The day the malls stood still

re: The day the malls stood still

A. Randall Bergman — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:50:13 GMT

Here is an example of the state of the "MALL ECONOMY". I own a coin-operated amusement machine company(video games, internet juke boxes, etc.). We were recently called to take over an arcade at a 'tier one' mall in suburban Buffalo, N.Y. The previous operator was an independent and just could not make pay off despite being in a prime location across from the last of the national electronics retail chains. The deal the mall management made to me was compelling to say the least; six months, fully renewable, for 3,700 sq. feet at a cost of 310-dollars per month...no fees or utilities of any kind. Dead, cold storage would cost me more. If I owned commercial retail space right now, I would be scared to death.

re: The day the malls stood still

John Woo — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:15:12 GMT

Reasons Why US Malls are Closing.

1) Who will purchase a $14.99 Star Wars Action Figure at the Mall when you can purchase it cheaper anywhere else? I saw the exact same action figure for $9.99 at Toy$-R-Us and *7.99 at Wal-mart.

2) The Staff at the mall are usually teenage punks that could careless if you purchased anything or not, OR you have to look around several departments to find an employee to check-out! Yes, I'm talking about Sears, JcPenny's and Dillards!

3) The Teens, letting the teens roam around is like letting animals into the mall. The teens drive business away from the mall. Duh

4) Junk Stores, the number of junk stores is ridiculous! No Head Shops, Hippie Shops or Urban Culture Stores! Most of the time these stores are empty or a few weirdo's are hanging around make for an eyesore.

5) Cops, having lots or cops hanging around is really a bad thing. Most people want to shop in a pleasant environment not a security zone. Place the cops outside the mall intercepting the teens, punks and trash.

Until these basic problems are solved, most malls will die.

re: The day the malls stood still

DRT — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:59:30 GMT

The last I check, it was the radical Muslim faction that is trying to overthrow governments and plung everyone back into the dark ages........you know the DARK AGES........that which happened after the fall of the Roman Empire.........and that was brought down by who? YEP....the barbarian muslims from the east.

If you get out of this country and visit other counties, you will find that we are the model for what most of the civilized worlds wants........they have become somewhat "americanized".

The ones lying are those who are trying to kill all of us "infedils" off........now who might that be........oh yea.........your friendly neighborhood radicals.

re: The day the malls stood still

JS — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:04:51 GMT

One of the posts makes it seem like the malls are out to take over the world on a retail level. Much thought should be placed on what WalMart is doing...destroying the livelihood of many Americans. Jobs are being shipped overseas, retailers are being put out of business, malls are being hurt, etc.. In case you don't know this Walmart is in the process of getting a strong foothold in both the banking and the grocery business. We should not depend on Walmart for all our shopping. Very often they are not the cheapest choice as they like to preach. Walmart = Brainwash. Don't allow this to become The United States of Walmart.

re: The day the malls stood still

Craig — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:03:10 GMT

Malls are dying because there is no variety. They have alot of the same if not exact tenants. I can go to a mall in Boston and see the same stores in San Francisco. Because the rents are so high, the stores have to charge more. Besides, lets face it when the economyi is in the toilet, everyone shops at Wal-Mart!

re: The day the malls stood still

rachel — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:07:56 GMT

we as americans need to get back to the basics and stop trying to take over the world. I agree the malls are probably about to be a thing of the past and if we dont start taking care of this planet and each other we are in big trouble indeed. Also, we should stop lying to ourselves and each other. We really need to get back too GOD!

re: The day the malls stood still

Riley — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:19:17 GMT

The article states vacancies could reach 7%. within a year, mall owners will look back with fondness to the day when mall rates were only 7%. Many malls are heading for 30% and more vacancy rates. Of course, due to high dept loads, this will cause closure of many malls.

I say that is good. Malls are a cancer in this country. They represent most what is undesirable and even despicable of American society and it's citizens, mass consumerism for it's own sake of useless products.

I believe the time of the American mall is coming to an end, and none to soon.

re: The day the malls stood still

Outcast_Searcher — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:44:05 GMT

How about the obvious? Convenience. Malls used to be convenient ways to shop -- much of what you need under one roof. The convenience was worth paying somewhat more.

Now, with big-box stores such as Walmart being a model of the " all you need under one roof" convenience factor for the basics, and e-tailing taking care of much of the rest with total convenience -- AND both of these things allowing reasonable prices -- the practical appeal of malls is basically gone.

So, unless you expect the hordes of teenagers who inhabit the malls to take up the slack -- the malls are in big trouble. Considering how often their poor behavior (fighting, loud, roudy, rude, etc) likely discourages would-be practical shoppers from going to the malls, it's rather unlikely, IMO. (For the many - probably the majority of teenagers who act like reasonable young adults - that's unfortunate).

re: The day the malls stood still

moonwell23 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:05:48 GMT

The challange is for creative ways to use both "big box" and strip mall space to enhance the quality of life in communities. Boarding the real estate up while supposedly waiting for a "recovery" (and more of the same) won't do it.

re: The day the malls stood still

perry porter — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:38:02 GMT

its not only malls its hi prices on everything. middle class people are tired of paying .let them close , i dont care . JESUS is comming soon anyway.