foods include Subway, Charlie's Subs, Hibachi-San and Panda Express.
The Galleria has quite a few stores and is a quick location to pick up some quality items or do some leisure shopping IF you're in the mood to spend some cash. It's not discount shopping by any means, but it is a beautiful, vibrant mall.
Pluses - Gathers some stores together that those with the right budget can really enjoy.
The Food Court is WiFi accessible AND has available power at a few tables. The Galleria is easy to get to from most locations, and is located near other shopping.
Minuses - Parking can be a bear: Even if you don't normally cruise for a parking spot, you might find yourself doing so here. While there IS WiFi access in the food court, I've had problems with it on non-Windows laptops. If you're here and need to use Wi-Fi on a Mac or Linux laptop, you might try the chairs outside the Apple store.
I really have a soft spot for the Galleria, and love to go there. I give it four kiosks.
Getting to The Galleria from out of town is relatively simple; it's near the intersection of Highway 64/40 and Highway 170 (aka "The Inner Belt"), both of which dump you out near the Galleria with little trouble. Also, if you happen to be staying in downtown St Louis or near the airport, the Galleria is easily accessible via the Metrolink.
The fact that this mall is a little more upscale than other St Louis malls is easily visible from the outside. Sporting a Macy's and Dillards as anchors, The Galleria's exterior is done in vast marble facades and tasteful exteriors. The greenery outside the mall is fresh and well maintained, giving the mall a touch of nature despite it's urban location.
The inside of the mall continues the theme of marble, with tiles and several store facades virtually glistening with light reflected not only from the ample white ceiling lights, but from the plentiful skylights as well.
This mall has two stories with multiple escalators, plus a "ground" floor (which is actually a sublevel; the actual ground floor is 1) on which is located the food court and the cinema. A central open area allows one to view the lower level from both upper levels, as well as allowing a great view from the food court. Plus, if you park wisely, you can walk straight in from the parking garage on the 2nd floor to the elevator, which you can take straight to the lower level for casual dining or a trip to the movies.
It's not only through its design that the mall maintains its higher end image. The choice of stores attracts a more cultured crowd. Included are the anchors of Macy's and Dillards, an Apple store, Anthropologie, Nine West, Regis Hairstylists, and Godiva Chocolatier. Food choices include California Pizza Kitchen, Starbucks, and a Cheesecake Factory.
All of this is not to say that the Galleria is a mall only for those of the upper middle class, however. Stores include Lane Bryant, Torrid, LensCrafters, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Claire's among others. Low-to-mid-ranged foods include Subway, Charlie's Subs, Hibachi-San and Panda Express.
The Galleria has quite a few stores and is a quick location to pick up some quality items or do some leisure shopping IF you're in the mood to spend some cash. It's not discount shopping by any means, but it is a beautiful, vibrant mall.
Pluses - Gathers some stores together that those with the right budget can really enjoy.
The Food Court is WiFi accessible AND has available power at a few tables. The Galleria is easy to get to from most locations, and is located near other shopping.
Minuses - Parking can be a bear: Even if you don't normally cruise for a parking spot, you might find yourself doing so here. While there IS WiFi access in the food court, I've had problems with it on non-Windows laptops. If you're here and need to use Wi-Fi on a Mac or Linux laptop, you might try the chairs outside the Apple store.
I really have a soft spot for the Galleria, and love to go there. I give it four kiosks.
Monday, May 24, 2010
St Louis Mills Mall
I've chosen to start with a review of this mall because it the closest to my residence, at just over 2 miles. St Louis Mills is a relatively new mall in North St Louis County. It's kind of out in the middle of nowhere off highway 370, not too far north of interstate 270. It's got the feel of an Outlet mall, but there are only a couple "Outlet" type stores. Mostly, you'll find standard mall fare and, surprisingly enough, a large number of local retailers.
Here's a view from an intersection near the mall. As you can see, it's quite expansive, but only one story.
Many of the mall's destinations can be seen from the vast parking lot, which is bordered on two sides by a moat! These include the Theater 18 and the Nascar Speedpark (complete with outside go-cart racetrack).
Inside, the halls between stores are spacious, leaving plenty of room for kiosks, gumball machines, and even an indoor playground. Despite only having one story, this mall has a LOT of square footage. There's even an ice skating rink inside (the official practice rink of the St Louis Blues hockey team, no less). Inside, it's divided up into "neighborhoods," most of which have their own entrances. Walking from one neighborhood to another is something in the area of a city block, so a complete walk around the mall is quite a hike. If you visit, try to use the outside of the mall as a guide to where you are most likely to exit, because after a day of walking around this place, you're done.
The food court is pretty average (at least for St Louis); it has a Subway, a Chinese place, a Sushi place, a Sbarro, and a Johnny Rockets (like Steak and Shake but not as cool). There's even a Burger King here, which serves all you can drink soda (a rarity in St Louis malls, where you usually have to pay for refills or at least walk up to the counter and ask). Off the food court, there's a Tony Roma's and a Chevy's. Outbuilding restaurants include Steak and Shake and Bob Evans.
There are some stores here for everyone, though you might not find your favorite. This is not the "hip" mall of St Louis, it's a tourist place with some useful stores (Payless Shoes, Books-A-Million), plenty of clothing stores (forever 21, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory) and some locally owned shops. It's very kid friendly, having a large indoor play area, a toy store, a candy store, indoor glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, and a couple game stores, as well as a train that actually carries passengers around the mall. For the outdoor fishing and hunting enthusiast, there's even a (very large) Cabela's in which you can actually purchase firearms and ammo (great zombie mall).
Pluses - Large variety of shops makes everyone happy. WiFi available in the Food Court area. Plenty of parking.
Minuses - Doesn't necessarily have the stores you might expect: definitely look before at the directory online before you go. With WiFi in the Food Court, you'd expect available power outlets: you'd be disappointed.
All total, I give St Louis Mills Mall 3.5 kiosks!
Here's a view from an intersection near the mall. As you can see, it's quite expansive, but only one story.
Many of the mall's destinations can be seen from the vast parking lot, which is bordered on two sides by a moat! These include the Theater 18 and the Nascar Speedpark (complete with outside go-cart racetrack).
Inside, the halls between stores are spacious, leaving plenty of room for kiosks, gumball machines, and even an indoor playground. Despite only having one story, this mall has a LOT of square footage. There's even an ice skating rink inside (the official practice rink of the St Louis Blues hockey team, no less). Inside, it's divided up into "neighborhoods," most of which have their own entrances. Walking from one neighborhood to another is something in the area of a city block, so a complete walk around the mall is quite a hike. If you visit, try to use the outside of the mall as a guide to where you are most likely to exit, because after a day of walking around this place, you're done.
The food court is pretty average (at least for St Louis); it has a Subway, a Chinese place, a Sushi place, a Sbarro, and a Johnny Rockets (like Steak and Shake but not as cool). There's even a Burger King here, which serves all you can drink soda (a rarity in St Louis malls, where you usually have to pay for refills or at least walk up to the counter and ask). Off the food court, there's a Tony Roma's and a Chevy's. Outbuilding restaurants include Steak and Shake and Bob Evans.
There are some stores here for everyone, though you might not find your favorite. This is not the "hip" mall of St Louis, it's a tourist place with some useful stores (Payless Shoes, Books-A-Million), plenty of clothing stores (forever 21, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory) and some locally owned shops. It's very kid friendly, having a large indoor play area, a toy store, a candy store, indoor glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, and a couple game stores, as well as a train that actually carries passengers around the mall. For the outdoor fishing and hunting enthusiast, there's even a (very large) Cabela's in which you can actually purchase firearms and ammo (great zombie mall).
Pluses - Large variety of shops makes everyone happy. WiFi available in the Food Court area. Plenty of parking.
Minuses - Doesn't necessarily have the stores you might expect: definitely look before at the directory online before you go. With WiFi in the Food Court, you'd expect available power outlets: you'd be disappointed.
All total, I give St Louis Mills Mall 3.5 kiosks!
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