The "Nice Mall" vs. the "Yucky Mall"

[ZTAMich]

Originally Posted by tld221

Up here in Yonkers, there is Cross County Mall, which has got to be the WORST excuse for a mall I've ever seen. First, its an outdoor mall. Second its being renovated. Third, their anchors are Macys, Stop-n-shop, Sears and freaking Home Goods/TJ Maxx/AJ Wright (in my head theyre the same thing). I always feel like little kids are peeing in the parking lot and what not. It is definitely one of those "ghetto malls."

Buy if you drive about a 1/2 hr north, there's this mall in White Plains (i forget the name of it) that's kinda nice, i think there's a Crate and Barrel there, among other stores.

But yes, i will almost always take the drive to Roosevelt Field for mall shopping. Even if its like 45-60 minutes away and have to pay a toll.

The nice mall in White Plains is called The Westchester. It's beautiful inside. I was just there Friday. Has Nordstrom & NM as dept. stores. The Galleria Mall is also in WP with Macy's & Sears.

[DaemonSeid]

Is there any reason why malls are going more for the 'outdoor strip' look?

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Is there any reason why malls are going more for the 'outdoor strip' look?

Because people hate walking so far to get to 1 store! Also...it's the newest thing.
Any Atlantans here?
I used to haunt Lenox and Perimeter. Lenox is keeping it up, but Perimeter seems to be going downhill. And that one in Alpharetta (can't remember the name) just seems to have the same old. Mall of Georgia has ALMOST everything...ALMOST.
Any other newer malls? I only get to Atlanta once every two years, so I have to make the best use of my shopping time!

[Taualumna]

The new outdoor malls up here consist mostly of big box anchors around here.

[catiebug]

When we were in Chile and looking to leave, my husband had two job offers for back in the US - one in South Dakota and one in Connecticut. When he was interviewing at each place, they gave him a bunch of brochures for the area. In each packet was a brochure for the local mall.

Well, he said I could choose the place. Connecticut had the better mall, so that's where we moved.

And, in all honesty, there was more (his mother in Boston was in hospice). But the mall played a big part in it.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by catiebug

Well, he said I could choose the place. Connecticut had the better mall, so that's where we moved.

And, in all honesty, there was more (his mother in Boston was in hospice). But the mall played a big part in it.

You have very good priorities!

Seriously, had you ended up in South Dakota, you would have been on first name basis with several catalog people.

[Scully]

I heart living in the middle of Long Island and having way too many from which to choose! But I primarily shop in Nassau County, except for the few times I've headed out to the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead (a hike):

Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall Anchor stores include Macy's, Nordstrom's, Bloomingdale's and JC Penney's. Also includes Coach, Ann Taylor, Apple, Dick's Sporting Goods, A&F, Gap, Diesel, Armani Exchange, Kenneth Cole, Hollister, Express, Urban Outfitters, Guess, H&M and a movie theatre and restaurants. I used to live 8 minutes from RF and worked at the Macy's while in school. I love that place. I could find my way around there blindfolded However, it gets extremely crowded. Everyone and their mother is there on a Saturday afternoon.

Broadway Mall Anchored by Macy's, Target, IKEA and a movie theatre. I'm sad Express just closed. Contains H&M, AE, Old Navy and smaller tweeny-bopper stores. This used to be the mall that the parents used to think was "safe" and would just drop the kids off for a few hours. It was small and then grew in recent years. The mall is still teeming with middle schoolers. It's just convenient for me if I need anything, as it's on the way home from work.

The Mall at the Source Expanded after RF started growing. Includes Fortunoff, Dave & Busters, The Cheesecake Factory, Circuit City, Famous Footwear, Foot Locker, David's Bridal, H&M, Gap and Old Navy. I tend to avoid The Source. Not as large as RF. Parking is horrendous.

Americana Manhasset Also known as the "Miracle Mile." Includes Louis Vuitton, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Tiffany & Co. People with money shop here I like to browse.

[AGDLynn]

Hubby works across the street from Perimeter..it's getting better, lol.
Gwinnett - very down hill fast.
Mall of Ga. - yea
Discover Mills - very down hill fast.
South Dekalb - Near my work but I rarely go there.
North Dekalb and Northlake--Forget they are there, lol.
Cumberland - It's improved. Gone there a couple of times since they reopened but haven't had a chance to take my time looking.

Lenox and Perimeter - usually go to other malls b/c of the traffic problem.

[ZTAngel]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Because people hate walking so far to get to 1 store! Also...it's the newest thing.
Any Atlantans here?
I used to haunt Lenox and Perimeter. Lenox is keeping it up, but Perimeter seems to be going downhill. And that one in Alpharetta (can't remember the name) just seems to have the same old. Mall of Georgia has ALMOST everything...ALMOST.
Any other newer malls? I only get to Atlanta once every two years, so I have to make the best use of my shopping time!

I actually like Perimeter more than Lenox. Lenox is so crowded and I end up getting annoyed every time I'm there. Plus a bunch of women were getting mugged out in front of Lenox in broad daylight a few months ago - some guys dubbed the "Buckhead Bandits" were holding the women at gunpoint and demanding that the women give them their engagement rings/wedding bands.

Atlantic Station is the new thing. There's not many high end stores but it's in a great location and the concept is nice. Plus the big H&M store will be opening in Atlantic Station sometime this spring.

I usually go to Cumberland since it's close to my house (I'm in Smyrna/Vinings). The mall was going downhill for a while but it's been on an upswing ever since they put in PF Changs, Maggiano's, Ted's, Cheesecake Factory and Stoney River. I like going to Cumberland in the morning before the crowds come in. I find it much easier to do my shopping when you're not having to wait for a dressing room or push through a mass of people while walking through the mall.

[Sister Havana]

We just had a new outdoor mall open up in my town last year, The Promenade. It's really nice!

There have been a lot of Chicago-area malls discussed already. Some others I like: Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora, Yorktown in Lombard.

Not-so-good malls: The first one I think of is North Park Mall in Villa Park. North Riverside Park Mall used to be good, but now...not so much.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Where I'm from, we have Bellevue Square, which is an awesome mall. Then across town there's Factoria Mall, which stinks.

[KSUViolet06]

The malls in my area (northeast OH):

Nicest: Summit, Aurora Farms Outlets, Beachwood, Legacy Village (these malls have Coach, Nordstrom, and more high end department stores and other specialty stores that most malls don't have).

Okay: Chapel Hill, South Park (they have all your basic mall stores like AE, A&F, Hollister, etc. They're okay)

Worst: Rolling Acres (I honestly don't even think it qualifies as a mall anymore), Richmond, Randall Park, Tower City

[smiley21]

I saw the list I made in 2004, and it is a little dated.

Nice Malls:
1. The Avenues
2. I can't remember the name, but it is a new shopping center by the airport.
3. St. Augustine Outlet Center - I think going here can be a lot of fun, and the list of designer stores is just awesome.
4. Orange Park Mall

Nicest Mall:
1. St. John's Town Center (this mall = love) It has PF Changs, Maggiano's, Ted's, Cheesecake Factory, Capital Grille, BCBG, Juicy, White House Black Market, BeBe, Blue Mercury, Dillards, Abercrombie, Lacoste, Louis Vouiton, Anthropologie, Kate Spade, Lucky, Sephora, Coach, and I barely scratched the surface naming the stores. The mall is just a giant. If you want to see all of the stores, you are going to have to drive, because walking is just not possible. There are different sections and STILL growing. They just won't stop building over there.


Not so nice malls:
1. Gateway Mall
2. Regency Square Mall

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

The malls in my area (northeast OH):

Nicest: Summit, Aurora Farms Outlets, Beachwood, Legacy Village (these malls have Coach, Nordstrom, and more high end department stores and other specialty stores that most malls don't have).

Okay: Chapel Hill, South Park (they have all your basic mall stores like AE, A&F, Hollister, etc. They're okay)

Worst: Rolling Acres (I honestly don't even think it qualifies as a mall anymore), Richmond, Randall Park, Tower City

Also under Okay: Great Lakes Mall, Belden Village
and Nicest: Crocker Park

Not only do the worst ones suck shoppingwise, I would fear for my safety at most of them.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

The malls in my area (northeast OH):

Nicest: Summit, Aurora Farms Outlets, Beachwood, Legacy Village (these malls have Coach, Nordstrom, and more high end department stores and other specialty stores that most malls don't have).

Go West, my dear and expand your horizons. Like our Kappa friend said, you forgot Crocker Park in Westlake. It's a lifestyle center, similar to Legacy, but is also has apartments above the stores and condos around it. Also, I have heard First and Main in Hudson is nice.

Also in the Okay category, Great Northern. (Similar to South Park)