tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post410928735502966850..comments2024-03-12T06:05:52.460-07:00Comments on Sky City: Retail History: Quintard Mall: Oxford, ALJ.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-83469144144617232022014-10-27T21:23:28.743-07:002014-10-27T21:23:28.743-07:00Another update. The mall is now in foreclosure, bu...Another update. The mall is now in foreclosure, but still fully operational. There are still many vacant storefronts. We've been assured the mall will remain open and that ownership will transfer. Hopefully that's a good thing. <br /><br />http://www.annistonstar.com/news/article_fa505bbc-4a49-11e4-b08f-0f193daebed8.htmlJeremy Reaves - The Realtor Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08893760133134817856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-64077710138592906742013-01-25T18:40:06.105-08:002013-01-25T18:40:06.105-08:00The name of the grocery store was KrogersThe name of the grocery store was KrogersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-64080101091125378082013-01-09T09:19:26.197-08:002013-01-09T09:19:26.197-08:00Six months later...
We've received official w...Six months later...<br /><br />We've received official word that The Gap is closing its Quintard Mall location, effective Jan. 26, 2013. In an eleventh hour effort to save the store, The Gap tried to simply downsize to half of their current space. There was apparently some resistance from the mall's owners to decrease The Gap's rent, leading to the city's mayor making a plea to the owners. By the time the reduced rent for less space plan was approved by the owners, Gap corporate had already signed off on the closure. <br /><br />Claire's will also be closing their Quintard Mall location. <br /><br />Toys-R-Us reopened in the old Rue 21 location, and is expeceted to be a permanent store. <br /><br />Red Pepper Grill has closed, but it's expected to reopen under new management. <br /><br />It was rumored that Aeropostale would close, but the story now is that it will move to another location in the mall. <br /><br />Another rumor currently circulating is that Dillard's will close its Quintard Mall location, with the space being transitioned into a Belk. <br /><br />I've also recently noticed that the majority of the stores still open in the mall have moved downmarket. Dillard's doesn't carry as many name brands as they used to. The mens sections of stores like Gap, American Eagle, Rue 21, and Aeropostale have been significantly downsized, with limited varieties to choose from. JC Penney has gone completely minimalist (bare walls, limited inventory, and a lot of open floor space). Sears has not been taken care of at all, and is beginning to look somewhat run-down and trashy. <br /><br />There are too many vacant storefronts in this mall now, and it's getting worse. I keep hearing the same story over and over again: "the rent is too high." This is a "family-owned" mall that has been passed down through generations. I think it may be time for the current generation to sell the mall to someone who can fully revitalize it and bring it back to its former glory. Jeremyhttp://twitter.com/JeremyReavesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-46047309638247937512012-10-02T21:23:09.311-07:002012-10-02T21:23:09.311-07:00True. I live an hour from the mall. I just went to...True. I live an hour from the mall. I just went to the online directory to see if a certain store was still in the Quintard mall and all I see is numbers. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-54576209855356684572012-07-23T12:15:41.731-07:002012-07-23T12:15:41.731-07:00Some updates:
Books-A-Million has not moved into...Some updates: <br /><br />Books-A-Million has not moved into the mall. The Martins location has been split in two, with laser tag on one side and a play place for kids on the other. <br /><br />Rue 21 has moved into the newer section of the mall, leaveing its old location vacant. <br /><br />Kirkland's has relocated to the nearby Oxford Exchange, leaving its location vacant as well. <br /><br />Toys-R-Us (seasonal), Sunglas Hut, Dollar Tree, Manhattan, and a few local retailers have all shut down completely. <br /><br />PacSun closed and became an art gallery. The art gallery closed and now houses Foot Locker. <br /><br />The Shoe Dept. expanded into the abandoned Reed's Jewelers location. <br /><br />A womens boutique called "Girlfriends" has filled the old Couch's/Friedman's location. <br /><br />The Garfield's/Matterhorn Grill spot has successfully reopened as Red Pepper Grill - serving mexican-inspired fare. They expanded the restaurant into the outdoors with a fenced patio dining area. There is also a new locally-owned eatery (the name escapes me now) in the food court that seems to be doing reasonably well, along with a local bakery operating a cupcake kiosk.<br /><br />We still have a problem with vacant storfronts that really need to be filled. Additionally, the mall has become over-run with teenagers (who use the mall as a hangout spot and never have any intentions on buying anything), which has driven a lot of adult customers away. The teenagers have been responsible for numerous fights that have led to age restrictions, curfews, and increased security within the mall. <br /><br />There is also a kiosk run by individuals who aggressively solicit their products, to the annoyance of shoppers. <br /><br />That said, there is still a steady stream of adult shoppers throughout the mall, which is always a good sign.Jeremyhttp://www.twitter.com/JeremyReavesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-72913947214908065582011-05-31T05:37:19.147-07:002011-05-31T05:37:19.147-07:00...and it looks like Matterhorn Grill has closed o......and it looks like Matterhorn Grill has closed once again.Jeremyhttp://www.twitter.com/JeremyReavesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-48999745435204135462011-04-21T07:26:34.253-07:002011-04-21T07:26:34.253-07:00What Quintard Mall is lacking is stores/attraction...What Quintard Mall is lacking is stores/attractions for teens. They do use the theaters, but otherwise, they spend most of their time walking the halls of the mall just hanging out. Stores geared towards this age group would most certainly have a positive impact on the overall success of the mall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-3997914433045374422011-03-24T06:05:32.112-07:002011-03-24T06:05:32.112-07:00The Matterhorn Grill (in the former Garfield's...The Matterhorn Grill (in the former Garfield's location) has changed ownership and will soon reopen with a new staff and a new menu that is supposed to stay truer to the name of the place. Books-A-Million is still rumored to occupy the former Martin's, but my guess is that they must have run into some setbacks. Goody's did indeed reopen as Goody's and seems to be doing well enough. Now if we could just work on some of those other vacancies...Jeremyhttp://www.twitter.com/JeremyReavesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-65511719101641960682011-01-06T13:58:17.770-08:002011-01-06T13:58:17.770-08:00I work in the mall and saw that restaurant the rec...I work in the mall and saw that restaurant the recently opened in garfields old place is now closed. Seems like we can't get a restaurant in there that people will support. I thought Barnes and Noble was coming in but so far nothing. Does anyone know if they are still planning on moving thereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-16426675201745192902010-11-26T22:06:49.200-08:002010-11-26T22:06:49.200-08:00I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL NOW THAT THIS MALL OPENED ...I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL NOW THAT THIS MALL OPENED IN 1970. I THOUGHT IT OPENED IN 79'. ANYHOW, I FREQUENTED IT IN THE LATE 70'S AND EARLY 80'S AND THOUGHT IT EXCITING(UNTIL I SAW CENTURY PLAZA IN 81'). I REMEMBER SEEING THE NEW PART UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND COULDN'T WAIT TILL IT WAS FINISHED. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED. LOVE THE THEATRE. SAD TO SEE "GARFIELDS" GO AND I MISS "PIZZA BOY" AS WELL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-87170474091414772782010-05-08T22:01:44.122-07:002010-05-08T22:01:44.122-07:00Grimmer really knew what they were doing...they ma...Grimmer really knew what they were doing...they managed to get the now Stage-owned Goody's back, kicked out Martin's and lured in Books-A-Million and apparently are working on the old Garfield's, too. Sound Shop was GOOB when I was there...apparently it was an issue with the whole chain and not just that mall. I have to hand it to them keeping a 40 year old mall chugging along like that. I'm sure, too, that Dillard's was a pleasant surprise for the people there vs. dumpier Gayfer's they would have gotten otherwise.J.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-57340001549676903352010-05-08T20:38:27.838-07:002010-05-08T20:38:27.838-07:00I was in this mall today and noticed that Goody...I was in this mall today and noticed that Goody's is open! Also, the "Sound Shop" store down near Dillards is empty. It was in business last time I was there.Evans Criswellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-38351812574450559402010-04-19T20:47:58.539-07:002010-04-19T20:47:58.539-07:00its been a long time but i can still remember,,,re...its been a long time but i can still remember,,,red hanger,,three sisters,,morrisons cafeteria,,pizza boy,,,newsoms music center,,,the singer sewing mackine store,,super x drugs,, emnores,, orange julious,,,and when the space where martins is today was a grocery store,,,but i cant remember the name...randy w.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-31891691910348836682010-03-01T00:03:29.880-08:002010-03-01T00:03:29.880-08:00That's all great to hear! I can see that the ...That's all great to hear! I can see that the local ownership has really made a difference with this mall, because it seems to be unique and well managed. I think Books-A-Million and Martin's changing places was a stroke of genius.J.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-64756245738674000622010-02-28T09:09:01.649-08:002010-02-28T09:09:01.649-08:00A few updates on the Quintard Mall: I am part of ...A few updates on the Quintard Mall: I am part of the team that is opening a restaurant in the former Garfield's space, set for late April 2010 (just opened a Facebook page for it but we don't yet have a website - look for "Matterhorn Grill"). Goody's is re-opening on March 24 and Books-A-Million is moving from across Quintard into the mall as well. There are also plans to have 4 new screens built in the movie theater by the end of 2010.<br /><br />It's exciting, and I do hope it turns the mall into an appealing draw for Northeast Alabama and Western Georgia!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-26779121678721669072010-01-01T11:58:58.448-08:002010-01-01T11:58:58.448-08:00Whoever made their online directory fails forever....Whoever made their online directory fails forever. There's a numbered map with the stores, and a dropdown list of the stores, but THEY DON'T TELL YOU WHICH NUMBER IS WHICH STORE (e.g. "American Eagle - #129, Victoria's Secret - #134").<br /><br />Also, I wonder if they originally had another anchor planned for the theater slot?TenPoundHammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877746392425680956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-30749008354692333182009-12-20T02:40:49.512-08:002009-12-20T02:40:49.512-08:00Very interesting history! I always am curious abo...Very interesting history! I always am curious about the cafeterias, since nearly every mall had one. As to Goody's, I have not seen any Goody's resurface, but have seen a few prime locations converted to Bealls Outlet. I figured the mall couldn't be too much of a failure considering it was relatively busy on a normally "slow" day I visited, but i wondered if competition was crushing it due to all the closings. Perhaps that is all deliberate just to shore up the mall for new stores...that happens frequently. All but the most successful malls are having an uphill battle right now. I'm glad to hear Books-A-Million is moving back into the mall, though I would rather you get something like Borders there (Waldenbooks is the same). Eventually these chains are going to downsize so much it will open the door for new local chains to start taking off. Perhaps the Belk addition is a bad idea considering that Dillard's is floundering a bit...Belk could squeeze right in if Dillard's is to close there. <br /><br />I can tell that this mall is really a baby for both the city and the owners. I do sincerely hope they put in some fountains and make it a little more inviting, though. It is really plain right now overall.J.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-57194627596696609702009-12-19T23:53:45.229-08:002009-12-19T23:53:45.229-08:00I have a lot of fond memories of Quintard Mall. I ...I have a lot of fond memories of Quintard Mall. I have lived in the area my entire life, and I was raised in that mall. Most of the stores from my youth are gone now, with exception of Sears and JC Penney's. I bought my first cassette at Newsom's record store. There were two men’s stores - JJ's Annex, which catered to young men; and The Red Hanger, which sold men's suits. There were also several women's stores including Brooks, which catered to juniors; and Three Sisters and Three Sisters Plus, which served young and mature women. <br /><br />There was also an interesting toy store that sold old-fashioned toys. It was called Planes and Things, and was located just inside the former main entrance. It is now part of Rue 21. <br /><br />Across from Planes and Things, was a Pizza Boy pizzeria. Beside Planes and Things was a small candy store called Sweet and Salty. It eventually moved into the new food court, but was unable to compete with Great American Cookies. <br /><br />I also remember a vision center chain being located in the mall, though the name escapes my mind at the moment. <br /><br />There was a local gift shop - Snow's. They sold figurines and other collectible items. The Bookland was relocated across the street and was re-branded as a Books-A-Million. The former Bookland location became Waldenbooks, but was closed to make room for Goody's. <br /><br />For many years, the mall also housed a cafeteria. I remember it first as a Morrison's. It then transformed into a Picadilly, and finally to The Porter House Cafe. It is still in business, but has since moved - first to a strip mall across from the mall, and finally to it's current stand-alone location further east on Highway 78.<br /><br />TCBY also had a yogurt shop in the mall for several years. I spent much of my youth there, in the arcade - Pocket Change.<br /><br />Currently, there are talks to fill the majority of the vacant slots at Quintard Mall, to include a renovation, within the next year or two. I understand that the city is currently trying to attract more chains to the mall. Hopefully it will all pan out. <br /><br />Though the mall has lost some customers to the Oxford Exchange, it is still nearly impossible to navigate the thick foot traffic through the mall on weekends. it still does a thriving business, and hopefully it will continue to grow.Jeremyhttp://www.twitter.com/JeremyReavesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-34456927470570604042009-12-19T23:53:08.671-08:002009-12-19T23:53:08.671-08:00JC Penney's is indeed a two-level store. The s...JC Penney's is indeed a two-level store. The sales floor is contained entirely on the first floor. The second level is used for offices and storage. That particular store was renovated for the 2000 grand re-opening of the mall. <br /><br />Sears renovated in 1997 and re-opened a majority of the upper level. a decent amount of floor space on the second level is still used as storage and office space. The store contains the original elevator and escalators from Britt's. Incidentally, the interior entrance to Sears has remained largely unchanged since the eighties. They basically repainted it.<br /><br />The suspicious "M" in the exterior Martin's sign is the result of a low-budget repair. Instead of replacing the entire sign, the chain only put up enough cash to replace the "M," which had burned out. As a result, it is much brighter than the other letters in the sign. <br /><br />There were fountains in the original mall, but they were removed during renovations for the 2000 grand re-opening. <br /><br />The original section of the mall doesn't generate much foot traffic anymore. The "good" stores all opened in the new section, and the old section became a hub for strings of locally-owned stores that never lasted long.<br /><br />In a recent article in our newspaper, it was hinted that Goody's may be re-opening - as Goody's. Apparently the name was purchased and the new owners are interested in re-establishing the chain. <br /><br />The Martin's is now liquidating inventory because they have lost their lease. Books-A-Million, which is currently located across the street and next door to the other Martin's, is slated to occupy the space once Martin's closes. <br /><br />Additionally, more theaters are going to be added to Amstar, expanding it to a 16-screen cinema. <br /><br />Though it may not seem like it, the mall actually generates a LOT of traffic. That's probably because it is the only mall within a 30 mile (give or take) radius. The renovation, while successful, did a number on the community. Amstar effectively shut out every other theater in the area. One was able to hold on for a few years as a dollar theater before it finally shuddered. The only alternative to Amstar now is a small drive-in on the far outskirts, about a mile from my home. <br /><br />The vacancies are mostly a result of corporations going bankrupt. There are a few, however, that came about because the tenants moved to the newer (and much more successful) Oxford Exchange, on the east end of the city. The most notable of these is Couch's Jewelers. It moved temporarily across the street from the mall, before taking its current location at Oxford Exchange. The former mall location became Friedman's Jewelers, until that corporation failed.Jeremyhttp://www.twitter.com/JeremyReavesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-88480293153536296512009-12-02T08:58:44.032-08:002009-12-02T08:58:44.032-08:00Back when I was a student at Jacksonville State Un...Back when I was a student at Jacksonville State University, I'd drive down to Anniston frequently and would go in this mall, so during 1985-1987, I was in there at least once every month or two. It was just Sears and JCPenney then. Back in the mid to late 1970s, I never got to go in the mall, but we'd drive by it when we went through Anniston to Birmingham and I remember seeing "Britt's" on the side of the store.<br /><br />There are two main 80s memories I have of this mall. <br /><br />One is when the song "You Give Love A Bad Name" was new and getting played on the radio, I was in Newsom's, which was near Sears on the left coming out of Sears, and they were playing that song from the Slippery When Wet album on vinyl and I asked who the song was by.<br /><br />The second, and more impressive one, was that as televisions were getting bigger in the late 80s, I saw the first 35 inch CRT television (which seemed HUGE to me then) I'd ever seen in the Sears store, and an army guy in camoflage from Fort McClellan came in and was trying to buy it (for some purpose at work) while I was examining it.<br /><br />Up until 1999, I'd frequently drive to Anniston after visiting my parents, and would go in that mall, which changed very little through during that time before it was expanded.<br /><br />After 2000, my visits to that mall are far less frequent, but I did like the expansion and thought it helped. However, I've always felt that there is noticeable difference in the "old mall" and the new, and that needs to be remedied somehow. One minute I feel I'm in a post-2000 center and suddenly I'm back in the 1970s and 1980s when I go to the old part.<br /><br />I'm surprised by the second level information about JCPenney and Britts and Sears. I was always under the impression that both stores were originally one level and Sears expanded to 2 levels in the mid to late 80s (but I could be wrong, and it seemed that's what I remember the Wikipedia page saying, but it's gone). I'll be extremely interested to hear from anyone in the know about JCPenney and the Britts/Sears concerning this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com