tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20470955663169557892024-03-13T03:03:57.066-07:00Sky City: Retail HistoryWelcome to Sky City! This site is geared towards comprehensive retail history and modern retail trends with a general focus on the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States. While largely focused on malls, the site also covers various retail chains including, but not limited to, department stores, restaurants, shopping centers, and any other chain retail store.J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-81225025023393077932019-03-10T12:53:00.001-07:002019-03-10T12:53:14.653-07:00Meadowbrook Mall: Pittsburg, KS<div style="text-align: left;">
Nestled in the southeastern corner of Kansas is tiny Meadowbrook Mall. As the state's oldest operating mall, it still looks that way as well. While the outside was updated within the past 15-20 years (unfortunately destroying a gorgeous art-deco facade), the interior retails much of its original interior details it had since its 1969 opening date. At only around 184,000 square feet, it is a t-shaped mall but, each end of the T is an outside entrance instead of an anchor. In fact, all of the mall's anchors extend off the side of each corridor with interior space accommodating only about 15-20 tenants. Much of that 184,000 square feet is taken up by three of the mall's anchor tenants leaving the mall with only around 77,000 square feet.</div>
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Meadowbrook Mall is actually treated by its owners as a complex combining retail and office. They group the mall with three outparcels including two strips with mostly office/medical and a Westco Furniture Store. Meadowbrook Commons, a u-shaped strip on the NW corner of the mall property, has a mix of office, medical, and retail. The same applies to the smaller Meadowbrook Annex just to the south of Meadowbrook Commons facing the main road.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">First photo shows detail of center court. Second and third photos show the court with JCPenney looking north and south.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Details of the front entrance, including the monkey statues and a plastic alligator. On the outside, another white monkey statue is part of another fountain.</span></div>
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Meadowbrook Mall has survived many ups and downs in the industry considering that it never evolved into a large 3-4 anchor mall. Its major anchor JCPenney sits in the top of the T on the east side of the mall, and it is small enough that it has no outside entrances even though it takes up 68,000 square feet (over a third of the mall's gross leasable area). Its second anchor sits directly across from that: a vintage AMC theater that takes up 24,000 square feet and appears to have had additional screens added onto it. The mall never had a Sears or discount store, but it did have one other junior anchor department store, which had a surprisingly interesting history.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Outside main entrance courtyard and detail. This was far more colorful before the stucco update, but I do not have access to use the photo that showed the colorful original facade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the outside fountain and waterfall with a white monkey statue.</span></div>
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Its third anchor, most recently Goody's, had quite a history of changeover. At only 15,000 square feet, as of 2019 it will have changed names five times! It originally opened as a location of J.M. McDonald, a partner to James Cash Penney, that opened his own department store chain in 1934. J.M. McDonald operated there until 1983. After liquidation, the store would be taken over by C.R. Anthony, an upscale department store chain that was mostly west of the Mississippi River. Like McDonald, Anthony was <i>also</i> a partner to JCPenney! The fact that JCPenney is a prominent anchor in the mall and that its only other department store anchor was strongly affiliated with JCPenney suggests that the construction of this mall was heavily influenced by JCPenney itself. Anthony's itself started in 1922, but would sell out all of its stores to Stage in 1997, including the location at Meadowbrook. After the 2009 buyout of then-defunct Goody's, Stage renamed the location Goody's. Stage is again renaming the store in 2019 to its recently-purchased Gordman's division.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look at the south wing with AMC theaters on the right. Unlike center court, it was a pretty plain part of the mall with low ceilings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple details of the south wing with an arbor that looks to have possibly had fountains or a sunken area originally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple view of the north wing and entrance.</span></div>
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Despite its size and the state of the industry as a whole, the mall is doing okay. It is mostly leased, and it has a mixture of local stores and national chains. In the front of the mall next to the main entrances is a fountain with monkey statues. A similar one is located outside the entrance in the grand entrance court. Planter boxes are elevated above the mall surrounding center court, and high ceilings are met with high window skylights facing the main part of the mall in each direction. Much of its business can be attributed to its proximity to Pittsburg State University, which is a major driver in the local economy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">South entrance detail with Gordman's/Goody's to right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Fy46JU5QA01q7p6qfWzmq3iKYA6rAI_PTwjYv2IBE42tXgWZ5qIu9Zx__mg2myqhAY_hw8OS8INO4vf0FWjnVmpIUFcq-4-Ha5ti59dX95JdHPyG_AVzqd6KC7vJTGialG9-Qohzynfd/s1600/meadowbrook_16_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Fy46JU5QA01q7p6qfWzmq3iKYA6rAI_PTwjYv2IBE42tXgWZ5qIu9Zx__mg2myqhAY_hw8OS8INO4vf0FWjnVmpIUFcq-4-Ha5ti59dX95JdHPyG_AVzqd6KC7vJTGialG9-Qohzynfd/s320/meadowbrook_16_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of exterior siding entering mall next to Gordman's/Goody's</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n_r_v8UAtrpDMPW5QKSejl279PZvRgDmiSo3X4GcU2M0myLd38hpVPkAa5i1VgpAUF_WgCM-eZpUa6HdoNHcEXq928IlIY73chHUVHrRKTgB3SMqJrPauBh0WFTm55GvvfnYASSblcJX/s1600/meadowbrook_15_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n_r_v8UAtrpDMPW5QKSejl279PZvRgDmiSo3X4GcU2M0myLd38hpVPkAa5i1VgpAUF_WgCM-eZpUa6HdoNHcEXq928IlIY73chHUVHrRKTgB3SMqJrPauBh0WFTm55GvvfnYASSblcJX/s320/meadowbrook_15_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Goody's sure seems like an odd fit for Kansas as a store that was prominent primarily in Appalachia. That likely explains the name change. This was J.M. McDonald then C.R. Anthony for much of its existence.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bhYRRHCw7ELqyD6p1wwEkWja6zT7_IuMGrGv04_9gS0gorBQX2fJQEOwSh3FdbkhyFjARf1Hgk2l-WWp7DwdF5jQfQ01RmTlpN27_Q40ckz3MX3_prLJPF4rEPWN9gVBpMx_8RXXQOyv/s1600/meadowbrook_27_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bhYRRHCw7ELqyD6p1wwEkWja6zT7_IuMGrGv04_9gS0gorBQX2fJQEOwSh3FdbkhyFjARf1Hgk2l-WWp7DwdF5jQfQ01RmTlpN27_Q40ckz3MX3_prLJPF4rEPWN9gVBpMx_8RXXQOyv/s320/meadowbrook_27_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A not-so-easy to read mall directory next to center court.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbuFsn9aMwoJZLK1PNZrlwPbCvon48aSNJNgfbwX9RLm4FaSmM1kwvfUgdgS5hHc8lrZ6AVc-FtB_kI5AAQetEsrRqFB_3neqbp9iWXnMhCid-yMhP5ifR_xjWIKO2DxBwT4GSwlH9Dmt/s1600/meadowbrook_29_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbuFsn9aMwoJZLK1PNZrlwPbCvon48aSNJNgfbwX9RLm4FaSmM1kwvfUgdgS5hHc8lrZ6AVc-FtB_kI5AAQetEsrRqFB_3neqbp9iWXnMhCid-yMhP5ifR_xjWIKO2DxBwT4GSwlH9Dmt/s320/meadowbrook_29_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Skylight detail looking toward the south wing.</span></div>
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What the mall has in compactness has helped it weather many economic storms. The only problem is, the area around the mall never built up to support it. Nearly all of the retail is otherwise on the opposite side of town, and the mall's major anchor JCPenney is really struggling as a company. While it has survived many flirtations with death, the retail industry is particularly harsh these days. Keeping a small enclosed mall in a region with plentiful land in a side of town that isn't developing much is going to make things interesting in the next decade. However, it is also one of the few retail options located along the US 69 By-Pass, and it is the only major retail center on the south side of town. Thus, the mall still has marketability even if JCPenney leaves: especially since the store could be easily subdivided and modified the way it is configured into the mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoYDxodLpnsuoidGTXm2-l8qoPLupjNGG9-OyZMfhtGNzKIQ2EKjhAiH7JKMZW9mDPBkdHxLvxcRzIT6V__QTmuCgU5qmT3XMFh1zVKGyTbQJf6WupSOt_AgCJrg7OiulbIoa8GS1vvn8/s1600/meadowbrook_2_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoYDxodLpnsuoidGTXm2-l8qoPLupjNGG9-OyZMfhtGNzKIQ2EKjhAiH7JKMZW9mDPBkdHxLvxcRzIT6V__QTmuCgU5qmT3XMFh1zVKGyTbQJf6WupSOt_AgCJrg7OiulbIoa8GS1vvn8/s320/meadowbrook_2_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Outside view of the north entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13PK8slAdzdEMkf44OwfTB9kXFRryRIZPJmNEfvJHzQ2V4xfx97zX9jlrE-Y6tu2Cau_gsKK5ii7gVe6arJyDKLNPnGyuAEniuRQZYEGbqByZZYh9jt4mLpC4pOYOtFGRriyBaZTGTbFS/s1600/meadowbrook_31_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13PK8slAdzdEMkf44OwfTB9kXFRryRIZPJmNEfvJHzQ2V4xfx97zX9jlrE-Y6tu2Cau_gsKK5ii7gVe6arJyDKLNPnGyuAEniuRQZYEGbqByZZYh9jt4mLpC4pOYOtFGRriyBaZTGTbFS/s320/meadowbrook_31_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1969 details are still present along the front walkway columns</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXYwg7HncYV_41ufoUh9kAxEU1tZwE2xLqgFM9GYhWD96DivG5oh5Dz9X4M6RUwavVuDq-e3So-BkhShe87I7mo694CkcKzT5EPoi4kpKBmgQxt1wXkoKMbc2a98J_wbIEj3XhwFBbU5p/s1600/meadowbrook_33_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXYwg7HncYV_41ufoUh9kAxEU1tZwE2xLqgFM9GYhWD96DivG5oh5Dz9X4M6RUwavVuDq-e3So-BkhShe87I7mo694CkcKzT5EPoi4kpKBmgQxt1wXkoKMbc2a98J_wbIEj3XhwFBbU5p/s320/meadowbrook_33_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjA0VZiPtQyrSUGjaL9sfRUzj4JLVe9nngeeT0lms_MEKIOotlouxlKfsSP1JAWDw8K5GOdcgJ05U9CyDGqQJst6vFNEobg-0zzGZaFE_ZK0BSxTvfjvVTBiVx-bhjenueGwCptpVGwC7/s1600/meadowbrook_34_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjA0VZiPtQyrSUGjaL9sfRUzj4JLVe9nngeeT0lms_MEKIOotlouxlKfsSP1JAWDw8K5GOdcgJ05U9CyDGqQJst6vFNEobg-0zzGZaFE_ZK0BSxTvfjvVTBiVx-bhjenueGwCptpVGwC7/s320/meadowbrook_34_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exterior views of Goody's/Gordman's (originally J.M McDonald) featuring a ribbed concrete facade.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq96dt3w_nPyA_IttLF82NXC_2wzojQH-GKzStq1WvBKSTBrBeP4CQP5njR_lqBJCstOlVDM9_daC0bSt2xtUALVAdbZZeT4yNOFChXLXclP3IrbQyHnz26-14ombBjVMipxOWUjOu1xRo/s1600/meadowbrook_36_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq96dt3w_nPyA_IttLF82NXC_2wzojQH-GKzStq1WvBKSTBrBeP4CQP5njR_lqBJCstOlVDM9_daC0bSt2xtUALVAdbZZeT4yNOFChXLXclP3IrbQyHnz26-14ombBjVMipxOWUjOu1xRo/s320/meadowbrook_36_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">South entrance with Goody's/Gordman's inside to the left and the theaters to the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFDrcMJq87SgH0SMjDpOH5Z_ki8HWB-9ll8iiox8ehppH2Zug1K-kvC34Q_YEj7D1gdL2k87raRzejuHYnqgA3GSBTkDMprg7800yZ1t7ZRwe5_UeuR02FiakxYtR-ouOVmus29d1Dt8a/s1600/meadowbrook_38_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFDrcMJq87SgH0SMjDpOH5Z_ki8HWB-9ll8iiox8ehppH2Zug1K-kvC34Q_YEj7D1gdL2k87raRzejuHYnqgA3GSBTkDMprg7800yZ1t7ZRwe5_UeuR02FiakxYtR-ouOVmus29d1Dt8a/s320/meadowbrook_38_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIXfyEN63zJmZ7IyS1ZrWOhS0_x2gIl6XRpe_35ipvY1zYO9iFwJ08ODdjgiR6Nr1cEYa6x5UFmiNFJ5ZZXftXmnycjFPZZUJ0N-moyrDnib-CpCz4JhkuRe5lOVSzWhZCEE6QQyl9ue0/s1600/meadowbrook_39_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIXfyEN63zJmZ7IyS1ZrWOhS0_x2gIl6XRpe_35ipvY1zYO9iFwJ08ODdjgiR6Nr1cEYa6x5UFmiNFJ5ZZXftXmnycjFPZZUJ0N-moyrDnib-CpCz4JhkuRe5lOVSzWhZCEE6QQyl9ue0/s320/meadowbrook_39_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aor9S0qguT4CIP179xDtvU-jEbK_ydqjFYSpEsWLWWQjLkWwxJXOWOyH7EWEG73JiY1YSCJm0V1KvN-Nt_8_TnYXC3epDhLFnjpcIBiifwP-kWFdwAcsAaWTvQuhoOfb1J_unNin3Qk6/s1600/meadowbrook_37_031318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aor9S0qguT4CIP179xDtvU-jEbK_ydqjFYSpEsWLWWQjLkWwxJXOWOyH7EWEG73JiY1YSCJm0V1KvN-Nt_8_TnYXC3epDhLFnjpcIBiifwP-kWFdwAcsAaWTvQuhoOfb1J_unNin3Qk6/s320/meadowbrook_37_031318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">These three areas appear to be the only visible outside access to JCPenney, but none appear to be actual entrances.</span></div>
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It is really anybody's guess as to what the future holds for the mall. Kansas has been home to many smaller malls like this one, and most of them have faltered or completely died in the past decade. It is likely a testament to local ownership, Great Plains Developments, LLC, that has a strong, vested interest in keeping this little mall viable in contrast to larger mall operators which would have dumped this mall off to slumlords a decade ago. As Kansas's oldest operating mall, perhaps it has what it takes to outlast them all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVq_e83gaDqoUfx86exWIILYmsu1vwpcR-_3jLlku9bTHGsXGo_QtoKQiOCya1jfFJVk3RddS8kZCz-3FMAmcGQRuqOEfYSvfmYdA7v6ymxuTqMODfuKSi6g2kZX4pWSNnU7bWFEUX7Y_/s1600/meadowbrookmall_map_FINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVq_e83gaDqoUfx86exWIILYmsu1vwpcR-_3jLlku9bTHGsXGo_QtoKQiOCya1jfFJVk3RddS8kZCz-3FMAmcGQRuqOEfYSvfmYdA7v6ymxuTqMODfuKSi6g2kZX4pWSNnU7bWFEUX7Y_/s320/meadowbrookmall_map_FINAL.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Broad directory showing the mall corridor and anchor history.</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-33262222750761774372018-01-31T08:32:00.003-08:002018-01-31T08:32:52.901-08:00Florence Mall: Florence, SCThe Deep South, unlike other parts of the country, never was featured often in industry retail photography during the golden age of retail. It is difficult to find quality photos of old stores and shopping centers in these places, but a few exist. One mall oddly stands out: Florence Mall in Florence, SC. What is curious is that this mall seems to have been featured in a couple postcards when it opened, thus preserving the memory of the long-demalled center in its glory days. As one of the first malls in the state, it was never a large mall, but it had high visibility as an oasis for travelers en route to and from Myrtle Beach: a drive with long stretches of nothing in between. Located in a small city, this open-air center opened in on August 30, 1965 along U.S. 76 featuring department store anchors Belk and J.L. Coker Company as well as grocery store A&P and a Roses (five and dime). JCPenney would not arrive at the mall for two more years, but it would become the mall's largest anchor tenant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1w0bBaaXBLes3Exx9owCkgqV98hICAuPgTm4oiXo_wQFSxVivM0jC4l116MDy6n_wV3fk2ZghxtmhIW-2raahq79_XWrhzEnd-SOiL2Xnd84lGjfR9jw9WIEGwNCAlfSBeZT90TyaGD4Q/s1600/florencemall_postcard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1106" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1w0bBaaXBLes3Exx9owCkgqV98hICAuPgTm4oiXo_wQFSxVivM0jC4l116MDy6n_wV3fk2ZghxtmhIW-2raahq79_XWrhzEnd-SOiL2Xnd84lGjfR9jw9WIEGwNCAlfSBeZT90TyaGD4Q/s320/florencemall_postcard.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another curious thing about the mall is its striking similarities to the original Richland Mall in Columbia and Tri-Cities Mall in Forest City, NC. Were they all built by the same developer? The developer of this mall was a partnership of Alexander Corporation and Masten-Langston Realty of Charlotte. Downtown merchants were highly displeased with the opening of this mall, and they sought to steal some of the thunder by converting a portion of West Evans Street into a pedestrian mall in 1967. However, that project was too little, too late as JCPenney was already in the process of moving to Florence Mall with Coker's and Belk already at the mall. While the downtown mall would ultimately be removed, another mall rose up and overtake Florence Mall much sooner. In all, Florence Mall was able to dominate the market for about 14 years until it was supplanted by larger, enclosed Magnolia Mall, which opened in 1979. Considering how much smaller it was than Magnolia Mall, it's not a surprise it lost its anchors, but the funny thing is it never really died. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOpw3SQekvkUIpIsf5ZIqPMcPJt-Egp0VNmNU4su-auSpicxiGfBn5rFzGbNox8BF7RviAvnD3QUWSB3NclhQ0p4cCOYdB2EBLAqH-zha1LnQABn6SDwCCJ4RYx2SXPnPAHF3N8EhVOve/s1600/belk_florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOpw3SQekvkUIpIsf5ZIqPMcPJt-Egp0VNmNU4su-auSpicxiGfBn5rFzGbNox8BF7RviAvnD3QUWSB3NclhQ0p4cCOYdB2EBLAqH-zha1LnQABn6SDwCCJ4RYx2SXPnPAHF3N8EhVOve/s320/belk_florence.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Postcard image by Ernest Ferguson of the mall in its prime followed by an image posted in the Charleston News (now Post) & Courier showing the mall's Belk store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJBgWwnERglASf1Azq8kxVru-XXAcyx2rBGveRE_Bg1rG1yk7pUrY14nsIS_FLLBC8VJElHtNYjv7snEXWXsH6tEbUc5MDhILyciEISIsbxANX3UcDXX-APkOf02q_lFxEdD4COMyZhcj/s1600/florence_18_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJBgWwnERglASf1Azq8kxVru-XXAcyx2rBGveRE_Bg1rG1yk7pUrY14nsIS_FLLBC8VJElHtNYjv7snEXWXsH6tEbUc5MDhILyciEISIsbxANX3UcDXX-APkOf02q_lFxEdD4COMyZhcj/s320/florence_18_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">People have asked if a mall still exists, and photographer Mike Kalasnik is about to find out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabSa2riuNd1uiagevl9_APw1gVTH0tSFIOtDOHKbujVXbdnsWxy6cYzvaKLNoxiB3k1JYvlTME1wQrMGsZpljH6Lwj1PZoIPZN8Q902TuzPRlu8czNlb7JzG4s2PAtlcwSaUmJtUibQVi/s1600/florence_19_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabSa2riuNd1uiagevl9_APw1gVTH0tSFIOtDOHKbujVXbdnsWxy6cYzvaKLNoxiB3k1JYvlTME1wQrMGsZpljH6Lwj1PZoIPZN8Q902TuzPRlu8czNlb7JzG4s2PAtlcwSaUmJtUibQVi/s320/florence_19_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfflYsS3qM4NbJJKEYM29AWiQag2AziVmb0RN3YWv5MJEqNQi5LcD4u4JbwhCyEUG6NAvt-LzPAZ4y3a8P7TIyOjQ43aB5uZE2lzt3-Kx8Y8W_bIQzwFveIpq-P-sQeeiWw9J0WgYBVwa/s1600/florence_20_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfflYsS3qM4NbJJKEYM29AWiQag2AziVmb0RN3YWv5MJEqNQi5LcD4u4JbwhCyEUG6NAvt-LzPAZ4y3a8P7TIyOjQ43aB5uZE2lzt3-Kx8Y8W_bIQzwFveIpq-P-sQeeiWw9J0WgYBVwa/s320/florence_20_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A low fence did not hold back Mike Kalasnik from checking out what was beyond.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4f9J-8SqWRl0Yk3CKuXDmhbIQrZHV3axC-TveGLYbWDlYI55sp_YSZrIhyKoPrBfU0LfRsnFCkquUXpsO7Dct-53TfW7TQDAVsfHB2LfHuG7alxauTCWOqKJrKJW5-wJiMfyhbSS2Z2DK/s1600/florence_21_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4f9J-8SqWRl0Yk3CKuXDmhbIQrZHV3axC-TveGLYbWDlYI55sp_YSZrIhyKoPrBfU0LfRsnFCkquUXpsO7Dct-53TfW7TQDAVsfHB2LfHuG7alxauTCWOqKJrKJW5-wJiMfyhbSS2Z2DK/s320/florence_21_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu5S85nC7hSWq-uyFbfmbSwiNxpkBVoFuLapZoowDhQSrU0ksgPecL4LxIOIA3iQINXDWzJrJGbzGYVcPsq8hdaSDl-1XU0-ey0mjdNhfds1Bz9DlSgxhmyRz0b6Axri0cMqDD6l4yxm3/s1600/florence_22_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu5S85nC7hSWq-uyFbfmbSwiNxpkBVoFuLapZoowDhQSrU0ksgPecL4LxIOIA3iQINXDWzJrJGbzGYVcPsq8hdaSDl-1XU0-ey0mjdNhfds1Bz9DlSgxhmyRz0b6Axri0cMqDD6l4yxm3/s320/florence_22_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Scenes like this are why the old malls were so much better than the malls of today...a moody mix of dark tones and peculiar placement of skylights with trees and plants growing to them. Belk was originally on the right.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photos by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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According to the Florence Morning News, two years after Florence Mall opened, the mall underwent a major expansion that added 126,000 square feet. This addition, which opened on August 17, 1967, brought in the forementioned JCPenney along with 20 additional stores and a Piggly Wiggly on an outlot on the west side of the mall. Piggly Wiggly would later take over half of the old JCPenney years after JCPenney departed. The former Piggly Wiggly today is subdivided among a Sprint store, Game Stop, Jos. A Bank, and other tenants and is unrecognizable. In addition, Belk added 10,000 square feet to their store. This addition brought the mall's square footage up to 288,000 square feet. It was this addition that solidified the mall's position in the market while finishing off downtown Florence as a shopping destination.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hQQvqbkz5FUS4_KY75hHIfLNi5D9zgI5bbVkXnQhWRzhUlurgImknX-P6f8ZOn47lSC6uhaMCkQTOI3XzeqgvBCQ5j2NDwqwbzlDhe_XxmyFPcYZJfsgNXjAwIb62NDwPiQlRR27pVsc/s1600/florencemall_2_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hQQvqbkz5FUS4_KY75hHIfLNi5D9zgI5bbVkXnQhWRzhUlurgImknX-P6f8ZOn47lSC6uhaMCkQTOI3XzeqgvBCQ5j2NDwqwbzlDhe_XxmyFPcYZJfsgNXjAwIb62NDwPiQlRR27pVsc/s320/florencemall_2_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While no actual picture is available, here is an add from the Florence Morning News showing us its classic "Funky P" store as it looked when it opened on August 17, 1967.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0V8hGuQCqSXtVsSz_iyAA8VYNzTIrpuHSXmRfIr1NgWz4sabQKI3vEiPREk5BIxPGvp20VXtPz_YizeRQz59O9B4jyzSF7G9ue0SzdN_D_XheWApuhgeieIhbFn9TYLDL6w1neEjyVyv/s1600/florencemall_4_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0V8hGuQCqSXtVsSz_iyAA8VYNzTIrpuHSXmRfIr1NgWz4sabQKI3vEiPREk5BIxPGvp20VXtPz_YizeRQz59O9B4jyzSF7G9ue0SzdN_D_XheWApuhgeieIhbFn9TYLDL6w1neEjyVyv/s320/florencemall_4_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This Penney's ad not only shows an architectural drawing of the store, but also includes some awesome Penney's branded electronics. JCPenney phased out electronics in 1985. (Florence Morning News, August 17, 1967)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4g9ObHS2x8BnN99nemxKDenlm551AHbW91akjXnPiQjraszClWcyvQRgoss_DXKCvvWH1s6_-lFIx1ga2tIgecvIcchyphenhyphen1oumqoHpQehEzdE1OhEFXxzbGx2nw_ZTh2mO6LoERXJIWyTj/s1600/florencemall_6_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="879" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4g9ObHS2x8BnN99nemxKDenlm551AHbW91akjXnPiQjraszClWcyvQRgoss_DXKCvvWH1s6_-lFIx1ga2tIgecvIcchyphenhyphen1oumqoHpQehEzdE1OhEFXxzbGx2nw_ZTh2mO6LoERXJIWyTj/s320/florencemall_6_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This ad here is golden. Not only does it show us how AMAZING the original mall sign was, but it also gives us a glimpse of the old "Funky P" mall entrance that remained at this location until 1980 meaning that this store operated as JCPenney a mere 13 years! (Florence Morning News, August 17, 1967)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-ooB5l9yBrK3BlLBcbVU7WwKJi5dnc7yOAKhdxhIYwznTP3PsdfLWyd743ee1MuK41NbO-zk8Kyvhjz3vx1DJyeBNd_tGRKOyZ6tP9UsVDSSJ-Wb_L4wl3I6dzjLGacl-Mg-A7hCiyHP/s1600/florencemall_3_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-ooB5l9yBrK3BlLBcbVU7WwKJi5dnc7yOAKhdxhIYwznTP3PsdfLWyd743ee1MuK41NbO-zk8Kyvhjz3vx1DJyeBNd_tGRKOyZ6tP9UsVDSSJ-Wb_L4wl3I6dzjLGacl-Mg-A7hCiyHP/s320/florencemall_3_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Even Penney's Auto Center makes a cameo in the grand opening article. It does not appear to still be standing and is most likely where Wells Fargo is today. (Florence Morning News, August 17, 1967).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJeOfhDkzgorT3CuK5yMFXMt10aC8nQ5J2xb7nQehk4tQJ5M3FLZ-RfPigTo37gOGrri49GKO1LGcEMKEB83lhyA9vqGDciN_TfEdE6hcXHIOl5V75-ckNpo2ar44avVzKmo7VVBgFJ21/s1600/florencemall_7_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJeOfhDkzgorT3CuK5yMFXMt10aC8nQ5J2xb7nQehk4tQJ5M3FLZ-RfPigTo37gOGrri49GKO1LGcEMKEB83lhyA9vqGDciN_TfEdE6hcXHIOl5V75-ckNpo2ar44avVzKmo7VVBgFJ21/s320/florencemall_7_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk expansion ad. This appears to have been just before the introduction of the big "B". (Florence Morning News, August 17, 1967)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzVBAiZv6qRVgmLB8r0GQbrtS5edXyDlvFjuqAaAa83UWs06WrCT8i7934Xl-TODvu8sijYc4bFxS4SfieREpP4BAt9f2DFy9fILZB7AXVohztq9lcPeBZ7wwzQtR9nH9z-ccTxwzrds1/s1600/florencemall_8_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="761" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzVBAiZv6qRVgmLB8r0GQbrtS5edXyDlvFjuqAaAa83UWs06WrCT8i7934Xl-TODvu8sijYc4bFxS4SfieREpP4BAt9f2DFy9fILZB7AXVohztq9lcPeBZ7wwzQtR9nH9z-ccTxwzrds1/s320/florencemall_8_florencemorningnews_081767.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Porter's Gift Shop apparently moved from downtown to the mall during the 1967 addition and continued to operate there years after JCPenney and Belk departed closing sometime after 2012.</span></div>
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During the 2000's, the interior mall courtyard was mostly closed off to the public. However, most people do not realize that much of the old mall is still there with the mall portion hidden from the public behind an "employees only" notice. Essentially, instead of converting the mall into a strip, the owners of the mall turned the mall inside out as basically a square strip surrounding a mostly walled-off mall corridor that now functions as a break area for employees and a back entrance for vendors, thus it is no longer open to the general public. They achieved this by filling in all but one entrance corridor with stores. How often are these malls hiding from our view that were supposedly redeveloped?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gElS631N7EKgIwY_46vl9AB2xUE3YjY7RxTxfQtTJSxLmxdD8UObNOj-WXoiAyB4pcV5JV19KClj4RatT7BybpdqUHMpGh8Ew9BGxbtSkXXNIwXqUI_d4V_zqMSmwK1sXXR4tB-Wrl4v/s1600/florence_23_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gElS631N7EKgIwY_46vl9AB2xUE3YjY7RxTxfQtTJSxLmxdD8UObNOj-WXoiAyB4pcV5JV19KClj4RatT7BybpdqUHMpGh8Ew9BGxbtSkXXNIwXqUI_d4V_zqMSmwK1sXXR4tB-Wrl4v/s320/florence_23_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">No 60's mall is every complete without a few faux-Colonial touches.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KTYyVDD8k8K3P_HhXRTeQptRaCUNS8SrPzVHO9mhn0NUbo9k8dDWxrl3UuGENUqS6PN0Woa1986tMzLj4amg_VOecwQwJKOJ583gim8_di-6lt-JLMEcTS0BRt1r7k_-aWe0ovIB2O6F/s1600/florence_24_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KTYyVDD8k8K3P_HhXRTeQptRaCUNS8SrPzVHO9mhn0NUbo9k8dDWxrl3UuGENUqS6PN0Woa1986tMzLj4amg_VOecwQwJKOJ583gim8_di-6lt-JLMEcTS0BRt1r7k_-aWe0ovIB2O6F/s320/florence_24_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">About to enter the mall.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcarPiQ80-4AQryUeR1_ij1CAgnFF5BBcTT3tuWGzwK_woNPMvqNBzuNS0GtWFh4I1ezPA1BkvuZzqvIUKUh8x-eG1Cm8H4P3ZO-qPd8UPen6UG-hkNqK1ABR66rSYKHLU1tGvEC2uy6qB/s1600/florence_25_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcarPiQ80-4AQryUeR1_ij1CAgnFF5BBcTT3tuWGzwK_woNPMvqNBzuNS0GtWFh4I1ezPA1BkvuZzqvIUKUh8x-eG1Cm8H4P3ZO-qPd8UPen6UG-hkNqK1ABR66rSYKHLU1tGvEC2uy6qB/s320/florence_25_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking back from the main mall to the one remaining entrance wing. Compared to the 1960's photo, the overhead walkways look completely different now. The entrance wing that still exists is on the NE side of the mall. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaV6ZiSQPT4ppjt5fbfOmXQp3_vvh7Dm7zCFbOuAalQMOyxidDirzXXHQ7qPkWLsUqLP6AbbnMLf-QET04vyF9wot3rZAamjfpJ33PjQ95ijSBgq7t-q-_yEh7rV4pPQMj7aAGqV5WiHs/s1600/florence_26_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaV6ZiSQPT4ppjt5fbfOmXQp3_vvh7Dm7zCFbOuAalQMOyxidDirzXXHQ7qPkWLsUqLP6AbbnMLf-QET04vyF9wot3rZAamjfpJ33PjQ95ijSBgq7t-q-_yEh7rV4pPQMj7aAGqV5WiHs/s320/florence_26_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking northeast to the north end of the mall where the "MERRY CHRISTMAS" banner and Belk entrance off to the right was posted. In the background is now a wall for Ross, which filled in part of the mall corridor.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2ERj6nFfNVmyoAWYXHKxA8j1XdlKOtir0BYGWxGNXoxoy5Ntnqt-PVLnIg9_DXQY9VD1SktXio14JiSB8dcVQc5cfXywBI5Z8kbY6Uk2ZlE0s5C8gr7a1SDR920YlmH5xIVrL-wZAsZv/s1600/florence_27_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2ERj6nFfNVmyoAWYXHKxA8j1XdlKOtir0BYGWxGNXoxoy5Ntnqt-PVLnIg9_DXQY9VD1SktXio14JiSB8dcVQc5cfXywBI5Z8kbY6Uk2ZlE0s5C8gr7a1SDR920YlmH5xIVrL-wZAsZv/s320/florence_27_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The wood-grained ceiling and update of the overhangs was most likely done sometime in the 1980's as a means of trying to renovate the mall back into legitimacy. It clearly did not work to save the interior mall. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNEgdH6CoonuPe-tvEY1MyIzZ4sRuKpkmF10rxq9JKQ7HP46O3jIWanv-ARFCzvqaFGyZJ0CfUoToabEYUEuZlSan6kFNBEUW45J420QM1D5EUNJJP1Z1FQtjVmZGHWM4tWjy9M5UmzSZ/s1600/florence_28_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNEgdH6CoonuPe-tvEY1MyIzZ4sRuKpkmF10rxq9JKQ7HP46O3jIWanv-ARFCzvqaFGyZJ0CfUoToabEYUEuZlSan6kFNBEUW45J420QM1D5EUNJJP1Z1FQtjVmZGHWM4tWjy9M5UmzSZ/s320/florence_28_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking toward the former location of JCPenney. The planter itself might be original.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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The curious thing about Florence Mall is that it did not follow the usual pattern of older open-air 1960's malls in that, while it died as a mall, it remains a major retail center as part of the retail corridor supporting Magnolia Mall nearby. By filling in the main entrance corridor and making the other entryways less accessible, they have effectively demalled the center without demolishing a single structure! Compare that to other similarly designed open-air malls like Tri-City Mall in Forest City, NC. That mall is mostly vacant in the core despite two healthy anchors. Also, unlike Tri-City Mall, the interior mall corridor apparently received a major update sometime in the 1980's or 1990's so that it does not resemble the postcard views of the mall with the A-frame canopies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz3rcJ2tU6dy4I3EYLA8Xj8Q1MZ-2TdIThIcM87W1mnjMGfWyf3VX7xlY8ji-zoxL0iPQBqX4yhsBMktFED7lKZeWsHFCJp4S0gOo1Z8sXC7qEMcKPiKgwQpd_S0eisO_iqjKVbb7hfWD/s1600/florence_29_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz3rcJ2tU6dy4I3EYLA8Xj8Q1MZ-2TdIThIcM87W1mnjMGfWyf3VX7xlY8ji-zoxL0iPQBqX4yhsBMktFED7lKZeWsHFCJp4S0gOo1Z8sXC7qEMcKPiKgwQpd_S0eisO_iqjKVbb7hfWD/s320/florence_29_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Continuing toward the former JCPenney. Cokers was originally on the left. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkLhVD9QhSFKLv-kuI6ZMJR329faX47rW7P9PMTUiYVySNshjrjFjkh4DN6Kd4onahmVS-9_yjFuzUxphD_1GQu2uK5BvEAmjwmP4agHTawUjgnsW08YqJMMjb0bd3JLN_eiRnGCrPvhA/s1600/florence_30_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkLhVD9QhSFKLv-kuI6ZMJR329faX47rW7P9PMTUiYVySNshjrjFjkh4DN6Kd4onahmVS-9_yjFuzUxphD_1GQu2uK5BvEAmjwmP4agHTawUjgnsW08YqJMMjb0bd3JLN_eiRnGCrPvhA/s320/florence_30_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mike finds a mysterious door off to the left.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZd3M1h9yTPYT31gh_x2Qlbs2ga9yr4U4_zpkHnYemIorUtqyTDMc6CdsKLKZYjisVWBfcNQ6l5ZqG1tDr56SinhKQqkmGlRDmxvzMIJw8PyUZ4NOAJL7ceWUHdjK8MsHO15D0g_OCYx3/s1600/florence_31_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZd3M1h9yTPYT31gh_x2Qlbs2ga9yr4U4_zpkHnYemIorUtqyTDMc6CdsKLKZYjisVWBfcNQ6l5ZqG1tDr56SinhKQqkmGlRDmxvzMIJw8PyUZ4NOAJL7ceWUHdjK8MsHO15D0g_OCYx3/s320/florence_31_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Where did this door go? Was this the mall entrance to the original Cokers or was it something else?<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RT7EzrP4985ALxD6zwUnydWJIMjKltBg8iadEaq2DbwoO14lV4EI_ntAvyAjpGxi1vGiJf_Wc3LOJlRVtqp6gzeQMDGy8HiMeX5-VQaFS2LSF8hAvCVTcS0WMSVS_4X-PIiymR1ptJZv/s1600/florence_32_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RT7EzrP4985ALxD6zwUnydWJIMjKltBg8iadEaq2DbwoO14lV4EI_ntAvyAjpGxi1vGiJf_Wc3LOJlRVtqp6gzeQMDGy8HiMeX5-VQaFS2LSF8hAvCVTcS0WMSVS_4X-PIiymR1ptJZv/s320/florence_32_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">To the right, Mike finds what appears to be the southwest mall entrance corridor opened up. It was sealed off after the 2000 "demalling"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBktijsJC3_hsqOMZ7jyNhIHo6SB6oLeh4PoicsnGxT3sWbsFRo5ngb8tLrxOkGvZ3i5YPAgX2O57F6mXGV3egVUsbjKVBhYZWGYc-kqnUcqIaA9xFKAP3ZzO4zNK6Zz4t8iPsxbB1uqe/s1600/florence_33_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBktijsJC3_hsqOMZ7jyNhIHo6SB6oLeh4PoicsnGxT3sWbsFRo5ngb8tLrxOkGvZ3i5YPAgX2O57F6mXGV3egVUsbjKVBhYZWGYc-kqnUcqIaA9xFKAP3ZzO4zNK6Zz4t8iPsxbB1uqe/s320/florence_33_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Once upon a time, shoppers came upon the mall entrance to Funky P. Today, a few mall employees come across a giant concrete slab with an overhang covering an emergency exit.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wnzWmZcvFd2RtduO4pJuuZv1pPNaiP0XrhA8k6ufIV1gG2Zj6-kMhbp5PruU5Qh7E8Jyzp7Yk4LsgO4HcVsPtEu_L3dBPeKOid2Tlo2_oeN9PVKobJzCvheZYX2RdaXQyzVq62Zg_g7c/s1600/florence_34_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wnzWmZcvFd2RtduO4pJuuZv1pPNaiP0XrhA8k6ufIV1gG2Zj6-kMhbp5PruU5Qh7E8Jyzp7Yk4LsgO4HcVsPtEu_L3dBPeKOid2Tlo2_oeN9PVKobJzCvheZYX2RdaXQyzVq62Zg_g7c/s320/florence_34_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking away from the former JCPenney back into the main mall. Why is the mall on the left suddenly a void here?<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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The loss of the interior mall was slow, but the anchor losses came very quickly. When Magnolia Mall opened, Belk, JCPenney and Roses all fled to the newer, larger mall. Belk and Roses left in 1979 while JCPenney left in 1980. Coker's was sadly left behind, apparently unable to afford the move. By 1982, they threw in the towel and closed the entire chain. The loss of Coker's was not exactly a small deal. It was a department store that had been in business since 1865, and it had locations in Sumter, Myrtle Beach and a half-block long flagship store in Hartsville in addition to the Florence Mall store. While not much is known about the store today, it was one of several prominent department stores in South Carolina that found they were unable to compete with the influx of larger, improved chain department stores and enclosed malls. Coker's was sold at the mall, but it is not clear what it was immediately after it was sold. The loss of anchors did not mean that all of the empty stores anchors remained vacant, however, as it was still located on a hot retail corridor close to the new mall. This meant that the once dominant mall was, for a few years, repurposed as an ancillary mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiCiwoe3GowQFmbchcO4Yt1RW4ZVWm16MOKb3QNff7i-n1YGHiANLliKDE37BN7TJOWY-Ckt5fctTM-Z4_5U4kE95wVojZmpLn4u9S7008i5pEqcsoeNTuod2z5ho9uYTRvE9tlIyH5gr/s1600/cokers_florence_ad_1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiCiwoe3GowQFmbchcO4Yt1RW4ZVWm16MOKb3QNff7i-n1YGHiANLliKDE37BN7TJOWY-Ckt5fctTM-Z4_5U4kE95wVojZmpLn4u9S7008i5pEqcsoeNTuod2z5ho9uYTRvE9tlIyH5gr/s320/cokers_florence_ad_1975.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cokers ad from 1975 from the Charleston Times (Post) & Courier.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVr5neeYruEZuCXhDVVBU-p0nkuMRwfZHAtu0wNyCFt4E40MKfXM79tYqG6gCdjk3VcIgw9mEVXk-9BHEL0JS4eyud_i1rpyYq1686SU9R_j0PyeiuWt4DXiS6X_v_jXKyfGKA-X7PXOZE/s1600/florence_35_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVr5neeYruEZuCXhDVVBU-p0nkuMRwfZHAtu0wNyCFt4E40MKfXM79tYqG6gCdjk3VcIgw9mEVXk-9BHEL0JS4eyud_i1rpyYq1686SU9R_j0PyeiuWt4DXiS6X_v_jXKyfGKA-X7PXOZE/s320/florence_35_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QQr9dGliJtumIz78dGjpFr_8w0N4jldo3K8UkzZNQ5_RnNdTPyMRiXasFEHB90P4g-0LDdn-jq0ZybRnzbb5f0TtbrVfsdOL1hIigiyz9Xy6_YjRLLkgiTHhNJE5FCkZz15wwQFJcDIB/s1600/florence_36_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QQr9dGliJtumIz78dGjpFr_8w0N4jldo3K8UkzZNQ5_RnNdTPyMRiXasFEHB90P4g-0LDdn-jq0ZybRnzbb5f0TtbrVfsdOL1hIigiyz9Xy6_YjRLLkgiTHhNJE5FCkZz15wwQFJcDIB/s320/florence_36_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This one skylight is located near the "employees only" entrance in the main mall.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8FuCvmJcF2QmE16yJzw92adOlX2LxuEAaPm6oNOF8xbK74whFNDPu3twc1lqrihnXXDx4x12t6FErrRwKMoYHy478jdo3L9ZQW1tFTBT8Xqqa8TKESNTZVBHrFsZy5dq6-nq7f0Cj_ad/s1600/florence_37_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8FuCvmJcF2QmE16yJzw92adOlX2LxuEAaPm6oNOF8xbK74whFNDPu3twc1lqrihnXXDx4x12t6FErrRwKMoYHy478jdo3L9ZQW1tFTBT8Xqqa8TKESNTZVBHrFsZy5dq6-nq7f0Cj_ad/s320/florence_37_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A very South Carolinian planter scene complete with palmettos.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMb6EjcvRKMV3twsl6nySiyJQ7BP-D8hz0HMGZrw4UGpgwv5YRmMGiL4jwzX3LpZm9xHURiuxPi9L9cO-trVDu4boJMM4pEMRtYQxTaa5rzzek_KCC6e5noDj-FUDXp9J0HijGC6nq5e8/s1600/florence_1_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMb6EjcvRKMV3twsl6nySiyJQ7BP-D8hz0HMGZrw4UGpgwv5YRmMGiL4jwzX3LpZm9xHURiuxPi9L9cO-trVDu4boJMM4pEMRtYQxTaa5rzzek_KCC6e5noDj-FUDXp9J0HijGC6nq5e8/s320/florence_1_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7INHBeyaXnTHnIecCwjnyiMMb44CZNtXvniIsjXa5rLJOYGZ29K3cRLYTffaTOMAJ-bTj_A-0pxdmTu0mDPK4gZ3sXBvsWJvkBx2WCCMaEg7QKxZ5OxgcKs6W2HrMc_00lVgvkohTAA-/s1600/florence_2_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7INHBeyaXnTHnIecCwjnyiMMb44CZNtXvniIsjXa5rLJOYGZ29K3cRLYTffaTOMAJ-bTj_A-0pxdmTu0mDPK4gZ3sXBvsWJvkBx2WCCMaEg7QKxZ5OxgcKs6W2HrMc_00lVgvkohTAA-/s320/florence_2_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Piggly Wiggly (former JCPenney) with the former store entrance rather obvious based on architectural cues. Redbone Alley takes over part of the store in the second photo.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photos by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJbqRQbGooNHNwnJSYo0pt9ufZlfNt-qj0BCsLQmaRk7H6Qfu5tFRp81RCaF4daL60_6cExVJJ46Cy2HvPJ1mxuHZoia_NbYi62KeoIIJDs1JfwhwFlfKgKvH5TAD0KJxL-KGw5Dq8Jgf/s1600/florence_15_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJbqRQbGooNHNwnJSYo0pt9ufZlfNt-qj0BCsLQmaRk7H6Qfu5tFRp81RCaF4daL60_6cExVJJ46Cy2HvPJ1mxuHZoia_NbYi62KeoIIJDs1JfwhwFlfKgKvH5TAD0KJxL-KGw5Dq8Jgf/s320/florence_15_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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Something to remember is that, despite its small size, Florence Mall was a pretty substantial mall for its day. The mall included a national department store, five-and-dime, two grocery stores, a local department stores, and a regional department store. This also resulted in many stores having both interior and exterior access making the stores easy to fill when the mall itself began to fail. Belk was replaced by Peebles, and the vacancy left by JCPenney was later replaced in part by Piggly Wiggly in 1985. It is not certain about how long A&P remained, but it likely remained in the mall up until A&P pulled out of the market in the 1980's. It is not clear what else was there in the interim, but it did appear that the vacancies remained high in the mall throughout the 80's and 90's. Peebles most likely closed by the 2000's, consolidating with a nearby store that is today Goody's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AKa8dDKhQhFrKs-8aAXKQRv1u7kd5G2tt0Gq5dE1SY_AxIEDLNGZLoxHhsYXukz9pYrYKTG4LqVVAUFS-ExMPVUjM37IsOsXr03myt5Jh2XJuTV_8_29pkxHT3g05Raj2WfUn0Xegto5/s1600/florence_16_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AKa8dDKhQhFrKs-8aAXKQRv1u7kd5G2tt0Gq5dE1SY_AxIEDLNGZLoxHhsYXukz9pYrYKTG4LqVVAUFS-ExMPVUjM37IsOsXr03myt5Jh2XJuTV_8_29pkxHT3g05Raj2WfUn0Xegto5/s320/florence_16_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blink and you miss it. This is the narrow corridor that Mike found to access the real Florence Mall (what's left of it). Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj273oRl3MaoTUEy-G2YztWCrIINrMZjm2U6f6a-hGNDVgguuOtkI9Q0tUuQ2QC_uIxfJNehewnXbfEx7GC_mv8QgBv8TlYmJfwhE8jnXBEJjoxXkCYjdB9x_qhyphenhyphenOUIeN838yTOI37UC6pq/s1600/florence_3_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj273oRl3MaoTUEy-G2YztWCrIINrMZjm2U6f6a-hGNDVgguuOtkI9Q0tUuQ2QC_uIxfJNehewnXbfEx7GC_mv8QgBv8TlYmJfwhE8jnXBEJjoxXkCYjdB9x_qhyphenhyphenOUIeN838yTOI37UC6pq/s320/florence_3_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The back side of now-closed Porter's Gift Shop is the approximate location of the arched doorway found in the mall. What was this originally? This is inset next to the former JCPenney on the left. On the right (not visible) is the former Coker's. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ6BiH4rul2FM3vQaFVOE0OyYrEJR5M_yxsbp8UwhjR46Q7y8jilgnx3D7WJavurbA5EEEy9KLxpikuEYw3bJvLuocg5wnz_XKvJ0oHcX3WA4e3Dd7qgW_AW8TY7AROXhqbISTbDjDYXF/s1600/florence_7_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ6BiH4rul2FM3vQaFVOE0OyYrEJR5M_yxsbp8UwhjR46Q7y8jilgnx3D7WJavurbA5EEEy9KLxpikuEYw3bJvLuocg5wnz_XKvJ0oHcX3WA4e3Dd7qgW_AW8TY7AROXhqbISTbDjDYXF/s320/florence_7_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cici's Pizza takes up part of the former Belk and covers up the northern mall entrance corridor. This is the precise location of the "MERRY CHRISTMAS" banner next to Belk, but facing in the opposite direction. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf3wpHWaih8RNfliYJESkN5Nk5GHU2KK9l4cBrz2uYh3WAQdEWAJzoQHJJuReFladwHSiAzjpZtpGzV8PLfibrG5SdTG-_YRtjeyMTvU15pl7PJfY2YARu1ODs1WkDtmM2Yv73gg_AKSM/s1600/florence_14_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf3wpHWaih8RNfliYJESkN5Nk5GHU2KK9l4cBrz2uYh3WAQdEWAJzoQHJJuReFladwHSiAzjpZtpGzV8PLfibrG5SdTG-_YRtjeyMTvU15pl7PJfY2YARu1ODs1WkDtmM2Yv73gg_AKSM/s320/florence_14_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Piggly Wiggly from this angle gives no indication of its former life as JCPenney. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpZyb9MsBVdUXqEU08eoCeXXnuh4BYbwZShSD8oxdDERUnLNX1Xnmr2ftvRyjZR-elNT1zf3iGW21NWlEV-BkWau4jhxlhFuNZY3qiURfpQPKdUZhuktL8DP5bIUzb9eohkvVJXd1Po1a/s1600/florence_5_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpZyb9MsBVdUXqEU08eoCeXXnuh4BYbwZShSD8oxdDERUnLNX1Xnmr2ftvRyjZR-elNT1zf3iGW21NWlEV-BkWau4jhxlhFuNZY3qiURfpQPKdUZhuktL8DP5bIUzb9eohkvVJXd1Po1a/s320/florence_5_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dress Barn fills in tenant space next to the one remaining interior entrance corridor.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRoty5EhypDYRKxP5-Ulwbuw6PNQ5RmavXD-C2aC5JLitTIYBlxxfwX6iVzmFREtvZL9ZqX5qi0JqAWCbP9uekKBskudGci1FtQblkKvnuEoD4blZFSR7JWhrs_o6lnCPUQoLZwQD4Lin/s1600/florence_10_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRoty5EhypDYRKxP5-Ulwbuw6PNQ5RmavXD-C2aC5JLitTIYBlxxfwX6iVzmFREtvZL9ZqX5qi0JqAWCbP9uekKBskudGci1FtQblkKvnuEoD4blZFSR7JWhrs_o6lnCPUQoLZwQD4Lin/s320/florence_10_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pkNxIwNNH60dCY38xpWHSZ44PZeIpNYpngxs7lw6sdQ9WWieu2D3_QKIjwntTy_eHj2az4RSbuY8p2Q0wO54tMbpDulWVUc0o36qv2fU_N_wbdWegEWn2LJeGs4Rgkds-o94HjHZor2o/s1600/florence_11_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pkNxIwNNH60dCY38xpWHSZ44PZeIpNYpngxs7lw6sdQ9WWieu2D3_QKIjwntTy_eHj2az4RSbuY8p2Q0wO54tMbpDulWVUc0o36qv2fU_N_wbdWegEWn2LJeGs4Rgkds-o94HjHZor2o/s320/florence_11_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rugged Wearhouse is owned by Gabe's (formerly Gabriel Brothers) and Shoe Carnival filled in former mall space and the front entrance corridor. Photos by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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In 2000, the mostly dead mall got its makeover by turning the mall inside out. By that point, what stores were left mostly had parking lot access and closed off their access to the mall itself chosing instead to face the parking lot. This resulted in a closure of the mall around 2008 to the public with the rest of the stores filled with mostly big boxes. It helped that every anchor except for JCPenney was a smaller inline store. Thus, quite a few anchor changes took place since 1979. Peeble's later closed and was replaced by Ross, which uses part of the original mall area for storage and deliveries. Coker's is today Stein Mart, which means it is possible this was an early location of Stein Mart (opened in the 80's). T.J. Maxx also came to fill the A&P slot that had previously been subdivided into smaller stores. Redbone Alley took over the vacant half of the former JCPenney next to Piggly Wiggly, and the former Rose's became Ulta. Other stores would follow turning a dead open-air mall into a very healthy, but oddly shaped strip mall. What was done was what needed to be done, but it is a shame these stores cannot open up into the courtyard to give shoppers an option to relax in the middle of shopping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvdvC-0vDBzYB8f_BYpLlAWSrUrfJJuTZhEzeOaSkhjmZePmmQo3nuY7_DU0yNvBb2nmqxbMqhv6vno30t7jrDXwgTXBQ21cV2mABcuQe15c-MvK_JafmOfXdNxfB7YCi3rWSvxzSQ5Jd/s1600/florence_4_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvdvC-0vDBzYB8f_BYpLlAWSrUrfJJuTZhEzeOaSkhjmZePmmQo3nuY7_DU0yNvBb2nmqxbMqhv6vno30t7jrDXwgTXBQ21cV2mABcuQe15c-MvK_JafmOfXdNxfB7YCi3rWSvxzSQ5Jd/s320/florence_4_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Stein Mart had originally operated as Coker's Department Store from 1965-1982.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzV2z8QHx86mvt58kKu-eNQ2UAL_BJJ72KWDlc5ewuE_knKK5G43O6p6wh0IHUg05OM0l6FEva4r3KSy0sKpUjSWavRbWHRpKlJTGV-kmvhl5a97Zgytuvb5xbFjD5wLr2uJzq46s1bXn/s1600/florence_6_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzV2z8QHx86mvt58kKu-eNQ2UAL_BJJ72KWDlc5ewuE_knKK5G43O6p6wh0IHUg05OM0l6FEva4r3KSy0sKpUjSWavRbWHRpKlJTGV-kmvhl5a97Zgytuvb5xbFjD5wLr2uJzq46s1bXn/s320/florence_6_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ross was Belk from 1965-1979 and was Peebles for an unknown period after Belk left the mall. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHjJdkdxkBl7Lhtys2Wgr35R57OrVNLtBSDw4jQapcns3r_tWk1EGBRH8MxFFpml9o24SiOB_ZFhO-t4XKVWvQm3KMURdrmVosyTE42ZY2Tg1XGIGLTAZPjvBg5hqXAtbuik1XffRAyhD/s1600/florence_8_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHjJdkdxkBl7Lhtys2Wgr35R57OrVNLtBSDw4jQapcns3r_tWk1EGBRH8MxFFpml9o24SiOB_ZFhO-t4XKVWvQm3KMURdrmVosyTE42ZY2Tg1XGIGLTAZPjvBg5hqXAtbuik1XffRAyhD/s320/florence_8_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ross's delivery entrance is what was originally the northern entrance to the mall corridor with Belk on the left and A&P on the right.<span style="text-align: center;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgwqGCKjGqk22vVWEMj6i-rpIc5wG3bfbxUfulievSdRA8cG33wwVAhsJM5lVydqucss-igEC8rDdDCmBdB9KAayhinztssK9gaIeYaye1agXkAB975u4GoGVcNq4SxuwoUSjReulQyT5/s1600/florence_9_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgwqGCKjGqk22vVWEMj6i-rpIc5wG3bfbxUfulievSdRA8cG33wwVAhsJM5lVydqucss-igEC8rDdDCmBdB9KAayhinztssK9gaIeYaye1agXkAB975u4GoGVcNq4SxuwoUSjReulQyT5/s320/florence_9_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">T.J. Maxx was formerly A&P and faces the front of the mall.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0voOEKugm7bh1gkl390yqu4jxh3ugqOodRTBycli5DTO7TbN_c_Qx8UySw7Jjs-bjyz7WLKBBIKM3PSq9ismsz1SiOUtDy0ecBrk6H5d57qG4hyphenhyphenkxNUji-DU5acAVTtnDaIPxhxjmfr1X/s1600/florence_12_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0voOEKugm7bh1gkl390yqu4jxh3ugqOodRTBycli5DTO7TbN_c_Qx8UySw7Jjs-bjyz7WLKBBIKM3PSq9ismsz1SiOUtDy0ecBrk6H5d57qG4hyphenhyphenkxNUji-DU5acAVTtnDaIPxhxjmfr1X/s320/florence_12_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Petco, Ulta Cosmetics, and JoAnn Fabrics are under construction in this view. JoAnn filled in what was a front mall entrance corridor next to JCPenney. Ulta was originally the Roses location. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaQOXgADht6Ohld8OJVis5SOSdH2vKjarkcV1JU012h8P-dII6aM-WalLUtiXJdyadQFWtxoWeB7jwrJh1b-ryPUEX7oNOlytTP15mBwVxeiQbdHBjtXVlnTi7Iwp66I-jp3Myf15Lf0-/s1600/florence_17_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaQOXgADht6Ohld8OJVis5SOSdH2vKjarkcV1JU012h8P-dII6aM-WalLUtiXJdyadQFWtxoWeB7jwrJh1b-ryPUEX7oNOlytTP15mBwVxeiQbdHBjtXVlnTi7Iwp66I-jp3Myf15Lf0-/s320/florence_17_020312_mikekalasnik.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall's logo being an asterisk is highly appropriate since it is a *mall. Photo by Mike Kalasnik taken February 3, 2012.</span></div>
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In a sense, Florence Mall has come full circle. While new tenants filled in much of the mall's old space, many smaller tenants remain vacant in the middle of the closed-off mall. Today, that interior mall is being marketed for office space while the exterior is the healthiest it has been since the 70's. Meanwhile, nearby Magnolia Mall is starting to struggle from the troubles with the department store industry. Both Sears and JCPenney have left the mall leaving only one traditional department store left with Belk. These vacancies at Magnolia Mall may again pull stores from Florence Mall who will be seeking deals from desperate mall managers. While it is good that the mall was not actually torn down, it would be nice to see what was there one day opened again to the public: perhaps in a time after larger superregional malls like Magnolia have run their course.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfflocxkvHGHpTYb6TNFG0T7T0eYNKT-5y2J8YqISt-2Q3KEGU8KjScDYUWrV1hq9c9r3iVbcDuuJjO4oQF0_fwZbgbXRcchEunyleOJEOm8PQORARLptotYoaw1uc6DvAIEIIQAKzn1x/s1600/florence_ad_grandopening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="637" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfflocxkvHGHpTYb6TNFG0T7T0eYNKT-5y2J8YqISt-2Q3KEGU8KjScDYUWrV1hq9c9r3iVbcDuuJjO4oQF0_fwZbgbXRcchEunyleOJEOm8PQORARLptotYoaw1uc6DvAIEIIQAKzn1x/s320/florence_ad_grandopening.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Grand opening ad with full list of original tenants. Notice that JCPenney is not listed. It did not arrive for nearly two more years. Image from the Charleston Times (Post) & Courier.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldpJVCCOQSSXHmeV0FSlBM-aUP7HkjRXJmY0WStuSt3PsKxachWt2U_AjOxMspocjW8V-SRZ56CNajqJsdvArtYkx1roTLLcgOzcfROYotLoZTN9-XQqibLu6qOzer2uD3F8F-ygDB3_7/s1600/florence_downtownmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="389" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldpJVCCOQSSXHmeV0FSlBM-aUP7HkjRXJmY0WStuSt3PsKxachWt2U_AjOxMspocjW8V-SRZ56CNajqJsdvArtYkx1roTLLcgOzcfROYotLoZTN9-XQqibLu6qOzer2uD3F8F-ygDB3_7/s320/florence_downtownmall.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Downtown's reaction to the construction of Florence Mall.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Image from the </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Charleston Times (Post) & Courier.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIel1YyYZ2efcpnfZ_C-MGYcv2tLqGLgW07jTjjUIQFl1KFo5su_TtjRx3p3Bu2QQbVJJFx_j3IJeZgKH8N75gy7RPANIX4FnpvD4CWKZWg0HhEdHWK6fTBhsJzBOXB6-n2Ml0x6xWqA4V/s1600/florencemall_map_final+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="977" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIel1YyYZ2efcpnfZ_C-MGYcv2tLqGLgW07jTjjUIQFl1KFo5su_TtjRx3p3Bu2QQbVJJFx_j3IJeZgKH8N75gy7RPANIX4FnpvD4CWKZWg0HhEdHWK6fTBhsJzBOXB6-n2Ml0x6xWqA4V/s320/florencemall_map_final+copy.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A crudely-drawn map produced in 2013 showing the approximate original anchor line-up in the mall and orientation of corridors.</span><br />
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-5870047538371512042018-01-18T10:07:00.000-08:002018-02-12T13:25:15.294-08:00Town & Country Discount StoreSomething that has been very curious to me is the discovery of a defunct discount chain that apparently everyone forgot about: Town & Country. In 1961, they were purchased by Lane Bryant, which quickly expanded the chain. Prior to the purchase they were a Harrisburg-based operation with six small discount stores and a catalog service. As they grew, they were mostly located in Pennsylvania, but they expanded to three locations were in Virginia, two in Maryland, and one in West Virginia. Quite a few of the former locations still exist today, most repurposed in some form or another since they were generally smaller stores of around 30,000 square feet that were relatively easy to redevelop. In all, it looks like the chain had at least 21 locations at its peak, and it catered to small and medium sized markets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3WUdS2gNApXd_uL7WzG4c8s7k5mNDqTgZDwUIrlfQeT72aTwceJhRPk5i1R2HLssVCkUI7CKqYrYD6bn5Eik4vFELO4NKDbtveMT5ylicgnP4ItGaegGh9-erdN2vtHHExTGqurLq2rX/s1600/townandcountry_winchesterva_1969_timlegg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="694" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3WUdS2gNApXd_uL7WzG4c8s7k5mNDqTgZDwUIrlfQeT72aTwceJhRPk5i1R2HLssVCkUI7CKqYrYD6bn5Eik4vFELO4NKDbtveMT5ylicgnP4ItGaegGh9-erdN2vtHHExTGqurLq2rX/s320/townandcountry_winchesterva_1969_timlegg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1969 photo of the Town & Country store located in Winchester, VA (Photo by Tim Legg)</span><br />
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It is not entirely clear how Town & Country was marketed, but judging by the ads they were a store that focused a bit more on hard lines than soft lines (although its parent company was a clothing store), and it sold a little of everything sort of like Kmart did at the time. Its catchphrase was that it offered a "Golden Guarantee". While the stores carried a wide variety of merchandise, they did not appear to offer any services such as a pharmacy, auto center, garden center, restaurant, optical, etc. This explains how they could offer a wide variety of merchandise in only a 30,000 square feet store. Perhaps this lack of services was a factor that led to their demise since it was not an all-in-one shopping experience. It made it difficult to make them stand out against competitors like Woolworth/Woolco, Murphy's Mart, and Newberry's. It seemed that Kmart's expansion into its territory was what led to its seemingly planned demise. No mention was ever made that the store chain was actually unprofitable as a reason for its closure. Most likely it was a corporate decision to focus on their core business: Lane Bryant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDN5nyP_XWUCfhUCH0wH11vtV5MSQG_mVmCfNx538v7Tg7YZPzCa8LMe8-DX60yEKfJWw0nKRthRxZsz-MlS6Paa80kSfQB1xhjNJs1MVf9v57QAs1eycYFehUMqJVle8Y9sZdmoh0fM_/s1600/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_091565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1090" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDN5nyP_XWUCfhUCH0wH11vtV5MSQG_mVmCfNx538v7Tg7YZPzCa8LMe8-DX60yEKfJWw0nKRthRxZsz-MlS6Paa80kSfQB1xhjNJs1MVf9v57QAs1eycYFehUMqJVle8Y9sZdmoh0fM_/s320/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_091565.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Town & Country grand opening flyer at North Hanover Plaza in Hanover, PA in 1965. It was the 12th in the chain. Image from "The Evening Sun" from September 15, 1965.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq78Svx9bKOSINnrFCF_lISBDuPf6SAhqXbKKag9mD6Wd5TYWqT753k4D-vPud_PLOgimzozA-EIvlelHt95yj9Z3yz_iO7eC2oHwzhXAPFiTAV0D2wBW_3WT5WoQgFF-JUhSen8Ntqu4/s1600/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_091565_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq78Svx9bKOSINnrFCF_lISBDuPf6SAhqXbKKag9mD6Wd5TYWqT753k4D-vPud_PLOgimzozA-EIvlelHt95yj9Z3yz_iO7eC2oHwzhXAPFiTAV0D2wBW_3WT5WoQgFF-JUhSen8Ntqu4/s320/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_091565_2.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Clearly the logo didn't match the exterior in the first iteration of the store. It would be replaced with an awesome looking logo by the 1970's. Image from The Evening Sun from September 15, 1965.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6sUdV6PirgwfvX6p-NUeR-NWTBRldFeyPGeUloT0T0WDKF_xQcDVPntliyadVDqSjz_4B2EqE3TBKVg99la45ikuOD7gBfcYYGUz5VgjbxM5Wug0q7TwaRI1pQiUi86X6YLi-0MQIW-s/s1600/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_101266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6sUdV6PirgwfvX6p-NUeR-NWTBRldFeyPGeUloT0T0WDKF_xQcDVPntliyadVDqSjz_4B2EqE3TBKVg99la45ikuOD7gBfcYYGUz5VgjbxM5Wug0q7TwaRI1pQiUi86X6YLi-0MQIW-s/s320/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_101266.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 12, 1966 ad from The Evening Sun.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo9eDHtCJ9JnKhea6zpttZY0oiyzhLnaw3y5DrUO-e_PAWAbKTiMCRh8fAFWCfOqLEOe0V-_DHeoacs4R09soBe15tXUC6yES7vi4laeDVvS-x_6IzgOc62wQVJzJ8FinVi4Vlmzydzhs/s1600/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_040170_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo9eDHtCJ9JnKhea6zpttZY0oiyzhLnaw3y5DrUO-e_PAWAbKTiMCRh8fAFWCfOqLEOe0V-_DHeoacs4R09soBe15tXUC6yES7vi4laeDVvS-x_6IzgOc62wQVJzJ8FinVi4Vlmzydzhs/s320/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_040170_1.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1970 saw the enclosure of North Hanover Plaza into North Hanover Mall. The portion with Town & Country was fronted by an enclosed strip that ended at the former store. Kmart looks to have greatly expanded the store in later years. Image from April 1, 1970.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk1_BzBpBsWzvEBLVt7pd6sLjLMOVh4BybqxB5WyPLzK1-CStTlJgTWmObzRU7JbKWhnPKr0fJVgaeqWZJanrr_YMafRIjuNxd3Sk_HJgREdyikjvc8tgC8lUI0IdifpWLCk7MYZSGfNQ/s1600/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_062971_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk1_BzBpBsWzvEBLVt7pd6sLjLMOVh4BybqxB5WyPLzK1-CStTlJgTWmObzRU7JbKWhnPKr0fJVgaeqWZJanrr_YMafRIjuNxd3Sk_HJgREdyikjvc8tgC8lUI0IdifpWLCk7MYZSGfNQ/s320/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_062971_3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The 1971 reopening introduced us to that AMAZING "turbo" logo that was in use in the first part of the decade. Note the update to the entrance to accommodate the enclosure of the strip in front of the store. Image from The Evening Sun from June 29, 1971.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jRhtQzZHZkeiHbxFLInRMtqU7HmVYSSTa4sB6NKRAexLGWgUQRbLoASUeX4Kskz_Ty-3izA1aM6-MXH8LQ0lFG8aIyBjz7opO9ohzkAhvC5HbnsBnFFaGIt75TRUAwbNRq9kBbJEsKr/s1600/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_062971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jRhtQzZHZkeiHbxFLInRMtqU7HmVYSSTa4sB6NKRAexLGWgUQRbLoASUeX4Kskz_Ty-3izA1aM6-MXH8LQ0lFG8aIyBjz7opO9ohzkAhvC5HbnsBnFFaGIt75TRUAwbNRq9kBbJEsKr/s320/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_062971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The interior of the updated Town & Country at North Hanover Mall. It looks small and cluttered by today's standards, but this was apparently spacious for the time. Image from The Evening Sun from June 29, 1971.</span></div>
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The store chain used three different logos, and the second generation logo was memorable...a mid-century turbo-style font. Many of their stores featured a distinctive "hooded" canopy feature over the front entrance with sloping sides and a glass front that was quite similar to classic Mobil stations built during the same period. Not much else is known about them except that they went out of business in 1977, and Kmart took over many locations as an attempt to expand into the Mid-Atlantic region. Kmart locations that opened in these stores operated into the 1990's. That means that most likely Kmart was willing to finish the leases on these stores considering that they likely operated on a 30 year lease with most locations open only around 10-15 years as Town & Country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskW7ts8o6h5edS_YQCYGhDcAgbl__9JEDGi_h7TAmnjtlseuK9_Yu2bUPQptegcXl8SZ8IWTkIjDsfK9ch95OqbJEIE8KpRXwNfh0nst1-GFvTfZT4FfN85ZV57-NWsz-RoiYMTU_-R7Z/s1600/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_062971_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskW7ts8o6h5edS_YQCYGhDcAgbl__9JEDGi_h7TAmnjtlseuK9_Yu2bUPQptegcXl8SZ8IWTkIjDsfK9ch95OqbJEIE8KpRXwNfh0nst1-GFvTfZT4FfN85ZV57-NWsz-RoiYMTU_-R7Z/s320/townandcountry_hanover_theeveningsun_062971_2.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One more flyer from the grand reopening. Image from The Evening Sun from June 29, 1971.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34szqUxNB0KaYNum8pEkGv7vUhjcP2rEnG4fzrw8kbEoCdk9GOFkIFHmyrwbMI7Gqm2ECFXGIVx6WKPsL2G1eYeTM9RqEV2f1mHJU57JmCqnr_OHAbsHHWFiHOp8Izq_ogNxW7bpI53y_/s1600/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34szqUxNB0KaYNum8pEkGv7vUhjcP2rEnG4fzrw8kbEoCdk9GOFkIFHmyrwbMI7Gqm2ECFXGIVx6WKPsL2G1eYeTM9RqEV2f1mHJU57JmCqnr_OHAbsHHWFiHOp8Izq_ogNxW7bpI53y_/s320/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Constant logo changes could not have helped the bottom line of Town & Country. This is the third and final version as shown in this ad from The Evening Standard from June 29, 1974.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIZfA5dnqSflxjm9C-AbY1OTzYG_Itvh4TnRsX2z2yWQ_GfA3Y21eR_TQfLYR6yoBpFSa7i6ZYePqFJHI5k24H-gx1Atp_9TlcDt8H0aa0hYrRD40vaveVx7E7OjBPlmD_eDJjQjwsZnV/s1600/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIZfA5dnqSflxjm9C-AbY1OTzYG_Itvh4TnRsX2z2yWQ_GfA3Y21eR_TQfLYR6yoBpFSa7i6ZYePqFJHI5k24H-gx1Atp_9TlcDt8H0aa0hYrRD40vaveVx7E7OjBPlmD_eDJjQjwsZnV/s320/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074_2.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Norman Rockwell dads are waiting to be showered with gifts on Fathers Day. They also want you to make sure you shop the specials at Town & Country! Image from The Evening Standard from June 29, 1974.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IcQoD9cPWTVvzArG1jwO4P3QoqvbKGo2VEsYfQt52qjZq_Xl7XQkUgE11uJ-Ky6Y41_6D9GWcxMQK5Ujs4t2dI_1Hos-jP0s30VY9np4OhCSn3ojqveF0jUNX16sIxqrAjLLic9exHrH/s1600/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IcQoD9cPWTVvzArG1jwO4P3QoqvbKGo2VEsYfQt52qjZq_Xl7XQkUgE11uJ-Ky6Y41_6D9GWcxMQK5Ujs4t2dI_1Hos-jP0s30VY9np4OhCSn3ojqveF0jUNX16sIxqrAjLLic9exHrH/s320/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074_3.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybe the Blues Brothers should have crashed into Town & Country instead of Dixie Square Mall, because "This place has everything!".<span style="text-align: center;"> Image from The Evening Standard from June 29, 1974.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYfg5gIq785GMQdRhqbub-4fh0KyYZf_xlFo9rZJD8rXsxKQPx3PVjbhUJcUICddhCdPS03YBphsR9Mc7O9OWGr9YAF-pbEUb82BiUjLMKppG7VEt9c4wSe9EwM3h-aEft2AW67hSD62d/s1600/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYfg5gIq785GMQdRhqbub-4fh0KyYZf_xlFo9rZJD8rXsxKQPx3PVjbhUJcUICddhCdPS03YBphsR9Mc7O9OWGr9YAF-pbEUb82BiUjLMKppG7VEt9c4wSe9EwM3h-aEft2AW67hSD62d/s320/townandcountry_theeveningstandard_071074_4.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The New York influence comes out in this ad. It was pretty clear that "Every day's a sale day at May's" was playing through their head when they came up with that slogan. It's also a bit ironic to see bone thin cartoon women with no butts in a clothing ad from a store whose parent company is Lane Bryant. Image from The Evening Standard from June 29, 1974.</span></div>
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Kmart has since closed or replaced every store that originally opened as Town & Country, all much smaller than the typical Kmart. Along with J.M. Fields and others, it was one of the early casualties of the highly competitive discount store market that today is down to primarily just Wal-Mart and Target with no regional discount stores left in the Mid-Atlantic states. Stores like Ames, Hill's, Murphy's, Jamesway, Clover, and others were all later casualties, but they lasted much longer than Town & Country and had a more significant footprint.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyQkYxQ5QMyslkrxoe4dRTMF1Qy2G3hEs9hMSI-ReUhLv1J4QZNwD2T6anB0_9zGZPOugIK2u9VcGBz9vofg_ZxcGBKyH5iWetQzAL48gdwjSCltFzkr-eT40O8ge1PTT4Ng3W0tfU8rU/s1600/townncountry_harrisonburg_1_062516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyQkYxQ5QMyslkrxoe4dRTMF1Qy2G3hEs9hMSI-ReUhLv1J4QZNwD2T6anB0_9zGZPOugIK2u9VcGBz9vofg_ZxcGBKyH5iWetQzAL48gdwjSCltFzkr-eT40O8ge1PTT4Ng3W0tfU8rU/s320/townncountry_harrisonburg_1_062516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Part of why I wrote a post on this store is that I kept bumping into these stores. When I saw this former store in Harrisonburg, VA, I was DYING to know what store it used to be. Needless to say, finding out it was an obscure discount chain nobody had ever heard of was pretty exciting. Look closely and you can see the angled canopy, which has been largely covered up on the front with this detestable stucco update.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk2tE-HID5vMAAgBmVp-K17gqVxJkQoODnif-LdW8uX2icDjtpdJmbB9k2nWFVxRTmP7jeOzoSajJpgJKAgHpTjh8NSh7UTyfn4ttgiH_olFUD9OiE6gm3C73zGvHqy4styvIyajOdxBY/s1600/townncountry_harrisonburg_2_062516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk2tE-HID5vMAAgBmVp-K17gqVxJkQoODnif-LdW8uX2icDjtpdJmbB9k2nWFVxRTmP7jeOzoSajJpgJKAgHpTjh8NSh7UTyfn4ttgiH_olFUD9OiE6gm3C73zGvHqy4styvIyajOdxBY/s320/townncountry_harrisonburg_2_062516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The unceremonious end of Town & Country usually ended up like this one: a single store subdivided into two or more stores. Of course, this Big Lots has obviously been here awhile as it still sports the older logo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4lhIsvaOqr6SCL2YQU_1d4R8u8kLoIN5gu53ePMC4338PqrBd_JyxjMELVR2u30UAWLraG3Mh4r8YT1B1sSe4vzQ6lRcwTHHWhr3MrjDLLMKFZkZB9JSi2k6ZSfzEsgE17XIxDCy_xLi/s1600/townncountry_winchester_2_100117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4lhIsvaOqr6SCL2YQU_1d4R8u8kLoIN5gu53ePMC4338PqrBd_JyxjMELVR2u30UAWLraG3Mh4r8YT1B1sSe4vzQ6lRcwTHHWhr3MrjDLLMKFZkZB9JSi2k6ZSfzEsgE17XIxDCy_xLi/s320/townncountry_winchester_2_100117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Interior detail, including angled canopy, at the Big Lots (former Town & Country/Kmart) in Winchester, VA.</span></div>
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A complete list of former Town & Country locations (as of 1974) is below along with the present tenant (if the building still exists). The known locations to have existed include the following:<br />
<ol>
<li>Altoona, PA (3100 Pleasant Valley Blvd.)</li>
<ul>
<li>Now a Nissan dealership (Courtesy Motor Sales)</li>
</ul>
<li>Beckley Plaza Mall: Beckley, WV</li>
<ul>
<li>Was later Kmart, currently Schewel's</li>
<li>Kmart relocated in a new store to left of existing shopping center in the 1990's</li>
</ul>
<li>Carlisle Plaza Mall: Carlisle, PA</li>
<ul>
<li>Opened 1964, closed 1977</li>
<li>Was a mall anchor on the east end of the mall</li>
<li>Was replaced by Kmart, which itself closed in 1995 and relocated</li>
<li>Former location was demolished for Lowe's along with a portion of the mall</li>
</ul>
<li>Chambersburg, PA (1363 Lincoln Way East)</li>
<ul>
<li>Subdivided between Napa Auto Parts & Essis & Sons Carpet One Floor & Home</li>
</ul>
<li>White Oaks Shopping Center: Cumberland, MD</li>
<ul>
<li>Subdivided between Big Lots & Aaron Furniture Rental</li>
<li>Aaron's was formerly Rite-Aid</li>
<li>Larger Town & Country location</li>
</ul>
<li>Hagerstown, MD (562 Northern Ave)</li>
<ul>
<li>Currently Gold's Gym</li>
</ul>
<li>North Hanover Mall: Hanover, PA</li>
<ul>
<li>Opened 1965, became Kmart in 1977</li>
<li>It was the 12th location opened</li>
<li><a href="http://www.deadanddyingretail.com/2012/02/closed-super-kmart-stores-in.html">Kmart closed and relocated to a Super Kmart in February 1995</a></li>
<li>Was Black Diamond Antiques after Kmart closed</li>
<li>Presently Dick's Sporting Goods</li>
</ul>
<li>Harrisburg, PA (100 E. Park Shopping Center/4200 Derry St)</li>
<ul>
<li>Building gutted with only the roof and walls intact (unrecognizable) and in that state at least a decade</li>
<li>Was the site of a spectacular fire in the 1970's that destroyed the original building</li>
</ul>
<li>Cloverleaf Shopping Center: Harrisonburg, VA (131 S. Carlton St)</li>
<ul>
<li>Subdivided into three tenants, including Big Lots and a Chinese restaurant</li>
</ul>
<li>Hazleton, PA (702 W. Broad Street)</li>
<ul>
<li>Free-standing store</li>
<li>Was probably a Kmart location before Kmart opened in a former Ames at Laurel Mall in 1994</li>
<li>Was Ollie's Bargain Outlet, now vacant</li>
</ul>
<li>Latrobe Shopping Center (Latrobe 30 Plaza): Latrobe, PA</li>
<ul>
<li>Subdivided between Dunham Sports & Planet Fitness</li>
</ul>
<li>Lemoyne, PA (1023 State Road)</li>
<ul>
<li>Road name appars to have been changed to Gettysburg Road</li>
<li>Location unclear, but appears to be close to Capital City Mall</li>
<li>Most likely where Big Lots and Aldi have subdivided a store next to AMC Camp Hill 12</li>
<li>First location to close, closing in 1976</li>
</ul>
<li>Greater Lewistown Plaza: Lewistown, PA</li>
<ul>
<li>Located either where Weis is currently or where Ollie's is currently (across the street from each other)</li>
<li>Weis may have been in current Ollie's and relocated into the former Town & Country</li>
</ul>
<li>Pottsville, PA (North Claude A. Lord Blvd/Rt. 61)</li>
<ul>
<li>Appears to be where Giant is currently located</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<li>Westerly Parkway Plaza: State College, PA (424 Westerly Pkwy)</li>
<ul>
<li>Unclear of where it was located in the shopping center</li>
<li>May have been demolished</li>
<li>Weis may also be present location</li>
</ul>
<li>Staunton, VA (1106 Greenville Avenue)</li>
<ul>
<li>Current location of Goodwill & Super Shoes</li>
<li>Appears to have been subdivided</li>
</ul>
<li>Sunbury, PA (Shamokin Dam)</li>
<ul>
<li>Appears to be Orchard Hills Shopping Center</li>
<li>Currently Tractor Supply</li>
</ul>
<li>Uniontown Shopping Center: Uniontown, PA</li>
<ul>
<li>Currently Tractor Supply Company</li>
</ul>
<li>West Chester, PA (1115 West Chester Pike)</li>
<ul>
<li>Appears to be current location of Shop-Rite</li>
</ul>
<li>Williamsport, PA (3500 W. 4th St)</li>
<ul>
<li>No longer retail</li>
<li>Now home to 3D Creative Services, a metal working shop</li>
</ul>
<li>Winchester, VA (1090 Millwood Pike)</li>
<ul>
<li>Was previously as Kmart, currently Big Lots</li>
<li>Kmart appears to have relocated in 1994</li>
<li>Kmart's later location closed in 2014 and is today subdivided between Dick's Sporting Goods and The Fresh Market</li>
</ul>
</ol>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-73318615254762785652017-12-23T19:55:00.000-08:002017-12-23T19:55:01.737-08:00Parkwood Mall/Wilson Mall: Wilson, NCEarly malls did not always start as fully enclosed malls. In some cases they started as a strip or open-air mall that was later expanded into a full mall when enough funds or the demand was there. This was the case with Parkwood Mall: a redevelopment of Parkwood Shopping Center, a hybrid of strip center and open-air plaza anchored by JCPenney, Winn-Dixie and Roses. Originally built in 1964, the open-air plaza was enclosed and expanded into a fully enclosed mall in 1979. This original plaza included all of the southern end of the mall, and the structures from that plaza remained fully intact after the redevelopment other than the roof being added. The northern end of the mall, however, included newly-constructed structures added onto the existing strip including a new row of stores on the east side of the original shops with mall space built in between.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHa9Wz3RHmJYMWfwGL5W0JqZBte-GG-pFyZBJXhoMcXNfJbGToeT8H_mQb1qWJrrugy4BVX36y9pt_oLgxSWO_nk0IBXq_2mI46-Bt5t1rtJB7MAaSgTRoZk7v6_XeHyOwFQ3RzAEDOZh/s1600/parkwood_33_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHa9Wz3RHmJYMWfwGL5W0JqZBte-GG-pFyZBJXhoMcXNfJbGToeT8H_mQb1qWJrrugy4BVX36y9pt_oLgxSWO_nk0IBXq_2mI46-Bt5t1rtJB7MAaSgTRoZk7v6_XeHyOwFQ3RzAEDOZh/s320/parkwood_33_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When the original Parkwood Shopping Center opened, it featured 19 tenants. Nine of those were forced to move as part of the enclosure. They included Flowers Shoes, Singer, Barshay's, Kerr Drugs, Burton's, The Color Center, Mitchell Hairdressers, Lynn's Hallmark, and Winn-Dixie. However, the number of stores in the mall jumped from 19 to 65. A notable feature of the older shopping center is that the east block of stores wrapped around the building with parking lot access while the new construction parts of the mall did not. Winn-Dixie in particular was booted onto an outlot north of the current mall into a store 12,000 square feet larger than the original with the original location replaced by K&W Cafeteria. In addition, Roses built onto the back of their original store with the original Roses converted into mall space, but this did not happen until a couple years later. In all, it must have been a pretty exciting project!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbH7f2q2m6D-gjBOG7C4VezxmxK_tVJwYnBuO3_XCJMgbHRu9gHqc9FFS_qfJWkDQYprqzrdISqpVQGX4d86zqA6KPpR5MyQoqldE47NUu7mV3BoBgNiIJo8qEurWI0r7A_-eQ-1k7pWH/s1600/parkwoodmall_10_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbH7f2q2m6D-gjBOG7C4VezxmxK_tVJwYnBuO3_XCJMgbHRu9gHqc9FFS_qfJWkDQYprqzrdISqpVQGX4d86zqA6KPpR5MyQoqldE47NUu7mV3BoBgNiIJo8qEurWI0r7A_-eQ-1k7pWH/s320/parkwoodmall_10_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the same mall entrance from before the mall closed on January 20, 2013 vs. September 2, 2017 (top photo).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeAbjf3a6UAEbqbiWZXtSp2OUnyRxD4zA3A1NKtS7GUBdXrdtIeZlbRq3u3IBdEJsP5gX-j8vL90L9ZqfY5jPWOQeBv0640u7TIjo9bF5bc1efAsCPBlHCx2qjNWsD8cKUCd7I9HH79fq/s1600/parkwoodmall_2_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeAbjf3a6UAEbqbiWZXtSp2OUnyRxD4zA3A1NKtS7GUBdXrdtIeZlbRq3u3IBdEJsP5gX-j8vL90L9ZqfY5jPWOQeBv0640u7TIjo9bF5bc1efAsCPBlHCx2qjNWsD8cKUCd7I9HH79fq/s320/parkwoodmall_2_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2aoSQ-7nQRpRS9HKsEm-VE_wq-rAIcAgX5O-KoCiGMBVqU99qJ6XFjDfcudoqB2EP31w-QpoT80VKBDzLhX2bFzdZd0HJhOt6Mcg4-1RY4PCAVMtiaz9QmHGqCUlvWBq_k0fgW3f-5tu/s1600/parkwood_13_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2aoSQ-7nQRpRS9HKsEm-VE_wq-rAIcAgX5O-KoCiGMBVqU99qJ6XFjDfcudoqB2EP31w-QpoT80VKBDzLhX2bFzdZd0HJhOt6Mcg4-1RY4PCAVMtiaz9QmHGqCUlvWBq_k0fgW3f-5tu/s320/parkwood_13_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nearly every trip covering this mall included this tenant that had never been updated, which none of us knew what it was. According to what was dug up, this was Flowers Shoes, an original tenant to Parkwood Shopping Center that lasted for over 40 years and apparently survived up to the point the mall began failing. Local shoe stores used to be licensed merchants of popular brands, typically Florsheim Shoes, and once had a major local following.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUeExW8VSPlho51Mk6ujwXEvm6Vx5Dk8Hr9fgRgj_YeGLWg8VNBo_LpKAs2wS0ptKYmebUngAUK5uWpPRLRT1vI11fDmZtthr-6Sa-Xh3cU4xd27EjTXGYflgXAgn7SbSWT8wdWe5dCOS/s1600/parkwood_14_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUeExW8VSPlho51Mk6ujwXEvm6Vx5Dk8Hr9fgRgj_YeGLWg8VNBo_LpKAs2wS0ptKYmebUngAUK5uWpPRLRT1vI11fDmZtthr-6Sa-Xh3cU4xd27EjTXGYflgXAgn7SbSWT8wdWe5dCOS/s320/parkwood_14_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flowers moved to this spot in 1979 from the original plaza, and they flanked part of a small entrance wing located between the former Belk and the former Winn-Dixie on the west side.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-nvkX4KKnYf3AWu25pCfoaEBjsdt83cA-8tiTjrwPK2JiGCzzXIiUaPezWSP6TChHYV_69RRlnYDuaRZFtIs2mnqZ8NToESXR9RJhZp6J_BI6S4d9W-W1srznUn5CTAqPNuP-OaifKIo/s1600/parkwood_13_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-nvkX4KKnYf3AWu25pCfoaEBjsdt83cA-8tiTjrwPK2JiGCzzXIiUaPezWSP6TChHYV_69RRlnYDuaRZFtIs2mnqZ8NToESXR9RJhZp6J_BI6S4d9W-W1srznUn5CTAqPNuP-OaifKIo/s320/parkwood_13_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flowers Shoes ad from March 21, 1979. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE2StdBsawojw24HUUN8VNHOr5hm_SxmsqwgZZqtDpqoYK8RUNXREAyjlw_FwRSGsedMMummkbNw94-WYtTQKu01bNn0-LeM_TMOeFPmE3o1Itkf-kTtqsq5RD_2GoIG55otzFTckWtt1/s1600/parkwood_15_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE2StdBsawojw24HUUN8VNHOr5hm_SxmsqwgZZqtDpqoYK8RUNXREAyjlw_FwRSGsedMMummkbNw94-WYtTQKu01bNn0-LeM_TMOeFPmE3o1Itkf-kTtqsq5RD_2GoIG55otzFTckWtt1/s320/parkwood_15_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A set of steps giving a special touch in front of Flowers. It was one of the few interesting features that Hull Storey Gibson didn't obliterate.</span></div>
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As a result of enclosing Parkwood Shopping Center, JCPenney remained the only unchanged original anchor although Roses remained in the shopping center. Winn-Dixie, located in the original strip, relocated to a free-standing store north of the mall facing Belk Tyler. It would ultimate relocated to a nearby shopping center with their final location in the city at Raleigh Road Pkwy (US 264 Alt) & Forest Hills Road. Belk Tyler was not in the original shopping center, but it joined the mall in the redevelopment, relocating from downtown. The Belk Tyler appeared to have also included a garden and auto center, typical of Tyler partnership stores of the period, space currently occupied by K&W Cafeteria. The result was that a glorified strip with a major department store was upgraded into a modern three-anchor mall that at the time was perfect for the size of Wilson.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjvu_TDDvI0lgdwE12nNNiKyCzmURncIgRbql2S7LSp8c9qWB_J5BWHAJjfPluH1ygVKCAaoyjCfVVR6aYsFWoidrT2hOh-bS0unZVMHsag_Wr9CBL3KkQNGjx27A_PtaGhYYhD-lEQhs/s1600/parkwoodmall_1_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjvu_TDDvI0lgdwE12nNNiKyCzmURncIgRbql2S7LSp8c9qWB_J5BWHAJjfPluH1ygVKCAaoyjCfVVR6aYsFWoidrT2hOh-bS0unZVMHsag_Wr9CBL3KkQNGjx27A_PtaGhYYhD-lEQhs/s320/parkwoodmall_1_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Before 2006, this scene would have been darker with plenty of wood tones, earth tones, and a few planters. The mall was never renovated between the time it was built and when Hull Storey Gibson bought it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KwEoogWC6PDkt4XWR94gYA3TToAEv1DTewZV6YokD20MQl4DoPmkgqQ7KWL3dSoMWjhl7HKawBg7cMBp7IZ0Erc6EJSdK_AFtZCc2eblnahrIILJDS3R5N1Bakf_2x_mnkM6fMlh64LY/s1600/parkwood_5_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KwEoogWC6PDkt4XWR94gYA3TToAEv1DTewZV6YokD20MQl4DoPmkgqQ7KWL3dSoMWjhl7HKawBg7cMBp7IZ0Erc6EJSdK_AFtZCc2eblnahrIILJDS3R5N1Bakf_2x_mnkM6fMlh64LY/s320/parkwood_5_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is looking south from Belk/Roses. The former Winn-Dixie that became K&W Cafeteria when the mall was enclosed is on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk9BM6PXs1gInfLk576zGn7BKf_T9FjrkcJlHbGj9VkvkdLkC_eohNlgT5hr9S91CUMxiYaWMsFUy6dphSkIJdcOJO0NBBIPl1OsMKiS-3_Z4c_S3e8IYaJWpsADNv1wteP7R7-KgQV3R/s1600/parkwoodmall_3_012013_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk9BM6PXs1gInfLk576zGn7BKf_T9FjrkcJlHbGj9VkvkdLkC_eohNlgT5hr9S91CUMxiYaWMsFUy6dphSkIJdcOJO0NBBIPl1OsMKiS-3_Z4c_S3e8IYaJWpsADNv1wteP7R7-KgQV3R/s320/parkwoodmall_3_012013_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is obviously the most elegant looking Roses entrance ever. It operated as Belk Tyler (and then just Belk) from 1979-2006.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWORnI2Q8kPEfhUb8oJ1QFirGSDB4_NPt6rugZFFaGPcXJGw8Wh0i3UBR-YLRqr3qAyWWL8AIAaahwYBld1Nqprp9nvc6jBYywUg_A-L3E3NjNrlU-IIin-imdJI2HrqYy1yqPT8QUvnZE/s1600/parkwood_4_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWORnI2Q8kPEfhUb8oJ1QFirGSDB4_NPt6rugZFFaGPcXJGw8Wh0i3UBR-YLRqr3qAyWWL8AIAaahwYBld1Nqprp9nvc6jBYywUg_A-L3E3NjNrlU-IIin-imdJI2HrqYy1yqPT8QUvnZE/s320/parkwood_4_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj-59W4lcFDI2QIho5pFsSWqDldrsZuqSJHIt9w46rW-Nq6QWIrv1v43cgt7bufMYMBG1qbxF75FGKNeiTnEy5uFoHnnznfJEPdx3lm5a00ZxQB_T5jWjtOQaClOCduNziPvB-15Qx4hL/s1600/parkwood_6_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVj-59W4lcFDI2QIho5pFsSWqDldrsZuqSJHIt9w46rW-Nq6QWIrv1v43cgt7bufMYMBG1qbxF75FGKNeiTnEy5uFoHnnznfJEPdx3lm5a00ZxQB_T5jWjtOQaClOCduNziPvB-15Qx4hL/s320/parkwood_6_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OsudLVu0EFxJ71HoXsXxnnUkzfDnVrcQAlPKsQJyh_A4SNA0L9L0EsQC3ceuuPlBdleokzfQR2LW56Y1Nlc477ns2PhNFmxm_kmlg1xmwjdXyTTtNuXr9AcwfsE2ZEvgSMGIqvm2618x/s1600/parkwood_8_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OsudLVu0EFxJ71HoXsXxnnUkzfDnVrcQAlPKsQJyh_A4SNA0L9L0EsQC3ceuuPlBdleokzfQR2LW56Y1Nlc477ns2PhNFmxm_kmlg1xmwjdXyTTtNuXr9AcwfsE2ZEvgSMGIqvm2618x/s320/parkwood_8_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This ranks as one of the more glamorous Belk entrances ever built. Belk rarely disappointed on mall entrances in the 70's and 80's.</span></div>
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It is important to note that not every sizable city actually needs a mall, and this trend of having a mall in nearly every mid-sized city in North Carolina was helped along tremendously by the eagerness of Belk to replace their downtown and strip mall stores with mall-based stores in their quest to create a more upscale image. This resulted in North Carolina becoming one of the most overmalled states in the country, similar to Pennsylvania and Florida. Nonetheless, Belk Tyler arrived in style building a classy new store at the northern end of the mall complete with a central skylight. This modern mall would have been marginal by big city standards, but it held its own for the first 20 years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaCLkPX658RfSNK1jAkmAVCOV44Epj9UqpJ71_CuOwUB8inlW9jkD1LTjuF-b_M1H_1W4kUu0L8MF8jHaPrjCy7LJeAlMa06jhLLzhbV3-osyZNcqBmRBxcdc7CfMGGS2eNKEqowSs3tx/s1600/parkwood_9_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaCLkPX658RfSNK1jAkmAVCOV44Epj9UqpJ71_CuOwUB8inlW9jkD1LTjuF-b_M1H_1W4kUu0L8MF8jHaPrjCy7LJeAlMa06jhLLzhbV3-osyZNcqBmRBxcdc7CfMGGS2eNKEqowSs3tx/s320/parkwood_9_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMjIAqvytnGWojGYwbvexIHpAJB_auIyg2-Fl8EkR6HlvgdyhZTr3Z-H0R7T5Yzv5MRl7iO5Cp_1YTnCpEGMpuTK4iZ_pvi3LtX78DSyDFjZZsMvVButlr1rAsnU0dWsdUuZg3Ky1njch/s1600/parkwood_11_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMjIAqvytnGWojGYwbvexIHpAJB_auIyg2-Fl8EkR6HlvgdyhZTr3Z-H0R7T5Yzv5MRl7iO5Cp_1YTnCpEGMpuTK4iZ_pvi3LtX78DSyDFjZZsMvVButlr1rAsnU0dWsdUuZg3Ky1njch/s320/parkwood_11_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0VCg00zbCLjEZmRF0cAdih71koeimke1nckO12gRZEXoarLN-e7HnOkVZ6bv4BI97XV85mVh5mbJiMy-Aj6hLQFIj4aND8u7mxk-MLlSn5Jaxb-hTFNGILEA97o5Wb6Wg4Vqqc1NJb90/s1600/parkwood_10_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0VCg00zbCLjEZmRF0cAdih71koeimke1nckO12gRZEXoarLN-e7HnOkVZ6bv4BI97XV85mVh5mbJiMy-Aj6hLQFIj4aND8u7mxk-MLlSn5Jaxb-hTFNGILEA97o5Wb6Wg4Vqqc1NJb90/s320/parkwood_10_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the Belk Tyler, now Roses, with detail of the center skylight. It appears that the Brody's at Vernon Park Mall copied this for their store. The wooden floors are actually a legacy of when the store was Steve & Barry's University Sportswear.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8220vFWi5CFbaif91OZG45IfkudtOGHptF9GWxhgCZM505wRE9WbwfkFAHdZ17TGqeRNdjhfVbVQrSnCmxEqUNewUyfOBaycesUIATvkceiI2rS8W0YdHRZjCGwCvob0hycxJC4jkmP4/s1600/parkwood_12_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8220vFWi5CFbaif91OZG45IfkudtOGHptF9GWxhgCZM505wRE9WbwfkFAHdZ17TGqeRNdjhfVbVQrSnCmxEqUNewUyfOBaycesUIATvkceiI2rS8W0YdHRZjCGwCvob0hycxJC4jkmP4/s320/parkwood_12_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking to the mall entrance from Belk Tyler/Roses</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7FAvBxTevLvT8WxJWX4JFVDfz8VG9_lYoylJ1l3q2J1eqirkkx0DiBcc8pb6IUTBk4kgJWdhiATMlfc4goxohUx7yvZESXrkCllzVBp_Fn17SRRyqyjpZGrI4Phs7x43CYvwLWm_NbN3/s1600/parkwood_15_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1600" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7FAvBxTevLvT8WxJWX4JFVDfz8VG9_lYoylJ1l3q2J1eqirkkx0DiBcc8pb6IUTBk4kgJWdhiATMlfc4goxohUx7yvZESXrkCllzVBp_Fn17SRRyqyjpZGrI4Phs7x43CYvwLWm_NbN3/s320/parkwood_15_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Part of an ad showing the Belk Tyler logo from the Rocky Mount Telegram.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzjc-silt-IZ7C4iC9peD2iZegRyaeAmjAEEBQx1NpBC7_RP30roaFWjE_AK-9PVssURQfYKR-FqkNYQs-M6CyiNM5a5Bh8ollX-54vOEucgnmDKN6PohM-m8tfvuWZlqhazR3rJ6X45F/s1600/parkwood_2_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzjc-silt-IZ7C4iC9peD2iZegRyaeAmjAEEBQx1NpBC7_RP30roaFWjE_AK-9PVssURQfYKR-FqkNYQs-M6CyiNM5a5Bh8ollX-54vOEucgnmDKN6PohM-m8tfvuWZlqhazR3rJ6X45F/s320/parkwood_2_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">When Belk Tyler became Steve & Barry's. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram from 2006.</span></div>
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Parkwood was like many small city malls in that over time it became uncompetitive with malls in larger cities. The mall is only 50 miles from better shopping in Raleigh, 20 from Rocky Mount, 36 to Greenville and 26 from Goldsboro. Although Rocky Mount is no longer as competitive, better shopping options are found in all of the other cities listed. This proximity diluted the potential shopping base for the mall. Most of all, the construction of interstate grade roads connecting those cities made it very easy for local shoppers to move on to better shopping options. This included a by-pass south of the city that drove through traffic away from the mall who might have stopped there on the way to the coast. This same reason is also the likely reason for why Tarboro's mall died.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBn2-3ZhsduMHMKhUUx_S1HFjHPG-WmuQNG1HuRFFX7Kvz4i4P7ADDmM3S6fTUv0_8vsmdmrUmpNYgnkSvpXJlf4fh45uiW-eOc5LDTDVxXihmwkOtLNdwZ2tfLR0MrshoHdNoXmMxANv/s1600/parkwood_23_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBn2-3ZhsduMHMKhUUx_S1HFjHPG-WmuQNG1HuRFFX7Kvz4i4P7ADDmM3S6fTUv0_8vsmdmrUmpNYgnkSvpXJlf4fh45uiW-eOc5LDTDVxXihmwkOtLNdwZ2tfLR0MrshoHdNoXmMxANv/s320/parkwood_23_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULrmmNh_r5kGRQYe0gvcsz9OVdaZaoKP9HH9pBY2OLidFaDXtY2GvtbyuZ4Hk15CVzbje80-7lS1g4PJBUTAnw2ZGMD7uxASBmbhkTEJPo9yv4GV1C3X8yVW98J9h43JgnZu0cHLTKRFH/s1600/parkwoodmall_4_012013_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULrmmNh_r5kGRQYe0gvcsz9OVdaZaoKP9HH9pBY2OLidFaDXtY2GvtbyuZ4Hk15CVzbje80-7lS1g4PJBUTAnw2ZGMD7uxASBmbhkTEJPo9yv4GV1C3X8yVW98J9h43JgnZu0cHLTKRFH/s320/parkwoodmall_4_012013_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney's mall entrance contains a particularly spacious court considering that this was an outside courtyard from 1964-1979.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLXd5paWvSuujZHEv-0tsdHew3nbPf92U1F1CkL-zcE07_1Qd3irZm6TKy3mstC229zfYGgYrE7_HyKuYhPmHK6tpE3aKD-GJPFtBiB9leBW4TwTCqW4IkTaU_V7PoN_CFAx0RAPc8m_F/s1600/parkwood_2_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLXd5paWvSuujZHEv-0tsdHew3nbPf92U1F1CkL-zcE07_1Qd3irZm6TKy3mstC229zfYGgYrE7_HyKuYhPmHK6tpE3aKD-GJPFtBiB9leBW4TwTCqW4IkTaU_V7PoN_CFAx0RAPc8m_F/s320/parkwood_2_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Prior to 1979, this was open looking away from JCPenney with two covered walkways on each side of an open area straight ahead with the left covered walkway wrapping around to the west entrance wing. Rosenbloom-Levy was on the immediate left.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU36wFj0MGJwAXp49GJaD4XAa8Qmj9tEWhDEzi6JPPP5LzP46anMndN74HC8Sf0spes6sFrso2cFeONR05aRsQsuFfyITWzMpnUoz34RkcSAAFSXEsWEaHyIPR1oWbycXXTYu0zxFNs5z/s1600/parkwood_11_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU36wFj0MGJwAXp49GJaD4XAa8Qmj9tEWhDEzi6JPPP5LzP46anMndN74HC8Sf0spes6sFrso2cFeONR05aRsQsuFfyITWzMpnUoz34RkcSAAFSXEsWEaHyIPR1oWbycXXTYu0zxFNs5z/s320/parkwood_11_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rosenbloom-Levy opened at the mall in 1964 and was located across from JCPenney at NW corner of the courtyard. As an inline junior anchor, it is unclear what happened to it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kco1BELh_SRFpF9VzWQRZ2bEc3VAUVskz_oFot14czPrwse7G4F_tbmrfvWw5-TjVosp7rPvaujUOoCaBwAcpkqKNExGFV0KrKXIoj8cs1xn6h2IfDHpqTTqDQLYEgiQZcFn-rb3QNY4/s1600/parkwood_24_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kco1BELh_SRFpF9VzWQRZ2bEc3VAUVskz_oFot14czPrwse7G4F_tbmrfvWw5-TjVosp7rPvaujUOoCaBwAcpkqKNExGFV0KrKXIoj8cs1xn6h2IfDHpqTTqDQLYEgiQZcFn-rb3QNY4/s320/parkwood_24_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The west wing next to the JCPenney mall entrance was partially incorporated into mall space and partially left outdoors. The right side once contained a covered walkway, but the left had no cover.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu04SkQ-PbVZsP1DpNSCDI2aPoc4iZrZm_1yCXKGVuAcIHy3JKzuEDfdEa_rchosExhPN8nCCkzg0KRvYYPzABBZ89eOWMyWJKmdepGCGhfucI5e-qYzntk7BFfCy2Q4IUoXwfXv84XNl0/s1600/parkwood_3_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu04SkQ-PbVZsP1DpNSCDI2aPoc4iZrZm_1yCXKGVuAcIHy3JKzuEDfdEa_rchosExhPN8nCCkzg0KRvYYPzABBZ89eOWMyWJKmdepGCGhfucI5e-qYzntk7BFfCy2Q4IUoXwfXv84XNl0/s320/parkwood_3_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the front entrance wing, which is surprisingly narrow. It was added in 1979 to replace the original courtyard entrance (covered up with shops). It contained Zales (still visible on the left) and Saslow's Jewelers as well as an optometrist.</span></div>
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By the 1990's, no investment was made in the mall and the result was a mall riddled with vacancies looking very much like the year it opened, but with fewer stores and shoppers. Many of the original tenants dating to the beginning of the mall such as Flowers Shoes operated in the mall for decades, but when they closed nothing came to replace them. This lack of investment likely hastened the departure of Belk to Heritage Crossing in 2006. In the year before, Hull Storey Gibson, now Hull Property Group, purchased the mall and renovated the mall in hopes of attracting new stores to the mall and keeping the mall viable. This purchase also resulted in a renaming of the mall to Wilson Mall. In addition, the renovation included a Carmike 10 Cinemas, which <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/37610">replaced the already-closed Parkwood Mall Triple on June 9, 2006</a>. The former theaters were on an outlot south of the mall where McDonald's is currently located.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeDy9HFAPwxmmKhgeU0AeJNjzog4W54Np9-SGFXYNMddJ0kQuPUZ_oXD8tjwaMaLraKBf03mm646ejgFFP82Y8wvHicD5Muz0UrsGCG2uX8eRyptXKVh-qhGHQCbIS3tPtroKxr1uj5hl/s1600/parkwoodmall_5_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeDy9HFAPwxmmKhgeU0AeJNjzog4W54Np9-SGFXYNMddJ0kQuPUZ_oXD8tjwaMaLraKBf03mm646ejgFFP82Y8wvHicD5Muz0UrsGCG2uX8eRyptXKVh-qhGHQCbIS3tPtroKxr1uj5hl/s320/parkwoodmall_5_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of skylights over JCPenney wing. An identical skylight was installed in the Belk wing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIs1zDDZv3jBOkRiXVOXG4aGm2eOI4W6scYdxUj6oUO_M-bBezgvycJDBEqX81oZICbX1Nze4boVSX_xm8OPrWlfd4NsOY76RD2ZXu965z1BPwnM0xcGnwMdf0mnvYvU44iTWL_XSNBqY/s1600/parkwood_21_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIs1zDDZv3jBOkRiXVOXG4aGm2eOI4W6scYdxUj6oUO_M-bBezgvycJDBEqX81oZICbX1Nze4boVSX_xm8OPrWlfd4NsOY76RD2ZXu965z1BPwnM0xcGnwMdf0mnvYvU44iTWL_XSNBqY/s320/parkwood_21_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of center court. Where the red doors are on the right was where Kerr Drug (pronounced "car") had its mall entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Q_JyG-ZGyIgChwrW3pzfcGPZlrZVie5v-zcvj91GRXF4mR6Te_-RmbND0yx2nttRRzKMI2PF_c6hd1X1j4kwXievFUcPPIy0SEYr-ugezzZk8HiRdSFzirFIXxHIb1mI8YmqLfim1v9/s1600/parkwood_3_093065_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="1600" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Q_JyG-ZGyIgChwrW3pzfcGPZlrZVie5v-zcvj91GRXF4mR6Te_-RmbND0yx2nttRRzKMI2PF_c6hd1X1j4kwXievFUcPPIy0SEYr-ugezzZk8HiRdSFzirFIXxHIb1mI8YmqLfim1v9/s320/parkwood_3_093065_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note the car in the logo for infamous on pronunciation. You see this today with the bell in the Beall's logo. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image from Rocky Mount Telegram 3/21/79. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcy1HllICn31OENUz5chM1RxG6Ge0m1e-bo-DhH8bC-RquSZGhKhHV0Rer35j2mA3ln64EjR4wfd8oQBX6wxa4M3Jr_yjYcamAXsjFwoQHaYzE8LtNRvlFcbcyttYeVIilYajrHu2GtyW/s1600/parkwood_4_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcy1HllICn31OENUz5chM1RxG6Ge0m1e-bo-DhH8bC-RquSZGhKhHV0Rer35j2mA3ln64EjR4wfd8oQBX6wxa4M3Jr_yjYcamAXsjFwoQHaYzE8LtNRvlFcbcyttYeVIilYajrHu2GtyW/s320/parkwood_4_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note the diagonal in the Kerr Drugs mall entrance. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram 3/21/79</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2CRnLJt7dXdO0W_dwJknj7p9eX0goKtxJ9dATZH09x8uBdPMM3V3XWiolCdAqPdSu4r1MHXRCqKlHXJUbWShAcRlzm3pFGGbvfGy-kDnHaVRTnDMJzOR0Rv2czbsJ8MwxhoejLcONbIC/s1600/parkwood_18_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2CRnLJt7dXdO0W_dwJknj7p9eX0goKtxJ9dATZH09x8uBdPMM3V3XWiolCdAqPdSu4r1MHXRCqKlHXJUbWShAcRlzm3pFGGbvfGy-kDnHaVRTnDMJzOR0Rv2czbsJ8MwxhoejLcONbIC/s320/parkwood_18_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of center court looking toward JCPenney. The GNC location was not original. It was previously a bank.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewxbb2eR9wCvL4_kklVLD-wUmMaV9f6WY_REqQVZK18frSkD8SseI99PsPyH0ovWD_VS-7DExOOfD7o53qagSHP23NXeIRQyHRPYqrUMKOJuBYgZ6c42Yahpt3Sb22LZFslFthqKkvFZu/s1600/parkwood_22_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewxbb2eR9wCvL4_kklVLD-wUmMaV9f6WY_REqQVZK18frSkD8SseI99PsPyH0ovWD_VS-7DExOOfD7o53qagSHP23NXeIRQyHRPYqrUMKOJuBYgZ6c42Yahpt3Sb22LZFslFthqKkvFZu/s320/parkwood_22_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Foot Locker did not open with the mall expansion, but it was one of the very last, if not the last, store to leave when the mall closed for good.</span></div>
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When Belk Tyler left the mall and relocated to Heritage Crossing in 2006, the mall suffered. One attempt to save the mall was when Roses returned to the mall in the old Belk after Steve & Barry's University Sportswear came and left. Steve & Barry's arrived in 2006 and closed with the chain in 2009. Roses had previously left the mall in 1995 and was replaced by Hills, of all things, from 1995-1997. When Hills went out of business, Sears came in and took over the original Roses location, operating there until 2010. By that time, the mall was really in trouble. Largely vacant, the mall was down to just two anchors: Roses and JCPenney. Roses by this time was no longer a true discount store like it was when the mall was built, and this resulted in a garishly fancy Roses in the former Belk location with a mostly empty mall inbetween. JCPenney, however, chose to stay in the mall at that point with no plans to relocate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSZGBardq5mC3-HLp4R9Yuys7zqjFB25ZthigxzpL2brUC9uV-moL9z8KgTtXtc9lH-1VEee6tldoIVh6FV3qYbl3hUDMF53yDHZs0teDTeay-Kcj9PgHO65Xi-khAsOlgLNOceqxcjgg/s1600/parkwood_25_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSZGBardq5mC3-HLp4R9Yuys7zqjFB25ZthigxzpL2brUC9uV-moL9z8KgTtXtc9lH-1VEee6tldoIVh6FV3qYbl3hUDMF53yDHZs0teDTeay-Kcj9PgHO65Xi-khAsOlgLNOceqxcjgg/s320/parkwood_25_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Perhaps crime was a problem at the mall? A police precinct and a branch of city hall were both located in the mall at the end.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMhdAPi7CQjb-aK-KDyBkw9aEkNMP1iGB_jVNwombHq_RGozMpN4RmPiVOjAIUo_QIUZDmW9NAtPSxEzIwi2mgRZCqHqug0LjW1HDzrSV_eOEwiL877r1vT6k9cjsLw99GJArzF0CIL0N/s1600/parkwood_20_012013_sears_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMhdAPi7CQjb-aK-KDyBkw9aEkNMP1iGB_jVNwombHq_RGozMpN4RmPiVOjAIUo_QIUZDmW9NAtPSxEzIwi2mgRZCqHqug0LjW1HDzrSV_eOEwiL877r1vT6k9cjsLw99GJArzF0CIL0N/s320/parkwood_20_012013_sears_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The back wing was a late addition to the mall. Carved out of what had been Roses, the wing was installed sometime in the 1980's when Roses built a new, larger store behind the existing one. Roses would become Hill's for a brief time when the original chain failed and then Sears. Sears was the last tenant to operate in the space.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_73OtRJv6o4YyysH4anplyhO9M7kb7ZEDBVAKKsc9ZHWCkPyqhdnm62yOFQo7M39aOUYA10gkmsXEzQTEpB7Y_b-bD-xCUJMUvqLqG1SC0pKBWtT1HuAO5JluCEOWnYaHQ4pF0xuTIBm/s1600/parkwood_27_012013_digitalsky_roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_73OtRJv6o4YyysH4anplyhO9M7kb7ZEDBVAKKsc9ZHWCkPyqhdnm62yOFQo7M39aOUYA10gkmsXEzQTEpB7Y_b-bD-xCUJMUvqLqG1SC0pKBWtT1HuAO5JluCEOWnYaHQ4pF0xuTIBm/s320/parkwood_27_012013_digitalsky_roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3QCx0UxH3EhtokUzC-ZcxqB9B3sJZiOHV2geeD7zsWwudUwsxBf9ausKUoCuUtPgZYhD0Ot4upC_x0R4LGBLjBRBCoHxLxeYNLQRFRZgyJlrdNZtpJrdHV9DfkwiEMwjI1pmdQs0PV60/s1600/parkwood_28_012013_digitalsky_roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3QCx0UxH3EhtokUzC-ZcxqB9B3sJZiOHV2geeD7zsWwudUwsxBf9ausKUoCuUtPgZYhD0Ot4upC_x0R4LGBLjBRBCoHxLxeYNLQRFRZgyJlrdNZtpJrdHV9DfkwiEMwjI1pmdQs0PV60/s320/parkwood_28_012013_digitalsky_roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A bit more detail of the original Roses/Hill's/Sears space.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nRmFjCemCbO4njVWhOe4YBV5-l3aeQNg8cw4X0s9Eni5b-0Pj-7nsPBKHvO-ob1rpd9xJ_bAwHreSNLe0A_gXhoEKhLvdZgfy8b42GAwBV8WsgjnAi63KQR7B4q3kqBjqlVid4iCOv3l/s1600/parkwood_5_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nRmFjCemCbO4njVWhOe4YBV5-l3aeQNg8cw4X0s9Eni5b-0Pj-7nsPBKHvO-ob1rpd9xJ_bAwHreSNLe0A_gXhoEKhLvdZgfy8b42GAwBV8WsgjnAi63KQR7B4q3kqBjqlVid4iCOv3l/s320/parkwood_5_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6fuYv5qmzbSbvxGSFIKfh3kvNh-5sN66n-wrqPT78miTNwfjr2bRZiuf8Hbo2PWmV49lZsBvDY16VeblBjclQVLGApn0zdWFas1j_pI1gYNBQEjP52GQEnVj1EXDS0RjxePDerf2Qfli/s1600/parkwood_5a_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6fuYv5qmzbSbvxGSFIKfh3kvNh-5sN66n-wrqPT78miTNwfjr2bRZiuf8Hbo2PWmV49lZsBvDY16VeblBjclQVLGApn0zdWFas1j_pI1gYNBQEjP52GQEnVj1EXDS0RjxePDerf2Qfli/s320/parkwood_5a_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Original mall directory from 1979. Note that both JCPenney and Roses are operating in their spaces from the original shopping center.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GF3J2VxU6l-qGj9ggyw-vaxtqyy5VAXI7OLAQW3eIDEEeVle0JVwDw2rtUrKmD8nqOJSNmSLiJeAYKuKB8cv5_ksEuzvjtf4lP-z5MARdakhsOsZLcgKNrWDrSrsmkkL-54EYxL292Zg/s1600/parkwoodshoppingcenter_1964-1979_final+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GF3J2VxU6l-qGj9ggyw-vaxtqyy5VAXI7OLAQW3eIDEEeVle0JVwDw2rtUrKmD8nqOJSNmSLiJeAYKuKB8cv5_ksEuzvjtf4lP-z5MARdakhsOsZLcgKNrWDrSrsmkkL-54EYxL292Zg/s320/parkwoodshoppingcenter_1964-1979_final+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The approximate footprint of Parkwood Shopping Center pre-1979. Part of the aerial used to confirm this is shown in the upper right. Another aerial confirmed the orientation of the northern end of the center.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxB8XLBPSwtb1X27ZWYvaJt3N00RB-SefAK6OgIyLBPJa3K2zecWKKrUvFwlQ57byA37Yj8dUvX6-yfXg9IBqYQtAgdeQHgcJWM16RGJ7p0dQPaa1OHNCUDfuIfj0LtZlXMlBbVx32Fw-/s1600/parkwoodmall_1979-2013_final+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxB8XLBPSwtb1X27ZWYvaJt3N00RB-SefAK6OgIyLBPJa3K2zecWKKrUvFwlQ57byA37Yj8dUvX6-yfXg9IBqYQtAgdeQHgcJWM16RGJ7p0dQPaa1OHNCUDfuIfj0LtZlXMlBbVx32Fw-/s320/parkwoodmall_1979-2013_final+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall after completion and after Roses built onto the back of their former store. Note that the original court area was cut off from the parking lot. Winn-Dixie (not shown) is located north of the current Roses/former Belk Tyler.</span></div>
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Hull proved unsuccessful at attracting new tenants to the mall when faced with competition from so many nearby shopping centers. Two years before Belk left the mall, the Kroger on an outlot of the mall closed with no replacement, further tarnishing the mall's image. The Kroger had previously been Harris Teeter and originally the replacement Winn-Dixie. With the renovations not attracting new business and the mall again falling into disrepair, the owners decided to close the mall for good in January 2013, although the mall stayed open a few months longer to allow the remaining tenants to leave. JCPenney also remained at the mall after it closed (perhaps due to a lease), but was then ultimately closed down in 2015 after just over 50 years in business. Today, all that remains at the mall is Roses, the AMC (formerly Carmike) theaters in the front of the mall and K&W Cafeteria in part of the former Belk, all which have outside access. After shutting down, the inside of the mall quickly fell into disrepair from mold and vandalism. A 2017 fire also did further damage to the interior.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNsS0EZleCtXwicFxgCdrpbEDrsiawQrWLUioIGdcDxsROW8Wkfl89bZBTjBPouSjEW2q3JhYtTaG2z48sLMUxNzHdsea4Z8QrFHXYiCgmVwtlaHlMkPYS3IhggKbsx2JJWOQNhZlKw3a/s1600/parkwoodmall_7_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNsS0EZleCtXwicFxgCdrpbEDrsiawQrWLUioIGdcDxsROW8Wkfl89bZBTjBPouSjEW2q3JhYtTaG2z48sLMUxNzHdsea4Z8QrFHXYiCgmVwtlaHlMkPYS3IhggKbsx2JJWOQNhZlKw3a/s320/parkwoodmall_7_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiwJfFar_uFpn2s36L5sG5fGU15aaUHt3kacv-chD2ZZ6g9raDdoiNlPYILDEhK9RGhNp2GGlsurLuOQtiNNYDa2ZJnnHCJskAGYEl3dVWiXKBMnplQWiUNo9ARWn-34mVimADe_2ay47/s1600/parkwood_47_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiwJfFar_uFpn2s36L5sG5fGU15aaUHt3kacv-chD2ZZ6g9raDdoiNlPYILDEhK9RGhNp2GGlsurLuOQtiNNYDa2ZJnnHCJskAGYEl3dVWiXKBMnplQWiUNo9ARWn-34mVimADe_2ay47/s320/parkwood_47_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Roses, formerly Belk Tyler and Steve & Barry's, exterior. The first is of the north entrance with K&W shown attached to the store. It is unclear if K&W was originally part of Belk as a garden center or if it was added on later.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_7eT0aVX6kAYmLFE4DIP9im4nHRyyffVdjx38ohShV81qQcSDVbMGukExUUZXVTj2Ey5WesuDLqD_3egGaueM2_lxBHkr7IH6kRHNzJYQ_DIuIkb07zbtCqJwWuWVghm2ybXanFlRBjk/s1600/parkwoodmall_8_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_7eT0aVX6kAYmLFE4DIP9im4nHRyyffVdjx38ohShV81qQcSDVbMGukExUUZXVTj2Ey5WesuDLqD_3egGaueM2_lxBHkr7IH6kRHNzJYQ_DIuIkb07zbtCqJwWuWVghm2ybXanFlRBjk/s320/parkwoodmall_8_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another shot of K&W in relation to the Belk store (visible on the right)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMCwWpUfaam5eyR_cUFMisWkCOwJPHDhKpn-gZKcVVIIP8Z0cP71-PMhIbI_S5Cz0gzxS0eSCcMN19tUTvqjZ1ePd3bJ1cUbv5fEjindfNIGtFtcBdiZ8HlL0BOFT-bFth05h-CESwmjY/s1600/parkwoodmall_9_012013_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMCwWpUfaam5eyR_cUFMisWkCOwJPHDhKpn-gZKcVVIIP8Z0cP71-PMhIbI_S5Cz0gzxS0eSCcMN19tUTvqjZ1ePd3bJ1cUbv5fEjindfNIGtFtcBdiZ8HlL0BOFT-bFth05h-CESwmjY/s320/parkwoodmall_9_012013_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d71wHui672vh5NtS3P0W4FY74i7WdSkCfVFeGbY2sVuPQDVrCALSZut5DNDVPd6Ja3Dpv5v5F5AfyVcozk3xLaRNuhIxxCjTfk_FPrtxSRDvuY9PLGwXQBNdmtd7UMtzjOojSdNMHLqJ/s1600/parkwood_31_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d71wHui672vh5NtS3P0W4FY74i7WdSkCfVFeGbY2sVuPQDVrCALSZut5DNDVPd6Ja3Dpv5v5F5AfyVcozk3xLaRNuhIxxCjTfk_FPrtxSRDvuY9PLGwXQBNdmtd7UMtzjOojSdNMHLqJ/s320/parkwood_31_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Back side of Belk Tyler in 2013 and 2017, respectively. It is not clear what happened to shatter all that glass, but the store was closed that day for reasons unknown.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfoLy_8KLZbWsQZywrTwNAM_FhEVtNONRNDwevQUtiCR-4YWdvNzvxsU94KsKPCDXq2AzXdzWSaaOEwr_DaEBvWud8EDfm6kYRBnwLkztUfLFPSS1vfEWNNU6Sujzrfw_G6nBzr-d5z5g/s1600/parkwood_50_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfoLy_8KLZbWsQZywrTwNAM_FhEVtNONRNDwevQUtiCR-4YWdvNzvxsU94KsKPCDXq2AzXdzWSaaOEwr_DaEBvWud8EDfm6kYRBnwLkztUfLFPSS1vfEWNNU6Sujzrfw_G6nBzr-d5z5g/s320/parkwood_50_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dead Kroger, which closed in 2004. It had previously been Harris Teeter and opened originally as a replacement Winn-Dixie when Parkwood Mall was enclosed.</span></div>
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In the previous post about Vernon Park Mall, the economic situation of the region was discussed: a situation that Wilson is not immune to although it is a larger city. Despite modest growth in the region, the poverty rate has to be factored in with why the mall failed so badly. The poverty rate in the county at large is almost 19% while it is over 25% in the city itself. With that many struggling families, it is not a wonder that business was tough at the mall. The mall likely had many customers who simply could not afford to buy enough to keep the stores in business. When Belk relocated away from the mall taking many stores with it, the mall faced an impossible hurdle it could not overcome. However, the situation with Parkwood Mall was a little different from Vernon Park Mall in that instead of the anchors hanging on until the end in a dying mall, the loss of one major anchor actually perpetuated its failure. The city simply could not support two regional shopping centers and more than one regional department store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWk29z9vI_CLx7MjdM4RSYJT23zmGTRrD-8usEZEhXhk_upuFJA47lHt5pKJ2ML5_HkNRsliBSIDCnZWnOYkM7hoCqbVmmKQn6lhOKW-8RJuqVck6TUW7XVUQNnnHlar4UG2XgnFdMMkT/s1600/parkwoodmall_12_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWk29z9vI_CLx7MjdM4RSYJT23zmGTRrD-8usEZEhXhk_upuFJA47lHt5pKJ2ML5_HkNRsliBSIDCnZWnOYkM7hoCqbVmmKQn6lhOKW-8RJuqVck6TUW7XVUQNnnHlar4UG2XgnFdMMkT/s320/parkwoodmall_12_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LxgeDGzB0qzHtbP9NyBy4C-GOnB_bqIBwUHc3tlKVpI21NytR5CBV3ZE_kkVijJom32Y26uSLqnEbEKccqBQOFO266jqcy3MkSXlZz-LcmmjgxQrJv7UwQPqXiUjqYRJExaSDV1selz8/s1600/parkwoodmall_14_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LxgeDGzB0qzHtbP9NyBy4C-GOnB_bqIBwUHc3tlKVpI21NytR5CBV3ZE_kkVijJom32Y26uSLqnEbEKccqBQOFO266jqcy3MkSXlZz-LcmmjgxQrJv7UwQPqXiUjqYRJExaSDV1selz8/s320/parkwoodmall_14_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This mall entrance next to JCPenney is by far the most interesting part of the mall. Why? Because it's the only portion of the original open-air shopping center to remain intact. The covered walkway leading up to the entrance with a few shops is a relic that was not enclosed along with the rest of the mall. Pics from January 2013. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSm1VN-UQ00yBRXMMGOb1wNFE484-yGCZ0BNst82G2SBVFcjx-GcWHGgYHdBjBcC5Z92bKUk2fSA3MoynFxv2hv2V92ZA_kU-0YLHsb6QWCXWf5FpgJaseAGe4a22Cu5zI73hbcq_2JPm/s1600/parkwood_29_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSm1VN-UQ00yBRXMMGOb1wNFE484-yGCZ0BNst82G2SBVFcjx-GcWHGgYHdBjBcC5Z92bKUk2fSA3MoynFxv2hv2V92ZA_kU-0YLHsb6QWCXWf5FpgJaseAGe4a22Cu5zI73hbcq_2JPm/s320/parkwood_29_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMFgno05zD2pz-sucSqG8pUsTFdJlzCNuHg-Ya_BKrXKASQd46glEut_x0XdRjik1EzANKNa9U5ShVkZlNadn87QmnsJ5MM4CCY6FodrdAS4d8h8htAh1qPt75CMjS3bLuNg_k-3JDXl7/s1600/parkwood_37_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMFgno05zD2pz-sucSqG8pUsTFdJlzCNuHg-Ya_BKrXKASQd46glEut_x0XdRjik1EzANKNa9U5ShVkZlNadn87QmnsJ5MM4CCY6FodrdAS4d8h8htAh1qPt75CMjS3bLuNg_k-3JDXl7/s320/parkwood_37_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Brighter times at night on August 20, 2012 when the back mall entrance was still open to the public compared to September 2, 2017 with the mall entrance boarded up and the walkway falling into disrepair.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XPDCtObJE_IqQKRe1kpSZ6GxdLpAATwO-AODVQMVG92UQAmleB9OeNVLQe2jZ4wHurXKQu84e84edBhs96xpSk-Kvhjf-n-TffCP8S3luEu9im0cxbZTolUaqazSjpag0wpoWkvXXsjl/s1600/parkwood_36_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XPDCtObJE_IqQKRe1kpSZ6GxdLpAATwO-AODVQMVG92UQAmleB9OeNVLQe2jZ4wHurXKQu84e84edBhs96xpSk-Kvhjf-n-TffCP8S3luEu9im0cxbZTolUaqazSjpag0wpoWkvXXsjl/s320/parkwood_36_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The one-sided design of the back entrance wing was original with shops on the left and a courtyard on the right. Inside those doors on the left was where Rosenbloom-Levy once had their store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WBXSbFzGC3Q-p8sjSiqY261IRkRCDukiV6IJ87Xzr3XSBe1YLGCAmXq3HU1YctER5vCSPJGfNF7VNb6TvyndYfHVdqG9w7L41RhYeaXG6zp_HQxrLo9XLp5ZfPEn-iuA2c0bBYGkn3J8/s1600/parkwood_40_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WBXSbFzGC3Q-p8sjSiqY261IRkRCDukiV6IJ87Xzr3XSBe1YLGCAmXq3HU1YctER5vCSPJGfNF7VNb6TvyndYfHVdqG9w7L41RhYeaXG6zp_HQxrLo9XLp5ZfPEn-iuA2c0bBYGkn3J8/s320/parkwood_40_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One more shot of the dead JCPenney (sign still up) and dead southwest entrance wing just for perspective. Photo from September 2, 2017. </span></div>
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Today, Hull Property Group has unfortunately realistic aspirations for the mall. It should be noted that when a mall completely dies, it is like when a person dies: they can never be resurrected as a retail mall. However, that does not mean the property cannot be reborn as something entirely different. That is what Hull hopes for as they mull plans to move the property away from retail. Their redevelopment plans involve <a href="http://wilsontimes.com/stories/mall-to-medical-park,71418">demolishing the interior mall</a> for a new medical center and possibly housing. The mall at present is still standing, so it is unclear what or when the project will start. Most likely the Roses, K&W Cafeteria and theaters, however, will be encouraged to relocate as part of the redevelopment. Street view in the area shows that there are other possible locations for the remaining tenants to relocate as well. The theaters under AMC ownership could also relocate closer to Heritage Crossing. This would free the entire property for repurposing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXScSgK9DpKvRnEJ9RXckZcsdh7cFdViFeBRn6QAjrp5MgKl_x8EPOIjj0dWyYtawO4H2OWcH5m2Z3iDUwHFhckQiErl7mdnvGfeAwtHQstsmfAqpaslovTDB-10kCGFbJbFemTkEiZ_R/s1600/parkwood_41_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXScSgK9DpKvRnEJ9RXckZcsdh7cFdViFeBRn6QAjrp5MgKl_x8EPOIjj0dWyYtawO4H2OWcH5m2Z3iDUwHFhckQiErl7mdnvGfeAwtHQstsmfAqpaslovTDB-10kCGFbJbFemTkEiZ_R/s320/parkwood_41_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Side entrance of the dead JCPenney complete with the Ron Johnson-era logo over the door.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYhjJN1BMfds5lMquDhuC2x7Ln0BSX69CezESFiSgQA8qG2Cvrr2Wk3oa4ewXuhFzKhLbL2T1Vbpki2tTPNjd34IJ8HpHyEi_ShH4kxcAn9l4R5KnBO4Tz2X81vzOJgGDfDvbRF8QZmN5/s1600/parkwood_43_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYhjJN1BMfds5lMquDhuC2x7Ln0BSX69CezESFiSgQA8qG2Cvrr2Wk3oa4ewXuhFzKhLbL2T1Vbpki2tTPNjd34IJ8HpHyEi_ShH4kxcAn9l4R5KnBO4Tz2X81vzOJgGDfDvbRF8QZmN5/s320/parkwood_43_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Front view of JCPenney looking like it's just closed for a holiday instead of for good. Photo from September 2, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ls8N0Bp3jaPYghCCp3H_3stD9kF2r-RGMjlTea54PKxUWEZRh0y0XSYOCvKjqPHJtyf-1SFxtwvDQFXOdnsAQy2V8VRbeSVsn5cO8a-6-Xu_3WNsjEewxNSkhB47-A8z-SuHPjXou8Zv/s1600/parkwood_34_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ls8N0Bp3jaPYghCCp3H_3stD9kF2r-RGMjlTea54PKxUWEZRh0y0XSYOCvKjqPHJtyf-1SFxtwvDQFXOdnsAQy2V8VRbeSVsn5cO8a-6-Xu_3WNsjEewxNSkhB47-A8z-SuHPjXou8Zv/s320/parkwood_34_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Roses, Hill's, and finally Sears. The store has been vacant since 2010. Photo from September 2, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NNI1Qecoofevq7bBTuq7kpbVG_NEahHziUCzLt9P5H8AMRkNbASrpSMAeq2yLMgVlnMMsuVmoimVagVDzf0lRu2RueGfjV2lg3rrTbFPvXI1uuaN3U1-U8lo0jm3EDuTjtvO4wP2H7GN/s1600/parkwoodmall_19_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NNI1Qecoofevq7bBTuq7kpbVG_NEahHziUCzLt9P5H8AMRkNbASrpSMAeq2yLMgVlnMMsuVmoimVagVDzf0lRu2RueGfjV2lg3rrTbFPvXI1uuaN3U1-U8lo0jm3EDuTjtvO4wP2H7GN/s320/parkwoodmall_19_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Front view of the mall to the right of JCPenney. Note the row of stores. These were original to the 1964 shopping center, which is why they have parking lot access while the rest of the mall does not. Dollar Tree was originally "The Color Center" when the mall was enclosed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD5dTuhcR4Wo6vBlzWJbSxbtSsSrbzoX3Ec3ON7u6GZjsoD2nj6vZKnMZvBMXjGpG_anSQ2M0tuGRbaMh7grfELmtZORIGT2vQ8OYQswDOHb4VYy0cOiSDc0fTAVu0EceK3H9QBz8w9oF/s1600/parkwood_44_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD5dTuhcR4Wo6vBlzWJbSxbtSsSrbzoX3Ec3ON7u6GZjsoD2nj6vZKnMZvBMXjGpG_anSQ2M0tuGRbaMh7grfELmtZORIGT2vQ8OYQswDOHb4VYy0cOiSDc0fTAVu0EceK3H9QBz8w9oF/s320/parkwood_44_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This garish mall entrance was added after Hull Storey Gibson took over the mall. A much more 70's entrance was here prior for the main entrance when this was Parkwood Mall, but unfortunately I do not have a picture. Cars are parked for the theater. Photo from September 2, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPabGYrqsvhwZLKRjV_27lysUgPnCSob52ZLzcKlFkJNXAIR_2GkXSuHAFJw41FbdEewev6IMGMZJNPxyf_Morb3WeaIvHaybBlJWtl9D8J7dnMZogj2krOOk0CVAA3J-13XG6THld0day/s1600/parkwood_45_090217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPabGYrqsvhwZLKRjV_27lysUgPnCSob52ZLzcKlFkJNXAIR_2GkXSuHAFJw41FbdEewev6IMGMZJNPxyf_Morb3WeaIvHaybBlJWtl9D8J7dnMZogj2krOOk0CVAA3J-13XG6THld0day/s320/parkwood_45_090217.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If you looked at this mall directory, you'd expect a mall that was dying, but still open. Unfortunately, the only thing you'll find now is plywood when you mozy up to the door expecting a day of shopping. Photo from September 2, 2017.</span></div>
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What remains the issue, however, is that Parkwood Mall should not have ended up in this condition. It held onto two of its three anchors to the very end, suggesting that if Belk had stayed, the mall might still be viable. If the owners had been able to keep the mall competitive, successfullly fought to keep Belk at the mall, and worked harder to attract new anchors, perhaps it could have been saved. If the mall had kept Belk, put the theater in the former Roses and attracted something like Target as an anchor in the front of the mall, it would probably still be alive and well today, but even that is speculation. The change in traffic patterns may have still caused the mall to die.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4oPGQXyRsz38xR9e6bfuY7uo_YMdATFMy4ViZkI_LTx46ZSXptrM8zsef-1iuXjnEdkiQoE43S_CnqQRaJCgGwyIFGcmkz_SAVXM7Kofy4XIeBmLov_yy1AaMYlXIDra97afAxXL_GIq/s1600/parkwood_6_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4oPGQXyRsz38xR9e6bfuY7uo_YMdATFMy4ViZkI_LTx46ZSXptrM8zsef-1iuXjnEdkiQoE43S_CnqQRaJCgGwyIFGcmkz_SAVXM7Kofy4XIeBmLov_yy1AaMYlXIDra97afAxXL_GIq/s320/parkwood_6_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Patrons line up to try 31 flavors at the new Baskin Robbins. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram from March 21, 1979.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeCcEbn1MDjFTLtOXglyhENVXjk4YSm6nEYsBsyK8uNFqjsk6i6d8a2DHuWFCQvZJsnuSdEbjOe0MScbeVL5rQlGQ60ZLEBLLHFlUoRlZtmZV4A2ROCwRB-_fB2IwfH-RJTGpAI3m0cD3/s1600/parkwood_8_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeCcEbn1MDjFTLtOXglyhENVXjk4YSm6nEYsBsyK8uNFqjsk6i6d8a2DHuWFCQvZJsnuSdEbjOe0MScbeVL5rQlGQ60ZLEBLLHFlUoRlZtmZV4A2ROCwRB-_fB2IwfH-RJTGpAI3m0cD3/s320/parkwood_8_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While most of America had either Kay Bee Toys or Circus World, North Carolina malls often had K&K Toys, a defunct chain once operated by Dollar Tree. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram from March 21, 1979.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH9Uh1z-JCSHCRAyg6w__q5YD-30k-aiJ20sRhpvUpyoQPrD6zLb_pGfOjH2JsDzXcAodqYZ_IHqbGSBom2ClUfpb1WBC0U8EeEfVZ8VsEUjOO1mOVDaTsI8kMILIwnsX3fz0m0gYF0fi/s1600/parkwood_9_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmH9Uh1z-JCSHCRAyg6w__q5YD-30k-aiJ20sRhpvUpyoQPrD6zLb_pGfOjH2JsDzXcAodqYZ_IHqbGSBom2ClUfpb1WBC0U8EeEfVZ8VsEUjOO1mOVDaTsI8kMILIwnsX3fz0m0gYF0fi/s320/parkwood_9_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm sure Becky's was ultimately replaced with a more conventional fast-food place. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram from March 21, 1979.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy your latest releases from your favorite disco or AOR artists at Camelot Music. Whether you're a "Sultan of Swing" or still have Saturday Night Fever, you should swing on into Camelot Music at Parkwood Mall! Image from Rocky Mount Telegram from March 21, 1979.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR43-6-MukGr_JifQsT9DIeNQC8YuN-bV1ScDyW0SadleArMbw2Kf9rKvsg-5-JJYEt33xLH9JdblsK9cajC4BcLHRtsdvB6pIEhKv0XNk_8hlZwyfxqfvTdVtL-ScQ4m9DKhDaTzYw4OM/s1600/parkwood_10_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="972" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR43-6-MukGr_JifQsT9DIeNQC8YuN-bV1ScDyW0SadleArMbw2Kf9rKvsg-5-JJYEt33xLH9JdblsK9cajC4BcLHRtsdvB6pIEhKv0XNk_8hlZwyfxqfvTdVtL-ScQ4m9DKhDaTzYw4OM/s320/parkwood_10_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A defining feature of small city malls is the downtown tenants that made their way to the mall and lasted through renovations. Aside from Flowers Shoes and Rosenbloom-Levy, these three other stores started out the 80's, although it doubtful they survived the decade. These include Hackney's (sporting goods), Barshay's, and Burton's. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram from March 21, 1979.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pkhTPA82N8vsze4pj4CN3oo7zuViP3kVaOWkPIjHPCkMeyLEpdruWD9nDAGc10aRUzubrA7Ss09h1L5X1k5ySVpDMoIS0QyDk9AuvWmInNFsLT-DC5GZ5ZV6B9E_0s9qD7v4Rg8K88Yg/s1600/parkwood_12_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pkhTPA82N8vsze4pj4CN3oo7zuViP3kVaOWkPIjHPCkMeyLEpdruWD9nDAGc10aRUzubrA7Ss09h1L5X1k5ySVpDMoIS0QyDk9AuvWmInNFsLT-DC5GZ5ZV6B9E_0s9qD7v4Rg8K88Yg/s320/parkwood_12_032179_rockymounttelegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Parkwood Mall with the old logo advertising that blue laws are no longer in effect<span style="font-size: x-small;">. Image from Rocky Mount Telegram from March 21, 1979.</span></div>
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Overall, despite its failure it cannot be denied that the mall had a pretty long run considering that it has operated as a retail center on that site since 1964 with JCPenney lasting at the mall 50 years. Nonetheless, the failure of Parkwood Mall was neither unprecedented or unexpected. The planners in the 1960's simply could not have foreseen what would happen 50 years ahead, so it had a pretty solid run. Perhaps if the mall had been located on a major east-west route like US 264 Alt (where Belk currently is) instead of on a lesser route like NC 42 it would be a different story. Whatever the reasons or outcome, Parkwood Mall has unfortunately joined thousands of other malls in this country in facing the economic reality that malls themselves are no longer the destinations they once were and can no longer survive on that aspect alone.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-39889705930168914972017-12-23T19:54:00.001-08:002017-12-23T19:54:51.047-08:00Parkhill Mall/Riverside Plaza: Tarboro, NCTarboro is one of those towns that never should have had a mall. Far too small to support one, it suggests that life in Eastern North Carolina was once very different when the mall was built. A mere 16 miles from larger Rocky Mount, in 1972 this town gained its first and only mall. Realistically its construction was also used as a means of keeping Belk from leaving the city, the enclosed mall had only one major anchor when it opened: Belk Tyler. Junior anchors were GC Murphy, A&P and Peoples Drugs with room for a second anchor. According to Chain Store Age, Belk had 48,280 square feet, GC Murphy had 30,000 square feet and People's Drugs had 15,000 square feet. A&P was located on an outlot just north of the mall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-1SGRkvpkvw5iLNpTmtndvBq1P3ae-9EO5l1uJ02ielsFtAk_oDuzSZ5a7cWGCPlftLuAUzwM96IJH7c51d48tFLnbpmIfx_O6zG7odYlw1jTjQPmWgiFkXP4sgKwQH37kz0VNlgkjfB/s1600/parkhill_23_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-1SGRkvpkvw5iLNpTmtndvBq1P3ae-9EO5l1uJ02ielsFtAk_oDuzSZ5a7cWGCPlftLuAUzwM96IJH7c51d48tFLnbpmIfx_O6zG7odYlw1jTjQPmWgiFkXP4sgKwQH37kz0VNlgkjfB/s320/parkhill_23_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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While the mall was not very impressive at 150,000 square feet, the mall had something rather unique in that it was used as a means to test three Belk concepts: a garden center, an auto center and even a gas station known as, rather humorously, Belko. It is not known how long the auto center and gas station operated, but this was the only known case of either operating at Belk. Belk had also experimented with garden centers, but not at this store. It is assumed that since this was probably Belk's most rural mall-based store that Mr. Tyler was looking at novel ways to draw traffic to the store. Those pictures have appeared around the web of this and are today the only thing left showing the mall in its glory days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTArrmBoapCzNz-hz0aUHM7C3SLWGIHM4y7hBIF4PvFH86bdaCc86lkrsIe7b9sf3rAYBSzCkEiOfRP0QbTjpEN3WxThXf1OjcGkerlAS-2qbnIkFqTsjD4nTVlTGWLEgJIwOZUmi7WH4T/s1600/parkhill_45_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTArrmBoapCzNz-hz0aUHM7C3SLWGIHM4y7hBIF4PvFH86bdaCc86lkrsIe7b9sf3rAYBSzCkEiOfRP0QbTjpEN3WxThXf1OjcGkerlAS-2qbnIkFqTsjD4nTVlTGWLEgJIwOZUmi7WH4T/s320/parkhill_45_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Entering center court (taken with a digital camera at the end of its life). Note the cage structure on the left. The first photo is the view of the entrance corridor with an unknown store on the left, former Kmart mall entrance on the right, and a smaller back entrance straight ahead. It is obvious that this mall got a cheap 1990's remodel that stripped out everything worth seeing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UA3JfEGQf5qWjsOCRGjDjy4V9Uki9vjoQCFOOs1_Ud6HTbyTxLWxBVkpnXHNUxrR-efJINyuxMc26HH6Xf6XMe-X5hGLk4GMUD1sAZTZZR9GPBqei_XOXw0VbvTn1wynzLgxOK0Z4_1p/s1600/parkhill_26_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UA3JfEGQf5qWjsOCRGjDjy4V9Uki9vjoQCFOOs1_Ud6HTbyTxLWxBVkpnXHNUxrR-efJINyuxMc26HH6Xf6XMe-X5hGLk4GMUD1sAZTZZR9GPBqei_XOXw0VbvTn1wynzLgxOK0Z4_1p/s320/parkhill_26_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I have quite possibly never seen anything so creepy in a dead mall. It looks like a makeshift jail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxUACLsed2eeCa6biE2t3Z2ulldUS9SnbOvjxD3Nykz0dN4hIfgeuF_CBxOZgdERqeMaRPaFsAM578t86tnaDblDbC5tVPpDQYqwNqf9V3ziTG8NbdATJcUHhEpOCBK6V7bp8tWuy3X5d/s1600/parkhill_24_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxUACLsed2eeCa6biE2t3Z2ulldUS9SnbOvjxD3Nykz0dN4hIfgeuF_CBxOZgdERqeMaRPaFsAM578t86tnaDblDbC5tVPpDQYqwNqf9V3ziTG8NbdATJcUHhEpOCBK6V7bp8tWuy3X5d/s320/parkhill_24_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Does anybody know what this was? It looks like it was a restaurant.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSoO9OQ5WL4q0MEmeqS2sV-yD2ptDEdccAQSXafY0L1EF7WN_xWGFT-2BS1h0W6cm9dj59Ve0SVCL5MUTIhN7WfpHv3mc0aau3tYQOEaUE0FPo508FgSf1-egyRpcXebunPUiiK7heRI0/s1600/parkhill_27_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSoO9OQ5WL4q0MEmeqS2sV-yD2ptDEdccAQSXafY0L1EF7WN_xWGFT-2BS1h0W6cm9dj59Ve0SVCL5MUTIhN7WfpHv3mc0aau3tYQOEaUE0FPo508FgSf1-egyRpcXebunPUiiK7heRI0/s320/parkhill_27_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the ceiling including a ton of missing ceiling tiles. I guess this is how the mall deals with water damage: just remove the damaged tiles and call it done.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgXiMTBH_8XKn3FkAlU8qrl2JoffRyGee6UUrnRZSO5mlXB7U6sHJAoBYi6Fvp1iWHweBdUu-CvMXd3Mv7kpKT2P5ZjrqfaxBGNzRmTU35mlzDgLsVT-ZnSMd1Cl69bBIn1CrG42Ss5aW/s1600/parkhill_29_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgXiMTBH_8XKn3FkAlU8qrl2JoffRyGee6UUrnRZSO5mlXB7U6sHJAoBYi6Fvp1iWHweBdUu-CvMXd3Mv7kpKT2P5ZjrqfaxBGNzRmTU35mlzDgLsVT-ZnSMd1Cl69bBIn1CrG42Ss5aW/s320/parkhill_29_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gs3hLT15Rdx9GiynkCmph4Ucg7q9gaxO0IifooIAN3CZmDLcuDDDxYj4n_wbOgXM2reglGcy2NoA56tR3d4e2bzQYuyd7XPTgzkwafLckjB58CVA2PmvALprlquZv0852s3cK91aKDa-/s1600/parkhill_30_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gs3hLT15Rdx9GiynkCmph4Ucg7q9gaxO0IifooIAN3CZmDLcuDDDxYj4n_wbOgXM2reglGcy2NoA56tR3d4e2bzQYuyd7XPTgzkwafLckjB58CVA2PmvALprlquZv0852s3cK91aKDa-/s320/parkhill_30_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A close-up of the insanely creepy empty shops adjacent to the back entrance. Aside from the 90's pastels, this looks haunting. However, the doors with the blue light appear to actually be an exit for the theaters. The store on the right is a total mystery.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisQQo4LieZxRYdqJBLyVKmAGEbFpk6L0yU98QD1C4XTJNmpJfiCagH0GK-NtRyhLgnRjuRncLf_p1gZb1Gp-67FIy5d7gDtSyzhEhbrjRHLytp4s-AIYwq7fkokTZjmuTCcdWrqdfHNw1/s1600/parkhill_31_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisQQo4LieZxRYdqJBLyVKmAGEbFpk6L0yU98QD1C4XTJNmpJfiCagH0GK-NtRyhLgnRjuRncLf_p1gZb1Gp-67FIy5d7gDtSyzhEhbrjRHLytp4s-AIYwq7fkokTZjmuTCcdWrqdfHNw1/s320/parkhill_31_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look at the entry into the main mall. The blue tarp is where the fun stops. The rest of the mall is closed to the public. This tarp was replaced by a wall by the next visit.</span></div>
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1982 saw the first and only expansion at the mall. That expansion would include a Kmart on the north end of the mall filling an empty anchor pad and the Parkhill 3 Cinemas on the back side of the north wing wedged against what was then Murphy's. It was a small expansion, but it was not one that was very beneficial to the mall considering that this was not the major department store anchor that the owners hoped to attract. It highlighted the issues of attempting to locate enclosed malls in very small towns. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2_oPaQ8SNi_US9OLh6N1h3xOwitt_l9KjHwouBclEwArDp-fSl1g-96NAOgc_lM2pToy4r966FeI9YufqzEkc-V-WqnWKpSYvY7PRDUdpq1Z2AhEAR93cfl1mSwdhGfxLLiscgOs4vhc/s1600/parkhill_43_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2_oPaQ8SNi_US9OLh6N1h3xOwitt_l9KjHwouBclEwArDp-fSl1g-96NAOgc_lM2pToy4r966FeI9YufqzEkc-V-WqnWKpSYvY7PRDUdpq1Z2AhEAR93cfl1mSwdhGfxLLiscgOs4vhc/s320/parkhill_43_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNfUO8Q4390AqS1grWjJHIh9rU7k1j3fw4pslRBxxnXTadPKoT1CxVWTMT_lhLmPt7NMmZmF6sIQEoM83QUZOeR0ihCDcKNYo-u7yrUDCDyPVWthdSff-bYtYsJno4YZAeIWQd-I5UBBM/s1600/parkhill_49_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNfUO8Q4390AqS1grWjJHIh9rU7k1j3fw4pslRBxxnXTadPKoT1CxVWTMT_lhLmPt7NMmZmF6sIQEoM83QUZOeR0ihCDcKNYo-u7yrUDCDyPVWthdSff-bYtYsJno4YZAeIWQd-I5UBBM/s320/parkhill_49_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The only interior entrance open to the public. With no open stores in the mall, the corridor is used solely to provide access to the mall's movie theater that outlasted the rest of the mall. It is located on the NE corner of the mall and previously dually functioned as the entrance to Kmart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP_PE4vDvFWrJt-be27kM34CunuatI8Z1CbyXMUUmV3o9L6veq3bg5RGgOohvst_v42gGt7G-qvcSVqw1J_NYT3JBiTCJ2SXYEWP_3uhHkVzE1dzJ-thrEnXI_M__7u0tLgofPRdRtpgV/s1600/parkhill_50_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP_PE4vDvFWrJt-be27kM34CunuatI8Z1CbyXMUUmV3o9L6veq3bg5RGgOohvst_v42gGt7G-qvcSVqw1J_NYT3JBiTCJ2SXYEWP_3uhHkVzE1dzJ-thrEnXI_M__7u0tLgofPRdRtpgV/s320/parkhill_50_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view from the main mall to the former Kmart. The mall itself had no natural light aside from the high window skylights in the court areas: a typical design used in the early 70's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDn7MCPsSb5KnF48SWgmjjCM_gtvbErYtWW6xEehzsX-C52mtYS7ShMzNAehiTkL6fXVkwmOQvvmjvv9IbfEvn6ZakhywPc2MKvUcCsiecDOgSEodFTpNEr6U1oH2q4k6Ds6F8F0M1beY/s1600/parkhill_25_082012_kmart_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDn7MCPsSb5KnF48SWgmjjCM_gtvbErYtWW6xEehzsX-C52mtYS7ShMzNAehiTkL6fXVkwmOQvvmjvv9IbfEvn6ZakhywPc2MKvUcCsiecDOgSEodFTpNEr6U1oH2q4k6Ds6F8F0M1beY/s320/parkhill_25_082012_kmart_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another close-up view of the Kmart mall entrance. Judging by the lack of mounting holes, the remodel was done after Kmart closed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO70NebDqatEQfDyQz_RDd3LmrzBLoqhZKE4zplrUOFZXBnPrwunqjGzJXLojMa5urPDx4QkTELZs-YdTjEGdXZaB6wuOucQHhEXWbT0ToskeWEtXJfMZ6yWMPVxB0bhzIEirfqeTWwsd1/s1600/parkhill_32_082012_kmart_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO70NebDqatEQfDyQz_RDd3LmrzBLoqhZKE4zplrUOFZXBnPrwunqjGzJXLojMa5urPDx4QkTELZs-YdTjEGdXZaB6wuOucQHhEXWbT0ToskeWEtXJfMZ6yWMPVxB0bhzIEirfqeTWwsd1/s320/parkhill_32_082012_kmart_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZoIecK_kDW7fSlU8xO9U_EL43kbpRoxMaWVMzHDOXmghmU3SHAYZVY0ijAfi-PSjxirbqA43ElIstsugyJsZJSyXopsvYw-ComC79dBn3MNsttfq2Msw1vsZXPVHp9TF2yjvUw6VdwoO/s1600/parkhill_46_012013_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZoIecK_kDW7fSlU8xO9U_EL43kbpRoxMaWVMzHDOXmghmU3SHAYZVY0ijAfi-PSjxirbqA43ElIstsugyJsZJSyXopsvYw-ComC79dBn3MNsttfq2Msw1vsZXPVHp9TF2yjvUw6VdwoO/s320/parkhill_46_012013_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple photos taken inside the dead Kmart approximately two years apart. The second photo indicates some kind of work was going on inside the store itself judging by a truck parked inside along with ladders and scaffolding.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBohphJpOcg66lCmvm3HX6auC04E1wONwzwtsDyukPhyphenhyphenDEbvXA6bcoFLpsVqck9cE9vxkjWlXZIPpYZ31KT6_yMZenpckAe44ybBEROUjdqrJXdIEIEwYdC1OK1OV6UhQcPoq3QoVPoAb/s1600/parkhill_35_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBohphJpOcg66lCmvm3HX6auC04E1wONwzwtsDyukPhyphenhyphenDEbvXA6bcoFLpsVqck9cE9vxkjWlXZIPpYZ31KT6_yMZenpckAe44ybBEROUjdqrJXdIEIEwYdC1OK1OV6UhQcPoq3QoVPoAb/s320/parkhill_35_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Parkhill Cinema 3: the last operational store inside the mall as of 2013. It is unknown if the theaters are still open.</span></div>
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Tarboro was no different than any other cities in Eastern North Carolina in that its primary economic engines mostly stopped running, and such a small town as Tarboro would prove unable to support a mall pretty quickly. The mall would limp along through the 80's, but both JCPenney and regional chain Brody's passed over the mall leaving the mall a low end mall worsened by the non-existent growth prospects for Tarboro. One anchor change did occur during that period, however. The first was when GC Murphy went under in 1987, it was replaced by Roses. It also appears that the mall received at least one renovation sometime in the 1980's or 1990's. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTUN8AJGRy7oABA16t8RwsjOQ8Wz-6y585PuT5xSwDHbsnIniKSsSa7RrX9lIe2asnJ2_iLU4P1vA_6N5VWYWOKHTMb6T791GFDCb39Sg6RH-6JKFOIz7EWjqeVy5zoVeH6ZtRcTovKnX/s1600/parkhill_34_082012_kmart_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTUN8AJGRy7oABA16t8RwsjOQ8Wz-6y585PuT5xSwDHbsnIniKSsSa7RrX9lIe2asnJ2_iLU4P1vA_6N5VWYWOKHTMb6T791GFDCb39Sg6RH-6JKFOIz7EWjqeVy5zoVeH6ZtRcTovKnX/s320/parkhill_34_082012_kmart_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One more Kmart shot setting the mood with some empty benches. Exactly who is going to want to sit in an un-airconditioned mini-corridor with zero stores and a few feet to walk?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vLFWoqZIxbHMlK_4EYa_A1hbxaFQ6lhk2HZ5h1lLPuXGGFTPeduW5fs-lYVKkN1h3VAY2x2Tu3n-MuwJB5qioTS5Lpw7199_fN2-rlPN6hEtzI4o-bVI9Pkx9MtPayovDR-v0J4MwX7j/s1600/parkhill_36_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vLFWoqZIxbHMlK_4EYa_A1hbxaFQ6lhk2HZ5h1lLPuXGGFTPeduW5fs-lYVKkN1h3VAY2x2Tu3n-MuwJB5qioTS5Lpw7199_fN2-rlPN6hEtzI4o-bVI9Pkx9MtPayovDR-v0J4MwX7j/s320/parkhill_36_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The treasures of the mall were sadly hidden from view, but this shot through an abandoned store window gives a little glimpse of the former Belk Tyler mall entrance featuring what appears to be a classy and distinctive 70's look.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE83EqSOQmb7mkZufG11FjkXetnEQOw0ouS-eQHKN56nE1d_ainbkognSMfQb8mO_TuQWW8XvwVM-BpaFm2YvGkunjVK5QppTq_Y4BLy9vL_FYSCHb79tj2c61osKZTvPPROSblcoxHKc/s1600/parkhill_40_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdE83EqSOQmb7mkZufG11FjkXetnEQOw0ouS-eQHKN56nE1d_ainbkognSMfQb8mO_TuQWW8XvwVM-BpaFm2YvGkunjVK5QppTq_Y4BLy9vL_FYSCHb79tj2c61osKZTvPPROSblcoxHKc/s320/parkhill_40_012013_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking inside the former Belk Tyler from the other side entrance into the mall. The closure of Belk pretty much took the mall down with it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpkw4VC2Mgk17TpREPL3SJC8m2D1Xe66nLStuOviaDVWCunskxzM917-ZsR_Zq2F2CDxCuZUdjGx_9hWU70tWyKAZd9-0llig674O9ccM_ftnKnurX55n7sanTs-amvpbkM7MhwHaw_rj/s1600/parkhill_41_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpkw4VC2Mgk17TpREPL3SJC8m2D1Xe66nLStuOviaDVWCunskxzM917-ZsR_Zq2F2CDxCuZUdjGx_9hWU70tWyKAZd9-0llig674O9ccM_ftnKnurX55n7sanTs-amvpbkM7MhwHaw_rj/s320/parkhill_41_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look under the tarp (not possible later) showing some of what is still visible in the rest of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs-GvTxM3rj3vn8mgAsL68OQSsCr-TIip4ItNvw_4dqD128Y9AAjbFmEnjpmc7YuV31ghmneWb4Z6qy5tjtbGZf2n8yQDMZShr8349qNB2OhYOkoYYOYo_NV6lfexwVH5594vgRI52WoM/s1600/parkhill_42_012013_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs-GvTxM3rj3vn8mgAsL68OQSsCr-TIip4ItNvw_4dqD128Y9AAjbFmEnjpmc7YuV31ghmneWb4Z6qy5tjtbGZf2n8yQDMZShr8349qNB2OhYOkoYYOYo_NV6lfexwVH5594vgRI52WoM/s320/parkhill_42_012013_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall corridor was apparently closed to the public beyond the theaters around 2010-2012, because a permanent wall was installed in the second visit. I wonder what it would take to get to tour the other side.</span></div>
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The early 2000's quickly pushed Parkhill Mall into dead mall territory. It is not clear when Belk closed, but it appears it most likely closed at the mall as early as 1992: 20 years after the store opened. When Belk closed, Roses came to fill the void leaving their prior store in the middle anchor. Goldsboro-based Heilig-Meyers furniture would then come to replace the former Murphy's/Rose's spot. However, this anchor shuffle would prove to be a fatal blow as two of the three chains left the mall in 2000. This included Kmart, which left the mall in its second big round of closings and Heilig-Meyers, which closed with the entire chain the same year. Somewhere within that same period A&P also closed its store with no grocery coming to replacement. It is unclear which one closed first, but this left Rose's as the last anchor and they appeared to have joined the exodus leaving the mall anchorless. By then, the mall should have completely shut down, right? Not so fast, surprisingly enough. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLdw6kQJhFvSsTc-AW9_lVuAU3U67qJHk2h4cofXsGL8ggU2O6WOpKDGWTFYvIBWnx2qgrIIEigwd_pV4g1aA-MuDWG4RnyxXQESQ5S8YPr3Jprof5256x0ALVjHZpXmUogzZcLtg-A_s/s1600/parkhill_47_012013_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLdw6kQJhFvSsTc-AW9_lVuAU3U67qJHk2h4cofXsGL8ggU2O6WOpKDGWTFYvIBWnx2qgrIIEigwd_pV4g1aA-MuDWG4RnyxXQESQ5S8YPr3Jprof5256x0ALVjHZpXmUogzZcLtg-A_s/s320/parkhill_47_012013_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghftolV2fQrgvk6nxVRobz5l4oQ5DPKwhailL3ELaIehZP_udYEbodrPyhQL82ur6W9AcJj9jZ6mJuRJjqfm7yeOIn9RLtcZCvEXY4NmlbdyaWKCCnIG0zairL62C4LzstiavmEkGBK1DZ/s1600/parkhill_22_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghftolV2fQrgvk6nxVRobz5l4oQ5DPKwhailL3ELaIehZP_udYEbodrPyhQL82ur6W9AcJj9jZ6mJuRJjqfm7yeOIn9RLtcZCvEXY4NmlbdyaWKCCnIG0zairL62C4LzstiavmEkGBK1DZ/s320/parkhill_22_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exterior/Kmart entrance to mall, the only one still open to the interior section. To the right is the garden center for Kmart. However, Kmart was not the first anchor to have a garden center at the mall!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1ThTDe9UywG6yykDfgGmhhcy8V950eQ1HNNmYF7BPZ0bpXqdFBwLSJ4oQrAlcPfHKfYJADZ-_ERg3sYeGL2-l_gF_I2_XIdNSPdl7LAUqFWPRcOmO3x7dVvBGcefzYd6RUbKVAfT3ijD/s1600/parkhill_10_082012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1ThTDe9UywG6yykDfgGmhhcy8V950eQ1HNNmYF7BPZ0bpXqdFBwLSJ4oQrAlcPfHKfYJADZ-_ERg3sYeGL2-l_gF_I2_XIdNSPdl7LAUqFWPRcOmO3x7dVvBGcefzYd6RUbKVAfT3ijD/s320/parkhill_10_082012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLP9naxquV7UURGg388RTpfPDXaOpZyMZjcICFnhnjRCrvcvW5ITl_cLMp287za_zHwZp_jA5pjSvUd0B2JYLTUhC7P8whrXgtkFewHcCDVW0VOem_BHZOwYElHeGzyopc7R4Njbr4evA/s1600/parkhill_9_082012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLP9naxquV7UURGg388RTpfPDXaOpZyMZjcICFnhnjRCrvcvW5ITl_cLMp287za_zHwZp_jA5pjSvUd0B2JYLTUhC7P8whrXgtkFewHcCDVW0VOem_BHZOwYElHeGzyopc7R4Njbr4evA/s320/parkhill_9_082012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">More detail of the garden center with the auto center in the second photo. The only spring greens you're going to pick up here today are dandelions and crabgrass.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7qo_mKvDX8cd_J9bSfhwJl_VHlll-s41ChzKDru9ck2_i4y-mlrtwNzpbusBep0QH8wqDvwC88n_sGXHXyeSagjg22miOGjLkKwqtM5DcnlyIY390HDbvCqgp-tZyOSFyJ1s4o4GwynF/s1600/parkhill_7_082012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7qo_mKvDX8cd_J9bSfhwJl_VHlll-s41ChzKDru9ck2_i4y-mlrtwNzpbusBep0QH8wqDvwC88n_sGXHXyeSagjg22miOGjLkKwqtM5DcnlyIY390HDbvCqgp-tZyOSFyJ1s4o4GwynF/s320/parkhill_7_082012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This was the back Kmart/mall entrance with a labelscar still faintly visible.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Pj0HoHmJ3ixVHOPTBVOa8jCtsMGxtylBr3vKX1t-CKiNoy0CV8oB3_NIIlTS4LRMdUwmbACssXv0YIb3BBhmUOVxO-1pUwA7spNDNrXuxdoky2s3Lkf1_K1LxBepzllNqOLAWjwgzfx_/s1600/parkhill_52_012013_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Pj0HoHmJ3ixVHOPTBVOa8jCtsMGxtylBr3vKX1t-CKiNoy0CV8oB3_NIIlTS4LRMdUwmbACssXv0YIb3BBhmUOVxO-1pUwA7spNDNrXuxdoky2s3Lkf1_K1LxBepzllNqOLAWjwgzfx_/s320/parkhill_52_012013_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk Tyler's very stately mall entrance. It was from this door you could see through to the mall entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32CKxtAByCVPmYahfK3q5lld5V5cm6Gt1eIhWktZ3icmfyzeYZbk4Ry6gPUOQY38IBcnDk0IUxOzT1ZZKBDeqaWJh3L_9zUDoChg9TSlQhHwU7GkiGhVIR35OR6hJBeSzLxEH0bKjDFY6/s1600/parkhill_55_012013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32CKxtAByCVPmYahfK3q5lld5V5cm6Gt1eIhWktZ3icmfyzeYZbk4Ry6gPUOQY38IBcnDk0IUxOzT1ZZKBDeqaWJh3L_9zUDoChg9TSlQhHwU7GkiGhVIR35OR6hJBeSzLxEH0bKjDFY6/s320/parkhill_55_012013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrlWeT25Fh57Nwqg7Cc_S3LoWjACB5x7OgMwkfEiY_NkGmV0ytsvWDtiWbBK2U5VNOurJ1PUZ1ru41q4yoVIj6_1p2C5Qcf52Gt3IKVD2yk6krUSostE2aYYAeRNAfpg6TSqcw7CP-fSh/s1600/parkhill_18_082012_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrlWeT25Fh57Nwqg7Cc_S3LoWjACB5x7OgMwkfEiY_NkGmV0ytsvWDtiWbBK2U5VNOurJ1PUZ1ru41q4yoVIj6_1p2C5Qcf52Gt3IKVD2yk6krUSostE2aYYAeRNAfpg6TSqcw7CP-fSh/s320/parkhill_18_082012_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And here is Belk Tyler's very OWN garden center. At this time, they weren't growing blue flowers that light up on the side of the building, but they were obviously growing something. This meant that Belk and Kmart were actually competing with garden centers! However, it would not be the only service they'd compete on.</span></div>
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Today, Parkhill Mall, now known as Riverside Plaza, is mostly a mall masquerading as a traditional strip center. The front main entrance corridor is gone, replaced with a Mexican restaurant and adjacent tenants were turned to face the parking lot making it appear at first glance to be a strip. It is as if the owners are trying to hide the mall away. Because the theater needs access, one mall entrance remains although the theater apparently did not need the mall to survive. Thus, although the mall interior is mostly closed, a portion of the mall remains open on the Kmart side up to the entrance to the theaters. While not glamorous, the arrangement allows limited access to a mall that has otherwise been long dead. Unfortunately, the theater operator is not so fond of retail enthusiasts like us coming in and photographing that piece of a mall that is otherwise in good repair despite being largely abandoned for over 15 years. In addition, K&L Transport Services operates on the back half of the former Murphy's/Rose's and a pawn shop operates in the former A&P. In addition, the Kmart auto center (and possibly the store itself) are again open as an ironic Premium Auto Care & Tire considering that the Belk Tyler Auto Center has been vacant a good while. It makes me wonder if many of the same employees work there. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTteFG52AMnF68ywjxIsuO24CTLsr5mQMbm-LkWNTIhVfRMPZ_95nsNga8jRKU8-EOYLbMa6TJvpk7jVdhCEkx47IN1VsL8xiqi3NqAqbSkRcJjYfEve9PV0MQpFxvYFkeKzwtPX2QslY/s1600/parkhill_21_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTteFG52AMnF68ywjxIsuO24CTLsr5mQMbm-LkWNTIhVfRMPZ_95nsNga8jRKU8-EOYLbMa6TJvpk7jVdhCEkx47IN1VsL8xiqi3NqAqbSkRcJjYfEve9PV0MQpFxvYFkeKzwtPX2QslY/s320/parkhill_21_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This unassuming back door was once the emergency exit for G.C. Murphy, which was the original third anchor in the mall. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO1dYmQcyjj6ZPT83knV5ccUO-HWnYm549e2LJLZH_yQrjIyh-yWr-VvCdy0Z9RYSGP3w02DhF6ebC0Kjr_qJkRiCmzxbounyQ4Nz6E7A1qODlqkczInF1OJZ8VMO9R-KjZTPT0TtY7gi/s1600/parkhill_37_082012_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO1dYmQcyjj6ZPT83knV5ccUO-HWnYm549e2LJLZH_yQrjIyh-yWr-VvCdy0Z9RYSGP3w02DhF6ebC0Kjr_qJkRiCmzxbounyQ4Nz6E7A1qODlqkczInF1OJZ8VMO9R-KjZTPT0TtY7gi/s320/parkhill_37_082012_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mr. Tyler was not one to market Belk as just a mere department store, he even went so far as to open up a full-service gas station! This station served customers quality "Belko" gas!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMKwodp915sviTcl_PwEnqgNQux0zdJxyj7Ya3kNh27j8ZCgADeLOdRSF8iPqRwoLC7o-r4DsjdlPyZLhqRSYHVuRV731RPS15-f7JOV87DjU8rG01CQt3aiEKHKzV8wylSM6_zb0CTDD/s1600/parkhill_38_082012_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMKwodp915sviTcl_PwEnqgNQux0zdJxyj7Ya3kNh27j8ZCgADeLOdRSF8iPqRwoLC7o-r4DsjdlPyZLhqRSYHVuRV731RPS15-f7JOV87DjU8rG01CQt3aiEKHKzV8wylSM6_zb0CTDD/s320/parkhill_38_082012_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Batteries! Tires! Alignment...all at BELK!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLwqNqbnFBe-oIsdb1VdJbmlCHhD6lD8jiXTLwhap-0Reh-TFvSJi9cdfjkrfLlZDXRMozR4f2zOygAHcqbgJHW15P1w3niKvcDp4yrE6toP2cowT9CipbkuaLgwm03xujN8EluvLqrAL/s1600/parkhill_39_082012_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLwqNqbnFBe-oIsdb1VdJbmlCHhD6lD8jiXTLwhap-0Reh-TFvSJi9cdfjkrfLlZDXRMozR4f2zOygAHcqbgJHW15P1w3niKvcDp4yrE6toP2cowT9CipbkuaLgwm03xujN8EluvLqrAL/s320/parkhill_39_082012_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSavteMEhlPdta5IxHzTVYkY8Y6EEK_gth2ABN0NVhZmyuoVl9cssv8hr0JqZtbXnts_BicqNbwgsfC2InLYDLzep6DL0bKoq5D6QD2QekOgseFC9dsCmAgjKzpPuAieUyItssjrkY6awd/s1600/parkhill_51_012013_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSavteMEhlPdta5IxHzTVYkY8Y6EEK_gth2ABN0NVhZmyuoVl9cssv8hr0JqZtbXnts_BicqNbwgsfC2InLYDLzep6DL0bKoq5D6QD2QekOgseFC9dsCmAgjKzpPuAieUyItssjrkY6awd/s320/parkhill_51_012013_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwFE7HwJvhX63xsDI1Equanpf4CTNFJJyA8uWIDsPYFaeX6i7_wsLV6sgOjhfkf_n8E4FKZcqrlXqC4kP_pAHZYpKy3MeJyMwnZt-P2exMWgm5eo9M7K-zpqUSQsuQ0WTaHXLF-wPWVsU/s1600/parkhill_54_012013_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwFE7HwJvhX63xsDI1Equanpf4CTNFJJyA8uWIDsPYFaeX6i7_wsLV6sgOjhfkf_n8E4FKZcqrlXqC4kP_pAHZYpKy3MeJyMwnZt-P2exMWgm5eo9M7K-zpqUSQsuQ0WTaHXLF-wPWVsU/s320/parkhill_54_012013_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It turns out the Belk Tyler auto center operated under local ownership for a period of years after Belk closed as Webb Tire & Auto, which looks to have closed with no replacement.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCXERU78vbnKzlAemesPhcr7MKnJFI6AWre5XT1Igv6_-sdY-7K2WRyAhdYGMD9aOiScIOIwKEXR88g6UJFs3ki8tjDzrJdzpDuNkmhayKf4BJV7OetEciskaJOmWRJf17zilqt35DquM/s1600/parkhill_3_082012_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCXERU78vbnKzlAemesPhcr7MKnJFI6AWre5XT1Igv6_-sdY-7K2WRyAhdYGMD9aOiScIOIwKEXR88g6UJFs3ki8tjDzrJdzpDuNkmhayKf4BJV7OetEciskaJOmWRJf17zilqt35DquM/s320/parkhill_3_082012_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Guess you'll need to go further down the road now if you need car service...or not. The old Kmart auto center has reopened as Premium Auto Care and Tire since these photos were taken. I wonder if it has any of the original employees from this place.</span></div>
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What is the future of this little forgotten gem? Most likely it will be the demolition or filling in of what is left of the interior mall converting the rest of it to a strip. It is clear that nobody is looking to occupy empty mall corridors, but that does not mean the space itself is useless for government offices, medical, or something else. Retail returning to the mostly empty mall would be a stretch considering that Tarboro has long been by-passed and the mall is not on a high traffic corridor anymore. In fact, it was most likely the completion of the U.S. 64 realignment in the late 90's (today future I-87) that had the biggest impact on the mall by shifting traffic patterns away from the mall. If the theater closes at the mall, the greatest likelihood is just that the vacant parts of the mall will get demolished and left a vacant lot behind the existing strip. Whatever ultimately happens, this mall demonstrates how overmalled North Carolina was during the 1970's and 1980's and how poor the planning was in opening an enclosed mall in a city with 11,000 residents so close to better shopping options in Rocky Mount to the west. It is just good that somebody saw it before it was sealed off and forgotten like so many like it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97_sO0jvxlpBgqgS-bD6-6JmQrXirVf_jtohe2DMsILb-j3cuji6DxRTsyEa_weun17DSBvpwq0aOUqN7k6tH9pdgLm745e3z67dMiwC753VopcHJBUUmwIr7zkwSc9XpoIUBM3jRc9gF/s1600/parkhill_2_082012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97_sO0jvxlpBgqgS-bD6-6JmQrXirVf_jtohe2DMsILb-j3cuji6DxRTsyEa_weun17DSBvpwq0aOUqN7k6tH9pdgLm745e3z67dMiwC753VopcHJBUUmwIr7zkwSc9XpoIUBM3jRc9gF/s320/parkhill_2_082012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another rear entrance of the mall next to Belk including a lot of retrofitting for non-mall tenants. This would be on the southwest corner. Also note the domed skylight over the court in front of Belk!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwXgzN7vwZgYYg1Bc7tAHXtw7U5r62QM-mBWjEKfhpg2cCg15-qHcQwIXjOZ1MJ807DHKBCCAFFqp-qnZoI9QhLQGsRg47xd2eif12UYuMY2IAyVIxQrpZGCVfYxJjL8U5quP4WRi-XQE/s1600/parkhill_1_082012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwXgzN7vwZgYYg1Bc7tAHXtw7U5r62QM-mBWjEKfhpg2cCg15-qHcQwIXjOZ1MJ807DHKBCCAFFqp-qnZoI9QhLQGsRg47xd2eif12UYuMY2IAyVIxQrpZGCVfYxJjL8U5quP4WRi-XQE/s320/parkhill_1_082012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierPZ61-daMKBjdglPEIoAk0RSo3Ds75g2yPef3ecCX7wdeyMuNdTHdWV0yqo4UKPTCk6vd1I832cMagAFLQWggGaXhynFqnoh1ln4xiB9FGGi1ykoSwnm_fRe_Fy_UcPhAkEGM7sluQcw/s1600/parkhill_6_082012_aandp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierPZ61-daMKBjdglPEIoAk0RSo3Ds75g2yPef3ecCX7wdeyMuNdTHdWV0yqo4UKPTCk6vd1I832cMagAFLQWggGaXhynFqnoh1ln4xiB9FGGi1ykoSwnm_fRe_Fy_UcPhAkEGM7sluQcw/s320/parkhill_6_082012_aandp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Of course, no mid-century mall was ever complete without a strip center adjacent to it. This strip was originally anchored by A&P and People's Drugs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2A5hHxteTQP7Y0w9XVXuOcizc_kYhYIpv4lYH41GJz4s_fHd8too3msSwlVcmIpFuROrhLWvkRBXhdi0uD58lFLw0IOGPTRHmVDLyvots265xXAjY9aoyggADABHuGBQdcZR4SJtJxTNg/s1600/parkhillmall_map_final+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1600" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2A5hHxteTQP7Y0w9XVXuOcizc_kYhYIpv4lYH41GJz4s_fHd8too3msSwlVcmIpFuROrhLWvkRBXhdi0uD58lFLw0IOGPTRHmVDLyvots265xXAjY9aoyggADABHuGBQdcZR4SJtJxTNg/s320/parkhillmall_map_final+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This historical map was drawn to the best of my knowledge. Things unknown include the exact shape of the G.C. Murphy, the location of People's Drugs in the mall and any detailed information about the closed off portions of the mall. Any help would be appreciated.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d1929.458055407071!2d-77.56221801416274!3d35.900590999041285!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1513034481418" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps view of the mall</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-18228433486192532532017-12-23T13:26:00.000-08:002017-12-23T13:26:41.943-08:00Kinston Plaza: Kinston, NCThe year before Kinston gained its first enclosed mall, Kinston was already enjoying the fruits of what was then a thriving local economy gaining its first modern shopping center with the construction of Kinston Plaza. While small by today's standards, the center is actually a combination of strip and covered arcade that is one of the largest and most vintage arcades I have run across that is still operational. While very local in nature today, the center once had a larger draw.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD3W7urF2L7txtHx2GA-j-j3Uu3bQUGtghL-1aV06Rgh4LY2sllj1rCIuoVraHnuzPQq6Wg3uJ5y9xVF6PrKqMK6xaDfvUn5jbl9efhm03CzsqK3ry4SIjbiYZmNPm59lAzp4DfN8aB5B/s1600/kinstonplaza_4_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD3W7urF2L7txtHx2GA-j-j3Uu3bQUGtghL-1aV06Rgh4LY2sllj1rCIuoVraHnuzPQq6Wg3uJ5y9xVF6PrKqMK6xaDfvUn5jbl9efhm03CzsqK3ry4SIjbiYZmNPm59lAzp4DfN8aB5B/s320/kinstonplaza_4_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Built in 1966, Kinston Plaza was anchored by Woolco, Colonial Stores and A&P. The arcade portion may have not been original to the center, instead added around 1970 considering that the now-closed <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/37134">theater that anchors the back of the arcade</a> was opened in 1970. The theater, named Trans-Lux Inflight Cinema, was renamed Plaza Theater in 1974, twinned in the early 80's and operated at the center until it closed for good in 2000 when a seven screen theater nearby replaced the two screen cinema. However, the center was already in decline long before the theaters closed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrFw5QCNHfmo5sXBYxlvpKY60_ke57mBsXSehWSfQju1TLjJ_zdr2DtSfr1-NI0RaznT_XJmYVoJdGpuSTJQccFoGFOsnvAJ6Erg2sudyB350FzenZPaw0kz0Gvj0Gna94Zp6ZXbItnfz/s1600/kinstonplaza_5_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrFw5QCNHfmo5sXBYxlvpKY60_ke57mBsXSehWSfQju1TLjJ_zdr2DtSfr1-NI0RaznT_XJmYVoJdGpuSTJQccFoGFOsnvAJ6Erg2sudyB350FzenZPaw0kz0Gvj0Gna94Zp6ZXbItnfz/s320/kinstonplaza_5_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0IO7mAGzOVVIIbYhsnVnkgXHyCjovPaiLsa6rNg9eXpw9w6FPCmeCshPvO1j7JihvroCyTRKPcyqWBFkRvKcBbmJRFhO0IYYW_5glMLHaTA6XlZwyIXUimn7FZGu3Tsby5_I5I63mw75/s1600/kinstonplaza_6_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0IO7mAGzOVVIIbYhsnVnkgXHyCjovPaiLsa6rNg9eXpw9w6FPCmeCshPvO1j7JihvroCyTRKPcyqWBFkRvKcBbmJRFhO0IYYW_5glMLHaTA6XlZwyIXUimn7FZGu3Tsby5_I5I63mw75/s320/kinstonplaza_6_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr2I7aYxZPadYRbEZMaVZgGlMoswR4SXTmEQwxUwtkhdo44W4iLhDFRl5hBaNwjACLILefKWY1U__d7difzpna6JOMuUR026C5ttCa3r65m36F7p7b8iLZG4j2MGCKLt0vZ2EE4leHJBn/s1600/kinstonplaza_3_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr2I7aYxZPadYRbEZMaVZgGlMoswR4SXTmEQwxUwtkhdo44W4iLhDFRl5hBaNwjACLILefKWY1U__d7difzpna6JOMuUR026C5ttCa3r65m36F7p7b8iLZG4j2MGCKLt0vZ2EE4leHJBn/s320/kinstonplaza_3_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kinston Plaza's arcade is one of the best preserved mid-century specimens featuring a mix of regionally-popular faux Colonial and 60's modern design. While covered, the center is completely open-air making the arcade function like a cave. The far end of the mall is now a long-closed theater. Photos taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcxTJ63NBFs2ILLYZ606Lrelc6tRo3Q1C0BqBWtuiewgYK93rDae9kefUXO59IObVdlFi5sNjFJu9V4btlSmm1U03Yv1hqOqnU1SstnClmhP2SR6GTAqPW3grmIHn4LWQ256e2ph48JD_/s1600/kinstonplaza_11_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcxTJ63NBFs2ILLYZ606Lrelc6tRo3Q1C0BqBWtuiewgYK93rDae9kefUXO59IObVdlFi5sNjFJu9V4btlSmm1U03Yv1hqOqnU1SstnClmhP2SR6GTAqPW3grmIHn4LWQ256e2ph48JD_/s320/kinstonplaza_11_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Theater entrance with skylight providing eerie natural light overhead. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MwPYAWBoBGxlRjiY2laeHgxwXi7jMmdRBIzOXuMRKuVEgaxyW_lk_eYbKn6k8-GY6QKGqXlMraz5l9_wmtf2TUL1PRnC3nR_sLxqaSRvUp6H7LOQI6OpNEy1hfgonuLU9jYHMO68fbrr/s1600/kinstonplaza_7_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MwPYAWBoBGxlRjiY2laeHgxwXi7jMmdRBIzOXuMRKuVEgaxyW_lk_eYbKn6k8-GY6QKGqXlMraz5l9_wmtf2TUL1PRnC3nR_sLxqaSRvUp6H7LOQI6OpNEy1hfgonuLU9jYHMO68fbrr/s320/kinstonplaza_7_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg025_Yup7ruCp1S_uuvbK5wfGjfTIkDHhqCWHJXua0S_TiO9HzBsn661UeiSU8hyphenhyphensTnWJ8K1jp5tAiYE-3JVD-eDc2gqT3xO9m9TH3HO9QuRXiQy1F2d-6J9NCfw0RknrFDXGGP3i8EX2E/s1600/kinstonplaza_12_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg025_Yup7ruCp1S_uuvbK5wfGjfTIkDHhqCWHJXua0S_TiO9HzBsn661UeiSU8hyphenhyphensTnWJ8K1jp5tAiYE-3JVD-eDc2gqT3xO9m9TH3HO9QuRXiQy1F2d-6J9NCfw0RknrFDXGGP3i8EX2E/s320/kinstonplaza_12_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of skylights, which were clearly designed with a cloudy look and obviously need some debris cleaned off. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoCj_T17wNGPSkw3arHPttlyyZGO_hhBiSxlPezHss-kEM0rYaWNoI3h6h2G6Dkj5PLaY03YewP83rrM_dnB1hBu6H5Ohx_5j7m-ZDPOP6L_wKbHhE02Njrtt68OMXwi6npaXJYLW_b_3/s1600/kinstonplaza_10_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoCj_T17wNGPSkw3arHPttlyyZGO_hhBiSxlPezHss-kEM0rYaWNoI3h6h2G6Dkj5PLaY03YewP83rrM_dnB1hBu6H5Ohx_5j7m-ZDPOP6L_wKbHhE02Njrtt68OMXwi6npaXJYLW_b_3/s320/kinstonplaza_10_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W-yMm_t2oy9JU8o9rvflIRVP__dSIVzTl2ja7TLQz8qdUa05yn6yt6aM649_ePmAjVuPwn0J4Oy0w54JMP0NWWEzdqBUcIJchsn5a4M-8RlRSGWO-avB9cfhrPdjNIUhwi9D9clEcAAE/s1600/kinstonplaza_8_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W-yMm_t2oy9JU8o9rvflIRVP__dSIVzTl2ja7TLQz8qdUa05yn6yt6aM649_ePmAjVuPwn0J4Oy0w54JMP0NWWEzdqBUcIJchsn5a4M-8RlRSGWO-avB9cfhrPdjNIUhwi9D9clEcAAE/s320/kinstonplaza_8_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf1hn-5W2HnWoo07xavaK8g1uCeSgigdDt8K49rYhwa1eTwy4q3tXn8Y3IqAe2gzgR92mrbCG9Jut75kdYqfceTmKHpi21gem3Q20lQveRFvCg-ORo2XyKq7F-fCGt0QiOky3v_ABI6HY/s1600/kinstonplaza_9_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf1hn-5W2HnWoo07xavaK8g1uCeSgigdDt8K49rYhwa1eTwy4q3tXn8Y3IqAe2gzgR92mrbCG9Jut75kdYqfceTmKHpi21gem3Q20lQveRFvCg-ORo2XyKq7F-fCGt0QiOky3v_ABI6HY/s320/kinstonplaza_9_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of storefronts in the mall, now exclusively service-type tenants. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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It is obvious to note that none of the original anchor tenants are still in business today, so quite a few changes occurred with the anchors. The first of those was when Colonial Stores became Big Star in 1978. Big Star, of course, later closed after stores in the market were sold to Harris Teeter in 1988. Second was when Woolco went out of business in 1982. At the time, the shopping center was doing well enough and it was quickly filled by Brendle's Catalog Showroom. By 1992, both supermarkets had left after A&P exited the market as the company continued to decline. Brendle's itself would end operations in 1996 joining every other catalog merchant in the dustbin of history. With the theater already closed, the shopping center probably looked nearly abandoned before 2000, but smaller chains came into fill the void and it recovered.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tuAYuwBxvz3zjySE4yugG3RIZGqQnm73ctqYe7uoOu5KqpiSWpmmmHSNOF_1QGNfcipDFp8hTn1G5tWt8Rb5pHLh_XaFsfaVXlmGUDlMr0cCMshL7UU2QDsWHL3I15KdiSw_x07inpYg/s1600/kinstonplaza_14_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tuAYuwBxvz3zjySE4yugG3RIZGqQnm73ctqYe7uoOu5KqpiSWpmmmHSNOF_1QGNfcipDFp8hTn1G5tWt8Rb5pHLh_XaFsfaVXlmGUDlMr0cCMshL7UU2QDsWHL3I15KdiSw_x07inpYg/s320/kinstonplaza_14_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Leaving the mall, it is like twilight before the dawn, but about 40 years ago. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqCjDXg1xDN2xNHj-Gy3EW-hZ_dPoUiKcsWSXKtzmNbbiWlBpIBFKGWI3hGof6ZyVDoUFvhZxJdY3P-Z83C678uIw_mLQkivntsgVTCTP3PK6qm5d3-llcEpq8wJ_V2pwswy44IOdCjSB/s1600/kinstonplaza_16_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqCjDXg1xDN2xNHj-Gy3EW-hZ_dPoUiKcsWSXKtzmNbbiWlBpIBFKGWI3hGof6ZyVDoUFvhZxJdY3P-Z83C678uIw_mLQkivntsgVTCTP3PK6qm5d3-llcEpq8wJ_V2pwswy44IOdCjSB/s320/kinstonplaza_16_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While ownership may have changed, this barber shop/salon is likely the oldest continuously-operating tenant in the shopping center. Many shopping center barber shops remain mostly unchanged from 50 years ago. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3C1PAv07l8ENbUQcuV8mceyEHyChqaa5X-qPb5KsP0wYNyGq2hG-AQFQeGnGEvPsOpJrPc7jHUcSTRuANBL745TSNsu2zFifDiuQQzST3gIqSgAyx70kDURgHMRqGXjbmVLHsvo3wkIea/s1600/kinstonplaza_17_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3C1PAv07l8ENbUQcuV8mceyEHyChqaa5X-qPb5KsP0wYNyGq2hG-AQFQeGnGEvPsOpJrPc7jHUcSTRuANBL745TSNsu2zFifDiuQQzST3gIqSgAyx70kDURgHMRqGXjbmVLHsvo3wkIea/s320/kinstonplaza_17_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hollow store at corner of mall and parking lot. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveoyLXUwmi4CLv8XjMtoxbUVsuSMv7aFO-aHSZK8XlGAPeyZeo4De9Vxa_XxwNrhUbr6WuKR6NN7t7GEueIb0WKamAu9e5oKg5FvT1A-7NOPHXuAp49GV7HHw_BCtv2ux06Gb10YpRI5p/s1600/kinstonplaza_2_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveoyLXUwmi4CLv8XjMtoxbUVsuSMv7aFO-aHSZK8XlGAPeyZeo4De9Vxa_XxwNrhUbr6WuKR6NN7t7GEueIb0WKamAu9e5oKg5FvT1A-7NOPHXuAp49GV7HHw_BCtv2ux06Gb10YpRI5p/s320/kinstonplaza_2_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The exterior mall entrance has, unfortunately, been updated into this deceptively boring stucco facade hiding the vintage goodness within. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvrIAw6r_ajaD_5J8crFpAqi6x8nGRXZPx1cPWJI25xag8Y2Oy_NyfnFzMly1DfkRjkpC6sdyzXKWnxeh2-QM25nFqYiCcI37j3rFAmknMmoAMf8bfzVLwaLduhJ6brmDMMiyk-DpZU-T/s1600/kinstonplaza_18_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvrIAw6r_ajaD_5J8crFpAqi6x8nGRXZPx1cPWJI25xag8Y2Oy_NyfnFzMly1DfkRjkpC6sdyzXKWnxeh2-QM25nFqYiCcI37j3rFAmknMmoAMf8bfzVLwaLduhJ6brmDMMiyk-DpZU-T/s320/kinstonplaza_18_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Piggly Wiggly today occupies what was originally a Woolco. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxNSY1CRqhqTRKvHe8bIAaJbXfQAWEfuQdZhjljxAgdRJX4eguwMB-6Xsi1ZWsI5aeEA3DnFEITIEgi6fTdsAgAo2-7n8s46p6kzitDUnQtOUPB7kWKH5seSIhjybspSnqxaRxtakMo9S/s1600/kinstonplaza_19_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxNSY1CRqhqTRKvHe8bIAaJbXfQAWEfuQdZhjljxAgdRJX4eguwMB-6Xsi1ZWsI5aeEA3DnFEITIEgi6fTdsAgAo2-7n8s46p6kzitDUnQtOUPB7kWKH5seSIhjybspSnqxaRxtakMo9S/s320/kinstonplaza_19_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This sign for the shopping center along an adjacent street is likely (almost) original considering the arrow likely replaced an older arrow with flashing lights. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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Today, the center is alive and (mostly) well again catering to wider tastes and demographics than the original shopping center. Major tenants include Piggly Wiggly in the old Woolco space, Big Lots in the old Colonial/Big Star and It's Fashion Metro in the old Eckerds space. A hair salon and dance studio still operate in the "mini mall" space (what the shopping center calls it!), and the former A&P is now a furniture store. In a town with many vacant retail centers and a mall on its last legs, Kinston Plaza remains a bright spot in the city.</div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-38344090369648738862017-12-22T20:20:00.000-08:002017-12-22T20:20:01.594-08:00Vernon Park Mall: Kinston, NCVernon Park Mall deserves a mention as the mall is today sliding into history as yet another mid-century mall unable to survive the post-2008 American reality. The history of Vernon Park Mall is hard to come by, but it was pieced together as best as possible to show that this now dead mall was once pretty special. As one of the oldest malls in the state, Vernon Park opened on March 13, 1969 on the west side of town at the intersection of US 258 and Hardee Road. According to <i>The Heritage of Lenoir County</i> by the Lenoir County Historical Association, the mall was built by W. Roy Poole on land that was previously the farms of the Temple and Hardee families. The original mall was a dumbbell shape and otherwise pretty typical for the era except for a very distinct feature: the mall was built with a loft design with upper level offices including a walkway overlooking the main part of the mall. Coupled with these offices are very high ceilings along the main mall corridor making the mall feel very spacious and bright for malls of that vintage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc5pWc1RiX_BIEwJYWJzvZgm_fYHOoBubaACerL0cwRxO3Kis9OSAxTJKLZG88Fbqfj5wj5uu-W2diLvLXJ4it059E4PNIgtH_xzAlozUISMD13ZJaK2lnqAKdG-_JDE3_RgIvu1fhhha/s1600/vernonpark_42_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc5pWc1RiX_BIEwJYWJzvZgm_fYHOoBubaACerL0cwRxO3Kis9OSAxTJKLZG88Fbqfj5wj5uu-W2diLvLXJ4it059E4PNIgtH_xzAlozUISMD13ZJaK2lnqAKdG-_JDE3_RgIvu1fhhha/s320/vernonpark_42_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When the mall opened, it included two major anchors: Belk Tyler and JCPenney and a Roses five-and-dime store on the back next to JCPenney. The Belk store was among the oldest mall-based Belk stores in the state joining locations at Southgate Mall in Elizabeth City (also a Belk Tyler), Pennrose Mall in Reidsville, and Quenby Mall in Albemarle. The mall also had a cafeteria in the front listed as R&W (typo for K&W?) to the right of the front entrance. On the outlots were a Firestone (originally JCPenney auto center), a theater on the back right corner of the mall and a small strip with Winn-Dixie and Eckerd Drugs that opened in 1969. Although regional department store Brody Brothers (Brody's) would eventually join the mall, the store initially remained downtown. In all, the mall was a pretty conventional North Carolina mall for the 70's with both Belk and Rose's native to the state.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJYx-AalTEwIC5JvrkoR-IOCgXnrL3-Lg25Zjz398s9iYISCtfd7rCzpnKnYhD6G-dDPAsJTRWbVuNVnqMqkbjqnCkgsau6DX85lLbjX46Exwu8Jfzj0J924nL1f7aGQFUJpJB4kpgnPG/s1600/vernonpark_10_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJYx-AalTEwIC5JvrkoR-IOCgXnrL3-Lg25Zjz398s9iYISCtfd7rCzpnKnYhD6G-dDPAsJTRWbVuNVnqMqkbjqnCkgsau6DX85lLbjX46Exwu8Jfzj0J924nL1f7aGQFUJpJB4kpgnPG/s320/vernonpark_10_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The first photo shows the healthiest part of the mall with the office loft upstairs on the left, Hibbett Sports below and the main mall with the west-facing high windows along the main corridor. The second photo shows the main part of the mall looking north to Belk (Tyler). Photos taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sE5vQ0xgwlrS32qYSEoP-fFc0LHfbXG0KzRMqcKexB7zVY4b4Xw8GRlEBsNwdUsunn7bElxkfXERKV8s2aZQKXJ-a6zongXqZP5St7A5PZn2hjjfISPardxlwZilq8r66P1WgS0rkSVr/s1600/vernonpark_4_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sE5vQ0xgwlrS32qYSEoP-fFc0LHfbXG0KzRMqcKexB7zVY4b4Xw8GRlEBsNwdUsunn7bElxkfXERKV8s2aZQKXJ-a6zongXqZP5St7A5PZn2hjjfISPardxlwZilq8r66P1WgS0rkSVr/s320/vernonpark_4_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the main part of the old mall from Belk to the former JCPenney. This is the only ramped portion of the mall. Prior to the 1981 expansion (to be discussed) the mall was quite small. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9KFkYu9mlDriM8T5cwZrk89jf_C9ss27W4RWuTadHQ_KvpTNLUA4p68CZniNhHuSdenNgv0OrCNPMuZsqAdVl00Lz9kljcRnwUtYL8TNqMSKg09jkxZwx0_bB7goqYfsdozuf5EoN3UH/s1600/vernonpark_5_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9KFkYu9mlDriM8T5cwZrk89jf_C9ss27W4RWuTadHQ_KvpTNLUA4p68CZniNhHuSdenNgv0OrCNPMuZsqAdVl00Lz9kljcRnwUtYL8TNqMSKg09jkxZwx0_bB7goqYfsdozuf5EoN3UH/s320/vernonpark_5_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blurry shot of center court. I'm imagining a large fountain once graced this junction. The entrance corridor is to the left and 1981 addition to the right.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoK7Dk1IlowvfEUtsfO-M8shRYKkBMMgvVFdjsMhTvqBGhqXnrowjuZgNJgjLHN_8MN7uGw0-68cnsZjRRMxo19aRB6rRqIu0oJQ594HSTxfWcgB7KKyMQB0cQu2M5e4IUp-YWKYS_zc5x/s1600/vernonpark_6_051615_goodys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoK7Dk1IlowvfEUtsfO-M8shRYKkBMMgvVFdjsMhTvqBGhqXnrowjuZgNJgjLHN_8MN7uGw0-68cnsZjRRMxo19aRB6rRqIu0oJQ594HSTxfWcgB7KKyMQB0cQu2M5e4IUp-YWKYS_zc5x/s320/vernonpark_6_051615_goodys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It was unclear when Goody's joined the mall, but it filled up much of the SE side of the old main corridor. Seeing that it still has the old logo, the store is likely just riding out a lease before it can relocate closer to Wal-Mart.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> JCPenney sits forlorn and vacant straight ahead. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7MMa9_bT1M4Dx3WZVWcGw6JIf8ClP70YZswp1rM3AxgRJU_TN48THqoXUOwi700PnfA2lkAwKF3n0khq8L1yb77Pd4vzsJNK0m4Qlo4xzjHPotO-wmIy9xyBPl7DMxx1nXvbMRKqqkyB/s1600/vernonpark_7_051615_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7MMa9_bT1M4Dx3WZVWcGw6JIf8ClP70YZswp1rM3AxgRJU_TN48THqoXUOwi700PnfA2lkAwKF3n0khq8L1yb77Pd4vzsJNK0m4Qlo4xzjHPotO-wmIy9xyBPl7DMxx1nXvbMRKqqkyB/s320/vernonpark_7_051615_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dead JCPenney entrance. A rear entrance corridor is off to the right. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1XOp7BZcmxyhkiewknole98DP8Tz05zZHzdfIuL0mtAw7ZmtYWtkbejykAnAjYln_X2X75-p7JL9jRM4OPYBcC7GU0QzieRtDQ_OMnaR_Gm-Qow2aMFKqKhxLiVe0LI2x5lS7UNB7D1L/s1600/vernonpark_26_081912_jcpenney_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1XOp7BZcmxyhkiewknole98DP8Tz05zZHzdfIuL0mtAw7ZmtYWtkbejykAnAjYln_X2X75-p7JL9jRM4OPYBcC7GU0QzieRtDQ_OMnaR_Gm-Qow2aMFKqKhxLiVe0LI2x5lS7UNB7D1L/s320/vernonpark_26_081912_jcpenney_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney when it was still open. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtafb4SAGT42rtTy6es05En7ivVKYX8XB1qfX83ecHhp1yAwnCAoovWHCSNEuu6-36NECna86sIoKWCPbqzdZTtWvZ7TndXlfmKb3FMdf1SldsqbbIIxQQuge1249nWyaAgrKS1P48Lehn/s1600/vernonpark_8_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtafb4SAGT42rtTy6es05En7ivVKYX8XB1qfX83ecHhp1yAwnCAoovWHCSNEuu6-36NECna86sIoKWCPbqzdZTtWvZ7TndXlfmKb3FMdf1SldsqbbIIxQQuge1249nWyaAgrKS1P48Lehn/s320/vernonpark_8_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rear mall entrance corridor to right of former JCPenney. On the opposite side of the wall further back was where the former Rose's was located. Sears was using part of space adjoining the newer part of the mall. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgLldFu-nKB98DTJHn33J1XyNBCTd8HchmyNgFI_et4_w8jAoB_Y1aTrgmCY6FBD_HDntXwWD0tqfnlSDEl0-uQDgWUmPgfU-qPs7z1CbbxLfK_QfrSittpgdoAH59UyiHZqepsU3Aq7r/s1600/vernonpark_9_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgLldFu-nKB98DTJHn33J1XyNBCTd8HchmyNgFI_et4_w8jAoB_Y1aTrgmCY6FBD_HDntXwWD0tqfnlSDEl0-uQDgWUmPgfU-qPs7z1CbbxLfK_QfrSittpgdoAH59UyiHZqepsU3Aq7r/s320/vernonpark_9_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Despite the decline of the mall, the mall was still hanging on relatively well until JCPenney closed. Thus, the mall was in pretty good repair. However, these photos were taken two years ago and times are more desperate now. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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The Lenoir County Historical Association noted several other events in the mall's history. In 1978, the mall received its first expansion adding a west wing including 16 shops. On November 6, 1980, the mall was purchased by Magna Properties that then commenced a major renovation of the mall. The renovation commenced shortly after when Brody's built onto the west wing, opening on February 26, 1981 Brody's started in Kinston as Brody Brothers and had operated in the city since it was founded in 1928. By that time, Brody's was a strong regional chain with six total stores operating across Eastern North Carolina in the cities of Greenville (two locations), Goldsboro, Rocky Mount and New Bern in addition to Kinston. With no other similar competitors, Brody's was the default upscale option. The expansion also included a reconfiguring of Rose's into a larger store converting it from an inline 5 and 10 into a full discount store. This expansion was coupled with Rose's giving up its original mall frontage so that the old part of the mall could add more inline stores. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yM4y-2KlTdze932fkh9RIaE2d3jpfJRrVkO-_v0bcgrp4fU8XQEoJnErxoKHcQYQgthPU6_rRKOJnF73UGrUuE_3QfuzlgDHOvoSwNVagt-gvSDNG3Q5hQfcJ1vtLEe0EF3VRaa8r8-h/s1600/vernonpark_15_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yM4y-2KlTdze932fkh9RIaE2d3jpfJRrVkO-_v0bcgrp4fU8XQEoJnErxoKHcQYQgthPU6_rRKOJnF73UGrUuE_3QfuzlgDHOvoSwNVagt-gvSDNG3Q5hQfcJ1vtLEe0EF3VRaa8r8-h/s320/vernonpark_15_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view from the upstairs office level shows the beginning of the 1981 wing. It did not have the high ceilings the older part did since it was all on one level. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAfMK8jlpwmmtIIROajQh40z2hmwevNfikbJt1GxVwrtPKnaeDBJa-Hv_I3-mRU8Y5lOEjGtK5V1xepl4KR0w0Wz7hEZiQV3NUboR8hlhR41hgH8uYO6vp1TmbqsNgrhqaDCzkCYBJY39/s1600/vernonpark_20_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAfMK8jlpwmmtIIROajQh40z2hmwevNfikbJt1GxVwrtPKnaeDBJa-Hv_I3-mRU8Y5lOEjGtK5V1xepl4KR0w0Wz7hEZiQV3NUboR8hlhR41hgH8uYO6vp1TmbqsNgrhqaDCzkCYBJY39/s320/vernonpark_20_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Continuing into the back wing, an unfortunately classic dead mall scene emerges with the skylights providing the brightest light in the mall and Christmas lights inexplicably left in place when it's nearly summer. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEF-5FMz6uHQ-dWTADkBBmw3i240uBplJrQBtbHmm1KEqcmLeqeBNvjJfmf02Oz32ThVEabQw0N93EQY7Fp0pJGaWPWT7vlHEE8hFaJdLq_hZcsPH3mDcoL2Id3tB7RKn_9WmHg2nrxTu8/s1600/vernonpark_21_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEF-5FMz6uHQ-dWTADkBBmw3i240uBplJrQBtbHmm1KEqcmLeqeBNvjJfmf02Oz32ThVEabQw0N93EQY7Fp0pJGaWPWT7vlHEE8hFaJdLq_hZcsPH3mDcoL2Id3tB7RKn_9WmHg2nrxTu8/s320/vernonpark_21_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears Hometown sits at the end of a long, dark corridor. This was previously the only mall entrance for Roses. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZIxhiMakIJ3FYuU2rN1uD_53-EAR8rA_Fdavl7V7sZHABzPzqfYpwaGdauBnBVmwuVCmE7zztyeLEyYXN1VElvF9DUuW9nSk6XZAlxHsnvi1VZKheastmSaBsZSf0twWT0pcNtOnJyQ9/s1600/vernonpark_22_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZIxhiMakIJ3FYuU2rN1uD_53-EAR8rA_Fdavl7V7sZHABzPzqfYpwaGdauBnBVmwuVCmE7zztyeLEyYXN1VElvF9DUuW9nSk6XZAlxHsnvi1VZKheastmSaBsZSf0twWT0pcNtOnJyQ9/s320/vernonpark_22_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">At least one store open on the right. On the left is a dead Foot Locker. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1Y2t8c71F3BT5X7DDgARsm6Vz0oMG442t1lGR8tFMCviJ1CqMKteYQQ4n1sN7NvAHJ7HBCuZpfgBI56QfTlv0QLxnhuFPixndbmHquVY__FBvUfMJBfh99U7oEc9VRAqNxJlIU8U-2pR/s1600/vernonpark_35_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1Y2t8c71F3BT5X7DDgARsm6Vz0oMG442t1lGR8tFMCviJ1CqMKteYQQ4n1sN7NvAHJ7HBCuZpfgBI56QfTlv0QLxnhuFPixndbmHquVY__FBvUfMJBfh99U7oEc9VRAqNxJlIU8U-2pR/s320/vernonpark_35_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the store its former use is still engraved on the wooden floor. When malls leave vacancies like this wide open to view, it is clear that they no longer care about hiding them. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGHmulMHDBKKHGhrrUFs3SMQX3sEeAVZCJI9rujEHmUiz9oSAMwrDVK0IU1_HkevsQEqdgFms0yBmKopljn181kLLQqcIs48qORpLw7ruy7pR5LTsMg0vNOHpBZLNBEtwfncNG7W3dkpS/s1600/vernonpark_24_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGHmulMHDBKKHGhrrUFs3SMQX3sEeAVZCJI9rujEHmUiz9oSAMwrDVK0IU1_HkevsQEqdgFms0yBmKopljn181kLLQqcIs48qORpLw7ruy7pR5LTsMg0vNOHpBZLNBEtwfncNG7W3dkpS/s320/vernonpark_24_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The labelscar on the wood-fronted store on the left also reads Foot Locker, so this was either a Ladies or Kids Foot Locker. Its last use was a US Cellular store (still open in 2012). Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigX8bdXrk_XlIenG4BPw937Hy2aIb5Z5ksTikCCBQn-LQsNTPb_p32gqP488a9mKGILObHevEYbSSuBL8f7UrwaJ9TWzMKPblE_tAAhehK5PMdh__I-3ZXr6W1hwiwZKJlnTDlvpGWaP1/s1600/vernonpark_25_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigX8bdXrk_XlIenG4BPw937Hy2aIb5Z5ksTikCCBQn-LQsNTPb_p32gqP488a9mKGILObHevEYbSSuBL8f7UrwaJ9TWzMKPblE_tAAhehK5PMdh__I-3ZXr6W1hwiwZKJlnTDlvpGWaP1/s320/vernonpark_25_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Second court area. A mall entrance corridor is to the right to the back parking lot. To the left is the NC DMV, which may have originally been part of an entrance corridor before it was renovated. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mBLX1tbMF34dK1lTspEkfXRqBA2EJFWox37HW9HzRt-6-c1rup4KTmKNdoTpkTy2RzUm3meyyqOk-A9hEhTUoRf7_SGqZxlFnIfaPUyyH77vWWjVZd2dntiqda7Sk1mTZV6_dbW9DVqe/s1600/vernonpark_27_051615_brodys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mBLX1tbMF34dK1lTspEkfXRqBA2EJFWox37HW9HzRt-6-c1rup4KTmKNdoTpkTy2RzUm3meyyqOk-A9hEhTUoRf7_SGqZxlFnIfaPUyyH77vWWjVZd2dntiqda7Sk1mTZV6_dbW9DVqe/s320/vernonpark_27_051615_brodys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Time stands still for would-be shoppers approaching the former Proffitt's/Brody's mall entrance. To the left is an ad for Reba's TV show from 2001. The difference is that in 2001 this corridor would be full of shops and shoppers. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJZtQXvrggzZKTKdAhoFdpWAeMhLupYwD-aomNvPFZWH1X07JyQ0a4J0IeJdWcQkJZtvSkZEL3pA8qNP9JFbmGeolsDUf5yngSQ1iy_Njery1szMoxa_TCG8jwadLEpMidX4SJ44JIqkw/s1600/brodys_screencap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJZtQXvrggzZKTKdAhoFdpWAeMhLupYwD-aomNvPFZWH1X07JyQ0a4J0IeJdWcQkJZtvSkZEL3pA8qNP9JFbmGeolsDUf5yngSQ1iy_Njery1szMoxa_TCG8jwadLEpMidX4SJ44JIqkw/s320/brodys_screencap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This screencap from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqE6pyKEZA0">sundries264's</a> video shows what the original Brody's mall entrance looked like. It does not even resemble above, does it?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyapdvKmoYt1BFtjLQ0bX-oM528OyQ_OsHBHLrhA_bL2ZbQVw2e6YeOReqvHBrsmUuJgLthbDD6kv3HEfnIJPuIb_zhzqAiKNOsPnaBf2H7vInn1WS1-Jd7Giz776GtVvWuDSBCQrwxeBB/s1600/vernonpark_28_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyapdvKmoYt1BFtjLQ0bX-oM528OyQ_OsHBHLrhA_bL2ZbQVw2e6YeOReqvHBrsmUuJgLthbDD6kv3HEfnIJPuIb_zhzqAiKNOsPnaBf2H7vInn1WS1-Jd7Giz776GtVvWuDSBCQrwxeBB/s320/vernonpark_28_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Something seems honestly heartbreaking seeing this friendly display showing the mall in its brighter years. It is like they tried so hard to be friendly, yet nobody showed up to the party.The empty store on the left appears to have been used by Proffitt's as extra space.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo taken June 15, 2015. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLx0eIFbDmsoEIyAqxbkdBXLrqjJ7oz-jWbul42NSlso6hS6_5bokXPT7LKqWZQuYkm4WqNvbVA6EHjZdqp627E1q2oBLxvG-uvD5PN88rD_Y1nt50oZFUSs2IynfoDMMmW_IoHr0K7bt/s1600/vernonpark_66_081912_brodys_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLx0eIFbDmsoEIyAqxbkdBXLrqjJ7oz-jWbul42NSlso6hS6_5bokXPT7LKqWZQuYkm4WqNvbVA6EHjZdqp627E1q2oBLxvG-uvD5PN88rD_Y1nt50oZFUSs2IynfoDMMmW_IoHr0K7bt/s320/vernonpark_66_081912_brodys_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view inside the old Proffitt's/Brody's. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB0FuILz6jMpVi4ob0W01ewMN3hVYThO7JoMEc7J_AE9-YL7md73nsBRHQoAUBg3Kpdx4l0mvwb4ZGhrsdFcQr-Y4E9umrXJRU7ntKy6JyuKeUSXSzRR5D5uBYBNxlUWwBMhjlOVbKkqU/s1600/vernonpark_29_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB0FuILz6jMpVi4ob0W01ewMN3hVYThO7JoMEc7J_AE9-YL7md73nsBRHQoAUBg3Kpdx4l0mvwb4ZGhrsdFcQr-Y4E9umrXJRU7ntKy6JyuKeUSXSzRR5D5uBYBNxlUWwBMhjlOVbKkqU/s320/vernonpark_29_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking back from Proffitt's/Brody's to the main mall. The back outside entrance corridor is visible to the left in the background. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1npxf0aGupasrfrLtXi1bIyVjyaRfgw2-LpvSVWKwZrCvMVPsNAzAot2WcuudcUhI2pb9sHHxppV8DzeA8FOHep6p87bLV701wEdQXdgWDAaWdP-L-JXr3tA0npnS4uansslxoMFYBKuh/s1600/vernonpark_30_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1npxf0aGupasrfrLtXi1bIyVjyaRfgw2-LpvSVWKwZrCvMVPsNAzAot2WcuudcUhI2pb9sHHxppV8DzeA8FOHep6p87bLV701wEdQXdgWDAaWdP-L-JXr3tA0npnS4uansslxoMFYBKuh/s320/vernonpark_30_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZcN9Aps8Oft_Ra73EKINziGfI0TlehIhCmnQXQzR2m5IWgFZ-syuMlztiDzoLvA0WFDpNMLzPMO1G_UibqCZOSyELNMpKw2Tbx7z8TV15dnnCACzhV7Ak49qVqQd62Ke1M1cAx_y2XTJ/s1600/vernonpark_56_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZcN9Aps8Oft_Ra73EKINziGfI0TlehIhCmnQXQzR2m5IWgFZ-syuMlztiDzoLvA0WFDpNMLzPMO1G_UibqCZOSyELNMpKw2Tbx7z8TV15dnnCACzhV7Ak49qVqQd62Ke1M1cAx_y2XTJ/s320/vernonpark_56_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the back mall entrance. The doors and windows themselves still look like pure 1981. First photo taken June 15, 2015. Second photo taken by digitalsky on August 19, 2012. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwibZzyYXtmXoO2DvAm5xmgksNtdUxus6vsKcWTwqyyhUz_8SJ3QJH5tSf3Rat9y1nAhyBREkOR8Y8jWnvl6wqprjybyP0QKAxqq0FEmy18tyssx0Gd87xiUhXWX-hkJrLnZGWjwTiiHJ/s1600/vernonpark_65_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwibZzyYXtmXoO2DvAm5xmgksNtdUxus6vsKcWTwqyyhUz_8SJ3QJH5tSf3Rat9y1nAhyBREkOR8Y8jWnvl6wqprjybyP0QKAxqq0FEmy18tyssx0Gd87xiUhXWX-hkJrLnZGWjwTiiHJ/s320/vernonpark_65_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall directories themselves were never updated since at least 2006! Here you can clearly see how Proffitt's expanded into mall space, the odd configuration of Rose's (which was vacant when the directory was printed), Goody's, Belk (which was no longer Belk Tyler by then) and Rex TV & Electronics. It is unknown when Rex arrived or left the mall. The stores to the right of Belk include the (former) Winn-Dixie shopping center. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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The 1960's to 1980's were the most prosperous times for the mall as both tobacco and cotton maintained a healthy local economy. However, from the 1980's onward, the local economy began to collapse. Over time, this would take a toll on the mall and region which led to more shoppers making the 30 mile trip to Goldsboro or Greenville for better shopping options. Nonetheless, the mall managed to weather these these changes for the first 40 years with solid anchors for the time and low vacancy. This was probably helped by the lack of options in the area since very little development was built around the mall itself. This meant that while other older malls in small cities were falling to power centers, the mall was effectively insulated from this trend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbxp9mcTDQO9PUn0G3Rjri_NcjmSe7KYrLxF9dp3ccEjW9pHy7Aw_W2OFlZe3Ftjoa6QKA7vdMpAp3mIzHVJdR82nD3hWz86L115H3RupTmL0W1fYvUC-vmX_CAZYIolnPYkdl-4b4Dq0/s1600/vernonpark_11_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbxp9mcTDQO9PUn0G3Rjri_NcjmSe7KYrLxF9dp3ccEjW9pHy7Aw_W2OFlZe3Ftjoa6QKA7vdMpAp3mIzHVJdR82nD3hWz86L115H3RupTmL0W1fYvUC-vmX_CAZYIolnPYkdl-4b4Dq0/s320/vernonpark_11_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Approaching the front entrance with the elevator to the second floor on the left and view of the railing for the second floor in the foreground. Rex, originally K&W Cafeteria, used to be ahead on the left next to the entrance. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51QnXLVysxsinPB_7n-dCaxh6LLeDy3YwtXiZLVxqzaLD4EALMro9bSVtnXMpqNF-IilBbkJ4b-H6zkBzAa1ZLEr2Csveu0Wrr4xDsCtSy_LJARDE_MXnYl6s265kWaBPAt6t0TGbuFKy/s1600/vernonpark_31_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51QnXLVysxsinPB_7n-dCaxh6LLeDy3YwtXiZLVxqzaLD4EALMro9bSVtnXMpqNF-IilBbkJ4b-H6zkBzAa1ZLEr2Csveu0Wrr4xDsCtSy_LJARDE_MXnYl6s265kWaBPAt6t0TGbuFKy/s320/vernonpark_31_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another sad directory looking at the inside of the front entrance where a winding staircase takes patrons to what used to be offices upstairs. Except for the mall offices, the upstairs is today unoccupied. Photo taken by digitalsky on August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_NPQfLklBTHEHmiFV5fQgtEhdPPjxbybDHKMur-F3AGev1hhBZMz1B-Ry8pahHeHjlYAVy8NTFxW9Is8AqYY4CefwWB1sXdtbBebSCqeSn29yESINHRZ8j_H0U5r2TAAqW3upahOs_dR/s1600/vernonpark_32_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_NPQfLklBTHEHmiFV5fQgtEhdPPjxbybDHKMur-F3AGev1hhBZMz1B-Ry8pahHeHjlYAVy8NTFxW9Is8AqYY4CefwWB1sXdtbBebSCqeSn29yESINHRZ8j_H0U5r2TAAqW3upahOs_dR/s320/vernonpark_32_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DhM0GO_5vlGgvHMXOOlMedSVbgYBdkOef4WvnddBodqMskJPQsEEzNIUVJ7DuO77dKqbCA-SS9e8_R6K1gCxmxL2dwpQafXHnv04xh36j00uPqNvdns39OaTjK8MJlyvr8admYLnJZTI/s1600/vernonpark_17_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DhM0GO_5vlGgvHMXOOlMedSVbgYBdkOef4WvnddBodqMskJPQsEEzNIUVJ7DuO77dKqbCA-SS9e8_R6K1gCxmxL2dwpQafXHnv04xh36j00uPqNvdns39OaTjK8MJlyvr8admYLnJZTI/s320/vernonpark_17_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the stairs and hanging, um, something that looks like it was installed in the 1989-1991 period. Note the disco lights around the edges. First photo taken by digitalsky on August 19, 2012. Second photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUx3AcofqUaHVc6WzFaskbm76GZb-NC6t7F6CxU_hThrDf5eQuRH7gCVbxv2Wq6RLRp0doG9hBPxSK6n8ECGnJHsOg5Uyr1yfyvZ-nJxUzq_DAtuchNJjFaA6SdyvcMaSBofYwDdl476K/s1600/vernonpark_12_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUx3AcofqUaHVc6WzFaskbm76GZb-NC6t7F6CxU_hThrDf5eQuRH7gCVbxv2Wq6RLRp0doG9hBPxSK6n8ECGnJHsOg5Uyr1yfyvZ-nJxUzq_DAtuchNJjFaA6SdyvcMaSBofYwDdl476K/s320/vernonpark_12_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK7FMkDyTGs_C05ZhQRwCaa8P_K_Ze2incItYm2iJSZ-xkzVYBlKmVyNkjtnHp-sARAd282bBPPyP83iwpaEPE3262ft5yha-R32LQbd7k4a3C4IO3UCZqcng02-6Am6ToZnuXxIOPrt5/s1600/vernonpark_13_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK7FMkDyTGs_C05ZhQRwCaa8P_K_Ze2incItYm2iJSZ-xkzVYBlKmVyNkjtnHp-sARAd282bBPPyP83iwpaEPE3262ft5yha-R32LQbd7k4a3C4IO3UCZqcng02-6Am6ToZnuXxIOPrt5/s320/vernonpark_13_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Taking a look around upstairs. It's not bad so far, but it gets creepier. Photos taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCb-eNc6NkvvYsIMVh-rsKoZCrg2xRp6VfHBe_7A4GXqP5ir_OmO7SBUjdaCmA3_qIxkctFhkz_IIshCBw0xEBceMQ9W_5p3iYb7pYdo1Z3tXLizMBrKtHaMO9dnXiDJss6oJihSwYKiP/s1600/vernonpark_35_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCb-eNc6NkvvYsIMVh-rsKoZCrg2xRp6VfHBe_7A4GXqP5ir_OmO7SBUjdaCmA3_qIxkctFhkz_IIshCBw0xEBceMQ9W_5p3iYb7pYdo1Z3tXLizMBrKtHaMO9dnXiDJss6oJihSwYKiP/s320/vernonpark_35_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">What once housed multiple dentists offices is today a very dark and spooky hallway. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEXxWlyl58HnIItjPQUVXzgn1-EE33_mctDrknV87jsyDzDOlm34KJ2FWKh3FlW7kXFM8Sh3JVOr35_g0PV_Jy_vsAdbvX_Y73BcqUMlaMIvEtNGHphU6T5WCcxVn3pw6_2yI6jLZBCh_/s1600/vernonpark_40_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEXxWlyl58HnIItjPQUVXzgn1-EE33_mctDrknV87jsyDzDOlm34KJ2FWKh3FlW7kXFM8Sh3JVOr35_g0PV_Jy_vsAdbvX_Y73BcqUMlaMIvEtNGHphU6T5WCcxVn3pw6_2yI6jLZBCh_/s320/vernonpark_40_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peeling paint covers the walls entering the north wing offices. When did they all leave? Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-nSOPkAOyO_6A1Sk7Z4q6lGbeUIMKSZ9HCnHJ3mPXifR05V472-fOZ6XwyzY5ZZ47tJOZuqUKOGkdMx_pY7u9FuQgNXkC6BiTQifidNn-Qr8A_crCKYxX0n-EWvkrQF5wf8YemctnIKI/s1600/vernonpark_41_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-nSOPkAOyO_6A1Sk7Z4q6lGbeUIMKSZ9HCnHJ3mPXifR05V472-fOZ6XwyzY5ZZ47tJOZuqUKOGkdMx_pY7u9FuQgNXkC6BiTQifidNn-Qr8A_crCKYxX0n-EWvkrQF5wf8YemctnIKI/s320/vernonpark_41_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2rOexo7p3p1fif5jDatoF1-ky_FDZUXAGo7Q9_fANzOdbny4zNs3fLqzznWBsZagf5nYCtpgNzgNp35NKbnANZ2p0m_vVf9tmqYyG-JjwrqWu2YD_Kv0xh6aYIET0aNzCc21E9zU14Kw/s1600/vernonpark_49_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2rOexo7p3p1fif5jDatoF1-ky_FDZUXAGo7Q9_fANzOdbny4zNs3fLqzznWBsZagf5nYCtpgNzgNp35NKbnANZ2p0m_vVf9tmqYyG-JjwrqWu2YD_Kv0xh6aYIET0aNzCc21E9zU14Kw/s320/vernonpark_49_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The stairs from the hallway next to the Belk entrance up to the north wing offices seems extra creepy: especially with its ancient light fixture at the top ending in a dark doorway. Photos taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeKlH-zYXXSWU2eDGwe7cac24Rkg8HZ6Ru2vlyaRHsYvzkoTASwNuMT6ajb1UcjNARy1PO_r8zN-GH4eTTh-cg6lIfHF7jdaQpsnfWNEkhq2cHb4BeqaXLUj0aVc-KAzWes_TT_m9fXfI/s1600/vernonpark_45_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeKlH-zYXXSWU2eDGwe7cac24Rkg8HZ6Ru2vlyaRHsYvzkoTASwNuMT6ajb1UcjNARy1PO_r8zN-GH4eTTh-cg6lIfHF7jdaQpsnfWNEkhq2cHb4BeqaXLUj0aVc-KAzWes_TT_m9fXfI/s320/vernonpark_45_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">However, those stairs gave access to this view of the main mall. It looks like nothing was ever updated in this area, either. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Apparently these offices closed long, long ago. When was the last time a MasterCard was called this? Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNizz-5xi2_6Bn0yf4c3Znwe1-HZz0aNwzejx3dx5jGZyBAPpW1cBEidSE8Xp8FNpGyxaOJYJvSWaj1ItrDyZyXdSjAnZVPEhzBfLhrYpJ0hcGw6pL-Y42YazThM12ptqO8Kwk8Rm4uGSU/s1600/vernonpark_47_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNizz-5xi2_6Bn0yf4c3Znwe1-HZz0aNwzejx3dx5jGZyBAPpW1cBEidSE8Xp8FNpGyxaOJYJvSWaj1ItrDyZyXdSjAnZVPEhzBfLhrYpJ0hcGw6pL-Y42YazThM12ptqO8Kwk8Rm4uGSU/s320/vernonpark_47_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">No, you're not dead, but the mall that is providing the light in the background will soon be. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVyFP9AuWciOLJpiKugTKiirxwx5uz1b2jPd1RYrVoDHv3yeHhL3_O06okFYYSD6-bOSOrn3SKmD7gQbD0i0SYQpfghCBHw70GUqOSguIOuZDeQMaolaIzr24t0dbp2u5wCkzBWoNAu1t/s1600/vernonpark_43_051615_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVyFP9AuWciOLJpiKugTKiirxwx5uz1b2jPd1RYrVoDHv3yeHhL3_O06okFYYSD6-bOSOrn3SKmD7gQbD0i0SYQpfghCBHw70GUqOSguIOuZDeQMaolaIzr24t0dbp2u5wCkzBWoNAu1t/s320/vernonpark_43_051615_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down at the (unfortunately completely updated) Belk mall entrance giving little hint to its former probably much more distinctive look it had when you saw the Big "B" and Belk Tyler sprawled across the front. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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The first big change to the mall came in 1998 when Brody's would sell out the family business transferring ownership to Alcoa, TN-based Proffitt's. Proffitt's was an unfamiliar chain to Eastern North Carolina, so it is questionable how profitable (no pun intended) it actually was. Proffitt's would remain in the mall until the 2006 sale of the chain to Belk. Brody's location at the mall was quite small at a mere 30,000 square feet and Proffitt's appears to have expanded into the mall to provide a larger assortment. Bigger changes came in 2003 when Rose's closed their mall location with only part of the store reopening as a Sears Hometown in the following year. In 2006, Proffitt's sale to Belk was the next big blow to the mall. Since Belk already had a location in the mall, the former Proffitt's would go dark. The store did, however, reopen between 2005 and 2009 as a mystery store named "Expressions", but the store has since remained vacant. This began the mall's decline as the 1978 addition no longer had any draw to it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnddj3Z54iH8YrB_Y1paXn945JFxLKpK1dTHUm1E58Pdb4LaHt8yJfmA6f5cuT-JRDVGGPBjq_16KsEPgcUzWuCBXh3zLrIHeXeVdnkSV3GSA5VZ_Sx30KT1YWZtr-ui9XwnlAmy8PZeK/s1600/vernonpark_32_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnddj3Z54iH8YrB_Y1paXn945JFxLKpK1dTHUm1E58Pdb4LaHt8yJfmA6f5cuT-JRDVGGPBjq_16KsEPgcUzWuCBXh3zLrIHeXeVdnkSV3GSA5VZ_Sx30KT1YWZtr-ui9XwnlAmy8PZeK/s320/vernonpark_32_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A little more detail of the 1981 addition shows very purple tables and chairs for a makeshift food court where imaginary diners are eating imaginary Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. At its peak the food court had about four restaurants. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1svlRwSpzGkR4VolNJBfQK7yml-WZUUAyUgLFtrI7aC3QcvMESDxVyhZPA5ULx-BQoB94sueqYmmZEGFB-VVVxFdCIqpbQoFv4GETEWVDBmRlsxDlGVTp_TZhtgdT-1hYJbnw41J5mjXZ/s1600/vernonpark_40_051615_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1svlRwSpzGkR4VolNJBfQK7yml-WZUUAyUgLFtrI7aC3QcvMESDxVyhZPA5ULx-BQoB94sueqYmmZEGFB-VVVxFdCIqpbQoFv4GETEWVDBmRlsxDlGVTp_TZhtgdT-1hYJbnw41J5mjXZ/s320/vernonpark_40_051615_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Former Payless Shoes on the right, which is now the pay nothing cobweb source. Photo taken June 15, 2015. You can also see the upstairs office wing overlooking the main mall. It looks as if the office wing overlooking the mall may have had portions blocked off over time. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS_45bDMWWOQgfMCdpaKtYRDBQQf3el6osbilKciEuUiqa7KwylAsrena1FGEbITIBlEMY78QLciHKMQNlO883a3EcbWQ44PUI0Ix_TpWmJFNBm3JBgmFfHKsAxcdLTmwmCHUbm2H_F3Y/s1600/vernonpark_44_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS_45bDMWWOQgfMCdpaKtYRDBQQf3el6osbilKciEuUiqa7KwylAsrena1FGEbITIBlEMY78QLciHKMQNlO883a3EcbWQ44PUI0Ix_TpWmJFNBm3JBgmFfHKsAxcdLTmwmCHUbm2H_F3Y/s320/vernonpark_44_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Of special interest is a former tenant space next to what used to be Payless. The old directory showed part of this as Stacy's and part of this as vacant. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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In all, it appears the mall has been renovated at least twice. The first was when the mall was in 1980, and the second came sometime during the 1990's. The second renovation unfortunately was the one that stripped away many of the mall's vintage elements. This meant most notably removal of any planters or fountains, updates to exterior entrances of the mall and anchors, and updates to the mall entrances to the three main department stores. The second renovation also brought an additional junior anchor to the mall, Goody's, which remained at the mall up until 2015 or 2016. A Rex TV & Appliance also opened in the mall in the former K&W space, but has long since left the mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdTvHyd78pYytaKOisBHgcZhqSa-uTB6M2ecBIijmwyyPuu7lk13xI8RwMJtVoC-ewelMCBjk-PQEJY8UCbSl9QdVR7C62Zcc26wzsPf5uWi6vZZ61P1nYkzJR8G2ElaLBDjNJcDWPSnD/s1600/vernonpark_20_081912_jcpenney_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdTvHyd78pYytaKOisBHgcZhqSa-uTB6M2ecBIijmwyyPuu7lk13xI8RwMJtVoC-ewelMCBjk-PQEJY8UCbSl9QdVR7C62Zcc26wzsPf5uWi6vZZ61P1nYkzJR8G2ElaLBDjNJcDWPSnD/s320/vernonpark_20_081912_jcpenney_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Gone but not forgotten: these images show the inside of the former JCPenney before it closed. It is clear the store was doomed by the lack of any interior updates. Photos by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another spooky stairwell. This appears to be for the south wing offices just outside of the old JCPenney.</span></div>
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The approach of the mall's 50th anniversary has been a far more tragic one for the mall. Two gigantic blows hit the mall in close order. JCPenney would close their store at the mall, an original anchor, in 2014 after 47 years of operation at the mall. However, the former auto center location remains occupied by Firestone since it is no longer affiliated. This leaves only one major anchor with Belk, which has since sealed off its entrance to the mall. Sears Hometown joined the exodus closing their store in mid-to-late 2015. With three of four anchors going dark at the mall and a general decline of retail surrounding the mall, the hopes of Vernon Park Mall continuing to operate as a retail mall evaporated. In addition, the upper level office tenants had by and large vacated leaving spooky, dark hallways full of empty offices still open to the public. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A full view of the mall directory with a very early 90's vibe. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Canned lights help retain some of the mall's 1970's vibe. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSvMOqt4BrceksTIVzGeDUV6ZOkYhj2g3DkPM5clwSRvY-iA2CJC5H2PpaYR0tfV5nDs2hWi7JdT0lT0YGss87YA4YvCOUSTFdq7Tsh1UWxWguclJ0yRUxDHUgbopEZV8RVcAeYPQV4eV/s1600/vernonpark_48_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSvMOqt4BrceksTIVzGeDUV6ZOkYhj2g3DkPM5clwSRvY-iA2CJC5H2PpaYR0tfV5nDs2hWi7JdT0lT0YGss87YA4YvCOUSTFdq7Tsh1UWxWguclJ0yRUxDHUgbopEZV8RVcAeYPQV4eV/s320/vernonpark_48_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another upper level view with Belk visible in the background. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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The exodus of stores have caused city leaders to scrambled to find creative solutions for the mall, which is now substantially vacant, although troubles with the mall seem to have been going on since the early 2000's considering the fact that management has failed to update directories or even advertisement banners since that time. Mall directories still showed Proffitt's as an anchor and ads for the now-defunct WB network, including the Reba TV series were both found in the mall as late as 2015! There is also a good chance that Belk is looking to exit the mall this year as the store turns 50 this year. A 50 year lease appears to be the only reason Belk is still operating at the mall, but the unfortunate truth is that when Belk leaves it will most likely leave Lenoir County with no replacement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9mB0U-1ccdL727jeANpfLBGpfJSAWfpUF8n8Xi7Rqo5JtNut3txtrOSelhL-vY4sGUiR3rWaNzi3cz6tSkhJUaiiDiuHIsN3ap_GdsaijeOPAPyFb5hH6BxLcUKGrykK56Ol4RzmtsSU/s1600/vernonpark_1_081912_jcpenney_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9mB0U-1ccdL727jeANpfLBGpfJSAWfpUF8n8Xi7Rqo5JtNut3txtrOSelhL-vY4sGUiR3rWaNzi3cz6tSkhJUaiiDiuHIsN3ap_GdsaijeOPAPyFb5hH6BxLcUKGrykK56Ol4RzmtsSU/s320/vernonpark_1_081912_jcpenney_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney on the right, Sears Hometown in the former Rose's on the left. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC6iZ8BQtpVtxE1eMGH_cdpl_QGsAEhjtO8Qr-25xMqx8cOeFtjIvVXpD6ynjXfebXr-ZhsPKoDFRr-HtdO9V4rMH8sPFeJQwdZ2y2FCHGFd9Pl6e8_iSe1OKCfXdBOukAjmpLKqs8InP/s1600/vernonpark_2_081912_roses_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC6iZ8BQtpVtxE1eMGH_cdpl_QGsAEhjtO8Qr-25xMqx8cOeFtjIvVXpD6ynjXfebXr-ZhsPKoDFRr-HtdO9V4rMH8sPFeJQwdZ2y2FCHGFd9Pl6e8_iSe1OKCfXdBOukAjmpLKqs8InP/s320/vernonpark_2_081912_roses_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The three entrances visible here were all part of the former Roses. The vacant entrance was the original. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8L8FF5xykgLat7sKlsibLXKhVBLZ8Ec_JQgz7yeuRQzQunEn2FfHIv8_AKmDFRBMgE6-iqHvbKXWSNAX1G72pXHxzPl2KyRPCBq-8iHFxGEVat82NOjoOjlcUflnnTMak1sSBtGpdw5c/s1600/vernonpark_59_051615_roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8L8FF5xykgLat7sKlsibLXKhVBLZ8Ec_JQgz7yeuRQzQunEn2FfHIv8_AKmDFRBMgE6-iqHvbKXWSNAX1G72pXHxzPl2KyRPCBq-8iHFxGEVat82NOjoOjlcUflnnTMak1sSBtGpdw5c/s320/vernonpark_59_051615_roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the Roses entrance. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h3rGMi1jgE51HrD4YsBg7r0hwarZtHyRU4rGdLDVIIO5tXGJ1ONHVI9sqofqZFrUCNipX78lYTmMl8Lp6NzNW7g4XFpvz14EblCHcsUw0QsVnzuWTUQX18PXVXMzue86KmFOdBFxeAh8/s1600/vernonpark_58_051615_roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h3rGMi1jgE51HrD4YsBg7r0hwarZtHyRU4rGdLDVIIO5tXGJ1ONHVI9sqofqZFrUCNipX78lYTmMl8Lp6NzNW7g4XFpvz14EblCHcsUw0QsVnzuWTUQX18PXVXMzue86KmFOdBFxeAh8/s320/vernonpark_58_051615_roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While Sears entrance appears to be a later addition, the original smaller Roses was likely accessible from this spot. Most likely this was an emergency exit previously. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqRuB4Qjokmj8MfMe1at4rlbd8kjQsRyeGP8QwVu08WZ9lVXMJAnIfWN6OsDhMODs79a7nYaGGhz3wTgM9Mr5aSBCer1QHhUIrmYLof610ZabG0BVvW2KC0ihEU-x5-5vQy9W-_9Sfb6f/s1600/vernonpark_60_051615_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqRuB4Qjokmj8MfMe1at4rlbd8kjQsRyeGP8QwVu08WZ9lVXMJAnIfWN6OsDhMODs79a7nYaGGhz3wTgM9Mr5aSBCer1QHhUIrmYLof610ZabG0BVvW2KC0ihEU-x5-5vQy9W-_9Sfb6f/s320/vernonpark_60_051615_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former JCPenney (back side) taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7lIfm6umZ8tpdJoSm-7ernSi3bVVFz4aMW2VH-26wKYB4eoyumrJz5a2ljfTibqD_vZFVxOAyK7XNYwAw9k6H8ciIhZ2C-r-vLhTbt2INprxKqCIlV7YMI5oKHbLRw6tMSyvPvP3zGXo/s1600/vernonpark_55_051615_goodys_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7lIfm6umZ8tpdJoSm-7ernSi3bVVFz4aMW2VH-26wKYB4eoyumrJz5a2ljfTibqD_vZFVxOAyK7XNYwAw9k6H8ciIhZ2C-r-vLhTbt2INprxKqCIlV7YMI5oKHbLRw6tMSyvPvP3zGXo/s320/vernonpark_55_051615_goodys_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former JCPenney (left) with prominent labelscar and Goody's with its old logo on the right. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFYA0ZfxibA8komPpSUQ2NuWfazK8rEewL7s7bVUdDe8UTWjN-1fy-9Ej7pc3ZM_V9VP2VJzbdz0JUjz93vZtToApJhdsVMrOe0JlicAQ9jBs8rhMyFzmg-5imhIkiga1lSVFtlALJYgC/s1600/vernonpark_3_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFYA0ZfxibA8komPpSUQ2NuWfazK8rEewL7s7bVUdDe8UTWjN-1fy-9Ej7pc3ZM_V9VP2VJzbdz0JUjz93vZtToApJhdsVMrOe0JlicAQ9jBs8rhMyFzmg-5imhIkiga1lSVFtlALJYgC/s320/vernonpark_3_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note in the upper photo the suicide door, which here is zeroed in on with greater detail. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97u7OzW5unah0Ro-m3ktSD52zGrBucx5MFbkVc6sZ9_lSVnzO-ZT-qYBw2k2ycu61NRlQLX2t-NIibTqwlHS8kepYqc4Q8kZ1DUR_eYKHpu0p81UwwAOE17432NUwageshK6G178KcnAj/s1600/vernonpark_4_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97u7OzW5unah0Ro-m3ktSD52zGrBucx5MFbkVc6sZ9_lSVnzO-ZT-qYBw2k2ycu61NRlQLX2t-NIibTqwlHS8kepYqc4Q8kZ1DUR_eYKHpu0p81UwwAOE17432NUwageshK6G178KcnAj/s320/vernonpark_4_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Office windows visible next to the main entrance. Photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX8ybt1rtBhaXaiV7RlLsDU_ghCclMeYJNTnGuZpJktrYP9fKBLgS_aNdC7S0WtQ6dzQmfkL-RuFdfu2UWONeMXdVwAGjx2m-gxcBcv5zn7F_RLAdFCKybYlXym_Hp1WXEUSn9OWT4gDS/s1600/vernonpark_65_051615_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiX8ybt1rtBhaXaiV7RlLsDU_ghCclMeYJNTnGuZpJktrYP9fKBLgS_aNdC7S0WtQ6dzQmfkL-RuFdfu2UWONeMXdVwAGjx2m-gxcBcv5zn7F_RLAdFCKybYlXym_Hp1WXEUSn9OWT4gDS/s320/vernonpark_65_051615_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk Tyler from the back side. Note the former garden center on the left. Garden centers were experimental on a few NC stores. Other garden centers were in Elizabeth City and Greensboro. Belk Tyler in particular was particularly adventurous with experiments in services like garden centers, auto centers and even gas stations! Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFTcW_tiB211TrjahCa3S9mYrchwIlJMUYCdEOctLMAMUn0NqhEoS9-VUbbVxZzG1eMy3zNMpHN_ZKDYFBUV2yxxdG75yhrcXVcj83N_YYofp8KN1jgH-jToElJiCPCvFMrfjpP3HmQ2T/s1600/vernonpark_1_051615_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFTcW_tiB211TrjahCa3S9mYrchwIlJMUYCdEOctLMAMUn0NqhEoS9-VUbbVxZzG1eMy3zNMpHN_ZKDYFBUV2yxxdG75yhrcXVcj83N_YYofp8KN1jgH-jToElJiCPCvFMrfjpP3HmQ2T/s320/vernonpark_1_051615_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk Tyler garden center detail. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vd_to7VBzgrzt9odPotUsc8Aork28Peri1Mi2aCfG-rudV45i8QjdpPxymCjhUbjtCRdBT1NdLEZdvS3CZz-UBwTUQs6eA6WyFqrSDd4YwyAT_-Pa-8e3b33ZKjZQjwaEoPeZ9S5Rh3O/s1600/vernonpark_9_081912_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vd_to7VBzgrzt9odPotUsc8Aork28Peri1Mi2aCfG-rudV45i8QjdpPxymCjhUbjtCRdBT1NdLEZdvS3CZz-UBwTUQs6eA6WyFqrSDd4YwyAT_-Pa-8e3b33ZKjZQjwaEoPeZ9S5Rh3O/s320/vernonpark_9_081912_belktyler_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwggSPBsVVteyWlQJZcyZrn205JtYIPr6C1NRqKxyTeO-iMSVpFSavgv2w0Mks6KaOMbJOQsBqKXm-r1H0A70cYwiEiE1oANuBhk7OTI5N23YLCxCc3HreFuDyIGSZPAtKK-C06LW53Exo/s1600/vernonpark_2_051615_belktyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwggSPBsVVteyWlQJZcyZrn205JtYIPr6C1NRqKxyTeO-iMSVpFSavgv2w0Mks6KaOMbJOQsBqKXm-r1H0A70cYwiEiE1oANuBhk7OTI5N23YLCxCc3HreFuDyIGSZPAtKK-C06LW53Exo/s320/vernonpark_2_051615_belktyler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">No two sides were alike on this former Belk Tyler store. First photo by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012. Second photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm8RD3YdE5RMR8lHizhOzJ0lybBu7irceQTEXnAsRQjbqs14xf0U5kFyR7Aolo0WiDBGWl_a_miHLZgRcqmClZyVBhYY7aeODr8X_44Jbe-aRj1UvoXThMyhLvcvCZBaPx7PfEvs7IBbn/s1600/vernonpark_57_051615_brodys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm8RD3YdE5RMR8lHizhOzJ0lybBu7irceQTEXnAsRQjbqs14xf0U5kFyR7Aolo0WiDBGWl_a_miHLZgRcqmClZyVBhYY7aeODr8X_44Jbe-aRj1UvoXThMyhLvcvCZBaPx7PfEvs7IBbn/s320/vernonpark_57_051615_brodys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW19sfEoBWRrn9s0V5bDNMPaGvEeyS5uFq3XeV3qxAtQMFZPPVsFFZ7sRBjjcBQw3ICvlN2n7fCZUsBJqvQ5Di2mt_Dt5Nu-8ZiaFSsW8pNQ0hnNZHlcEV8Q0f0Pr-A3oO47nTe8fHiGfT/s1600/vernonpark_62_051615_brodys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW19sfEoBWRrn9s0V5bDNMPaGvEeyS5uFq3XeV3qxAtQMFZPPVsFFZ7sRBjjcBQw3ICvlN2n7fCZUsBJqvQ5Di2mt_Dt5Nu-8ZiaFSsW8pNQ0hnNZHlcEV8Q0f0Pr-A3oO47nTe8fHiGfT/s320/vernonpark_62_051615_brodys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Let us not forget the former Brody's, later Proffitt's. Note on the last photo on the back of the store that the Proffitt's labelscar is still visible! Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">While it can be said for some malls that there is some hope left that the mall can be redeveloped in some fashion to support retail, this cannot be said for Vernon Park Mall. The condition of most nearby shopping centers means that there is no draw to the area at all. Malls need a strong hinterland of regional shopping centers to draw traffic to the mall itself, and this never materialized. In fact, the retail around the area is so dead that a nearby Mason's discount store was never replaced with any other store: so much that a Mason's labelscar is still visible on the building. Mason's went out of business in 1975!! It is not clear when Winn-Dixie closed, but it probably was closed along with all other Winn-Dixie stores in North Carolina in 2005. One other Winn-Dixie store was located in another part of town next to a now-vacant Kmart. Most remaining retail in the city shifted to the junction of US 70 and 258 to the west where Wal-Mart is located, and what is there is sparse.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid80CTLPcmweD3ExBL-urTaE_BXY4x8reRl8fd_IguMWZGthOQrrkuoaqg-XpynB5vrXLr4lhjPcj4nO37_AMMdPz3SN5x9kZQ3DCXF2JCTay-l2cSXRmaI1R4ugeX2t_Trhpi6eIEh_a2/s1600/vernonpark_51_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid80CTLPcmweD3ExBL-urTaE_BXY4x8reRl8fd_IguMWZGthOQrrkuoaqg-XpynB5vrXLr4lhjPcj4nO37_AMMdPz3SN5x9kZQ3DCXF2JCTay-l2cSXRmaI1R4ugeX2t_Trhpi6eIEh_a2/s320/vernonpark_51_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGdzl1AFAOdPtgyMaoLmgIPD8Fgh7t5ZQVbpzz69VpU1Z5tV3pr4FocZBEJf7oLTPZJikRuy_1CtdeT_CIwR7IoAGqVSYsciaNZzc6mJS2g95hToArurTwxHnuS_nm62rYTfuX-W1R09k/s1600/vernonpark_52_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGdzl1AFAOdPtgyMaoLmgIPD8Fgh7t5ZQVbpzz69VpU1Z5tV3pr4FocZBEJf7oLTPZJikRuy_1CtdeT_CIwR7IoAGqVSYsciaNZzc6mJS2g95hToArurTwxHnuS_nm62rYTfuX-W1R09k/s320/vernonpark_52_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TSSOIFpde-1UWoKtMN0aGb7dbSjjBxtM7rpAWv0ZMixxdn7C08a6wKyVls24W_6oapvXIuWT5Hh7rgF3ZtwFGWIeA60rHo-Uu0qBhiZgmNDoeqkhscz2I0UcBkVVD7CUvqeMCuLjp6lL/s1600/vernonpark_54_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TSSOIFpde-1UWoKtMN0aGb7dbSjjBxtM7rpAWv0ZMixxdn7C08a6wKyVls24W_6oapvXIuWT5Hh7rgF3ZtwFGWIeA60rHo-Uu0qBhiZgmNDoeqkhscz2I0UcBkVVD7CUvqeMCuLjp6lL/s320/vernonpark_54_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzYkFMVZfC84gwkYcfu3XIe23pd0wl7YD5OdqjBk660Impl6RwLZUpJeq9zwv2gxTDL-C1JZNdRTimeZTP-zUu10yYBJfN474gzvoRuun0CFQILK4FU3MvnGc17-vmya2qeecX4bfKGV_/s1600/vernonpark_53_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzYkFMVZfC84gwkYcfu3XIe23pd0wl7YD5OdqjBk660Impl6RwLZUpJeq9zwv2gxTDL-C1JZNdRTimeZTP-zUu10yYBJfN474gzvoRuun0CFQILK4FU3MvnGc17-vmya2qeecX4bfKGV_/s320/vernonpark_53_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here are a few shots in the front of the mall. If you notice in the third shot, the very 1981 "MALL ENTRANCE" sign over the door is peaking out from an otherwise updated exterior. Photo taken June 15, 2015.</span></div>
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City leaders share this hopeless view of the mall as <a href="http://www.kinston.com/news/20170223/vernon-park-mall-unveils-redevelopment-project">their redevelopment plan</a> unveiled this February basically supports converting big portions of the mall into anything but retail. Plans include a trampoline park, craft brewery, sports complex and even a hotel. That is definitely a wise decision to move on, but can the mall support these options? Plans to create entertainment options in malls have long failed to materialize, although they definitely are becoming more popular as chains like SkyZone indoor trampoline park have been opening in dead anchors in recent years. These very serious plans are looking to create a regional entertainment draw where none exists in the region, and perhaps it might work out well for them. However, demographics, income, development patterns, and economics no longer line up in any way for the mall. In fact, the city itself has lost population since 1990 while growth in surrounding Lenoir County has flat lined. If Belk leaves and a plan to repurpose the mall fails to materialize, the mall will likely be abandoned and eventually demolished leaving what amounts to a vacant lot next to a field.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvDbxr-FA50fcXi7p7N9zHdEdQ0yfaB7HwVKaQUzsyD4o7x7mYUX8y0oYM_so9wJWjPVJPCMuNXbFi8aItk-tYsoizLVvopobktMGoqpH05i_dElC-Kbsq-su3NXDkayNzGVI6c83jtCa/s1600/vernonpark_63_051615_winndixie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvDbxr-FA50fcXi7p7N9zHdEdQ0yfaB7HwVKaQUzsyD4o7x7mYUX8y0oYM_so9wJWjPVJPCMuNXbFi8aItk-tYsoizLVvopobktMGoqpH05i_dElC-Kbsq-su3NXDkayNzGVI6c83jtCa/s320/vernonpark_63_051615_winndixie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKtPiK3CLK81-oEKkhnZAlrJUXUzz1zBxMrafeD_f3Gitfdt13aK6vwol24cho31yL2BiQY5q3BPLvZIlQK6d7neWwtccVdRElIC9DFPPPNQUypw8uKz_YiFya3kPbwcCMv4WTbxf8naN/s1600/vernonpark_64_051615_winndixie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKtPiK3CLK81-oEKkhnZAlrJUXUzz1zBxMrafeD_f3Gitfdt13aK6vwol24cho31yL2BiQY5q3BPLvZIlQK6d7neWwtccVdRElIC9DFPPPNQUypw8uKz_YiFya3kPbwcCMv4WTbxf8naN/s320/vernonpark_64_051615_winndixie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79COHs8gvzLTVIdFz1yIgfa1XCifwrg_kldAI5lUaFU4EAZaP2-Z7gspj7PO460epYo6v4YWKtXfp12LfcJAIZ8q0j_CKrvZaRGvC47hZfXZx2TEeEo9VxCYxhDvPp7JKKAyOwL_mspdA/s1600/vernonpark_6_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79COHs8gvzLTVIdFz1yIgfa1XCifwrg_kldAI5lUaFU4EAZaP2-Z7gspj7PO460epYo6v4YWKtXfp12LfcJAIZ8q0j_CKrvZaRGvC47hZfXZx2TEeEo9VxCYxhDvPp7JKKAyOwL_mspdA/s320/vernonpark_6_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Winn-Dixie shopping center and former Winn-Dixie. Dollar General is believed to be the former Eckerd Drugs. Photo taken June 15, 2015 except the last by digitalsky taken August 19, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IuP8QDyPW8ZklS3_wi3s-r4wqM75Z11WOB0Yn0BwLgOgvz5f0lJSFgY7K1RYt3vvwuQTOr6xCslCB4EhJ2p1u94IVjUKJyJJtvUKvlzruAA_kf_aj6iv3ifaqrvWtI9o1t0jBVg9FAF8/s1600/vernonpark_11_081912_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IuP8QDyPW8ZklS3_wi3s-r4wqM75Z11WOB0Yn0BwLgOgvz5f0lJSFgY7K1RYt3vvwuQTOr6xCslCB4EhJ2p1u94IVjUKJyJJtvUKvlzruAA_kf_aj6iv3ifaqrvWtI9o1t0jBVg9FAF8/s320/vernonpark_11_081912_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTM5haxfL1qm0l04Auy6eLIwoPL08Y3Km3kl6r_E4J-fdj5VyT_vJ5q3ZEmcGKPmYJUVV_NxVz6sbMRU3B5tN9s2z42go1XgKBEfWu_3cLezuMAcESWfZZroPTBmDai9978vVflD50set/s1600/vernonpark_61_051615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTM5haxfL1qm0l04Auy6eLIwoPL08Y3Km3kl6r_E4J-fdj5VyT_vJ5q3ZEmcGKPmYJUVV_NxVz6sbMRU3B5tN9s2z42go1XgKBEfWu_3cLezuMAcESWfZZroPTBmDai9978vVflD50set/s320/vernonpark_61_051615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple shots from 2012 and 2015 showing the former theater in the back of the mall. If not for the old marquees, this could be mistaken for an old bank.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSygEBsfPp3207mZA612w0Mk5WlSJ7WP0lX-vGjWhDg-zfFRVBc6hBLRnqiEFE5yeuSzrt8WgOmrHJu2x6UWts6nuWaU0LkxMQ4PpPjs2EpK4EXHJB63CRdEP1SN9prDYigE002QsLwTh4/s1600/IMG_2104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSygEBsfPp3207mZA612w0Mk5WlSJ7WP0lX-vGjWhDg-zfFRVBc6hBLRnqiEFE5yeuSzrt8WgOmrHJu2x6UWts6nuWaU0LkxMQ4PpPjs2EpK4EXHJB63CRdEP1SN9prDYigE002QsLwTh4/s320/IMG_2104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_NuwAkSsGJrnSoC1wjPhENMpbU7XmHyVusvBKx6Q2qbkALr9hLZvYjowviqLnuCkPLPmLVgmsPGg0g6xHA8cg23d43g220Zvng3SchBykyMC3K4NmEW4HYZ4ULuTylBofaZG35uzvFxW/s1600/vernonpark_66_051615_masons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_NuwAkSsGJrnSoC1wjPhENMpbU7XmHyVusvBKx6Q2qbkALr9hLZvYjowviqLnuCkPLPmLVgmsPGg0g6xHA8cg23d43g220Zvng3SchBykyMC3K4NmEW4HYZ4ULuTylBofaZG35uzvFxW/s320/vernonpark_66_051615_masons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Mason's discount store with very prominent labelscar is located a short ways south of the mall. While not on an outlot, it appears to have been built around the same time as the mall. Its current use is Domestic Fabrics and Blankets Corporation meaning the building is not abandoned. Photos from 2012 and 2015.</span></div>
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In all, it is a sad end for yet another mall that is on death's door at what should be a happy milestone: its 50th anniversary. It will not be alone, however, as it will be joining so many other older malls that cannot survive the current caustic retail environment that is resulting in one of the most dreadful years in retail history as many, many malls will close for good this year on the heels of the free fall of the three largest major department stores: Macy's, JCPenney and Sears and downsizing of Belk.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d1944.6531879371512!2d-77.60878767429398!3d35.272495282345666!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1493489632024" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>
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<b>FURTHER INTEREST:</b><br />
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Here are a few historical images of the mall from <i>The Heritage of Lenoir County</i> by the Lenoir County Historical Association:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvFy-w1UNwCrd8wtBOAd4KJnyXA-5AVRrUkyqviXoRq-oR8cdpIocSH3ipTK1TBmc40mO2c5nwnpU6Bo_3PTiE8bNYUTcVts_lI0v9J97s-WyCslIqS-4F8iCZDVjlIWSSoZepTprgGOr/s1600/vernonpark_7_1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1000" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvFy-w1UNwCrd8wtBOAd4KJnyXA-5AVRrUkyqviXoRq-oR8cdpIocSH3ipTK1TBmc40mO2c5nwnpU6Bo_3PTiE8bNYUTcVts_lI0v9J97s-WyCslIqS-4F8iCZDVjlIWSSoZepTprgGOr/s320/vernonpark_7_1981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Interior of the Brody's department store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNttmWf5T7TP1mM_5xe69tJRILp-GnVRCFxbuBid7u9qYJ1CFdi0wUKsPk2AKCQD_EFyUBaDoMurqHjsBsti9PPgk5HLH-cIV2Hb5frIvwPkZ_k9X575HBZouTMdThJYMKYRS3-1meWDGX/s1600/vernonpark_8_1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNttmWf5T7TP1mM_5xe69tJRILp-GnVRCFxbuBid7u9qYJ1CFdi0wUKsPk2AKCQD_EFyUBaDoMurqHjsBsti9PPgk5HLH-cIV2Hb5frIvwPkZ_k9X575HBZouTMdThJYMKYRS3-1meWDGX/s320/vernonpark_8_1981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Architectural drawing of Belk Tyler</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdtp1wWXyqxy-18lrjzYHkFaJoI-CVUg6VY_sEYgW02pw6ZPD37StyKjB43fEJNDgxe3zk_bBGIGt48k54YdgdisuLH6b0q7nJPHdD4KPBXhNGDC4H11-mvhlWnSIMlf46Xo3ZWIShCV2/s1600/2001_08_03c+The_Greenville_News_Fri__Aug_3__2001_+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="1600" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdtp1wWXyqxy-18lrjzYHkFaJoI-CVUg6VY_sEYgW02pw6ZPD37StyKjB43fEJNDgxe3zk_bBGIGt48k54YdgdisuLH6b0q7nJPHdD4KPBXhNGDC4H11-mvhlWnSIMlf46Xo3ZWIShCV2/s320/2001_08_03c+The_Greenville_News_Fri__Aug_3__2001_+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail at base of Proffitt's ad from Greenville News from 1998</span></div>
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Apparently, people are just "crazy" about this mall (maybe even literally, judging by some infamous youtube videos), but we will spare you those cringeworthy, profane (if that bothers you) and neurotic tours of the mall by disgruntled local patrons. Instead, we will provide you this fantastic (and corny!) ad preserved from 1988 and a far more quiet tour taken of the mall in apparently worse shape than in these photos. In the first clip the Brody's sign is clearly visible, but curiously the mall entrance does not at all match the former Proffitt's entrance. Perhaps some light can be shed on what happened there. <br />
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-15631054316708165852017-12-20T14:13:00.000-08:002017-12-21T10:39:19.723-08:00Town Mall/Cranberry Mall: Westminster, MDTown Mall of Westminster is a cozy mall nestled on a hillside on the north side of the the city of Westminster. Situated at the southeast corner of the intersection of Routes 27 & 97, the mall sits in the transition zone between the outlying Baltimore suburbs and rural farmland. Opening on March 4, 1987, the 430,000 square ft. mall came along during a time with a ton of transition in the retail industry, and it indeed opened up with a very unusual roster of anchors. Today the mall remains marginally successful helped along by its unconventional anchor mix. Its trade area serves Westminster along with several other towns and communities in the area in both Maryland and Pennsylvania.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMjVtgV0qfVr0JXj_C3fwUufqwMFydmIDFkCJQS0iyWyHHXmR2Rpx8t4V8HgELRCS3z17TVKFGwZUTzABHLN-3RgysXmd8weOfhzqCqGO-56Aw7TSW-Xq85NI07OmYnN_4LDl3xfJv4WX/s1600/cranberry_9_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMjVtgV0qfVr0JXj_C3fwUufqwMFydmIDFkCJQS0iyWyHHXmR2Rpx8t4V8HgELRCS3z17TVKFGwZUTzABHLN-3RgysXmd8weOfhzqCqGO-56Aw7TSW-Xq85NI07OmYnN_4LDl3xfJv4WX/s320/cranberry_9_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cranberry Mall as it was originally known was a mall that was delayed for many years. Complications involving zoning, roadways, land use, and the original owner being unable to finance construction of the first mall. This delayed the construction of the mall for over 15 years. In fact, had everything fallen into place, this mall would have been built in 1972 instead of 1987. Some of the original tenants that had considered opening at the mall included G.C. Murphy and Giant Food. Perhaps the delay led to a mall that ended up being slightly higher end than the original mall would have been. This is considering that a mall with the kinds of anchors originally proposed resembles several dead malls found across the Baltimore region that consisted primarily of low-end tenants such as North Mall, Chatham Mall, and Timonium Mall. Each and every time that everything seemed to come together to build the mall, it was delayed yet again. It wasn't until the land was sold to the Shopco group in 1985 did plans finally materialize for a mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CsL0Z5uRe4u42S3lXf9S1GJ2gPXSsSZ_edb9wwhm8AVNk3oOVYd71AYW8zLgbXQ9tIlLelRkBrXn5r3YnP3FRVa_a8a_R7sfe1yKJcEOqNs1gv35XlfNNnGDyM5Q2FNqqwFBJN2BS0oj/s1600/cranberry_22_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CsL0Z5uRe4u42S3lXf9S1GJ2gPXSsSZ_edb9wwhm8AVNk3oOVYd71AYW8zLgbXQ9tIlLelRkBrXn5r3YnP3FRVa_a8a_R7sfe1yKJcEOqNs1gv35XlfNNnGDyM5Q2FNqqwFBJN2BS0oj/s320/cranberry_22_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX_Xyp_exyqetFo6b8bKbFLE8cgeWge2jjGgKabGLpC-l_YlgwThb8Cr3mH4ascVPVRuRYVfvpsevql8BXQRgRktr3sg3vtNfClejGXmHBt7X9yoXtsZ3Ol2aM7I-phDKBsccbtbTWay4/s1600/cranberry_23_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX_Xyp_exyqetFo6b8bKbFLE8cgeWge2jjGgKabGLpC-l_YlgwThb8Cr3mH4ascVPVRuRYVfvpsevql8BXQRgRktr3sg3vtNfClejGXmHBt7X9yoXtsZ3Ol2aM7I-phDKBsccbtbTWay4/s320/cranberry_23_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The first view is the center court fountain with Sears in the background. Sears was built for the defunct Baltimore-based Hutzler's. The second two photos show the same fountain in respect to center court. It's a cool fountain, but it looks a little lonely with no plants around it. These days, you just have to be happy that at least the mall still has a fountain. Mall fountains are a major reason I got into this hobby, so I'm very unhappy to see them go.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1nsoEwXMrLNykngzWDlULqrf-Eh7GXEEFe5S6OKqrinRqoJBq4XJ8OAYW4aKvuTW7Hxl2kWx0GJUWAeAfRATLCk4S_NbmzLR8OuOm2J5UrpGsXQpea8RDkVp8UNpJXM9ar3zDATU2NGa/s1600/cranberry_5_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1nsoEwXMrLNykngzWDlULqrf-Eh7GXEEFe5S6OKqrinRqoJBq4XJ8OAYW4aKvuTW7Hxl2kWx0GJUWAeAfRATLCk4S_NbmzLR8OuOm2J5UrpGsXQpea8RDkVp8UNpJXM9ar3zDATU2NGa/s320/cranberry_5_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPtwQKppq2n6wdhAhDjF6KFGkAWzennZQ_oTkCEy2C3Lbi6aqLFdgXNM74ExRc6XNCeB3v-hDjXqqq2do3G0qGgIPQLDOtmrjCJC8fdpIcImkqHurvn9kiiE90rmbtwUwJnPq9wSqfpT_/s1600/cranberry_6_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPtwQKppq2n6wdhAhDjF6KFGkAWzennZQ_oTkCEy2C3Lbi6aqLFdgXNM74ExRc6XNCeB3v-hDjXqqq2do3G0qGgIPQLDOtmrjCJC8fdpIcImkqHurvn9kiiE90rmbtwUwJnPq9wSqfpT_/s320/cranberry_6_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple views of the court outside of Belk. The moody 70's-style skylights are one surprising feature to find in a mall built in 1987. The whole mall looks like it was designed in the early 80's with few modifications when it opened.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD1kWPvIX6bN9uDHAJexZUomdZEy71tDPw8TxcsyrkwJZjnabJf3cZR_OjEtgELlx5-FYl3mqAYhiH1IPPYfqL3-BkO_Pzg1cuXe-i60g4CgjYF29scnJFExSOSbenVZ3dWdemrQ9pFpK/s1600/cranberry_7_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD1kWPvIX6bN9uDHAJexZUomdZEy71tDPw8TxcsyrkwJZjnabJf3cZR_OjEtgELlx5-FYl3mqAYhiH1IPPYfqL3-BkO_Pzg1cuXe-i60g4CgjYF29scnJFExSOSbenVZ3dWdemrQ9pFpK/s320/cranberry_7_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of two ramped sections in the otherwise one-level mall give the mall personality. It is very appropriate considering that Carroll County is quite mountainous.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRjnQodYAyjaByNSRd7wWjp7r_xctaumEBXiW70EyPynsziP0oa0ySql1QXU5-nGUQntbJxZinZiqxtVAvL2bHbpjA9kfiNMVkLqmdI56COx4Br042nuV4RhKWj8yMArxJQrs6mcgZgOZ/s1600/cranberry_10_052315_montgomeryward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRjnQodYAyjaByNSRd7wWjp7r_xctaumEBXiW70EyPynsziP0oa0ySql1QXU5-nGUQntbJxZinZiqxtVAvL2bHbpjA9kfiNMVkLqmdI56COx4Br042nuV4RhKWj8yMArxJQrs6mcgZgOZ/s320/cranberry_10_052315_montgomeryward.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's has certainly been a positive for this mall given that it might have not survived had they not come in. It was previously a Montgomery Ward.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g5XdWkCnKYdQkLVPkXNlvavSpgscibtY1MzqpQJB6ZjQ2W2_ofOmI6Gid-x8cSLAMCqL77qjfDZG_ibgyd_2A5QsSKw2HQEjduh-qeeFAQQ9yMvNkhGwcImALQ29ltGq_BiSViGNSmXw/s1600/cranberry_11_052315_montgomeryward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g5XdWkCnKYdQkLVPkXNlvavSpgscibtY1MzqpQJB6ZjQ2W2_ofOmI6Gid-x8cSLAMCqL77qjfDZG_ibgyd_2A5QsSKw2HQEjduh-qeeFAQQ9yMvNkhGwcImALQ29ltGq_BiSViGNSmXw/s320/cranberry_11_052315_montgomeryward.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Toy department inside Boscov's.</span></div>
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The unusual anchor mix was something original to the mall. Built by the Shopco Advisory Group, the originally planned anchors were Virginia-based Leggett, Baltimore-based Hutzler's, and New York-based Caldor. Caldor was expanded during that time as part of a legacy of Baltimore-based Stewart's (both were owned by the same company). Hutzler's, however, was going under during the mall's construction meaning that the store was built but never opened. After three lawsuits against the failing chain for non-payment of construction and non-completion of the store, the Hutzler's space was taken instead by Sears. Montgomery Ward later joined the mall in 1990, resulting in one of a few malls around the country with both Sears and Wards as anchors. In all, it looked like a situation that would end badly, but the mall is still hanging on 30 years later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4KPXfH-MM2H_XayCcz5q_UbQ73iGh7xNEggeGXhWPXOuPyLt6BK1Zy-bf-0n48riQhDg78RSPzXeapOW-dcKN5VVZU19ouaiwXQo2oqd01pzmEnM4ABDFstZo7Agrx_-KPxuoR8LqEhk/s1600/cranberry_12_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4KPXfH-MM2H_XayCcz5q_UbQ73iGh7xNEggeGXhWPXOuPyLt6BK1Zy-bf-0n48riQhDg78RSPzXeapOW-dcKN5VVZU19ouaiwXQo2oqd01pzmEnM4ABDFstZo7Agrx_-KPxuoR8LqEhk/s320/cranberry_12_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Leaving Boscov's with the mall directory on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H4QkeIseuYhOjDiMcCj5YyBwEUZ6cMMlJw_jSmK095BfUi4K_ypgU_Qg2GRq0nU_3fM1XJNdkW9kFOLen_85AfVtNXv5RC9gQhlq4waS3b7Cp4SnhwajC0pe9q-ihJbs4ldPjkLxOo_V/s1600/cranberry_13_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H4QkeIseuYhOjDiMcCj5YyBwEUZ6cMMlJw_jSmK095BfUi4K_ypgU_Qg2GRq0nU_3fM1XJNdkW9kFOLen_85AfVtNXv5RC9gQhlq4waS3b7Cp4SnhwajC0pe9q-ihJbs4ldPjkLxOo_V/s320/cranberry_13_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Town Mall (Cranberry Mall) directory. Sears was built for Hutzler's (opened as Sears), Belk was Leggett, Boscov's was Montgomery Ward and the cluster of Dick's Sporting Goods, Paradise of Fun, and Gold's Gym was previously discount chain Caldor. Caldor opened original to the mall, but most Baltimore-area locations were formerly Stewart's Department Store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8xsCcm1judVDWXKHhm4Ly5r-_1dUIpX3JIDyR8usMslFE9A9OLZg1HQglIShOpYo61Bb44dXfvd7HupXJhdtTagE8a7Mw7m9Pj2DpoYe9SOKRffr1s-hgW5uFeRDdlpxWVqe4v_sI0nA/s1600/cranberry_14_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8xsCcm1judVDWXKHhm4Ly5r-_1dUIpX3JIDyR8usMslFE9A9OLZg1HQglIShOpYo61Bb44dXfvd7HupXJhdtTagE8a7Mw7m9Pj2DpoYe9SOKRffr1s-hgW5uFeRDdlpxWVqe4v_sI0nA/s320/cranberry_14_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZh_49q0ACwS9ll8pwEhwN92lBf9eQcpBE6bi-P4x7p5Ioub6W73sCSGjAoicMu3xjIy_uL2nS4RlYKUcABRjZkiAvA9REF2dCdAUfcMETK-cGzcgMATxI3zfiIz7ZfsgxypCXFVuyUmw/s1600/cranberry_15_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZh_49q0ACwS9ll8pwEhwN92lBf9eQcpBE6bi-P4x7p5Ioub6W73sCSGjAoicMu3xjIy_uL2nS4RlYKUcABRjZkiAvA9REF2dCdAUfcMETK-cGzcgMATxI3zfiIz7ZfsgxypCXFVuyUmw/s320/cranberry_15_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl0lRM2JYhLVnnVFZWVHogtn2bnKUUGv78kBitndvUODnV_x7jinw-6hMrc3EcL7jBYpSUuVEqx8KETLV3gbtFh1PaGoi8L_qS_UfmZWzaL0QtPU8ghInUA_EwMu8RaIZJ9zy2fR1UZ78/s1600/cranberry_16_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl0lRM2JYhLVnnVFZWVHogtn2bnKUUGv78kBitndvUODnV_x7jinw-6hMrc3EcL7jBYpSUuVEqx8KETLV3gbtFh1PaGoi8L_qS_UfmZWzaL0QtPU8ghInUA_EwMu8RaIZJ9zy2fR1UZ78/s320/cranberry_16_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vJBotRFG2ailcp92_AwaLrtTlvTcsN5ALE6yQykD1I_ZuoRS5LDJ3ha2ANIQIu8X0z0cX0zNFvPd37x4U6HQsXc1BXXg2b97mF3I-J7qqf3UFPpMOzfsOvgCeCM70xPcqKSE12QqhlPI/s1600/cranberry_21_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vJBotRFG2ailcp92_AwaLrtTlvTcsN5ALE6yQykD1I_ZuoRS5LDJ3ha2ANIQIu8X0z0cX0zNFvPd37x4U6HQsXc1BXXg2b97mF3I-J7qqf3UFPpMOzfsOvgCeCM70xPcqKSE12QqhlPI/s320/cranberry_21_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The second fun little ramped section includes a very cool greenhouse dome in one of the stores. They were very popular in the late 1980's, but it is unclear what that originally was. Chick-Fil-A still going strong is a good sign. They are the chicken in the coalmine. When they go, so does the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uUFvb3ulAo-oN69gDcfB3C8qbKedERpPTc5UmXWrX6loahW9tBKNf7HVW9nc2snBXW8FNHFh8cdAsiSWotU819k9djND5U6DophxyRsbQ-HmUT5UFuEbWuHH79Nj-mJpjtVSLBLvCWN0/s1600/cranberry_17_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uUFvb3ulAo-oN69gDcfB3C8qbKedERpPTc5UmXWrX6loahW9tBKNf7HVW9nc2snBXW8FNHFh8cdAsiSWotU819k9djND5U6DophxyRsbQ-HmUT5UFuEbWuHH79Nj-mJpjtVSLBLvCWN0/s320/cranberry_17_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B9_65whea7-2z7QX2uwGQpTBCOsd9eKD6cxeUxPkbqkE1bkxQw6hJC9QB6_0bVQzyniLkTrVOvCrEThG4y6M1JxtNj_nvS8WhgwaSmINdeQA-BwzVbvzEaC5FzcQnXsD-4ZVNsvHn8Dy/s1600/cranberry_18_052315_caldor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B9_65whea7-2z7QX2uwGQpTBCOsd9eKD6cxeUxPkbqkE1bkxQw6hJC9QB6_0bVQzyniLkTrVOvCrEThG4y6M1JxtNj_nvS8WhgwaSmINdeQA-BwzVbvzEaC5FzcQnXsD-4ZVNsvHn8Dy/s320/cranberry_18_052315_caldor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Approaching Dick's Sporting Goods. It is hard to tell how this looked as Caldor since it has been so heavily modified unless the entrance on the right in black is original. In any scenario that the mall gets redeveloped, Dick's will definitely be one who stays.</span></div>
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Although Leggett was mostly found in Virginia, the logic of Leggett opening in the mall was not as strange as it seemed. Leggett was previously located in Westminster Shopping Center and had opened there in 1963 before moving to the mall. Today, Belk occupies the former Leggett space. The older shopping center is situated less than a mile from the current mall and is currently doing well, although it is no longer a true regional shopping center.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4qOcZiqa0KjEh1HQXqX5OrlisAgtD2Eje61h8CtPyRoks2L7aYWVjcTTJxqc4j_q06DMBJV91y4oipgTQdRmMzLri50f6Dw3zWLppCLfRe5UPgzuVA9U0GHctBAKqo-EZBZybXt_KuaH/s1600/cranberry_19_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4qOcZiqa0KjEh1HQXqX5OrlisAgtD2Eje61h8CtPyRoks2L7aYWVjcTTJxqc4j_q06DMBJV91y4oipgTQdRmMzLri50f6Dw3zWLppCLfRe5UPgzuVA9U0GHctBAKqo-EZBZybXt_KuaH/s320/cranberry_19_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnde2_djAjUQ514xnJkCFjg5TmqFMMuHPMWZuAU6YIGg_81rG_iwAnclR5AkTZCRXlo1cyxCY2El8r1Mj5VrRXGLbeHVldfKRgHfdeKlZTp8AA69w2KjUnQngyFncRd6NML1HBulN365wD/s1600/cranberry_20_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnde2_djAjUQ514xnJkCFjg5TmqFMMuHPMWZuAU6YIGg_81rG_iwAnclR5AkTZCRXlo1cyxCY2El8r1Mj5VrRXGLbeHVldfKRgHfdeKlZTp8AA69w2KjUnQngyFncRd6NML1HBulN365wD/s320/cranberry_20_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look at the two entrance wings next to Dick's Sporting Goods. I'm not sure which one is which, but I'm pretty sure the second one is the northwest entrance wing since it appears the mall's theaters are on the left in the background. The other is the northeast entrance meaning shoppers have to enter the mall to go to Dick's. It's a bit ironic that the mall's Chick-Fil-A is not in this food court.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI_hkDW_Utwy2n6QVa6xe3VVOugyCCvoR23l56sva1D8VpEfYWwH_SBNk_5FY5-cTug0TVZkKG3QRuiAJg8gt_8NY1odQIERhbnPdKGVJOi8RkT8dEm66vhxZQ0R2Pd152PpGLD5H0iC0/s1600/cranberry_24_052315_hutzlers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeI_hkDW_Utwy2n6QVa6xe3VVOugyCCvoR23l56sva1D8VpEfYWwH_SBNk_5FY5-cTug0TVZkKG3QRuiAJg8gt_8NY1odQIERhbnPdKGVJOi8RkT8dEm66vhxZQ0R2Pd152PpGLD5H0iC0/s320/cranberry_24_052315_hutzlers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears is sporting the dual entrances on the east wing off of center court suggesting this was a Hutzler's idea. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eTuEt-NZHNNfUELvR8_ZKNh-wM6xbLxvgFczxE1t5oVFdQBx8fMwjFxY4Mq0RpvD-oP_g39usxFOv15XGeSAxaj1PBqDCm-RRkNeJ4f1VkAo02rAnpt6jr-URYiebKLNECORI1A3yz2n/s1600/cranberry_28_050413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eTuEt-NZHNNfUELvR8_ZKNh-wM6xbLxvgFczxE1t5oVFdQBx8fMwjFxY4Mq0RpvD-oP_g39usxFOv15XGeSAxaj1PBqDCm-RRkNeJ4f1VkAo02rAnpt6jr-URYiebKLNECORI1A3yz2n/s320/cranberry_28_050413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Somehow I knew that Toys 'R' Us Express stores in malls were going to be a novelty. . Now that the company has announced at least 100 stores closing, we likely will not be seeing these ever again. This is sad in a sense considering that this same chain likely killed a real toy store chain such as Circus World or Kay Bee Toys within the same mall in the past decade or so. Photo from May 4, 2013.</span></div>
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Since the 1980's, a number of anchor changes have taken place. In fact, the mall does not have a single original anchor. The first to change was Leggett, which was sold to Belk in 1996. Belk largely passed on most of the former Leggett stores in Maryland leaving this as one of only two Belk stores in the state although a store is proposed to open soon at Valley Mall in Hagerstown. It is also the second most northern Belk store in the entire chain (the northernmost store is in Morgantown, WV). While Leggett was affiliated with Belk as part of the Belk family of stores, it was a separate chain operating in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Following the change from Leggett to Belk, the next anchor to change was when discount chain Caldor folded in 1999. From 2003-2009, Steve & Barry's University Sportswear used part of the former Caldor space. Today that store is divided between Dick's Sporting Goods, Gold's Gym and Paradise of Fun. Dick's also has a mall entrance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UVVh0POXHYrmuQRCcGuVK0_MXHRWkgYnkiZddCogpW_oqo2MU1kWkxJhRsJP-lrdigyC7J_CWzFNb884ZScBsr2zTAapKNywysgXkZL3zP4TLwdvlMy4Si8-9baHaUkjISpk5mHyxO0i/s1600/cranberry_35_050413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UVVh0POXHYrmuQRCcGuVK0_MXHRWkgYnkiZddCogpW_oqo2MU1kWkxJhRsJP-lrdigyC7J_CWzFNb884ZScBsr2zTAapKNywysgXkZL3zP4TLwdvlMy4Si8-9baHaUkjISpk5mHyxO0i/s320/cranberry_35_050413.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Climbing back up the second of two ramps with Belk emerging on the horizon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9luzSRai7BWOZTKtnRqMYbRjdsxhHTFwhVRQT__KqXWhTHS0ewdHWxNHUlMQ9qL1hLifz3JyJhWp2FOSNA2qam90fG7TTk7DCSPdEX2_juOdRkAvzz2igDgR-f5CRIUmXbNQUjZVbRAd/s1600/cranberry_25a_052315_leggett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9luzSRai7BWOZTKtnRqMYbRjdsxhHTFwhVRQT__KqXWhTHS0ewdHWxNHUlMQ9qL1hLifz3JyJhWp2FOSNA2qam90fG7TTk7DCSPdEX2_juOdRkAvzz2igDgR-f5CRIUmXbNQUjZVbRAd/s320/cranberry_25a_052315_leggett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBb2EFyf0hi2mbsO4SzaGQ2pVSDib0i5nGmt9TAB_Hvmcals0tvJtsIvzXjhA0tMrW0pWT9lZMI1thY7DE26HUMtwCK02NqJ2q6u7XhuSobaYgmHjKtBM_UlF5ETyMjxm-gnsxZ26A8-3/s1600/cranberry_36_050413_leggett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBb2EFyf0hi2mbsO4SzaGQ2pVSDib0i5nGmt9TAB_Hvmcals0tvJtsIvzXjhA0tMrW0pWT9lZMI1thY7DE26HUMtwCK02NqJ2q6u7XhuSobaYgmHjKtBM_UlF5ETyMjxm-gnsxZ26A8-3/s320/cranberry_36_050413_leggett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk mall entrance from the south court. What wonderous water feature was covered up by this garish maroon carpet? This carpet at least needs a dripping snow cone justification.</span></div>
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Shortly after Caldor faded into history, Montgomery Ward shut down for good in 2001. However, it did not remain vacant long as Reading, PA-based Boscov's stepped in to fill the void shortly after. At the time, there was real concern the mall would not survive, so Boscov's was seen as a godsend. The resulting anchor changes meant that this is the only mall where Boscov's and Belk share a store. Piedmont Mall (now Danville Mall) in Virginia also once shared a Belk and Boscov's, but the Boscov's in that mall was short lived. The result of this anchor shuffle fortunately did not lead to a dead mall. However, the unconventional anchor lineup has not resulted in a healthy mall. The mall today has many vacancies, and it is questionable how much longer Belk will continue to operate this store so far from their base with the nearest Belk store over 80 miles of that location. Unless Belk expands in the region, this store will remain a very isolated outpost. It is a worry that Belk will close this store when they open in Hagerstown despite them being in entirely different markets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCCcnKG-kWyJtva5zVaL3O1QquvGVRmmFeQwUfssbuOi146xpU19srcWq6bkAsiADzEMqdCJVPjaahqyiJVv60o3Ov6i5pkQ9nODCTK2uMZoK_MVcnt-e6UNaHjgtUxiIbNlGJ4coCrlh/s1600/cranberry_2_052315_leggett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCCcnKG-kWyJtva5zVaL3O1QquvGVRmmFeQwUfssbuOi146xpU19srcWq6bkAsiADzEMqdCJVPjaahqyiJVv60o3Ov6i5pkQ9nODCTK2uMZoK_MVcnt-e6UNaHjgtUxiIbNlGJ4coCrlh/s320/cranberry_2_052315_leggett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWlkaT8mkFV5PYj1vQ1k-gxdDVvuaBslbv7LFP2IbL0vY-P-kx9EQO_ZYcbbnNJTxIpcuCUKTI1jjB3oYKziBwi19gvy7RVDgP0ArMINcf8EhSr_u3EXUCftgRsEp5ugj9VPZfIecMMiO/s1600/cranberry_4_052315_leggett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWlkaT8mkFV5PYj1vQ1k-gxdDVvuaBslbv7LFP2IbL0vY-P-kx9EQO_ZYcbbnNJTxIpcuCUKTI1jjB3oYKziBwi19gvy7RVDgP0ArMINcf8EhSr_u3EXUCftgRsEp5ugj9VPZfIecMMiO/s320/cranberry_4_052315_leggett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk, formerly Leggett, sporting an exterior that looks more like 1982 than 1987. It is still quite attractive in a 1980's brutalist sort of way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRJAQZ7HpBtzlSiSDTyT5eT6UKWD86nDERXfu8ADK_pmM_VJkAZzsIJdPdZcXByY3DoUiqLzoj1q2KhBoaXcZmA7ek9n7V1ypX_9O0maInz3wxsbQVJQjhHeAkBnK82aBYHJUtEaAWN36/s1600/leggett_022187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1600" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRJAQZ7HpBtzlSiSDTyT5eT6UKWD86nDERXfu8ADK_pmM_VJkAZzsIJdPdZcXByY3DoUiqLzoj1q2KhBoaXcZmA7ek9n7V1ypX_9O0maInz3wxsbQVJQjhHeAkBnK82aBYHJUtEaAWN36/s320/leggett_022187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82KdZB7BLWnmE7wng2jBmpHBoaqH_ItVUyW7Y-DmvDd1ey5_L46ygkMhNm4xcrqzU7eaHYzJxkFsNtWoPDcsMbqX_8018VteiOZDOPYf3zH4mhv8P_lN2_h4w83yEhJhe6gChNqa_lWN6/s1600/leggett_030887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82KdZB7BLWnmE7wng2jBmpHBoaqH_ItVUyW7Y-DmvDd1ey5_L46ygkMhNm4xcrqzU7eaHYzJxkFsNtWoPDcsMbqX_8018VteiOZDOPYf3zH4mhv8P_lN2_h4w83yEhJhe6gChNqa_lWN6/s320/leggett_030887.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">When it was Leggett. Images from The Baltimore Sun from February 21, 1987 and March 8, 1987.</span></div>
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Cranberry Mall became Town Mall in 2000 when the mall was sold to Strategic Resources. In addition to the new name, the new owners commenced a renovation that was completed in 2002, thus the look was somewhat updated. However, the updates to the malls were not extreme, thus the mall still looks somewhat vintage. In addition, the design itself looks older than its age with design cues that look more early than late 1980's such as ramps, a center court fountain, and recessed skylights giving it a few distinctive vintage elements not present in most other malls of the region.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWnCYVyw1F54L4C1cRKe9HFut_wHkUN4c0GzIwJ5yX_zcml-KDzynmaXsg_vjdVKrfR8wD82peDyknvtPaun1A02MtNINiWbZr2hEONoy9dNkWtyCPDK4LArIu77tFJJqiJyxqBCUsUvY/s1600/cranberry_26_052315_hutzlers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWnCYVyw1F54L4C1cRKe9HFut_wHkUN4c0GzIwJ5yX_zcml-KDzynmaXsg_vjdVKrfR8wD82peDyknvtPaun1A02MtNINiWbZr2hEONoy9dNkWtyCPDK4LArIu77tFJJqiJyxqBCUsUvY/s320/cranberry_26_052315_hutzlers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBo5k165Or6GV2E_ZUZ6PP2lAfQnJerq3pF4zT89s-ZNIi2gqpxhTvMj-6j-PDkfn8Lrjoz11N7pztx5Xmu2Aqn5RI7j_ZP1kWVKBu0vti0d_BT1MizeNklXVuUrk3PhG374bxgZvnr1Z/s1600/cranberry_1_052315_boscovs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBo5k165Or6GV2E_ZUZ6PP2lAfQnJerq3pF4zT89s-ZNIi2gqpxhTvMj-6j-PDkfn8Lrjoz11N7pztx5Xmu2Aqn5RI7j_ZP1kWVKBu0vti0d_BT1MizeNklXVuUrk3PhG374bxgZvnr1Z/s320/cranberry_1_052315_boscovs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears and Boscov's. Notice that the Sears looks nothing like a Sears, but the Boscov's looks everything like a 1990's Wards. It is unclear if the Hutzler's sign ever even made it to the exterior of the Sears.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBClry3LF4I4Q7MnGhJkn3RhDWggvVAXbSv4jCmZXHcYQabTW3Oi6SyT81MqoAeBXwnaOqnurUvk4zeVSzYXmUElEItj6xcBBaPHyGY70oZHtV9IDo7kQyHUGatGmC6UFMJxFBKRvp4o-J/s1600/cranberry_27_052315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBClry3LF4I4Q7MnGhJkn3RhDWggvVAXbSv4jCmZXHcYQabTW3Oi6SyT81MqoAeBXwnaOqnurUvk4zeVSzYXmUElEItj6xcBBaPHyGY70oZHtV9IDo7kQyHUGatGmC6UFMJxFBKRvp4o-J/s320/cranberry_27_052315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm sure this mall entrance update from 2000 took the greater part of 15 minutes to design. Exactly why did the mall have to be renamed in the first place? Also, it is actually TownMall, but I am not willing to refer to two words in a name like that. If it was CranberryMall, it would be ludicrous.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GZ2Yp_AZTLmRunUuIow0RENvhjkwwwmx0LMf01ndPexWxVMIPcMT26qqNH99xG8fUxUrd6Y9DJPK2cPiub8UAOWV4s5Z4ZBllSsbXv-I2iOLPgGUdP9tZC44wpoKBRMYojFOtBaJYEFi/s1600/caldor_030887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GZ2Yp_AZTLmRunUuIow0RENvhjkwwwmx0LMf01ndPexWxVMIPcMT26qqNH99xG8fUxUrd6Y9DJPK2cPiub8UAOWV4s5Z4ZBllSsbXv-I2iOLPgGUdP9tZC44wpoKBRMYojFOtBaJYEFi/s320/caldor_030887.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Caldor grand opening flyer with a real treat...a list of all the locations open in the area in 1987. So many are long gone and several anchored long-demolished community and regional malls across the region that were hammered by a combination of industry changes, anchor loss, and severe economic decline in the Baltimore region. The Baltimore stores are probably the primary culprit for Caldor liquidating in 1999. Image from The Baltimore Sun from March 1, 1987.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbGDURx6H-wlyEQAD-G8YNxkdt05xvmDfmfbotKIpIwd-CwpG4ePKlPOQc1-GD3kSUv_uuE1tD_IDCi8kP8-LVhtu5W5s2goiq-rBHwsPVPI_Cc-CiZa82_y4JVRFo4aahqbjUXuIu65H/s1600/cranberrymall_030187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1346" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbGDURx6H-wlyEQAD-G8YNxkdt05xvmDfmfbotKIpIwd-CwpG4ePKlPOQc1-GD3kSUv_uuE1tD_IDCi8kP8-LVhtu5W5s2goiq-rBHwsPVPI_Cc-CiZa82_y4JVRFo4aahqbjUXuIu65H/s320/cranberrymall_030187.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not much out there shows the mall's original logo, but this ad certainly does. It was definitely one of those very classy and attractive logos used in the late 1980's. I still do not understand what was wrong with the name. Image from The Baltimore Sun from March 1, 1987.</span></div>
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These days, Town Mall looks to be one that will likely be demalled within the next 5-10 years. Both Sears and Belk are stores likely to exit the mall in the near future. The mall also has a very awkward layout with poor access to the north end where Dick's and Boscov's are located. The likely future of this mall will be that when Belk and Sears finally do depart that the interior mall is demolished, anchors relocated, a small outdoor lifestyle center portion is constructed and Wegman's brought in as a new anchor. A mall with those three anchors would likely be far more popular than the current mall, and it would be more appropriate for a smaller city that likely lacks the demand for an enclosed mall. For 30 years, however, this retail anomaly has held well enough on its own despite many bumps in the road proving that the long wait for it to be built might have been for the best. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the place within the next few years and how well it survives.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-67653635793667783942017-12-20T10:54:00.000-08:002017-12-21T10:43:07.769-08:00Staunton Mall: Staunton, VANear the junction of I-64 and I-81 is Staunton's lone shopping mall, a sprawling mall with three department store anchors and few similar options in any direction, so why is this mall not doing well? Staunton Mall's nearest competitor is 30 miles away in Harrisonburg, and its next and better competition in Charlottesville is 40 miles away. Furthermore, it is the only enclosed mall in a metropolitan area of over 100,000 residents residents in a county seeing a modest growth rate of around 12-20%. Despite this, the entire area that the mall is located seems to be an area that has seen better days with a dozen or so partially vacant shopping centers with lower end tenants stretching up US 11 north of the mall. While it seems the anchors do well enough to stay open, is everyone really driving to those other cities to shop or is just nobody shopping in Staunton? Usually it is pretty easy to figure out why a mall is struggling, but this one is a mystery. <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2016/01/28/staunton-malls-crawl-back-dead/79460660/">The best indication from a recent article</a> is that a quick succession of owners coupled with bad management caused store after store to leave, but maybe the mall was just never really to the liking of the public. Perhaps the mall can be turned around, and this post explores some ways to make that happen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rijHAUJvcMqs9pvh8xNT9-ay-61RvyUfrdDAJIEJ4D9Wxo_EqnlBCjUVfcWVR-j6KH7KNKJJwZTDSMemw9s9xAIFVnWZ0vcNlK6Nvi9Of349Rf1Tl7rt4eSYVIYnK1Ak81hWC_ccl-tG/s1600/staunton_16_121417_woolworths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rijHAUJvcMqs9pvh8xNT9-ay-61RvyUfrdDAJIEJ4D9Wxo_EqnlBCjUVfcWVR-j6KH7KNKJJwZTDSMemw9s9xAIFVnWZ0vcNlK6Nvi9Of349Rf1Tl7rt4eSYVIYnK1Ak81hWC_ccl-tG/s320/staunton_16_121417_woolworths.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Staunton Mall opened originally as Staunton Plaza, an open-air mall anchored on one end by Montgomery Ward, the other by JCPenney, and Woolworth's (now Peebles) on the back side in the center. The 68,000 square ft. Montgomery Ward was the first to open in September 1968 with the rest of the mall opening the following April. Wards previous location was at 110 Beverly St. in downtown where city hall currently stands. Safeway also opened a store on the front of the mall facing the parking lot and People's Drug took over another junior anchor spot between the main entrance and JCPenney with two entrances into the mall. JCPenney's arrival was timely and ironic since in January of the same year a tremendous fire had completely destroyed the downtown store located at 113 W. Beverly St that likely was about to close anyway. It was in all a lower-end mall with a very basic design, and these blue collar anchor stores meant that the mall would struggle to position itself over the long term.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sCmuQmCAK1iGmALGwaQfiJu6HY2zac282EVnz1JCVRZl8jemYd_Hc8BdmgXsPHpa6cUOD_mgDhMIdU9fabvqS_AvTPAPVgiift4dns21-3W3G25-vCfLuTudQ_t7jX1k7-uWjCEtz6uo/s1600/staunton_9_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sCmuQmCAK1iGmALGwaQfiJu6HY2zac282EVnz1JCVRZl8jemYd_Hc8BdmgXsPHpa6cUOD_mgDhMIdU9fabvqS_AvTPAPVgiift4dns21-3W3G25-vCfLuTudQ_t7jX1k7-uWjCEtz6uo/s320/staunton_9_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The first photo shows center court of Staunton Mall, which once featured a fountain in front of what is now Peebles on the right. The second photo shows the current Peebles from the front entrance corridor. Photo from July 23, 2013.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaxNyfD2iYk5ApP5qH9ranqzl6VdEqae_drh5NsAGaKgw-VfQCEy6B88-kZ5BKRPZIrS9JT288MudxPHpmW1UZohn3eeAjcq709qICquYmKiFs6b0Xp5jDjMJhZ3fi_HJQD9eN2YxRpAe/s1600/woolworth_072386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1239" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaxNyfD2iYk5ApP5qH9ranqzl6VdEqae_drh5NsAGaKgw-VfQCEy6B88-kZ5BKRPZIrS9JT288MudxPHpmW1UZohn3eeAjcq709qICquYmKiFs6b0Xp5jDjMJhZ3fi_HJQD9eN2YxRpAe/s320/woolworth_072386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Architectural drawing from the Staunton News-Leader shows the original design for the enclosed mall with the Woolworth sign in the background and a raised fountain with a statue of "Thinking Man". The fountain was unfortunately removed within a decade.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWfToFOT6gorRRHYK22i4Yw9fJqQ7zfi2qKKt1ZJ7wyx2XUC8hbkr0PhcP0a-CUxnQpUbMD-9Ws3Yrzy983gGWDBwzeBogTcBGLlmBeqR0G6QwvrBX3Oj4gA_VCM9anUYUb6TcpkyAZ_Y/s1600/mall_042369_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWfToFOT6gorRRHYK22i4Yw9fJqQ7zfi2qKKt1ZJ7wyx2XUC8hbkr0PhcP0a-CUxnQpUbMD-9Ws3Yrzy983gGWDBwzeBogTcBGLlmBeqR0G6QwvrBX3Oj4gA_VCM9anUYUb6TcpkyAZ_Y/s320/mall_042369_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1969 view of the mall looking toward Woolworth when it was still open-air from the Staunton News-Leader. Peoples Drugs is on the right. It had two mall entrances, the other near JCPenney.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahblHj4uyZmeUkCSkr_qaL8QB0CGokzhGIHVOSxhNVgAbdMYKUVk9fNdAgoi92PivXLeHxvTJ3ODJbWoofYRRfUIk1HwECcGuEBUV-vLXGYBqsN4_kHV-6ktXOknk34dTvNEPjvAhBp-f/s1600/staunton_8_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahblHj4uyZmeUkCSkr_qaL8QB0CGokzhGIHVOSxhNVgAbdMYKUVk9fNdAgoi92PivXLeHxvTJ3ODJbWoofYRRfUIk1HwECcGuEBUV-vLXGYBqsN4_kHV-6ktXOknk34dTvNEPjvAhBp-f/s320/staunton_8_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another view of center count looking south toward JCPenney.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6YuduQMkBWNmqiW37OdDIMqSkLJ7JYiggRar_M_6X-l3wfutX6yPSsxHrVvSYnmJFEMaAt4ep7lSGbkXad7b3MqMmE3dINutHE5e1Xzz7Cx6DbUzYfT9S7wVGspkhtK1gYCHtlU36E1f/s1600/staunton_10_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6YuduQMkBWNmqiW37OdDIMqSkLJ7JYiggRar_M_6X-l3wfutX6yPSsxHrVvSYnmJFEMaAt4ep7lSGbkXad7b3MqMmE3dINutHE5e1Xzz7Cx6DbUzYfT9S7wVGspkhtK1gYCHtlU36E1f/s320/staunton_10_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney mall entrance. When it was open-air, shoppers were greeted with the famous "Funky P".</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh080U_p3iXOuwRo22unbeFA1HvByH0_lmxgXpHSj8Nds13pZbeDHMPKOYhPXlRqLdhIcHeZa-hDqCCk7kVTNrD68DPHHmTOnDeHraMySZk63Kwk5y0B_c10LjKuF31uy1Oq8q7B3CyV4Wk/s1600/staunton_12_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh080U_p3iXOuwRo22unbeFA1HvByH0_lmxgXpHSj8Nds13pZbeDHMPKOYhPXlRqLdhIcHeZa-hDqCCk7kVTNrD68DPHHmTOnDeHraMySZk63Kwk5y0B_c10LjKuF31uy1Oq8q7B3CyV4Wk/s320/staunton_12_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This appears to have originally been the location of Jo-Ann Fabrics judging by the outside entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwglnJd6DnrJ5CfE_vH5hrsGGo-vQf5PRvzjm9d7f9jbGLA_H1mCGi9rTrchRGWBMgvyKcx2DBaZF2BZrCQvJQwGAxTYVDQeamcfoTAshHYq9n95fB-Og_2UXpfEb6XHn_447LLVy2G6Ym/s1600/staunton_9_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwglnJd6DnrJ5CfE_vH5hrsGGo-vQf5PRvzjm9d7f9jbGLA_H1mCGi9rTrchRGWBMgvyKcx2DBaZF2BZrCQvJQwGAxTYVDQeamcfoTAshHYq9n95fB-Og_2UXpfEb6XHn_447LLVy2G6Ym/s320/staunton_9_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Skylight detail over center court in front of Peebles.</span></div>
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A major issue that was damaging to the early mall was access, but these problems were apparently alleviated before the mall had further issues. At the time the mall opened, there was no direct access to the mall from I-81 forcing travelers to either exit onto US 11 nine miles south on I-81 or cut through on secondary roads from US 250 to reach the mall. This alone could have brought the mall to the brink of death within just a few years of opening. Another mall that famously faced this situation was 100 Oaks Mall in Nashville that actually shut down after a few years in the early 80's due to a lack of shoppers from a promised interstate exit not being built in time. Fortunately, VDOT came to the rescue and constructed a limited access spur just south of the mall in 1981. While it was proposed for part of a now-completed larger VA 262 by-pass, this short expressway meant a quick stop off of I-81 at the mall thus bringing weary travelers back to the mall. This helped increase the malls viability eventually leading to a major reworking of the mall to expand its appeal. VA 262 today forms a western beltway around the city as a "super two" on the SW leg, and the completion of the connector led to an explosion of businesses around the mall during the 80's and 90's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJGEUwXii-GM0TNHrRdMtEaCkbea1Dcq_7SFlX6eHiJFoP-q_mZGc3IeGc-aT7T2wXn3l9OlcueeoPJVq24bmK0PKBpv-MtLd7o9za9c6xGsm3Au2O79rdQWCKvxDjnKKyAXOLeKORFJO/s1600/staunton_10_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJGEUwXii-GM0TNHrRdMtEaCkbea1Dcq_7SFlX6eHiJFoP-q_mZGc3IeGc-aT7T2wXn3l9OlcueeoPJVq24bmK0PKBpv-MtLd7o9za9c6xGsm3Au2O79rdQWCKvxDjnKKyAXOLeKORFJO/s320/staunton_10_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the original front entrance corridor looking away from Peebles. Enclosing it seemed to narrow it a lot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6neaoSOdoOPljxY-PN8we5anqGsHpyeK8Twc0s_HfWB9oLMxiyy7Oc0omoVQEcvFhrZ_HV1h0thcnrRdVZ6vV-oQtaBpTxcyDIviP9H6SBln8Kn-dt9ar2dnWi9PDS2gWtQ5s65B5Pjm/s1600/staunton_13_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6neaoSOdoOPljxY-PN8we5anqGsHpyeK8Twc0s_HfWB9oLMxiyy7Oc0omoVQEcvFhrZ_HV1h0thcnrRdVZ6vV-oQtaBpTxcyDIviP9H6SBln8Kn-dt9ar2dnWi9PDS2gWtQ5s65B5Pjm/s320/staunton_13_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look at the mall from Peebles to JCPenney, and it looks to be doing a bit better. Maurice's is on the left and Bath & Body Works is on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIUaxxDGgY2Yb0Ycp_bTnG0oQz_QdeYuDL5nws9AlaUXDaCuAelxxy42yAnlHWRTCHKPYojw2t8zzGY7_hT-pYrQAYEilenjezWEfgyI-PO-LfwDT0X6LXF15vPcOwvOdJIjZVx2Hfsmc/s1600/staunton_15_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIUaxxDGgY2Yb0Ycp_bTnG0oQz_QdeYuDL5nws9AlaUXDaCuAelxxy42yAnlHWRTCHKPYojw2t8zzGY7_hT-pYrQAYEilenjezWEfgyI-PO-LfwDT0X6LXF15vPcOwvOdJIjZVx2Hfsmc/s320/staunton_15_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Potted plants outside of JCPenney clearly replacing what was originally trees down in those grates.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0DvsoZtLh5_B4UzIbk9PH9eNNY1WLZ5fB7t2YRxV7Vl443SdPctlwHwf2k0Dn7bTjFQ0arI0tpSVP8KGmMKY5Wo7ULo921HuCokGBsuYPi3nsvMsJ0K-IQ49LivvrHdLReJXFCvs97_T/s1600/staunton_17_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0DvsoZtLh5_B4UzIbk9PH9eNNY1WLZ5fB7t2YRxV7Vl443SdPctlwHwf2k0Dn7bTjFQ0arI0tpSVP8KGmMKY5Wo7ULo921HuCokGBsuYPi3nsvMsJ0K-IQ49LivvrHdLReJXFCvs97_T/s320/staunton_17_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">However, past Peebles heading to where Wards was, the mall begins to look a lot more dire.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_NcxCV4y4l7TgcwpB64txtqO-1nIelvi_dT3Aj0Qo3RE8H6Wh899S5q2Am8iq3HzndfT963m0uBo7-WDQtFBKeSPgSCfNfXkpsPqPp1IpyIR1scW97QgGxhRqpbgAaWzBGPDfgFQFkjN/s1600/staunton_19_12141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_NcxCV4y4l7TgcwpB64txtqO-1nIelvi_dT3Aj0Qo3RE8H6Wh899S5q2Am8iq3HzndfT963m0uBo7-WDQtFBKeSPgSCfNfXkpsPqPp1IpyIR1scW97QgGxhRqpbgAaWzBGPDfgFQFkjN/s320/staunton_19_12141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wards original mall entrance is on the right with the mall wrapping around to the left. Just like I'm turning this corner, I wish this mall could turn a corner back to viable. People must have really hated Staunton Mall for it to be this dead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXTdJ0_1nlwPcILPZKA2GMyg6x2uH6Ck1IMWR995qOvF6IzQ8OiIjD8nkr1a5oeoWVBgkVYG4nhv3pDgXjbEC04hujLztjgaF59O_mn4SchyphenhyphenRfOWYmaM8OlSMZsK4eI3TPOsbKGjrMdA6/s1600/staunton_6_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXTdJ0_1nlwPcILPZKA2GMyg6x2uH6Ck1IMWR995qOvF6IzQ8OiIjD8nkr1a5oeoWVBgkVYG4nhv3pDgXjbEC04hujLztjgaF59O_mn4SchyphenhyphenRfOWYmaM8OlSMZsK4eI3TPOsbKGjrMdA6/s320/staunton_6_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another view of the original Wards mall entrance with a greenhouse front vacant store next to it. It is unclear what it was, but originally it was the location of the ABC (state-run liquor) store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRkx2ADYg6pbdsG7wW7GDDLVaHgwz_pWzd4GmelQ5anh2hdguxIUF4Fb2uR5hjEo31mYIhaJJE2XclCSxOipWtvflYqx1f76txzBMskzuKTAmfWMqaIP1-Oa0-bRwVIjFFkqikgiEMbNN/s1600/staunton_7_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRkx2ADYg6pbdsG7wW7GDDLVaHgwz_pWzd4GmelQ5anh2hdguxIUF4Fb2uR5hjEo31mYIhaJJE2XclCSxOipWtvflYqx1f76txzBMskzuKTAmfWMqaIP1-Oa0-bRwVIjFFkqikgiEMbNN/s320/staunton_7_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXu5cUyK7bYzhU_bEx2DxFWnyTglwrIKIABKzpulfl9KQVHdsua1DG1l4avMal0wuJpPn72t7v87GuNbBTU_1BYLlLjw6Ke3TVd4_-Qv0au3IJj5udQgWMSZ78vgeUid33JLj2yip_UTR/s1600/staunton_30_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXu5cUyK7bYzhU_bEx2DxFWnyTglwrIKIABKzpulfl9KQVHdsua1DG1l4avMal0wuJpPn72t7v87GuNbBTU_1BYLlLjw6Ke3TVd4_-Qv0au3IJj5udQgWMSZ78vgeUid33JLj2yip_UTR/s320/staunton_30_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall's (mostly vacant) food court and theaters. The theaters should under new ownership be reopened by 2018.</span></div>
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In 1986, Staunton Mall not only was fully enclosed, but it was also given a huge addition. It is of note that the design of the mall looks in some ways much older than 1986, and this was likely due to the fact that construction was a complicated process that took place slowly meaning that many of the architectural details may have been designed earlier with some slight modifications done to give it a more updated appearance later on. Since Montgomery Ward was somewhat offset on the north side, the new wing was built so that it wrapped around the store to extend to a new Leggett store that opened in February 1987. However, this same modification destroyed Montgomery Ward's direct access to the front parking lot that it enjoyed for nearly two decades. In addition, the auto center had to relocate north of the mall. Dollar Tree has operated since 2002 in that location. However, this also resulted in Wards ultimately gaining two mall entrances while the mall gained significantly more space than its former configuration. A new off-ramp and a larger enclosed mall added about 20 years of life to the mall, but changes in the industry have been a challenge with smaller markets being hit the hardest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpc-Na_h3d55uAWEWoLYWMxs2va74QXwXj6bxm3N0H4Jyb6Ev9eekrY9PyADGp5R1rTTJ192WJFG7dd2I6kCJKp0QYSrDTJ2K9XxfahMZ6jF7q2xHDb-4rEG9l9UIFT1kwY3yZXj9hgC_/s1600/staunton_5_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpc-Na_h3d55uAWEWoLYWMxs2va74QXwXj6bxm3N0H4Jyb6Ev9eekrY9PyADGp5R1rTTJ192WJFG7dd2I6kCJKp0QYSrDTJ2K9XxfahMZ6jF7q2xHDb-4rEG9l9UIFT1kwY3yZXj9hgC_/s320/staunton_5_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This 2013 view shows a bit more greenery than the 2015 view below in the new part of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8XY1Ix_eiKbVZbBudrIcKhoUtkcnErjB-unODeOpE-ATUc0_P1UCXz0H_lYmgOlNfPy5tt2oqT6WMxVBZPJJoxm8IyukAhAVSxhbwtgIq-MC8fAn3Dv3OSXp3vA2fNGfnZEApUbQ27O7/s1600/staunton_4_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8XY1Ix_eiKbVZbBudrIcKhoUtkcnErjB-unODeOpE-ATUc0_P1UCXz0H_lYmgOlNfPy5tt2oqT6WMxVBZPJJoxm8IyukAhAVSxhbwtgIq-MC8fAn3Dv3OSXp3vA2fNGfnZEApUbQ27O7/s320/staunton_4_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On the left is the second Wards mall entrance from the new part. This used to be the original front outside entrance prior to 1986. The court area in front of Wards is significantly larger than in the old part. An outside entrance is to the right out of view.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh526jT43QwIafYxvWstvvc7HQsLATnDFU9ZhRKUrx_2DNokPk5y_fvKVHNOzmY3KJk3u4mJP5xVb_ZRn-I4Ia3lQsyjljH-aTTVBvnHrc76TbRzxXHLY52Mq1XEeDYrfh4rjn_bxew9RP4/s1600/outsidewards_092268_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh526jT43QwIafYxvWstvvc7HQsLATnDFU9ZhRKUrx_2DNokPk5y_fvKVHNOzmY3KJk3u4mJP5xVb_ZRn-I4Ia3lQsyjljH-aTTVBvnHrc76TbRzxXHLY52Mq1XEeDYrfh4rjn_bxew9RP4/s320/outsidewards_092268_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Before the mall was enclosed and expanded, this is what the same area looked like. Picture from Staunton News-Leader from 1968.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeYgnLa_O_gji-vi6QbN8qwyu9jjUok54PyiI8utQJlOUDgvW2GiHayFRK0djzL7ppn0MaZFVXGj4yw6N22gHNr4a2RvCkKFQsuMW8bu5Rpe_IZQ2RHVsm5mk80zjEo1ZeTpBPhzoO8K9/s1600/outsidewards_082986_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeYgnLa_O_gji-vi6QbN8qwyu9jjUok54PyiI8utQJlOUDgvW2GiHayFRK0djzL7ppn0MaZFVXGj4yw6N22gHNr4a2RvCkKFQsuMW8bu5Rpe_IZQ2RHVsm5mk80zjEo1ZeTpBPhzoO8K9/s320/outsidewards_082986_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1986 construction showing the entrance above transformed into the court below. Photo from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BkQCXT1UsfOfydla4sEFAc8T4nW84YcdTom7Muo2dspheXNrqDir4DTb_LCVNP378rLWCwYloSQ1xJKVqHsYTuGgzARK89Tr12zJQvLJqmkVDXrx-HvHNbG8mr1gDXya-2m6gafqFj6Y/s1600/staunton_1_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BkQCXT1UsfOfydla4sEFAc8T4nW84YcdTom7Muo2dspheXNrqDir4DTb_LCVNP378rLWCwYloSQ1xJKVqHsYTuGgzARK89Tr12zJQvLJqmkVDXrx-HvHNbG8mr1gDXya-2m6gafqFj6Y/s320/staunton_1_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTg9YkU7Fb1SV1vrymKccTaoHiyq2KvKE1XZ5ti1rr7BpxcO8dW39-lVhSvXgTbGK8nz414oqZL_bnKpiGlpwx3MWYbIxRg_GnjulQNWPuuel5EH4iGeiUSQfhlE-Xw565nX517404ZBY/s1600/staunton_4_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTg9YkU7Fb1SV1vrymKccTaoHiyq2KvKE1XZ5ti1rr7BpxcO8dW39-lVhSvXgTbGK8nz414oqZL_bnKpiGlpwx3MWYbIxRg_GnjulQNWPuuel5EH4iGeiUSQfhlE-Xw565nX517404ZBY/s320/staunton_4_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple shots taken two years apart leaving Belk. Photos from July 27, 2013 and June 20, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3wpSeKZfTgUO2Onbwj2I_2sMDOJ9WywUnzhvs7h5z14KI3DDN9vk1XrNHHrmQtuqg7re5aTAoYgMK-iAb6PsVIrF3uk-KIh2OI5Zwy_Z97XpcAhDP63Y3CTEgs68xgbzpj7HsZhaea-H/s1600/staunton_2_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3wpSeKZfTgUO2Onbwj2I_2sMDOJ9WywUnzhvs7h5z14KI3DDN9vk1XrNHHrmQtuqg7re5aTAoYgMK-iAb6PsVIrF3uk-KIh2OI5Zwy_Z97XpcAhDP63Y3CTEgs68xgbzpj7HsZhaea-H/s320/staunton_2_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One more view of the Wards court.</span></div>
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The first anchor change since the mall was enclosed was in 1982. This was when Safeway closed at the mall over union issues when the store was not able to compete with Food Town, the precursor to Food Lion. Since then, the former Safeway in the mall changed ownership a bunch of times. It was Sears Surplus for about a decade after, then Goody's took over in 1993. Goody's remained until Stage Stores bought them in 2009. After that, the old Safeway location became Gold's Gym then Staunton Health & Fitness. The result is that the original Safeway location has seen a very high amount of turnover and is currently vacant yet again. In addition, the unusually small size of the Montgomery Ward resulted in Wards becoming a concept store called "Focus Montgomery Ward" that involved four separate stores that excluded clothing and apparel. The "Focus" name was used for a period of time in the late 80's and early 90's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvPU8Jsx5pJsMME-AQuxyIw540mizXUiGw64I65ibytPnOGBTsoATU5AW8h4Vcx4M18PCBUWtHet-8oX5dCISUuDiVoC9vO-C3vIN1dXkfAz2TwBy6aK5L3-d13BLMXG4A62MN-zYKzsx/s1600/staunton_5_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvPU8Jsx5pJsMME-AQuxyIw540mizXUiGw64I65ibytPnOGBTsoATU5AW8h4Vcx4M18PCBUWtHet-8oX5dCISUuDiVoC9vO-C3vIN1dXkfAz2TwBy6aK5L3-d13BLMXG4A62MN-zYKzsx/s320/staunton_5_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHkXqQn8H9pNUO5VZYQznNNkq0D4lWbEASopPWVj-WwxrmIp44AwF0-EyA9cOLvTKJuBC4KkpYZ6WXuKbgNziLbOlWHRLM2VzaUTSdVwRTnoAmOqT3NEb5HI77c7wQ3BAdLOj6fDX94b7/s1600/staunton_16_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHkXqQn8H9pNUO5VZYQznNNkq0D4lWbEASopPWVj-WwxrmIp44AwF0-EyA9cOLvTKJuBC4KkpYZ6WXuKbgNziLbOlWHRLM2VzaUTSdVwRTnoAmOqT3NEb5HI77c7wQ3BAdLOj6fDX94b7/s320/staunton_16_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the same court looking toward Belk (former Leggett) in 2015 and 2013. The former Wards entrance is to the right. Vegetation helped.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_XlimE1IMbNGwdmpkwuUUd4h7KxVcrUPLOWanVaPlaDJ7lgCY2RRXqkF-EEWahZ-u-9og3gGl0lEZoFvGc9-yA37giaMKiewTILIKtLT-av7hVWZeJkEQhRhGfMdDlPvRcw5mJfZBpkR/s1600/staunton_21_12141_leggett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_XlimE1IMbNGwdmpkwuUUd4h7KxVcrUPLOWanVaPlaDJ7lgCY2RRXqkF-EEWahZ-u-9og3gGl0lEZoFvGc9-yA37giaMKiewTILIKtLT-av7hVWZeJkEQhRhGfMdDlPvRcw5mJfZBpkR/s320/staunton_21_12141_leggett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk mall entrance, originally Leggett. It was the last original anchor to open at the mall, opening in 1987. Can anyone identify the store to the left?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqpcSApi7kDIh5O5w02zpRoNxwN4oKO9yedDdDa_-nSH-owb5jhIr5OLiecU_1wcPJtJPtmFkoWqTszAEIRv8ZVezuCr0PeEJIjILabOIK5D5VIFVmkH_ZJzjpl504xTi9HssQDP3TrTE/s1600/staunton_12_121417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqpcSApi7kDIh5O5w02zpRoNxwN4oKO9yedDdDa_-nSH-owb5jhIr5OLiecU_1wcPJtJPtmFkoWqTszAEIRv8ZVezuCr0PeEJIjILabOIK5D5VIFVmkH_ZJzjpl504xTi9HssQDP3TrTE/s320/staunton_12_121417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall directory from 2015. MAJK was the Wards, and both mall entrances are clearly visible. Staunton Health & Ftiness is where Safeway, Sears Surplus, and Goody's previously were. Peebles is the old Woolworth and later Stone & Thomas. Despite how it looks, Wards was NOT downsized for the mall's expansion.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHOhfAdK7k7IHe026I214gaCDnj0NXmWi7QCDQjLLrUALb_XEMCf2Ftp3Fh0xUA_RKXdOq36MKg1hvl26fywraMiZaxaJyc0IWkWNIH0FMGAvCBLNlFEWhyFGqN_lN-EHuKM6tIfSPMhk/s1600/mall_directory_091568_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHOhfAdK7k7IHe026I214gaCDnj0NXmWi7QCDQjLLrUALb_XEMCf2Ftp3Fh0xUA_RKXdOq36MKg1hvl26fywraMiZaxaJyc0IWkWNIH0FMGAvCBLNlFEWhyFGqN_lN-EHuKM6tIfSPMhk/s320/mall_directory_091568_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Directory of the mall when it opened. Image from the Staunton News-Leader from 1969.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLuALj8MPfLPHOf_VLfDSQPro7PZoT6nADiQQweW6q3arf77XS0QjqDbEb5Tv-cXPVELYnCpbnYyqjUANOiwCOIWY-Y6MaegeAOkLdmItpKaNEFopD_mp88aoxaTyPwM1Snqr955RHmco/s1600/mall_111098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLuALj8MPfLPHOf_VLfDSQPro7PZoT6nADiQQweW6q3arf77XS0QjqDbEb5Tv-cXPVELYnCpbnYyqjUANOiwCOIWY-Y6MaegeAOkLdmItpKaNEFopD_mp88aoxaTyPwM1Snqr955RHmco/s320/mall_111098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Colonial was one of several owners, and they took ownership of the mall in 1998. This directory dates to 1998 after Stone & Thomas was sold off to Peebles. Their ownership marked the beginning of the mall's decline, but the closure of Wards in 2001 with no viable replacement did not help.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv5wMO52SPfisTE4s5gPY5maXXExH4HbaxJ9i_mLaP9zRBPdvjeW3zvOKOoEoXt8_lO5n3wAVDAVKqVneTGEejmOt-IsPpMg34k6atXBkd3jqBSiufDzXxiD4VnFLbVZGC45MxdR49Ecu/s1600/staunton_20_12141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv5wMO52SPfisTE4s5gPY5maXXExH4HbaxJ9i_mLaP9zRBPdvjeW3zvOKOoEoXt8_lO5n3wAVDAVKqVneTGEejmOt-IsPpMg34k6atXBkd3jqBSiufDzXxiD4VnFLbVZGC45MxdR49Ecu/s320/staunton_20_12141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wards court looking to the outside entrance. Not a lot is going on in this part of the mall.</span></div>
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This was not the only significant anchor change to the mall. After Woolworth went out of business, Stone & Thomas opened a store in the former location in 1997. This turned out to be a flash in the pan as Stone & Thomas was bought out the following year by Elder-Beerman. Elder-Beerman decided not to open any stores in Virginia and subsequently sold the store to Stage Stores opening the location under the Peebles name. The Stone & Thomas was the last location opened by the Wheeling, WV-based chain, and it was one of six stores sold to Peebles in lieu of Elder-Beerman (three others became Belk). Two changes happened simultaneously with the opening of Stone & Thomas. For one, the mall's fountain, added in 1986, was removed before Stone & Thomas opened. The second was the mall's food court was relocated next to the theaters. When Stage stores bought Goody's a few years later in 2009, Goody's location in the mall was immediately closed due to store overlap. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9n4rek8v7LM2klnSje-QNwj_6Ac1rWVoNT57dQBrzjXBvN_irfySwSGCaCP13vTzoPNqKbbjgiOsSk5JbIK7ZCNpQe6b_agbgI-ACB5vsnjrUE6Sx9jg41c-EuUgmg0MFWP2VjLWqHGr/s1600/staunton_22_12141_leggett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9n4rek8v7LM2klnSje-QNwj_6Ac1rWVoNT57dQBrzjXBvN_irfySwSGCaCP13vTzoPNqKbbjgiOsSk5JbIK7ZCNpQe6b_agbgI-ACB5vsnjrUE6Sx9jg41c-EuUgmg0MFWP2VjLWqHGr/s320/staunton_22_12141_leggett.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The black terraced facade in front of Belk, originally Leggett, is the epitome of post-modern. I am guessing this choice of design was literally a subtle hint that the store is a "shopping Mecca"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQQPuSj-wUzk1toATqxwL1XYDMEX_0Osa13xn2F22Syn8UJNBV2n_HBPvR86iTpavJQ2JFiCbiXzaRqgsE9HfSE_a5t1QVv2KqYNHoaIv_az9qXK60bTpmsbXTM4LSrjcRKBEr9hLq6cy/s1600/leggett_belkbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQQPuSj-wUzk1toATqxwL1XYDMEX_0Osa13xn2F22Syn8UJNBV2n_HBPvR86iTpavJQ2JFiCbiXzaRqgsE9HfSE_a5t1QVv2KqYNHoaIv_az9qXK60bTpmsbXTM4LSrjcRKBEr9hLq6cy/s320/leggett_belkbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo of the store as Leggett taken from "<i>Belk, A Century of Retail Leadership</i>" by Howard E. Covington, Jr.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0dFISZGG-pPUdiNbb1CHsdHb-e7SuU2E4ohQkfJ2mbSthxCADMjhJXDvELfKmG-BK23dYfBO_mm36IW5_WXqFkHIKg7nE-uCb3IzyhaDufgbm6QIOu4D_TlEAS06tGl6xf58E0LMndK0/s1600/belk_020997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0dFISZGG-pPUdiNbb1CHsdHb-e7SuU2E4ohQkfJ2mbSthxCADMjhJXDvELfKmG-BK23dYfBO_mm36IW5_WXqFkHIKg7nE-uCb3IzyhaDufgbm6QIOu4D_TlEAS06tGl6xf58E0LMndK0/s320/belk_020997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A Belk sign is being installed in place of the Leggett sign on the store front. 1997 photo from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmHANYYYPy_iaajTGixXmwJysKvaGT6FoBzhsCZEMOxQ_BCdgofnJGFgV0jzvXivjg032G6-loi36wM5l5auJ9yYajwSPORF4GiMg7aW1tuprOZeurPimKfcgjlaYu0gt1x-hkOuGz2zV/s1600/leggett_120785_downtown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmHANYYYPy_iaajTGixXmwJysKvaGT6FoBzhsCZEMOxQ_BCdgofnJGFgV0jzvXivjg032G6-loi36wM5l5auJ9yYajwSPORF4GiMg7aW1tuprOZeurPimKfcgjlaYu0gt1x-hkOuGz2zV/s320/leggett_120785_downtown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Leggett as it looked when it was still downtown. 1985 photo from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtHKqtc-aj8IlWwLumRrgeqckqAncsEKbppbMF2SUEESug6ob-AKIgC4RdKRYxKUfXvBhIKq7o8vSRHGWvBbFcMocyGKKz0f2DNg2OcixRlJi5_KCJzuCnr8zxhJuC24-2vcRQ5P1t4xX/s1600/staunton_23_12141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtHKqtc-aj8IlWwLumRrgeqckqAncsEKbppbMF2SUEESug6ob-AKIgC4RdKRYxKUfXvBhIKq7o8vSRHGWvBbFcMocyGKKz0f2DNg2OcixRlJi5_KCJzuCnr8zxhJuC24-2vcRQ5P1t4xX/s320/staunton_23_12141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeD_KvWCZXBHkGsotxTLgM9kZkNniYYh7qCWtkniapvCRh_MABV-dXjttUZDatlqqPrZPub5atELaULU_s1R1evbqqp6EKC6hmtmOlAPximDOkciZTQBPSPcGgX0jpQpkAjP0DlM4uVfx/s1600/staunton_22_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeD_KvWCZXBHkGsotxTLgM9kZkNniYYh7qCWtkniapvCRh_MABV-dXjttUZDatlqqPrZPub5atELaULU_s1R1evbqqp6EKC6hmtmOlAPximDOkciZTQBPSPcGgX0jpQpkAjP0DlM4uVfx/s320/staunton_22_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the main entrance taken in 2015 and 2013. You'd think some reference to it actually being a mall would be around the Peebles sign. JCPenney is on the right in both pics.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJCr5P0dxYBTB7uL88J498MKp78spK5gZ49Mf8sVihtrRrV9VzqBpRQiDS5S75yEMOnIasK2eZ7cmwBxrppwBJC61jGTfsLWHNkkoduEBOMv-GLJeeYYnOVf84MOQCmfQuqs-h4H-y5fC/s1600/staunton_21_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJCr5P0dxYBTB7uL88J498MKp78spK5gZ49Mf8sVihtrRrV9VzqBpRQiDS5S75yEMOnIasK2eZ7cmwBxrppwBJC61jGTfsLWHNkkoduEBOMv-GLJeeYYnOVf84MOQCmfQuqs-h4H-y5fC/s320/staunton_21_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This appears to be the former location of what was originally Safeway, then Sears Surplus, Goody's, Gold's Gym, and Staunton Health & Fitness. This pic from 2013 appears to have been taken between the time that Gold's Gym left and Staunton Health & Fitness arrived.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupM_jmbhNrDzEvV3tLSFJNRtzNpyKKlSk67I6b2KDYE-NiImS9_LLA1KQauzYRYH-9C7kNi35BAcwtBOgr8y7gWqcnAsTHDsrw6Oax4Rx_mITo-ZFDxe5zmPpUX4k13U_IYauMEZ-NxPS/s1600/safeway_042369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupM_jmbhNrDzEvV3tLSFJNRtzNpyKKlSk67I6b2KDYE-NiImS9_LLA1KQauzYRYH-9C7kNi35BAcwtBOgr8y7gWqcnAsTHDsrw6Oax4Rx_mITo-ZFDxe5zmPpUX4k13U_IYauMEZ-NxPS/s320/safeway_042369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">How it all looked when Safeway was still there. Photo from Staunton News-Leader from 1969.</span></div>
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After Stone & Thomas came and left, Montgomery Ward would close their store with the chain in 2001. Steve & Barry's University Sportswear took the former Wards spot from 2006-2009, but since then nothing permanent has used the former store. The mall directory showed it as "MAJK", but it is unclear what that means. In fact, the Wards location is periodically leased out for events indicating that MAJK referred to an event center. Despite all these anchor changes, JCPenney has been completely stable at the mall operating continuously in the same location from 1969 to present while Belk has continuously operated at their location from 1987 to present, previously under the Leggett name prior to 1997. Unfortunately, the shaky stability of the two largest anchors have not been enough to drive traffic into the increasingly quiet mall in between.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ENHRcrgkLJ0KaNWPZ0Cyu3cu3rzU5WZhrbEuC3XjYlSEIRiKC0EuDfCyBiqDU7_hW_Iiw1tShQA0U1VHCrrIqN6uwtTmspCzTgUwBZNLwqXkNpa9W1anL4wjFGOTZEYXvbgLdVYEH8ua/s1600/staunton_27_12141_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ENHRcrgkLJ0KaNWPZ0Cyu3cu3rzU5WZhrbEuC3XjYlSEIRiKC0EuDfCyBiqDU7_hW_Iiw1tShQA0U1VHCrrIqN6uwtTmspCzTgUwBZNLwqXkNpa9W1anL4wjFGOTZEYXvbgLdVYEH8ua/s320/staunton_27_12141_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney with an unlikely capture of a rainbow behind the store. The rainbow visible in this photo was ironic since this was precisely the day that the U.S. supreme court passed gay marriage into law. Photo from June 20, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen9FKb-yiKaV-zcuZE5atESlzuxJzRiTTjm9bJGWXm4vxYjQBV0PADSmzhfx2rPlpAKHJkaJdqECx3GTOWHamqjLwaWxHIXUb8pmdeIrB4kFheUGKT0bjhV6nl3L5QrkP9uopYLIkudux/s1600/penneys_041369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="1600" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen9FKb-yiKaV-zcuZE5atESlzuxJzRiTTjm9bJGWXm4vxYjQBV0PADSmzhfx2rPlpAKHJkaJdqECx3GTOWHamqjLwaWxHIXUb8pmdeIrB4kFheUGKT0bjhV6nl3L5QrkP9uopYLIkudux/s320/penneys_041369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmG3FWQj1bxziEDy6nR3_kYCdwxn6UsxgDlyzsIRKHim4i0BN5BLaORhyasAkEcFnE5D2Xc7T3piPUKl7Qh7ERMvhvPCajOVEY9ZjSdLhCnH7NM7CA-hfRDI_CrZxrX6gZJXqYQ3jqRum/s1600/penneys_041369_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmG3FWQj1bxziEDy6nR3_kYCdwxn6UsxgDlyzsIRKHim4i0BN5BLaORhyasAkEcFnE5D2Xc7T3piPUKl7Qh7ERMvhvPCajOVEY9ZjSdLhCnH7NM7CA-hfRDI_CrZxrX6gZJXqYQ3jqRum/s320/penneys_041369_2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This store also once sported the beloved "Funky P". 1969 images from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBXbT5Q7WPCu5ka1asADtd4h2aonZOPB_9YdZ0UUF7xZht0Io2hSSEX-hspOYHGXfJmtkUfsdN3ccNU1oHiX2PsHRzuaMnjtsjnqOpDVhXc8TbtZHSUBnTWmuROCVizOsJqtzKtusbQu2/s1600/staunton_27_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBXbT5Q7WPCu5ka1asADtd4h2aonZOPB_9YdZ0UUF7xZht0Io2hSSEX-hspOYHGXfJmtkUfsdN3ccNU1oHiX2PsHRzuaMnjtsjnqOpDVhXc8TbtZHSUBnTWmuROCVizOsJqtzKtusbQu2/s320/staunton_27_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Despite the high part in the front, the majority of the store is a simple one-level store. The small upper level is most likely used for storage or offices if it even actually exists. This view is from the back side of the store.</span></div>
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Since 2010, the mall's vacancies are bringing the mall to crisis levels. It is currently at only 30% occupancy, usually a tipping point for enclosed malls. What few chain stores remain are located primarily in the corridor between JCPenney and Peebles, and this was worsened when CVS, which replaced Peeble's, relocated off-mall. However, none of these remaining anchor stores have given any indication of leaving, or at least we hope. If JCPenney and Belk are on leases, it is likely that JCPenney's lease ends in 2019 and Belk may be on an extended lease if it otherwise expired this year. Belk is finding itself anchoring quite a few dead malls as of late, so it will be interesting to see what happens to those stores. Overall, the mall itself is a case where the anchors appear to be outlasting the mall itself. So what should they do? Obviously action is needed to keep the anchors anchored, and a clear redevelopment plan might make them renew. It is always possible that through some very creative marketing, favorable lease terms and a refresh of the mall's interior some stores might come back, but that is a tougher sell in the current retail bankruptcy chaos. While it might buy time for the mall, it is not a renaissance if the interior stores are mostly low volume local shops and services. In this case, quality is much more important than quantity. The predictable solution is, of course, not a very exciting one: demolish the interior mall between Belk and JCPenney and reconfigure it into a large strip center with all three anchors worked into the new strip center. However, the next paragraph will detail some far more creative solutions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo66aTxl3V7Vh8Y4lWuvqcdzky66k__-IfEHwFRla02G5HSyV0fKi3dCrVYhGofHJqh9VSCGtNaytr1QawGHXUWdqtqfVN15HhgzPW-kROBH4GFzwrY_SslMAq8bQrHKjH_MFeB70aMHO/s1600/staunton_28_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo66aTxl3V7Vh8Y4lWuvqcdzky66k__-IfEHwFRla02G5HSyV0fKi3dCrVYhGofHJqh9VSCGtNaytr1QawGHXUWdqtqfVN15HhgzPW-kROBH4GFzwrY_SslMAq8bQrHKjH_MFeB70aMHO/s320/staunton_28_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG77OkJUSWktNtXlrOWczBZjttlLsu7BmNDWONnZNiqOw9xcCFeQ_wiWGvnSuT9XVP8tlHS_Hznj8ogYUcS0WyipYmBeK-9nAXweCHeCN0bfu79jMPi13a4tNvluC-OU4GGh6_JYLL9qjB/s1600/staunton_22_101312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG77OkJUSWktNtXlrOWczBZjttlLsu7BmNDWONnZNiqOw9xcCFeQ_wiWGvnSuT9XVP8tlHS_Hznj8ogYUcS0WyipYmBeK-9nAXweCHeCN0bfu79jMPi13a4tNvluC-OU4GGh6_JYLL9qjB/s320/staunton_22_101312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Woolworth store on the outside was obviously never anything fancy, and no succession of owners through Stone & Thomas or Peebles led to a cent spent in upgrading the exterior. Apparently this store has never had very high margins thus was never worth the cost of making fancier. Plus, most people never see the outside of the store since it is on the back of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hXVfzoZ__KEI0emoB7yXr9GgMttMKZtU_m_IJkNpbPrWDsYy9zGiRrpJ6n9mbheHvTYM_49pJfr-_M575toXIKAd83fNeIjEXb5F9j_HPjKwt5hPhfKPC3uldq5oNSBu5WIQVfD52-B8/s1600/staunton_31_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hXVfzoZ__KEI0emoB7yXr9GgMttMKZtU_m_IJkNpbPrWDsYy9zGiRrpJ6n9mbheHvTYM_49pJfr-_M575toXIKAd83fNeIjEXb5F9j_HPjKwt5hPhfKPC3uldq5oNSBu5WIQVfD52-B8/s320/staunton_31_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-51XwQ0mm_IVz9mEaZMhFhPqdeVPMu2NrVgpq4Bf0drjflRx7ypZTJFkPd9LChD19TKD4zDut9jbv_EzXxoJWBZB3M4BP_hgLxs4hkXyvJDugzkzQar9_pphW0BxuBKT1H-79FW06N9Yq/s1600/staunton_32_072713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-51XwQ0mm_IVz9mEaZMhFhPqdeVPMu2NrVgpq4Bf0drjflRx7ypZTJFkPd9LChD19TKD4zDut9jbv_EzXxoJWBZB3M4BP_hgLxs4hkXyvJDugzkzQar9_pphW0BxuBKT1H-79FW06N9Yq/s320/staunton_32_072713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">At first glance, you'd wonder why Wards could look so plain as an anchor, but the fact is that when the mall covered up its front entrance, it too would not see any exterior modifications. With two mall entrances geared to the front of the mall in a chain that was already on the downswing by the time the mall was enclosed, why bother?</span></div>
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The primary issue with Staunton Mall appears to be more that chain stores do not see any value in locating in a 70% vacant mall that has not seen any substantial renovated in over 30 years: a situation that will be extremely difficult to fix. One thing that definitely hurt the mall was the construction of Waynesboro Town Center closer to I-64. While just a regular strip, it is more centrally located and has stores that should have opened in the mall such as Target, Kohl's, Ross and Hibbett Sports. Undoubtedly, if the mall was turned into a strip, it would probably be far more successful. Perhaps Publix or Wegman's should be brought in to anchor the new strip to create a bigger regional draw.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf4yodRRNtzT8BsTMbvErkduwervVrzTY4E6UF6Bm0I1HpN-XObMUUXImT2ojVHh0Nhz9FGgUcg50l6avvXJBKyiwdLZui533jVz5lEYAvRfwd7Wm91M0eHSeVDiRs_VlyYljCkiAIL8t/s1600/wards_ad_092268_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1499" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf4yodRRNtzT8BsTMbvErkduwervVrzTY4E6UF6Bm0I1HpN-XObMUUXImT2ojVHh0Nhz9FGgUcg50l6avvXJBKyiwdLZui533jVz5lEYAvRfwd7Wm91M0eHSeVDiRs_VlyYljCkiAIL8t/s320/wards_ad_092268_1.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEk6hr49bGrOBjnYYx-luPXToBvy7rJ00k6zy3e_nHtKvnAGJ2SKMqsFjVAXS1_Dl-_XP1R1wENWOT1CSMxP6swsnhBVPJxL35BrDJw8kWO-aCctg_rR7V7SGr2TJMXpeMBR_Sy5PLrJIt/s1600/wards_ad_092268_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1457" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEk6hr49bGrOBjnYYx-luPXToBvy7rJ00k6zy3e_nHtKvnAGJ2SKMqsFjVAXS1_Dl-_XP1R1wENWOT1CSMxP6swsnhBVPJxL35BrDJw8kWO-aCctg_rR7V7SGr2TJMXpeMBR_Sy5PLrJIt/s320/wards_ad_092268_2.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The shell that Wards is today was once a cause for real excitement. It was replacing a downtown store with a modern, larger store with plenty of free parking!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwanSfBWRKz6hBhobD7dYy65fxuwc7M-AgvRjHDd77jSNzsE_XGeLDUWf6n6qqPGcasSOx6RdtjvIwwSNXoR08AMMp5tne2CMiv1_Miz7dXK4EQOVsnLXt504bB65SvmN1Q9KACdNLntgr/s1600/wardsautocenter_070568_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwanSfBWRKz6hBhobD7dYy65fxuwc7M-AgvRjHDd77jSNzsE_XGeLDUWf6n6qqPGcasSOx6RdtjvIwwSNXoR08AMMp5tne2CMiv1_Miz7dXK4EQOVsnLXt504bB65SvmN1Q9KACdNLntgr/s320/wardsautocenter_070568_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The kind of thing that would have caused more of a stir today. A Montgomery Wards auto center was under construction, something went wrong, and they tore it completely down! The auto center was ultimately rebuilt, the building was later demolished again: most likely in 1986 when the mall was expanded. Photos from Staunton News-Leader, 1968.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z3W3u6itBy1LgQrzal6PVidT_5-ZS4XWehOxDr_soNlI8myX66Nudzc2rMr71PzQR14wOG6Exp4afxR4VRp-d1FNC4pL0rnrw4ImSN12sEIuuTMgGn6JyBgIOUWNhhmkZh9Xc_LsG3EV/s1600/insidewards_092268_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Z3W3u6itBy1LgQrzal6PVidT_5-ZS4XWehOxDr_soNlI8myX66Nudzc2rMr71PzQR14wOG6Exp4afxR4VRp-d1FNC4pL0rnrw4ImSN12sEIuuTMgGn6JyBgIOUWNhhmkZh9Xc_LsG3EV/s320/insidewards_092268_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kEBB1HsQAp4n-fYJEsF-Zz_aXH3ZjGRnnpzwLk7XfWQlLAkwPc1B4IZqWifBwrzm8jZ81p0Kiq1XLXj01AKRHvpZXtRf7YjYpIcdAuVdwZQmUBgBzdJeWEsLC4FYwKj6Z0i29HMGR8yW/s1600/insidewards_092268_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kEBB1HsQAp4n-fYJEsF-Zz_aXH3ZjGRnnpzwLk7XfWQlLAkwPc1B4IZqWifBwrzm8jZ81p0Kiq1XLXj01AKRHvpZXtRf7YjYpIcdAuVdwZQmUBgBzdJeWEsLC4FYwKj6Z0i29HMGR8yW/s320/insidewards_092268_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXOk0QvRgzLbxWzjFKPzW-HHv5WJTI6Z084hItFiXWTtoK8_m6xchI37bLEg22txxOGmrJZ_IFu7i_gP_f6m1yODtD8E0G1P0kEV53yZ7Ofy95hLAUE4np3pVQNws11pMOavz8K9HhC4Y/s1600/insidewards_092268_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXOk0QvRgzLbxWzjFKPzW-HHv5WJTI6Z084hItFiXWTtoK8_m6xchI37bLEg22txxOGmrJZ_IFu7i_gP_f6m1yODtD8E0G1P0kEV53yZ7Ofy95hLAUE4np3pVQNws11pMOavz8K9HhC4Y/s320/insidewards_092268_3.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple shots inside Wards. While not quite as fabulous as Dixie Square, it was certainly a cause for celebration. The inside of the store still has the same lights, but the flooring was covered with wood for Steve & Barry's University Sportswear. 1968 photos from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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Obviously another (unfortunate) possibility is that Hull Property Group finds the mall and guts it with their painfully generic, bland remodels in an attempt to attract stores, but their track record is not particularly successful in breathing life back into dying malls. Failures such as Parkwood Mall in Wilson, NC and Macon Mall in Macon, GA show that covering up empty stores with fresh paint, historical photos, new lighting, and neutral colors is not always going to change the mall's fortunes. Fortunately, the current management is committed to doing as much as they can. In October 2017, it was announced that the <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2017/10/05/new-movie-theater-coming-staunton-mall/736168001/">mall's theaters would be updated and reopen</a>: clear evidence that at least one Virginia mountain city actually is underserved by retail and entertainment options. This comes, however, on the heels of <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2017/10/30/mall-losing-two-big-tenants/812661001/">Staunton Health & Fitness leaving the mall</a> the same month. Is the mall cancelling leases with some secret plan?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrqgjEh3R7UV_k0wYnpwPEs3chDhkWUCiMfh7Lg8RLhDdlt89QhSV4i7iUdHDER9eoB92rxGQRGscpDGwX-R4VMZHPW0Ey6fKRKSgCU4WKf5sZiCvblcuDUt13Bd5PPcAUBo_SbuH2Jb0/s1600/mall_ad_042369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrqgjEh3R7UV_k0wYnpwPEs3chDhkWUCiMfh7Lg8RLhDdlt89QhSV4i7iUdHDER9eoB92rxGQRGscpDGwX-R4VMZHPW0Ey6fKRKSgCU4WKf5sZiCvblcuDUt13Bd5PPcAUBo_SbuH2Jb0/s320/mall_ad_042369.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtC0HsfXZVPf6QZYxQAAxIDxrBFCge2eUOXt-gXLypnItvyZ0MLltzsrmxJz7GEUbEy3uUuFa9Kp_qXymCBYK4nXs4KXCIenXPiDne8NWRTH6gMkLOO3Bn9RQW9ExFrOfHDNyiA8OB3Wg/s1600/mall_ad_042369_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtC0HsfXZVPf6QZYxQAAxIDxrBFCge2eUOXt-gXLypnItvyZ0MLltzsrmxJz7GEUbEy3uUuFa9Kp_qXymCBYK4nXs4KXCIenXPiDne8NWRTH6gMkLOO3Bn9RQW9ExFrOfHDNyiA8OB3Wg/s320/mall_ad_042369_2.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Grand opening flyer for the mall. Note that interstate access from I-81 is not shown here with travelers told to take Rt. 644/Frontier Drive from the interstate. Today, getting to the mall is less complicated to reach via VA 262. 1969 image from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFT4gNoVxXI53q5iK0XR_-V9weZctrxbkpwcrPRylnqULOgZMggGoZxO3l6FvGExFK-TJBt1GXaxpT2KZMO59rLQmxbQEXeh2-2GsX67nv70yLKBV5BQ4l7KE5HHsKn_ZmGPK8IljOv09/s1600/mall_directory_091568_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1295" data-original-width="1362" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFT4gNoVxXI53q5iK0XR_-V9weZctrxbkpwcrPRylnqULOgZMggGoZxO3l6FvGExFK-TJBt1GXaxpT2KZMO59rLQmxbQEXeh2-2GsX67nv70yLKBV5BQ4l7KE5HHsKn_ZmGPK8IljOv09/s320/mall_directory_091568_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A list of the mall's original tenants. Of special note is Bell Clothes that appears to be the same store still operating today in the downtown mall in Winchester. 1969 image from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBMtEd1sotnvhu7k3dLR_sKl2QwfPyU15vzOieBX4HTsnFVeecQ6IFo_F8uzxGMvDg3IOj2Fq5OlN7b_SohsAqUOboh3etlLCHOIa8jjvO1deHeduOcbXj39QDuU5XrjiUERsnJWBsaXu/s1600/mall_drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBMtEd1sotnvhu7k3dLR_sKl2QwfPyU15vzOieBX4HTsnFVeecQ6IFo_F8uzxGMvDg3IOj2Fq5OlN7b_SohsAqUOboh3etlLCHOIa8jjvO1deHeduOcbXj39QDuU5XrjiUERsnJWBsaXu/s320/mall_drawing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnPVr7W-LIj2uQX7vESMw5ZNdXxedSMgdk1KYktHZppOglTpaq88gZd4N6oljH2NLvH0mIA1EXRHJehVeO93SNXGd9z-JS5UH2jrqQ187Gw0yO_6BpCQhUBbFh2JkzHvMkeuKVBGvYC4N/s1600/mall_042369_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnPVr7W-LIj2uQX7vESMw5ZNdXxedSMgdk1KYktHZppOglTpaq88gZd4N6oljH2NLvH0mIA1EXRHJehVeO93SNXGd9z-JS5UH2jrqQ187Gw0yO_6BpCQhUBbFh2JkzHvMkeuKVBGvYC4N/s320/mall_042369_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Architectural drawing vs. aerial image of Staunton Plaza. Note the Penney's and Wards auto centers. Red Lobster currently occupies the old JCPenney auto center and the Wards auto center was demolished in 1986 with the expansion of the mall. <span style="text-align: center;">1969 image from Staunton News-Leader.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifg4NfBfSk5sVhVeti08G6ZWVcSqX9tcLaLEmBJizMrnrVgvIDO9bluDe8uNewa9DwgjLM4j8lOaZyFBFlmKR2Ofz9RnTO5IotZ24FOpB2Uhf672vJqWVovRGAm1mo8TWlBCLo49FM3FF/s1600/peoples_042469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifg4NfBfSk5sVhVeti08G6ZWVcSqX9tcLaLEmBJizMrnrVgvIDO9bluDe8uNewa9DwgjLM4j8lOaZyFBFlmKR2Ofz9RnTO5IotZ24FOpB2Uhf672vJqWVovRGAm1mo8TWlBCLo49FM3FF/s320/peoples_042469.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Grand opening at Staunton Plaza coupled with the iconic Peoples Drugs sign in the background. 1969 image from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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In all, it is just another case of a mall that has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be rethought. Like an old interstate bridge that took a beating from years of traffic, the mall is no longer serving the needs of the surrounding region and just needs to be rebuilt. The need is obviously still there for a regional shopping center, and anything they do to seriously update it will likely be successful. With enough creativity they might even save the mall just by shrinking the footprint back to the original mall, taking the roof back off, and rethinking the 1986 addition between the old Wards and Belk. Perhaps with better visibility, a junior anchor would be more interested in the old Wards space. Where the 1986 addition currently is, a new strip/lifestyle portion could be constructed with a myriad of options, including the forementioned Publix or Wegman's. If it were my mall, I'd basically turn the old part of the mall into a beautiful open-air courtyard with plant, fountains, and covered walkways with a distinctively Colonial aesthetic somewhat like <a href="http://properties.theshoppingcentergroup.com/property/output/center/detail/id:3462/#photos">The Shoppes at Main & Maple</a> in Purcellville. Belk would also be remodeled with a Colonial motif as compared to the current rather ugly store. Peebles could also move within the center or trade spaces such as taking over the current T.J. Maxx across the way with T.J. Maxx moving into the mall. The new mall would be best if it could also be shaped like a cross by cutting through the existing Peebles to provide easy access to the courtyard without having to cut an actual street through it. Shopping centers such as Bridge Street Town Center in Huntsville and the numerous open-air outlet malls show that an actual open-air mall is definitely not a dead concept.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F562Clt7TqhHZOjOyePNUO09oHuEv7_jtRRJn8ji_zWZQcuEH74VOppAeqzr5QNlxZsxzhKTukfpAisLi7qjmwnSCB3cICI9s-fAlaO4cqqqpMbXpRyaDH7VluDHOWKRR_tMeJF7VOZr/s1600/peoples_042369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F562Clt7TqhHZOjOyePNUO09oHuEv7_jtRRJn8ji_zWZQcuEH74VOppAeqzr5QNlxZsxzhKTukfpAisLi7qjmwnSCB3cICI9s-fAlaO4cqqqpMbXpRyaDH7VluDHOWKRR_tMeJF7VOZr/s320/peoples_042369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mFdmcOQ-9FAKFy3-FDFRreyf03vrFOMrr5httHHkpFDUqmJHUI9oCQ6Q9W9Zjg6o6KmyijYiJCVYbH_WRIVs3C49qIt-CEfKAioejhuks_0Yh9fxUkFDl3zHrBCqCDCe0_99R2Mlh58X/s1600/peoples_050588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mFdmcOQ-9FAKFy3-FDFRreyf03vrFOMrr5httHHkpFDUqmJHUI9oCQ6Q9W9Zjg6o6KmyijYiJCVYbH_WRIVs3C49qIt-CEfKAioejhuks_0Yh9fxUkFDl3zHrBCqCDCe0_99R2Mlh58X/s320/peoples_050588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peoples Drug was once as common as Wal-Mart in Virginia, so these ads are likely to be quite nostalgic for those who long for the days when regional drug stores were the norm. Ads are from the Staunton News-Leader from 1969 and 1988.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUpBE0k85l3-t1WE5ZCYDuiSWbP5sF3mky4rcKDKy2cFe6AhlHHKZ7-f3K-hCf1ZwDAg8CZjblyyYc4YaFTbQ85lHurgzfAov6P0m5qwd9ucSBdvlm5wyy5tLHRDCAJHfXLhM71jRekNx/s1600/mall_052286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUpBE0k85l3-t1WE5ZCYDuiSWbP5sF3mky4rcKDKy2cFe6AhlHHKZ7-f3K-hCf1ZwDAg8CZjblyyYc4YaFTbQ85lHurgzfAov6P0m5qwd9ucSBdvlm5wyy5tLHRDCAJHfXLhM71jRekNx/s320/mall_052286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Reconstruction of the mall underway. 1986 photo from Staunton News-Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbYz0yVrowD6v76kvqOnu1-cPKe0WT6rf6LisdMZklHym2NtroRhRDHuk5zW2eyNbxzmvghikkKgYB2EidUXk_j6Kj0o3BAGa8q3fu426ZZJ5bqCoy821rxb3HHgbL_2cwGCldkydKOdz/s1600/mall_120685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1186" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbYz0yVrowD6v76kvqOnu1-cPKe0WT6rf6LisdMZklHym2NtroRhRDHuk5zW2eyNbxzmvghikkKgYB2EidUXk_j6Kj0o3BAGa8q3fu426ZZJ5bqCoy821rxb3HHgbL_2cwGCldkydKOdz/s320/mall_120685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">If those doesn't make you want to enter those doors, you're probably not a retail geek. 1987 photo from Staunton-News Leader.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxxzIij-gecbETjZIePkepM2nVK0a-Xr5_V29QSu9OyjIXJIg4OVrLZv_KfDBhIyTudLxMboKnl1Jga4Q7ChEgFePP9MCI6DUZJQb5z9-ya_JLbYjP27k2PGNF2uR6VRkQKsinAR9xHPt/s1600/mall_072088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="968" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxxzIij-gecbETjZIePkepM2nVK0a-Xr5_V29QSu9OyjIXJIg4OVrLZv_KfDBhIyTudLxMboKnl1Jga4Q7ChEgFePP9MCI6DUZJQb5z9-ya_JLbYjP27k2PGNF2uR6VRkQKsinAR9xHPt/s320/mall_072088.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAAxE5UUZZyouxh8gOp_ZveHhUWx4cuKKOIR9h2rcDw0dzsbrYyOP4lfhTEkOWLeYZJkcYiNTbzj0kS3FsZ_hNsj6DbiACDJFhnmdNnzmzf9Gpzzipn6jsfwGkRTkSvmj4W-tK3sSVLM-/s1600/mall_directory_050588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAAxE5UUZZyouxh8gOp_ZveHhUWx4cuKKOIR9h2rcDw0dzsbrYyOP4lfhTEkOWLeYZJkcYiNTbzj0kS3FsZ_hNsj6DbiACDJFhnmdNnzmzf9Gpzzipn6jsfwGkRTkSvmj4W-tK3sSVLM-/s320/mall_directory_050588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">These directories from 1988 definitely indicate that the mall has always had trouble attracting national stores although it was clearly at its peak at this point. However, many local shops were replaced by chains such as Matthews Hallmark replacing Duet Cards & Gifts. This is probably the root of why the mall is struggling today. Original tenants that were still in the mall by then include Boyd's Hairdressers and Peoples Drug. Piece Goods replaced Jo-Ann Fabrics and Country Cookin' (still semi-common in Virginia) replaced Kenney's Family Restaurant. (Staunton News-Leader)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9h91Kt57CKMJIH-SaLOhVIThvgeNyzkqp_1h_qZvgd9uFt1Exiu4ThX8IMoGw8MyDmEZ3Vjcp2F_m5jH9CcLW5LnDKt19-LSjz64kmbuIbpbOHVts36h73REuwcGoSQE1rbYpDCRRDxV/s1600/mall_122896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1208" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9h91Kt57CKMJIH-SaLOhVIThvgeNyzkqp_1h_qZvgd9uFt1Exiu4ThX8IMoGw8MyDmEZ3Vjcp2F_m5jH9CcLW5LnDKt19-LSjz64kmbuIbpbOHVts36h73REuwcGoSQE1rbYpDCRRDxV/s320/mall_122896.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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1996 ad for the mall from Staunton-News Leader. With Leggett's, JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, and Stone & Thomas, it probably DID feel like it just keeps getting better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWMjZT3IPZAiLqpkwX4Lr3NhTjDF4Px1HQZYfXOHqGvIF53K0PwiPRckEvI5kt3zRFV-X8bXkaU9A-j076Uw34BGFOUIq-YwKXOUxiLeFD6ZoeU_u9DO3X3b2yUlOsX0mBr58BIPTyGu-/s1600/stoneandthomas_041597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="954" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWMjZT3IPZAiLqpkwX4Lr3NhTjDF4Px1HQZYfXOHqGvIF53K0PwiPRckEvI5kt3zRFV-X8bXkaU9A-j076Uw34BGFOUIq-YwKXOUxiLeFD6ZoeU_u9DO3X3b2yUlOsX0mBr58BIPTyGu-/s320/stoneandthomas_041597.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Last but not least was this ad for Stone & Thomas, a Wheeling, WV based department store that opened their very last location at the mall in 1997. It was one of six locations sold to Peebles instead of Elder-Beerman in the following year.</span></div>
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Overall Staunton Mall is at a crossroads...will it sputter into full dead mall territory or find a way to revive? Unlike other troubled malls, it should not be in the shape it currently is in. The market is there, and the reopening of the closed theater proves that it can survive. For that reason, there is still time to save it. However, for that to work the mall portion does not need to be as big as it currently is. Perhaps if nothing else, a real investment might take place that could update the mall just enough to attract tenants as-is. Maybe even an outlet mall might not be out of the question. There are still many stores that do not have locations in the market, and they might consider locating there if the property was made more attractive. If they do so, the best efforts should involve attracting junior anchors typically found in power centers such as Best Buy, T.J. Maxx, Home Goods, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dicks Sporting Goods, Field & Stream, etc. Creatively configuring them into the mall space would help create a badly needed hybrid of mall and power center. While there are many malls these days that have no hope of being revived, perhaps Staunton Mall can get the third chance that it deserves.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-32759310720793882202017-12-06T07:53:00.000-08:002017-12-06T07:53:16.691-08:00Plymouth Meeting Mall: Plymouth Meeting, PAOne of the earliest and most overlooked enclosed malls in the Philadelphia market is Plymouth Meeting Mall, a spacious two-level mall opened by the Rouse Company in 1966 that, like many other malls in the region, is overshadowed by the mighty King of Prussia. Originally anchored by Strawbridge & Clothier and Lit Brothers, the mall was designed by famed mall architect Victor Gruen, and it is shown in a circulated postcard with its signature fountain in front of Strawbridge's that remains to this day. It was also once a dominant player in the market before multiple expansions of King of Prussia Mall began hurting business. Because of that, this classy mall has unfortunately been affected by the highly competitive and overbuilt retail environment across the Keystone state that has taken no prisoners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqcvpGXzuGiELcJIvOGxQPpDwPBKNYBfghsw8OIuy56o14ElGqTf3H37efTnGvgR1qsrzqSWfAHrRiWkMFmLQ55z2h6Fsrol3D6VtEphRiQsSnvXaMrmzZ_9Ca7V56y8UlZxhWS1txTer/s1600/plymouthmeeting_5_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqcvpGXzuGiELcJIvOGxQPpDwPBKNYBfghsw8OIuy56o14ElGqTf3H37efTnGvgR1qsrzqSWfAHrRiWkMFmLQ55z2h6Fsrol3D6VtEphRiQsSnvXaMrmzZ_9Ca7V56y8UlZxhWS1txTer/s320/plymouthmeeting_5_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Plymouth Meeting Mall was one of several Rouse-built malls in the Philadelphia market including Exton Square Mall located 23 miles to the west, The Gallery at Market East in Center City and three malls on the New Jersey side. Rouse, formerly headquartered in Columbia, MD, was very active in the Mid-Atlantic region and was famous for building some of the largest and first enclosed malls. The mall has been a laboratory for innovation for a traditional enclosed mall, but today its biggest challenge will be reinventing itself since the market dealt it a crushing blow with the loss of its oldest and most prominent anchor tenant. Despite being a two level mall that has lasted over 50 years, it was never a true regional mall. It never had anchors like Sears or JCPenney and it never expanded beyond two anchors. In most other cities, this mall would have failed by the 1990's due to these factors alone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXtZMpVi7H53ILB7WvquTJG-JNXbgbhTA88BXGv7sgvlhNasUXoipJrPdEoJqGUJG6SrkK8jNGtSGhMpL4EKid3A6QKTEmtjeC-VE2-mj9gLhn3zexqYs13DAGe5CpD6D4jb7v3sRQiWV/s1600/plymouthmeeting_7_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXtZMpVi7H53ILB7WvquTJG-JNXbgbhTA88BXGv7sgvlhNasUXoipJrPdEoJqGUJG6SrkK8jNGtSGhMpL4EKid3A6QKTEmtjeC-VE2-mj9gLhn3zexqYs13DAGe5CpD6D4jb7v3sRQiWV/s320/plymouthmeeting_7_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Plymouth Meeting Mall's signature fountain dates to the opening of the mall and appears to have been installed by Strawbridge's. Strawbridge's tended to finance grand fountains as a means of showcasing their stores. Views are from the bottom and top floors with Strawbridge's behind me on the photo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VMsvXTx9QFCBdUIMNMTnh10zpTlH6fQoo13hwIJabZ85u7iQukmij0Q9IX32IwQ-7bnC8Wn6FOraHiDVZc_dV2rppaTYmBOV-vDpMx2aX2o48bM1ujtsJfQAAlFx_tbWDj6mxBpi_Vgk/s1600/plymouthmeetingmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="519" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VMsvXTx9QFCBdUIMNMTnh10zpTlH6fQoo13hwIJabZ85u7iQukmij0Q9IX32IwQ-7bnC8Wn6FOraHiDVZc_dV2rppaTYmBOV-vDpMx2aX2o48bM1ujtsJfQAAlFx_tbWDj6mxBpi_Vgk/s320/plymouthmeetingmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Plymouth Meeting Mall's signature fountain in the early days of the mall. Postcard from "Malls of America". Much has changed, but amazingly the fountain survived!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGnyiQ6YWNiaF6-IJvMWlMRAy5NYk6e7V38WhwK0LkIwWvkNqXM1TLYfHE1AvCQV75rj-RkXyQqAiJHCecrjOdFrjXouB6BPK6h47AyMH0JkprHqb09rnfQEzsX4-B-DBnYt8QglviOZ7/s1600/plymouthmeeting_12_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGnyiQ6YWNiaF6-IJvMWlMRAy5NYk6e7V38WhwK0LkIwWvkNqXM1TLYfHE1AvCQV75rj-RkXyQqAiJHCecrjOdFrjXouB6BPK6h47AyMH0JkprHqb09rnfQEzsX4-B-DBnYt8QglviOZ7/s320/plymouthmeeting_12_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another view of the fountain and mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf1sYExKGSnYXTEAJMlFhVDIh2HcEza9v1_ZO4naZWV97Dn5EN6w-ONL3SJwlW8U6Y2Rsf61eVcLjR11Z8G3ISDD0VJdJT7X6vJz1UGXmfwlRayPo1V1vJrQk6OLbP-3kCmZl6vyDAite/s1600/plymouthmeeting_13_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf1sYExKGSnYXTEAJMlFhVDIh2HcEza9v1_ZO4naZWV97Dn5EN6w-ONL3SJwlW8U6Y2Rsf61eVcLjR11Z8G3ISDD0VJdJT7X6vJz1UGXmfwlRayPo1V1vJrQk6OLbP-3kCmZl6vyDAite/s320/plymouthmeeting_13_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of fountain facing Strawbridge's. If you look carefully you can see the labelscar.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7cLg4eEFePGGqTKG7HgYu7ikd3dTfwRF4xhrxjBzZGI1-R1RpPQohmQQ12Fe7oDFgTceHv2BFhV4Z6UR91M0JF-AGzQHatAKUZt58XhYQpcp-fwK6qliaPf6Gzy6cSFn-ATRumkKfH-c/s1600/plymouthmeeting_6_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7cLg4eEFePGGqTKG7HgYu7ikd3dTfwRF4xhrxjBzZGI1-R1RpPQohmQQ12Fe7oDFgTceHv2BFhV4Z6UR91M0JF-AGzQHatAKUZt58XhYQpcp-fwK6qliaPf6Gzy6cSFn-ATRumkKfH-c/s320/plymouthmeeting_6_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-2aE0DC_rg5j9Ymy4m3m4Zp8I72jqxxn45Giz8WSKIh0wSoOcBRITEM4-H4KWD7o9H_4b6xIDH2-Pw6QbFmAXq3UeLsTSbQQzrEY6Q4rhyphenhyphenTeJERaCFc2hyphenhyphenyahcXyXchFqXgoajNcOXgn/s1600/plymouthmeeting_8_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-2aE0DC_rg5j9Ymy4m3m4Zp8I72jqxxn45Giz8WSKIh0wSoOcBRITEM4-H4KWD7o9H_4b6xIDH2-Pw6QbFmAXq3UeLsTSbQQzrEY6Q4rhyphenhyphenTeJERaCFc2hyphenhyphenyahcXyXchFqXgoajNcOXgn/s320/plymouthmeeting_8_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The "STR" of Strawbridge & Clothier is quite visible in this image from the second level mall entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxm6IAMQAv33fv0RTrB_5wO8yaI7cyHtZKix6X1do2mc_hxV_1Qx2K5fgKl4JVgNos0gaFSA8eXqP8QBXoeWJFG3GsG9qB35n7zUD6nfmUSplviw-W7ZnadJ4fILmYBF7qN6vuJHnHtTO/s1600/plymouthmeeting_14_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxm6IAMQAv33fv0RTrB_5wO8yaI7cyHtZKix6X1do2mc_hxV_1Qx2K5fgKl4JVgNos0gaFSA8eXqP8QBXoeWJFG3GsG9qB35n7zUD6nfmUSplviw-W7ZnadJ4fILmYBF7qN6vuJHnHtTO/s320/plymouthmeeting_14_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcjRTpdf4akswiTsIdhdcO2jxy-a6rfzwvo_TjL3AKl8r-LFpX1skiu8Qz6skbUGQVAqrPzixZCuvCi2kzhJyDLZY1E_75rJ30h8dlK4QFa_H0xUsOex5dk2IR40mRUvYWgEZhle1oyhY/s1600/plymouthmeeting_18_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcjRTpdf4akswiTsIdhdcO2jxy-a6rfzwvo_TjL3AKl8r-LFpX1skiu8Qz6skbUGQVAqrPzixZCuvCi2kzhJyDLZY1E_75rJ30h8dlK4QFa_H0xUsOex5dk2IR40mRUvYWgEZhle1oyhY/s320/plymouthmeeting_18_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As a dumbell-shaped mall, the design of the mall is pretty consistent throughout with a few minor discrepancies and alternating skylight styles. However, with such a wide court and abundant natural light, the mall feels quite spaceous. The carousel was most likely added in a 1990's renovation. Carousels were a short-lived fad in malls that were likely put there to fill the void left behind by fountains. Nowadays, even the carousels are being removed from most malls that had them.</span></div>
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In many ways, the early mall embraced elements of utopianism embraced by both its developer James Rouse and Victor Gruen. A few years after this mall was constructed, Rouse would construct an entire city in Maryland with an enclosed mall as its downtown. In some ways, this mall attempted to include some elements of Victor Gruen's original vision of having malls as the center of fully functioning urban villages. Plymouth Meeting itself was developed as a rough example of the optimistic and often-cited "live, work, play" type of environment with not just a mall, but also an office tower (Pearson Professional Center), medical center, and even a church among its tenants! Obviously the "live" part did not evolve, but at the time it was built single family houses were far more affordable, and malls as primarily retail centers represented by nearby suburban development at the time. This vision continued for years after as the mall was innovative in cutting edge retail trends. Perhaps the "live" part may soon be on the table as the "play" part seems to be winding down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo1r2w-l8yQ3F6OfYDhJo1KV9XliL-kwIaxIrR8oCLWnQhpJcYZiRiAQhtzjbvJ2d32poAx4qEgCBpIe5bqgetBqgfKGkEpVwIplclCazOcjTG3TWzpAVJ6fChROO8hGpcfokOUnCXFq3/s1600/plymouthmeeting_19_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo1r2w-l8yQ3F6OfYDhJo1KV9XliL-kwIaxIrR8oCLWnQhpJcYZiRiAQhtzjbvJ2d32poAx4qEgCBpIe5bqgetBqgfKGkEpVwIplclCazOcjTG3TWzpAVJ6fChROO8hGpcfokOUnCXFq3/s320/plymouthmeeting_19_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A side corridor leading to an outside entrance. Domed skylights were popular in the 60's and 70's, and Rouse Malls tended to have them along entrance wings.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJe37gXGrKnvoGZFQ-XZy1i5Fphkgu3D41Qjt370DDE2celcpgy2gZn_0gAC_9s0gna-LSU5BBuLKTb7ON5g1MhpCGgny4fZOGO3qXM3RkP9bJzXUDX5LnjV7IKBxgy9j6RXW9D5iStXy/s1600/plymouthmeeting_20_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJe37gXGrKnvoGZFQ-XZy1i5Fphkgu3D41Qjt370DDE2celcpgy2gZn_0gAC_9s0gna-LSU5BBuLKTb7ON5g1MhpCGgny4fZOGO3qXM3RkP9bJzXUDX5LnjV7IKBxgy9j6RXW9D5iStXy/s320/plymouthmeeting_20_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This directory shows that what appears to be a straightforward mall has a catch: a whole office wing featuring a tower and even a church!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehCpuE99zXJnKXfxa5xJMyYp3b4N3VtJz4YO8MW5tQbVIbvItAjr8YEc4zJc9kX-5_2CQbCbSWZTxzeh4NiKIxPuOnf_8CSQ_ayDpup1dp69NoPcbUKm1hXCtAUs0UatziasYokVH_-R5/s1600/plymouthmeeting_21_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehCpuE99zXJnKXfxa5xJMyYp3b4N3VtJz4YO8MW5tQbVIbvItAjr8YEc4zJc9kX-5_2CQbCbSWZTxzeh4NiKIxPuOnf_8CSQ_ayDpup1dp69NoPcbUKm1hXCtAUs0UatziasYokVH_-R5/s320/plymouthmeeting_21_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the mall entrances between the office building and Boscov's</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3glwnqlHgfXCEjUuygQhjNMTRobR341N-NJd_xTLMdlsMNzsSHo3sYa_IAWNDqN99t2CROtzc0RfVz5DMqCdZRv8ajIPDAW2FoSiZeGtDvPTK3BbomkQTiq5S1-ckwzuvMKU_aW2lVxpp/s1600/plymouthmeeting_23_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3glwnqlHgfXCEjUuygQhjNMTRobR341N-NJd_xTLMdlsMNzsSHo3sYa_IAWNDqN99t2CROtzc0RfVz5DMqCdZRv8ajIPDAW2FoSiZeGtDvPTK3BbomkQTiq5S1-ckwzuvMKU_aW2lVxpp/s320/plymouthmeeting_23_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzaSgtE1gz8KXeXwnX7d1D-8oW8jsiiNmRClYM8KK7EYU1MKSs78A6F9smazRiRpn0_l60j9SBEhI258sUt-yI0HS_MbRCyTDcChSJDgRd_QvAJOTNYsp24omuPlWCEdaLrnio5bFDjCA/s1600/plymouthmeeting_24_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzaSgtE1gz8KXeXwnX7d1D-8oW8jsiiNmRClYM8KK7EYU1MKSs78A6F9smazRiRpn0_l60j9SBEhI258sUt-yI0HS_MbRCyTDcChSJDgRd_QvAJOTNYsp24omuPlWCEdaLrnio5bFDjCA/s320/plymouthmeeting_24_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B3LEiOrnDTfvHRvWvOUkfNKVvWL4PxAnFELPj-NvMZucOi9Ej1XGXQgQMPu8oVXdnuiXA0K91aHHWU6JDrAexGzdNA5vq-pj5MNrxG1YZk1ZvWCYIesZjVz-2WqXHdvFFsGb5zdLWFTn/s1600/plymouthmeeting_26_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B3LEiOrnDTfvHRvWvOUkfNKVvWL4PxAnFELPj-NvMZucOi9Ej1XGXQgQMPu8oVXdnuiXA0K91aHHWU6JDrAexGzdNA5vq-pj5MNrxG1YZk1ZvWCYIesZjVz-2WqXHdvFFsGb5zdLWFTn/s320/plymouthmeeting_26_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of an entrance atrium from the inside next to the "Church in the Mall"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVDpgrTaCqJEgQCBf3F_uhvU5d7e_yoW5h_xDMwwFGMbwsj0YwJHgm0TKf0_mM-DaRVaaNWRAMLZUMcpRa66GqKqVZZELiTUiY8Cpr55ptOVjp7TnkrA23QYZCE0Ea5zD_hd7PWpMGy51/s1600/plymouthmeeting_25_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVDpgrTaCqJEgQCBf3F_uhvU5d7e_yoW5h_xDMwwFGMbwsj0YwJHgm0TKf0_mM-DaRVaaNWRAMLZUMcpRa66GqKqVZZELiTUiY8Cpr55ptOVjp7TnkrA23QYZCE0Ea5zD_hd7PWpMGy51/s320/plymouthmeeting_25_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look inside the lobby of the office building, which holds on to many more Rouse elements than the mall itself.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFp9l4YyI-KtDBO53N_75UDweCHIL5uAE2suIIap9aS2frh6aM8966V9_hxF1diNB4gcIW_P-ldKjaMfhesKXEC00RW6svv1Fd8QCvmE-SOndXO4d1tzCPB-2T11cJcd0GIpMO6Roo3E7/s1600/plymouthmeeting_27_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFp9l4YyI-KtDBO53N_75UDweCHIL5uAE2suIIap9aS2frh6aM8966V9_hxF1diNB4gcIW_P-ldKjaMfhesKXEC00RW6svv1Fd8QCvmE-SOndXO4d1tzCPB-2T11cJcd0GIpMO6Roo3E7/s320/plymouthmeeting_27_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This has to be the only case in the entire U.S. where a church was actually built into a mall from the beginning. Many churches meet in malls, but not as a planned part of the infrastructure.</span></div>
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Despite only having two department store anchors, the mall has no original anchors today. Lit Brothers went under in 1976 to be replaced by Hess's in 1979. The Hess's location was apparently the largest branch store in the chain, but it was also the only location in the Philadelphia market. Hess's was doing marginally throughout the 1980's, suffering from extreme over expansion due to owners Crown American bringing it into many unfamiliar markets. After many years of decline and selling off chunks in numerous markets, the chain's problems caught up to it and the location was closed in 1993. After three more years of vacancy, Boscov's arrived and filled the void, and it still operates there to this day. Strawbridge's, however, operated continuously at the mall until 2006 when it was converted to Macy's. After poor sales likely due to its proximity to the nearby more popular King of Prussia store, Macy's closed at the mall in 2017 leaving the mall with a major vacancy that will be difficult to fill.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUwvboFvMm6pf4C5JoS6uYiSRajlVxHSk096TV7fEcMX40cbya6DRbZ0csEjvTPfqDVYSyoKFXtX9fVKZEy9o-HCD-HOUt4U5ehkkh43JwUcr8VzfN_VL1zdthOMFzW5ZTv2wTVTDXmqE/s1600/plymouthmeeting_29_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUwvboFvMm6pf4C5JoS6uYiSRajlVxHSk096TV7fEcMX40cbya6DRbZ0csEjvTPfqDVYSyoKFXtX9fVKZEy9o-HCD-HOUt4U5ehkkh43JwUcr8VzfN_VL1zdthOMFzW5ZTv2wTVTDXmqE/s320/plymouthmeeting_29_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The variety of mall entrances in the mall is intriguing. Here, the church is on the left and the 9 story office building is on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbg3X4Tdj0AeEUr20mNWzCr2Z_jmmuZi-2W6rxeowPkStqMphmJLjD7RPMdzTQiTlpU9fJlHDppCXg1BCs1-QIDv2AfYOixU9zN544SySqnmiqJgLbuuIlUzsdbnaeK_i48nDE4FuOzSu/s1600/plymouthmeeting_28_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbg3X4Tdj0AeEUr20mNWzCr2Z_jmmuZi-2W6rxeowPkStqMphmJLjD7RPMdzTQiTlpU9fJlHDppCXg1BCs1-QIDv2AfYOixU9zN544SySqnmiqJgLbuuIlUzsdbnaeK_i48nDE4FuOzSu/s320/plymouthmeeting_28_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the office building. Plans show that this mid-century facade will be removed and replaced with an updated faced featuring way more glass.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4VaNBlAusgjvoPjueQeZV9VOr_OqPvlPwDHkKTnEWOAcM09sy1qjzWU9D-QIHZFTZPmE5xSk2bhr697Km2vcore68TDYI94_hVJfpsuYxxani2_XmMiDUvcJeMhkUGQkcIiF8YoI9eWG/s1600/plymouthmeeting_15_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4VaNBlAusgjvoPjueQeZV9VOr_OqPvlPwDHkKTnEWOAcM09sy1qjzWU9D-QIHZFTZPmE5xSk2bhr697Km2vcore68TDYI94_hVJfpsuYxxani2_XmMiDUvcJeMhkUGQkcIiF8YoI9eWG/s320/plymouthmeeting_15_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTZ2HDHhAbeiEwoqJjfXGXX0Bu1j7HsSDZQygzOtXzAjNu3UHNzUZJreh9D1mApPeQ5cPxPPck2P5u7UrL1zzuIFHtBCDUuFBUA891sG7saG1dR4KNAXBZzCtBJacFocRO5seRXCDrphK/s1600/plymouthmeeting_16_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTZ2HDHhAbeiEwoqJjfXGXX0Bu1j7HsSDZQygzOtXzAjNu3UHNzUZJreh9D1mApPeQ5cPxPPck2P5u7UrL1zzuIFHtBCDUuFBUA891sG7saG1dR4KNAXBZzCtBJacFocRO5seRXCDrphK/s320/plymouthmeeting_16_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's mall entrance. Boscov's opened as Lit Brothers and was later Hess's before becoming Boscov's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoitRyOtTF0SIHIsKB-WYdh_FEoSt5MUgMtmLIMpbvfjg7npEhMcCW8AxkFdhV8bMGKCSnLv1ZKXanFAKRdRb-YRiqDZnAM1IV3yfUe49TKALgABykOhxpdNAVF8_tjgNT3cLVMtc3Nc3/s1600/plymouthmeeting_17_072316_bambergers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoitRyOtTF0SIHIsKB-WYdh_FEoSt5MUgMtmLIMpbvfjg7npEhMcCW8AxkFdhV8bMGKCSnLv1ZKXanFAKRdRb-YRiqDZnAM1IV3yfUe49TKALgABykOhxpdNAVF8_tjgNT3cLVMtc3Nc3/s320/plymouthmeeting_17_072316_bambergers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Boscov's juniors to the left of the entrance would suggest that this used to be a Bamberger's, but that was never the case. However, Hess's was also aggressive at expanding store space.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAJK-Saau943z8ewfw9iTDUjJrVt95bpkDZ76qqV9FqU4hWoeSaF9U_eXwfgfGUJZmaWC_wDuvHhwzkD_nt0Jqj7IpESQEMIfmT8wmR08g0cN3A3E1BltecA6OXBHkH0V4lEGoa1yU6iN/s1600/plymouthmeeting_38_072316_bambergers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAJK-Saau943z8ewfw9iTDUjJrVt95bpkDZ76qqV9FqU4hWoeSaF9U_eXwfgfGUJZmaWC_wDuvHhwzkD_nt0Jqj7IpESQEMIfmT8wmR08g0cN3A3E1BltecA6OXBHkH0V4lEGoa1yU6iN/s320/plymouthmeeting_38_072316_bambergers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs74uchMMzJdOq4v6uz0j624sZoNLAxt-WKqgfjkv_IzWF_UsElrIFPmR9irfpbfTlAGSyLh8gTkCKtSad0MAuEqsg4qolR3rDyza3_7_qw8Jfw5VZ0E6lZVC5IdJvE95Yu-lQuB6DD2iY/s1600/plymouthmeeting_22_072316_bambergers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs74uchMMzJdOq4v6uz0j624sZoNLAxt-WKqgfjkv_IzWF_UsElrIFPmR9irfpbfTlAGSyLh8gTkCKtSad0MAuEqsg4qolR3rDyza3_7_qw8Jfw5VZ0E6lZVC5IdJvE95Yu-lQuB6DD2iY/s320/plymouthmeeting_22_072316_bambergers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple shots of the Boscov's on the outside. The store is original to Lit Brother's except for the white paint and restructuring of the main entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9qDh_he3PykVAh8PLFxuGXgAjWhgaA935slckkTa0e0xNoM8Ifi64QA0B5fvldes7r3LUpaFBRurmJWw8Cv7RP2JYuMaTlwMouzOkVvpC5TYbU1fJ99IXa5QPX_LjGZOm1ZkALVq-eOq/s1600/plymouthmeeting_35_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9qDh_he3PykVAh8PLFxuGXgAjWhgaA935slckkTa0e0xNoM8Ifi64QA0B5fvldes7r3LUpaFBRurmJWw8Cv7RP2JYuMaTlwMouzOkVvpC5TYbU1fJ99IXa5QPX_LjGZOm1ZkALVq-eOq/s320/plymouthmeeting_35_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H1fmhU46gnYIrf5cYv2AuIBbn07eweGeSynA9FvFEsc5NGii8CLyf553vtGhLMt9TI1LgDAaO9PJeMXyHJYka1AnVWHuc2QlC3NhHYJStPiStVTpdt1yHCqmATMBEu9Ab_UX1jN_Fd6V/s1600/plymouthmeeting_36_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H1fmhU46gnYIrf5cYv2AuIBbn07eweGeSynA9FvFEsc5NGii8CLyf553vtGhLMt9TI1LgDAaO9PJeMXyHJYka1AnVWHuc2QlC3NhHYJStPiStVTpdt1yHCqmATMBEu9Ab_UX1jN_Fd6V/s320/plymouthmeeting_36_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One interesting footnote in the mall's history is that Swedish Furniture chain IKEA opened their first U.S. store on an outlot of the mall. The chain is ubiquitous as a destination for its cheap furnishings, but it has very few locations across the U.S. making it a destination store. Ultimately, IKEA would relocate one exit down I-476 with the former tenant demolished and replaced with the present lifestyle center portion. This new retail center brought in many typical tenants of lifestyle centers (Chico's, etc.) with its centerpiece a Whole Foods Market. Legoland Discovery Center, another non-traditional tenant, also began construction in 2016 and should be opening this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw4zgrWMtJBWZ5vuj6x3CD1N-YmNpl5iVPcpsEU7XsAhAj3NPuAlKff0txn-Up0Uv0yxgQ8-oPtqJTkQgqrQagCMZ0_ymH5ua_2KQpeMAnatwKDo4fKshUVdEUN-k38R1c3XVBfPbS0C-/s1600/plymouthmeeting_30_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw4zgrWMtJBWZ5vuj6x3CD1N-YmNpl5iVPcpsEU7XsAhAj3NPuAlKff0txn-Up0Uv0yxgQ8-oPtqJTkQgqrQagCMZ0_ymH5ua_2KQpeMAnatwKDo4fKshUVdEUN-k38R1c3XVBfPbS0C-/s320/plymouthmeeting_30_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This post would not be complete without interior photos of the old Strawbridge's/Macy's. It appears the last interior model was done around 1979-1980, and it shows. However, the design is so warm and inviting compared to the typical sterile look seen in most modern Macy's. Unfortunately, this lack of updating was for a reason. The store closed in 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYBj9LkrWAMzskwbEksbUFiJBf6JUkrU6WRZvzIWyu0ECYuPQcJb_fuvHiO5VUdAt_QhyP2UfDQyOfMgUX-ORqyIcRPTiz-qEUjAGZZGNt9akH7xZuguMI8LFfvGHcMaYpSrOqPNp4yGD/s1600/plymouthmeeting_31_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYBj9LkrWAMzskwbEksbUFiJBf6JUkrU6WRZvzIWyu0ECYuPQcJb_fuvHiO5VUdAt_QhyP2UfDQyOfMgUX-ORqyIcRPTiz-qEUjAGZZGNt9akH7xZuguMI8LFfvGHcMaYpSrOqPNp4yGD/s320/plymouthmeeting_31_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Parquet flooring...a design feature popular in the 70's</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbpAwGCb5nPPodnxeNeI1crN57AxAnDwmWx_j7cJSxJnf9wPEcqFv0ICiYbjhSz_taDqkf93Lnygkj_kwSY7eozneEJ94MSuTybRaGHhIKcJfLwdDrerpIOaslHTeIm4DtVgLFzZbqTlp/s1600/plymouthmeeting_32_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbpAwGCb5nPPodnxeNeI1crN57AxAnDwmWx_j7cJSxJnf9wPEcqFv0ICiYbjhSz_taDqkf93Lnygkj_kwSY7eozneEJ94MSuTybRaGHhIKcJfLwdDrerpIOaslHTeIm4DtVgLFzZbqTlp/s320/plymouthmeeting_32_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcqrz0HPrySV3XzGNB3HHdQuyIc1IhpE3OZNHrq_YQiegdVjYxs5bW1HTkBh1hi7o0JRg3aWKzG44_xh2oXATkoz1R_87jI_B32GfC6lrwzJXjtp-H1STj_rLMYANgCyBRT04PLBsLlFi/s1600/plymouthmeeting_33_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcqrz0HPrySV3XzGNB3HHdQuyIc1IhpE3OZNHrq_YQiegdVjYxs5bW1HTkBh1hi7o0JRg3aWKzG44_xh2oXATkoz1R_87jI_B32GfC6lrwzJXjtp-H1STj_rLMYANgCyBRT04PLBsLlFi/s320/plymouthmeeting_33_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Funky goodness here with the wood and floor patterns.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuOotCvyaNiidzxtrUkByPgJv8ktK2QS6149JP7sPPPGo_ZD7ahSlrNyOxl1y-NDpsiyq4UDdG8SJSR7nwBaBYj1g16yGarbSEefPs7QCr5hm3oAGrKzJsh48zOJx2VbyyWUCJRPO7ir_/s1600/plymouthmeeting_34_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuOotCvyaNiidzxtrUkByPgJv8ktK2QS6149JP7sPPPGo_ZD7ahSlrNyOxl1y-NDpsiyq4UDdG8SJSR7nwBaBYj1g16yGarbSEefPs7QCr5hm3oAGrKzJsh48zOJx2VbyyWUCJRPO7ir_/s320/plymouthmeeting_34_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seeing an actual contrast between the merchandise and the store makes you want to actually buy something here, doesn't it? Unfortunately, customers chose King of Prussia instead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKqG7DHbeEFxJr6W1r28hrwO7QLh2mJRHKeDMpC5wKXc0NKCxS_SXxjfuYsu3uBuSfyzLOss7Ol1PxQJUpgZmxWzAPPsIUxxjGs0ctz9KUXcJkX7bN26SPhnoRIGBknBdP8GYAJz7NuGe/s1600/plymouthmeeting_9_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKqG7DHbeEFxJr6W1r28hrwO7QLh2mJRHKeDMpC5wKXc0NKCxS_SXxjfuYsu3uBuSfyzLOss7Ol1PxQJUpgZmxWzAPPsIUxxjGs0ctz9KUXcJkX7bN26SPhnoRIGBknBdP8GYAJz7NuGe/s320/plymouthmeeting_9_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42kGcYkArug8yvEybmq7PL85terQZMy0pmQaeyAqj7g_WYWhSy3mCkZiuL3NkBq3jqyAmGsTzQmdbTyzzsSBRpV0pCH8v5Mi_myIjDh7d8QSE_kTYmUB-uFfmn2pCFU6wrcPAMivW-X-z/s1600/plymouthmeeting_10_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42kGcYkArug8yvEybmq7PL85terQZMy0pmQaeyAqj7g_WYWhSy3mCkZiuL3NkBq3jqyAmGsTzQmdbTyzzsSBRpV0pCH8v5Mi_myIjDh7d8QSE_kTYmUB-uFfmn2pCFU6wrcPAMivW-X-z/s320/plymouthmeeting_10_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2GaRXMebOHUbJM95itS18EpRh9_CuK8jxqM1lLBBCquotvp33umfPqP3ywaU0mMQ53y5n1M4Cfh9WvUTHNk0SXGBM8S-rkRU_gVyBzCMtha1bvMo4TP1cCrUbpTtaHkbfjCvXqUbyXOB/s1600/plymouthmeeting_11_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2GaRXMebOHUbJM95itS18EpRh9_CuK8jxqM1lLBBCquotvp33umfPqP3ywaU0mMQ53y5n1M4Cfh9WvUTHNk0SXGBM8S-rkRU_gVyBzCMtha1bvMo4TP1cCrUbpTtaHkbfjCvXqUbyXOB/s320/plymouthmeeting_11_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Impressive court with fancy skylights, chandeliers, and a mix of stairs and escalators...very similar to their Neshaminy store, but still just as awesome. RIP, great old store.</span></div>
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So here we have another mall at a crossroads. As was said on an earlier post, malls in Philadelphia are extremely overbuilt. Due to the aggressive growth of Strawbridge's and Wanamaker's in the 70's and 80's, Macy's ended up inheriting a ton of locations in the market: many that are no more than 10-15 miles apart. The process of right-sizing this resulted in Macy's being closed at the mall. Furthermore, Plymouth Meeting is in an unfortunate position of living in the shadow of the largest mall in the USA. King of Prussia Mall is not your average competitor. A mall with under a million square feet and one operational department store is not going to be able to effectively compete with one of over 3 million square feet! Not only that, but Macy's clearly had no interest in its store at Plymouth Meeting Mall. It appears the last time any renovations were done was in the late 70's or early 80's. So what does the mall do now?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74r5dbNH1Ib6BvsZDH30quDvkYC_2cH_L5wWSC2ziQlxejmxC7khghyiPqD7WxQQo0o6uVh5MApS6VHkb6OMmS7KxzkZMVHOuISr_tdf5YcN2V8StyNjb7pznLfRqZofci2qZbrbrJdCl/s1600/plymouthmeeting_2_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74r5dbNH1Ib6BvsZDH30quDvkYC_2cH_L5wWSC2ziQlxejmxC7khghyiPqD7WxQQo0o6uVh5MApS6VHkb6OMmS7KxzkZMVHOuISr_tdf5YcN2V8StyNjb7pznLfRqZofci2qZbrbrJdCl/s320/plymouthmeeting_2_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Strawbridge's personified the mid-century look on their suburban stores. A mix of brutalism and "confidence" embodied by a very prosperous time. In the first pic, you see the mall's office tower on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Fw-K7QjHknNwnYqGgIzd72Sa4n5HGeV0vExJkBUW_cNf8Syix33BVBAMYbAwuRARQ8OvQbkVYSpdRVoVg53nlI1kQTbSkUxQ6zYijDmhIK85LTOoAHcFkRVOfcZekZXBCqASBh1kN9c/s1600/plymouthmeeting_3_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2Fw-K7QjHknNwnYqGgIzd72Sa4n5HGeV0vExJkBUW_cNf8Syix33BVBAMYbAwuRARQ8OvQbkVYSpdRVoVg53nlI1kQTbSkUxQ6zYijDmhIK85LTOoAHcFkRVOfcZekZXBCqASBh1kN9c/s320/plymouthmeeting_3_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Macy's takeover of Strawbridge's did not strip the store of all its elements. The Strawbridge's "Seal of Confidence" (appropriate for a mid-century store) can still be found on nearly all of their former store locations. If this isn't Philly-pride, I don't know what is.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4qD6fTZArc-hmxdGKy48EroyB_Id9jdBjl8JULqy6cnQ1vamapnz6lqBeuJhG5gP1RhewbhEuBHIiKECOEaijugrhi0VTr53Pbe7Bd_bZeUT0jnX4mxLOPVNuY4cCpR_CG2k8hckpnPw/s1600/plymouthmeeting_37_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4qD6fTZArc-hmxdGKy48EroyB_Id9jdBjl8JULqy6cnQ1vamapnz6lqBeuJhG5gP1RhewbhEuBHIiKECOEaijugrhi0VTr53Pbe7Bd_bZeUT0jnX4mxLOPVNuY4cCpR_CG2k8hckpnPw/s320/plymouthmeeting_37_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The sun sets on this former Strawbridge's both literally and figuratively. Unlike when this mall was built, people are not feeling as much confidence.</span></div>
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In all honesty, Plymouth Meeting Mall has unfortunately become redundant. Even before Macy's closed, the mall saw a drop in sales per square feet and an uptick in vacancies. These have undoubtedly accelerated with Macy's closure. With no options for replacement stores, there is little the mall can do to stop this. Furthermore, Boscov's may be looking at relocating themselves from their current store although it is unclear if they would just close or where they might move. Thus, its future as a traditional enclosed retail mall is unlikely. Pretty much what you can expect for the future of Plymouth Meeting is mixed use. It is a beautiful, spacious and inviting mall that would be perfect for a college campus, medical center, corporate headquarters, entertainment complex, housing (condos/apartments) or some other non-retail use where lots of space is needed. It is also in a very upscale part of the Philadelphia metro area meaning that it is in-demand real estate. This means some sort of redevelopment is likely. At the very least, substantial renovations for reuse are likely on the now-closed Macy's. Parts of the mall may be demolished, parts of the mall may be carved up for offices and parts of it used for entertainment. Offices may be less likely, however, since an office tower already flanks the mall and is definitely there to stay. However it is carved up, there is still "confidence" that this mall will continue to evolve: hopefully into something that both Victor Gruen and James Rouse originally intended.<br />
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-90294024950053039662017-12-05T07:50:00.001-08:002017-12-05T07:50:27.947-08:00Exton Square Mall: Exton/West Whiteland Township, PAExton Square Mall is one of very few malls of its design in the country. Located in the Exton community of West Whiteland Township, this signature Rouse Company mall was built in 1973 with a design shared by one other historically-significant mall: Northland Mall in Southfield, Michigan. Like Northland, Exton was designed as a square-shaped mall with one anchor department store in the center: Philadelphia-based Strawbridge & Clothier. This means that the "square" in the name is for once an accurate description! With the mall wrapping around the store, shoppers hoping to drop some cash at Strawbridge's had to enter the mall to reach the store from any one of the four mall entrances. This early design was nearly identical to how Victor Gruen designed Northland Center with Detroit-based Hudson's at the center.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5gGP8uBotiShNbNcn91K1iL0dlivc_T6uTLVg8JedLXmaBFqVkIhPZKJROaVtXkZT5BMCpzraFPnNvlgroM95KFkV2WlZFc1v8tU5qUzx8hQjgivOHSnyesGgbj6G4T5Ogc6RCigzAiu/s1600/extonsquare_17a_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5gGP8uBotiShNbNcn91K1iL0dlivc_T6uTLVg8JedLXmaBFqVkIhPZKJROaVtXkZT5BMCpzraFPnNvlgroM95KFkV2WlZFc1v8tU5qUzx8hQjgivOHSnyesGgbj6G4T5Ogc6RCigzAiu/s320/extonsquare_17a_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A risky plan, Exton Square was, in fact, a successful mall. While a perfect square vertically, it is not consistent horizontally. The northern half of the mall is on only one level while the southern half is on two levels. Originally, two prominent fountains were placed in front of the north and south entrances to Strawbridge's with Rouse's signature style of having a square terraced tub with a jet streaming high in the center of the fountain. Today, one fountain is found on the southern mall entrance to Macy's but nowhere else. While more subdued, the vaulted ceilings, attractive staircases, and distinctive iron railing found in the mall still provide a very inviting and upscale atmosphere although it likely pales in comparison to how the mall originally looked.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmjTmKj3XaePJOuDN2BpIYfH-fIQ2CPDREq_Mok_iFM7CB6wVMYtxYXvNGSO7qz7moMet8kNPQVE-GcQ9H9jt6u68FdFzgtxMAWHM-f0jA0qY7LycQtl3_0x5rpGiPSN0YPzM9UqeG8eO/s1600/extonsquare_14_081917_strawbridges-south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmjTmKj3XaePJOuDN2BpIYfH-fIQ2CPDREq_Mok_iFM7CB6wVMYtxYXvNGSO7qz7moMet8kNPQVE-GcQ9H9jt6u68FdFzgtxMAWHM-f0jA0qY7LycQtl3_0x5rpGiPSN0YPzM9UqeG8eO/s320/extonsquare_14_081917_strawbridges-south.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The one remaining fountain in Exton Square rests on the lower level in front of the south entrance to Macy's (former Strawbridge's). Most likely Strawbridge's itself paid for the fountain initially. Macy's has four mall entrances with the north entrance on a single-story side of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdvvjAGdwpqmiuaePzZxh5nEeSXXXn0_soDGbcgn380ErWDQ_LY6imIL69A38Icf45umhghpFbUG2o_Xp5XT0pkbnKfBpdZASPd_gh4PJyhk-_1cHh1VIAQzfWKVonmlOhcduxG_8ImP-/s1600/extonsquare_15_081917_strawbridges-south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdvvjAGdwpqmiuaePzZxh5nEeSXXXn0_soDGbcgn380ErWDQ_LY6imIL69A38Icf45umhghpFbUG2o_Xp5XT0pkbnKfBpdZASPd_gh4PJyhk-_1cHh1VIAQzfWKVonmlOhcduxG_8ImP-/s320/extonsquare_15_081917_strawbridges-south.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv0_AsRBFnaKpGJ1IGvTiyBgrMtDTjsRK8ACI03x2Xdt8LLMdChtKwDCr4AI7IWOyEzpifqMXosrf7qFiWjToCmik5WYt8S2qo8byDBMbk1s703bNRAiZ9dSTHfiIEH62AUTBegpu6pf0/s1600/extonsquare_16a_081917_strawbridges-south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv0_AsRBFnaKpGJ1IGvTiyBgrMtDTjsRK8ACI03x2Xdt8LLMdChtKwDCr4AI7IWOyEzpifqMXosrf7qFiWjToCmik5WYt8S2qo8byDBMbk1s703bNRAiZ9dSTHfiIEH62AUTBegpu6pf0/s320/extonsquare_16a_081917_strawbridges-south.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHIt50evXP_d0bNOWHzNQNWaYwYJJGws6z7guS6K_WTKVpngEU7IcY9uRVM8J56DKLM1M-v9dVAt4XefugoL71K10B-qHse2Ow3wsmOHuallQh5WbxXww7TexkpAap_jftiGOXIsnCru0/s1600/extonsquare_18_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHIt50evXP_d0bNOWHzNQNWaYwYJJGws6z7guS6K_WTKVpngEU7IcY9uRVM8J56DKLM1M-v9dVAt4XefugoL71K10B-qHse2Ow3wsmOHuallQh5WbxXww7TexkpAap_jftiGOXIsnCru0/s320/extonsquare_18_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A few more angles of the fountain with the lead and last photo looking away from Macy's to the front entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PlplYZzOn-02XaAbWaFZ1O7uvVkfqJ1ZBDonyV1fnzOlOtXU5A5JbqxuCew6ut42YRJjT-XwHp4pyLwCSvZ39D_edcHbhlbAIDsmJHqZwDkjmTjYgC_ELDEsUPnPyfYrC5_BMzmJk-7g/s1600/extonsquare_19_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PlplYZzOn-02XaAbWaFZ1O7uvVkfqJ1ZBDonyV1fnzOlOtXU5A5JbqxuCew6ut42YRJjT-XwHp4pyLwCSvZ39D_edcHbhlbAIDsmJHqZwDkjmTjYgC_ELDEsUPnPyfYrC5_BMzmJk-7g/s320/extonsquare_19_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Attractive staircase in the court in front of Macy's south entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB53hnEstxBHMq6ycVtZ9MG_ETi6NqeCu5kjjUvaEqsKFTgmFkgXdyaUt5kYe9W_2hKXwpaB3JuVmwK3i8NuukxAa03VNC-R4VVo4uutVY8HutRf597B70NS8g2AiqCZvLuvfTzRkUFYxF/s1600/extonsquare_1_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB53hnEstxBHMq6ycVtZ9MG_ETi6NqeCu5kjjUvaEqsKFTgmFkgXdyaUt5kYe9W_2hKXwpaB3JuVmwK3i8NuukxAa03VNC-R4VVo4uutVY8HutRf597B70NS8g2AiqCZvLuvfTzRkUFYxF/s320/extonsquare_1_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of Sears court on the one-level portion of the mall. Spacious skylights in Rouse's signature style coupled with the wood trim creates a very inviting and warm atmosphere, but this would certainly be enhanced by some greenery, a conversation pit, and fountain here. Malls want to lease every inch of space, but more often than not it is just empty space like this.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMEMaURQxNEJ6vFpTYGh_34pl9xvfQwsM1OMaBQtYth8s5UFW7fH0f_6OSUTwuMSJ-cxJ8nM63YegxBpChLKOwm0-B9YzPc6ccDkwNrrTk_gJ52JgZ7mQ-EMClrkozDfNmvkP6keL1loI/s1600/extonsquare_2_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMEMaURQxNEJ6vFpTYGh_34pl9xvfQwsM1OMaBQtYth8s5UFW7fH0f_6OSUTwuMSJ-cxJ8nM63YegxBpChLKOwm0-B9YzPc6ccDkwNrrTk_gJ52JgZ7mQ-EMClrkozDfNmvkP6keL1loI/s320/extonsquare_2_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On the one level portion, this spaceship-like overhang divides the more brightly lit court areas. The one level portion runs from the north of the west Macy's entrance to the north of the east Macy's entrance with Sears and the Food Court on the northwest and northeast prongs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJY2qS69M9focAEU0GedGwo3RTfUG9Rr9LnlqgMIWWHUOA00lcJ7-PEE2Ke_Nxhil0BIwqAPENEDgTXRRgAmyurgg-XchUTLyGWpqy5cq5d7kcYB3jnELgrRrbD5BqXbO6ai2uEMGfenZ/s1600/extonsquare_4_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJY2qS69M9focAEU0GedGwo3RTfUG9Rr9LnlqgMIWWHUOA00lcJ7-PEE2Ke_Nxhil0BIwqAPENEDgTXRRgAmyurgg-XchUTLyGWpqy5cq5d7kcYB3jnELgrRrbD5BqXbO6ai2uEMGfenZ/s320/extonsquare_4_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Court in front of Macy's. Where I stand was once a fountain with a jet shooting up about 10-15' in front of the Strawbridge's north entrance.</span></div>
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Unfortunately, the continued expansion of nearby King of Prussia has continued to threaten the viability of the mall. In the past, the mall undertook a concerted effort to counter it. As part of that competition, plans began to expand the mall beginning in the early 90's. Prior to the mid-90's, the mall had never been updated and was looking old. As a result, an expansion and renovation was commenced adding a significant amount of space to the mall. This new space came from expanding the mall along the corners of the square. Three of those were built for new anchors added in the northwest, southwest and southeast corners of the mall anchored by, respectively, Sears, Boscov's and JCPenney. Sears and Boscov's opened in 1999 and JCPenney opened in 2000. The northeast corner was expanded into a beautiful new lodge-style food court as well. This update transitioned the mall from a community-oriented mall into a regional mall able to effectively compete against other malls in the region for at least a decade longer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshjUgYOAcM7M_rMfpdNUt5ck2d4Pao49o1sB-BThbg9l_crw0lDjqQDuLUAFKget5EjcoWayxF9cMbwgG3wqEu4JYOTcE-T__m5XNigusFUn2GT7dx83Y-2VdvMoQVAkqaoKwNa1IXvlk/s1600/extonsquare_3_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshjUgYOAcM7M_rMfpdNUt5ck2d4Pao49o1sB-BThbg9l_crw0lDjqQDuLUAFKget5EjcoWayxF9cMbwgG3wqEu4JYOTcE-T__m5XNigusFUn2GT7dx83Y-2VdvMoQVAkqaoKwNa1IXvlk/s320/extonsquare_3_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_GhzIERv1wdMKRoJwRCgyOlVCXnX_AEFV5V-kYxbUiQteeHkN8v3EpfAJSEb-BTerYzuyc60qwebhnPABDDhT-WtSMmOb28s9y0cyvSwtDUj-j3_8pNvNaEvfkzK7P9VKr_y9gmp1PwU/s1600/extonsquare_17_011715_strawbridges-north.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_GhzIERv1wdMKRoJwRCgyOlVCXnX_AEFV5V-kYxbUiQteeHkN8v3EpfAJSEb-BTerYzuyc60qwebhnPABDDhT-WtSMmOb28s9y0cyvSwtDUj-j3_8pNvNaEvfkzK7P9VKr_y9gmp1PwU/s320/extonsquare_17_011715_strawbridges-north.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Views of the north entrance to Macy's (former Strawbridge's)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3IbkgdQTAdvTzoFVQNLpR-ftaN_fbcLbXejWGOKvAAeBWiYiPfFoiS8j-RohvKWJaHRH1Y5buUkV_p21p49ZeI-mOFntz4_qb51xUW8NSQ7X_RNbDngHbD06umO1YhogNIzWmBumW7JU/s1600/strawbridges_exton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="498" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3IbkgdQTAdvTzoFVQNLpR-ftaN_fbcLbXejWGOKvAAeBWiYiPfFoiS8j-RohvKWJaHRH1Y5buUkV_p21p49ZeI-mOFntz4_qb51xUW8NSQ7X_RNbDngHbD06umO1YhogNIzWmBumW7JU/s320/strawbridges_exton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Postcard image of how this mall entrance originally looked in 1973. It is possible this was the south entrance as well, but it seems to (mostly) match the north entrance with the ceiling dropped.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22tLZKQ9MtjDrLx9kEGxpf6Q4kioWW4BigLtEYFJLtVw8Bxdv8AhXJdD8vUfSRc-gX2ZijIEONdZEaz4x6kplNMUj-qpqxerdSCY0hEiNY8mkI7Jyp30CaWj1tk0LxIVGg6LfPnzaKo7x/s1600/extonsquare_6_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22tLZKQ9MtjDrLx9kEGxpf6Q4kioWW4BigLtEYFJLtVw8Bxdv8AhXJdD8vUfSRc-gX2ZijIEONdZEaz4x6kplNMUj-qpqxerdSCY0hEiNY8mkI7Jyp30CaWj1tk0LxIVGg6LfPnzaKo7x/s320/extonsquare_6_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuoAMSCKxtKKLHuFna4HiLRRLNlGIqQXOeFXuQHJxouP_xUSlxm4oq8h3DsxjhPWvyOcpY_NnX-tYsS41dY1e42ta-fJXR5hRb0QED-NPDhNIdNUcSPMgHm9TWjprBmolQQPq11EopiA3/s1600/extonsquare_7_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuoAMSCKxtKKLHuFna4HiLRRLNlGIqQXOeFXuQHJxouP_xUSlxm4oq8h3DsxjhPWvyOcpY_NnX-tYsS41dY1e42ta-fJXR5hRb0QED-NPDhNIdNUcSPMgHm9TWjprBmolQQPq11EopiA3/s320/extonsquare_7_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The food court addition is one of the most attractive portions of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOkV8s3G2tHausBjd-njJyeYxnnQwG6gy8K5c6-yZz3RajTQgbrTF6VbBF2vzv7eu1i2cAZ56RiPfq6P4_y4Z3PBRnCvsNE-qs6CywR3N0U0c-pQ2IaHzX10w2BWNdvn3yu_uEogozcFw/s1600/extonsquare_8_081917_strawbridges-east.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOkV8s3G2tHausBjd-njJyeYxnnQwG6gy8K5c6-yZz3RajTQgbrTF6VbBF2vzv7eu1i2cAZ56RiPfq6P4_y4Z3PBRnCvsNE-qs6CywR3N0U0c-pQ2IaHzX10w2BWNdvn3yu_uEogozcFw/s320/extonsquare_8_081917_strawbridges-east.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqL7P9AAd28lRcloOmMeCwi67NMdseUbDQkS-dNzhIrnxTA1sYWN-1JfXi6Rl1IXeDw5sXEO1JgNVe82sCKp-FWofLX8MOqzGyxWPnur1WbDfCGZnUJvvW-jiKEDX5HEoXXeXixt1jixl/s1600/extonsquare_9_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqL7P9AAd28lRcloOmMeCwi67NMdseUbDQkS-dNzhIrnxTA1sYWN-1JfXi6Rl1IXeDw5sXEO1JgNVe82sCKp-FWofLX8MOqzGyxWPnur1WbDfCGZnUJvvW-jiKEDX5HEoXXeXixt1jixl/s320/extonsquare_9_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Macy's (Strawbridge's) east entrance with a bit more mall detail. An entrance wing shown in the next photo is on the left.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X8_Edsx0Ukl5UajVbPhOu84f0lNA5JZihRmvSBUkokOo9gaO0K-Jq8mxLiUI96mCxLRVRWsIRnMDAtEd3LgT-Iqa6Avih996XaNTWY-JYX-DZrFcqjSZjctfqUaunqy-_xE3xp7c4y-J/s1600/extonsquare_10_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X8_Edsx0Ukl5UajVbPhOu84f0lNA5JZihRmvSBUkokOo9gaO0K-Jq8mxLiUI96mCxLRVRWsIRnMDAtEd3LgT-Iqa6Avih996XaNTWY-JYX-DZrFcqjSZjctfqUaunqy-_xE3xp7c4y-J/s320/extonsquare_10_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">East entrance wing with partial view of the lower level.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BiN2hA59_4YN3TQPvNA8jsjDBlX8-WJ6mt_fSprgeSlrwXTos9oqtNbRw36X4iq0EtDgGuBq5PBV19KA2YODyfgtRLGjHplXQJ7ord06yelLXCeGvbahv8JQK3RPihqosrCpgFnNlVwS/s1600/extonsquare_11_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BiN2hA59_4YN3TQPvNA8jsjDBlX8-WJ6mt_fSprgeSlrwXTos9oqtNbRw36X4iq0EtDgGuBq5PBV19KA2YODyfgtRLGjHplXQJ7ord06yelLXCeGvbahv8JQK3RPihqosrCpgFnNlVwS/s320/extonsquare_11_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The greenery on the upper level of the east side of the mall is a nice touch. For perspective, this is looking north with the Macy's east entrance on the left and the food court straight ahead.</span></div>
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An interesting feature that previously was located on the mall property was the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zook_House_(West_Whiteland_Township,_Pennsylvania)">Zook House</a>. The Zook House was a historic home built in 1750 that, due to being on the national historical register, was retained on the southwest corner of the original mall. When the mall underwent expansion, the house would have to be moved in order to allow construction to go forward. At the time, the house was being used as offices for the mall. Thus, in 1998 the house was moved from its former location where Boscov's is now to its current location closer to U.S. 30 Business on the edge of the ring road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEVQ3Q-us3sizy7G2mqzzU5OkNMTJkdE_95GqYCMZTDkZj1-UiojlHQI41lHbE2_8BSuq4j1jIzNOQx6lQwGZVGYVNiz4JVRST-3Tk2pL5WgOXJr0L_zcqGd-ti5zQbYz4wZYB5OM9hBA/s1600/extonsquare_48_081917_zookhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEVQ3Q-us3sizy7G2mqzzU5OkNMTJkdE_95GqYCMZTDkZj1-UiojlHQI41lHbE2_8BSuq4j1jIzNOQx6lQwGZVGYVNiz4JVRST-3Tk2pL5WgOXJr0L_zcqGd-ti5zQbYz4wZYB5OM9hBA/s320/extonsquare_48_081917_zookhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Considering the Zook House is much older than the mall itself, a photo of it was obligatory!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhGsxFkSln7m46rs3nKzxt6f1cdq_WEIvIh3hJrgRxjdcadd4o-OEVjQqe7iF6sLwhibqzuP8u096eWpEPMyzi_sliio5Qrp_-xEfNBd7Pib-4jzo5_MB-_IzyO6rxDUpm0YVqmWapbdV/s1600/extonsquare_13_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhGsxFkSln7m46rs3nKzxt6f1cdq_WEIvIh3hJrgRxjdcadd4o-OEVjQqe7iF6sLwhibqzuP8u096eWpEPMyzi_sliio5Qrp_-xEfNBd7Pib-4jzo5_MB-_IzyO6rxDUpm0YVqmWapbdV/s320/extonsquare_13_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This photo was taken to show detail of the railing on the upper level. A little more effort was put in to give it a distinctive look. I'll give it a B+. A's are not given to malls that won't use color.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A_6CVgxQf99MBfXBTrVZYjSIYReV-_QSOfmVb7R9aU1Evc1VNmS9csPaVy6tbxCu7iKopBzKl51XaLhRg_EXFBhTtFHoXPzFFivEwjPSTP1sEA22EeY8ZwfH51BrtNW6gwh38TOpiMOd/s1600/extonsquare_33_081917_strawbridges-west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A_6CVgxQf99MBfXBTrVZYjSIYReV-_QSOfmVb7R9aU1Evc1VNmS9csPaVy6tbxCu7iKopBzKl51XaLhRg_EXFBhTtFHoXPzFFivEwjPSTP1sEA22EeY8ZwfH51BrtNW6gwh38TOpiMOd/s320/extonsquare_33_081917_strawbridges-west.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Macy's mall entrance looking blank next to the "STRAWBRIDGE & CLOTHIER" that once sprawled across the front.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg7TN4y71BXtzJs_vuBgdhDiY8uAjc_-AF9IPhqnwf2Vpbi21vRAFQzFFuXNcFygZenNVhJj7tOfDU2Yd3EUHdUTdu08JKqOM1gI42CjG3C1y2iNAqKJEeS4RlG2LYOnQ30KQCy6Ay_wT/s1600/extonsquare_32a_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg7TN4y71BXtzJs_vuBgdhDiY8uAjc_-AF9IPhqnwf2Vpbi21vRAFQzFFuXNcFygZenNVhJj7tOfDU2Yd3EUHdUTdu08JKqOM1gI42CjG3C1y2iNAqKJEeS4RlG2LYOnQ30KQCy6Ay_wT/s320/extonsquare_32a_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking south from the Macy's west entrance on the left. It's pretty much the mirror image of the east entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2dMAum8vrmbSKFUFup6bjszT09Ot7IHe5IR6LAEHkTWctKWyNYUGd7DOk9WOx7ZnmeBBLf3UKJTUuGSP0yfRfDeAJOtUPGY9tIIEcdd_2qqmDr3ngcGqZscwmP04LkNOqqvfQOTbXk-p/s1600/extonsquare_31_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2dMAum8vrmbSKFUFup6bjszT09Ot7IHe5IR6LAEHkTWctKWyNYUGd7DOk9WOx7ZnmeBBLf3UKJTUuGSP0yfRfDeAJOtUPGY9tIIEcdd_2qqmDr3ngcGqZscwmP04LkNOqqvfQOTbXk-p/s320/extonsquare_31_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view from the Macy's west entrance looking to the west entrance wing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUZvpyowhf-7MGISCWQJjgUxQ91H6EKjbB-pINUxz7DqMNMKXIPACwZVpaR-QHAEnyDfRN14cq3hohW3d9p14beBNAzWpNWm0W8-SVimTLI2KUrt0WnFO8OE6OWa9usRIBVFHeVC6isWm/s1600/extonsquare_20_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUZvpyowhf-7MGISCWQJjgUxQ91H6EKjbB-pINUxz7DqMNMKXIPACwZVpaR-QHAEnyDfRN14cq3hohW3d9p14beBNAzWpNWm0W8-SVimTLI2KUrt0WnFO8OE6OWa9usRIBVFHeVC6isWm/s320/extonsquare_20_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One look at the bottom floor. Most pics were taken on the top floor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dc8bG9UB4JodgLKM1dDMsYawvIJUUCXcJygqXmUYhaQEI353dlYwbZaYVZJYObMwaBsM1wops1bopnVQ8veYU9aiFolJTuhq9jz-4u_-HDvZknnqksvy5adPaNTwPgnTyHdz747gfPCW/s1600/extonsquare_37_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dc8bG9UB4JodgLKM1dDMsYawvIJUUCXcJygqXmUYhaQEI353dlYwbZaYVZJYObMwaBsM1wops1bopnVQ8veYU9aiFolJTuhq9jz-4u_-HDvZknnqksvy5adPaNTwPgnTyHdz747gfPCW/s320/extonsquare_37_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The skylight detail next to the Macy's mall entrance is quite attractive. The lower ceiling section at the end of the skylights is where the mall transitions to one level.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDElKkTgF9Lgb3gHP051wen7reIAArkyqgjsQjRE__rN1wDKuS2daK_pxHygUYv_kYiB3cIRlhQIA2nZoSntP2xeP04ChFm6mnIMCqRMODZPlldIwKPuNsqTxNUWEEJ2EMletQSnQDzPP/s1600/extonsquare_34_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDElKkTgF9Lgb3gHP051wen7reIAArkyqgjsQjRE__rN1wDKuS2daK_pxHygUYv_kYiB3cIRlhQIA2nZoSntP2xeP04ChFm6mnIMCqRMODZPlldIwKPuNsqTxNUWEEJ2EMletQSnQDzPP/s320/extonsquare_34_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Now headed south to Boscov's, which is on the diagonal wing to the right.</span></div>
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In 2003, the Rouse company sold the mall along with many others to Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) for just over a half-billion dollars after 30 years of ownership. In 2006, the mall's original anchor Strawbridge's was converted to Macy's as part of the sale of its parent May Department Stores to Federated Department Stores. Things stopped looking up for the mall when in 2014, the mall lost its first anchor with JCPenney closing its store at the mall after only 14 years of operation. The loss of JCPenney was likely partly due to the popularity of similarly-marketed Boscov's stealing customers from the then-struggling company within the same mall. Currently JCPenney has its lower level now leased to a bowling alley and entertainment center. In addition, filming began in the mall in 2016 for the sequel to the 1995 film Mallrats entitled MallBrats that was originally intended to be filmed at now-demolished Granite Run Mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF_S6CIAVUJnS3XgiG08H_DsCB4IAVlY7MXz7J3omuRbMtrM1dTNI5AJ3yWQT2X2VM4Q9dDyVClX4owSraEAO-KVXINugf6ZHtkSJ_ecl7He_qwIc1ZqFwr23_6_nd_d646N6HycqcXcu/s1600/extonsquare_35_081917_boscovs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF_S6CIAVUJnS3XgiG08H_DsCB4IAVlY7MXz7J3omuRbMtrM1dTNI5AJ3yWQT2X2VM4Q9dDyVClX4owSraEAO-KVXINugf6ZHtkSJ_ecl7He_qwIc1ZqFwr23_6_nd_d646N6HycqcXcu/s320/extonsquare_35_081917_boscovs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwKwl9UC7lj1Qqgc_96dE77SZ4kdXqJb7GUI82W0wgqadmPatuup7fGish2GOsMsSbCvWW5M78W9hDUbb890znhrYvJUAIMDzpfppv5oGYg5Jeu-FVOjfS5yXtlVwZyl6CvvGpW4KUuQF/s1600/extonsquare_21_081917_boscovs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwKwl9UC7lj1Qqgc_96dE77SZ4kdXqJb7GUI82W0wgqadmPatuup7fGish2GOsMsSbCvWW5M78W9hDUbb890znhrYvJUAIMDzpfppv5oGYg5Jeu-FVOjfS5yXtlVwZyl6CvvGpW4KUuQF/s320/extonsquare_21_081917_boscovs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's was captured on both levels here. This was an original build added in 1999 although it seems like a Bamberger's should have been here forcing the Zook House to be moved.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-FQCM71pmkm0luaatGmiTEMou5p7JC6qtpgaygHxTyjcSKA6PZrtGiF8antdiczH1qShDj0uDle0oM7WASZk_IsvklUFaoCOsYCnLqfP_s9X5x6l8eigIIl33aOPMxvfyBqgIlxhsTX5/s1600/extonsquare_12_081917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-FQCM71pmkm0luaatGmiTEMou5p7JC6qtpgaygHxTyjcSKA6PZrtGiF8antdiczH1qShDj0uDle0oM7WASZk_IsvklUFaoCOsYCnLqfP_s9X5x6l8eigIIl33aOPMxvfyBqgIlxhsTX5/s320/extonsquare_12_081917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmxqk5CahiT0RV8C0CTF6U8NRuEIl_AoV2NL27Ds0h-IKac8O-v0wWcOQgu2tGZE5iONjZ_aKo9SkRV8Qco9SyYH930DhZYV9yOYFQQIHCXbZ8hs-q0z8jCfynGQS6MxyAgUeOC_DPOQQ/s1600/extonsquare_10_011715_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmxqk5CahiT0RV8C0CTF6U8NRuEIl_AoV2NL27Ds0h-IKac8O-v0wWcOQgu2tGZE5iONjZ_aKo9SkRV8Qco9SyYH930DhZYV9yOYFQQIHCXbZ8hs-q0z8jCfynGQS6MxyAgUeOC_DPOQQ/s320/extonsquare_10_011715_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former JCPenney mall entrance captured in 2017 and 2015. The 2015 photo is on the lower level and is now the entrance to the entertainment complex. The upper level is permanently closed although it appears that Round 1 is using both levels.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0mEMlhc8n6NbEfUy2yLsLt1OyM7kCOo7eePpurJMLaLKvcXV7F1IKERHylwPjWxTwOAmdQpjw9EF2nX8TmXDffZ9kg4zGmSMzwZ5wDx-j22hU2X1p2-hIoWHSErgC9QdTRy_dizThOZk/s1600/extonsquare_40_081917_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0mEMlhc8n6NbEfUy2yLsLt1OyM7kCOo7eePpurJMLaLKvcXV7F1IKERHylwPjWxTwOAmdQpjw9EF2nX8TmXDffZ9kg4zGmSMzwZ5wDx-j22hU2X1p2-hIoWHSErgC9QdTRy_dizThOZk/s320/extonsquare_40_081917_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears was also added in 1999 with an unremarkable 1990's clone store that only got this distinctive of an entrance to blend in with the mall's architecture.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkILBCcvsaO20gABdlPvRNI-7SQuOWnhZAXCIoIbeM34OwATAR4yxIIsbN_BzedwdUpWP1UFUARqylv_F4nqZB2k-15U0X7FTHsPWdZdQiQ0kMbEDMkzO0NQqEyaBISBJrGULsxyI8zbM/s1600/extonsquare_15_011715_strawbridges-north.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkILBCcvsaO20gABdlPvRNI-7SQuOWnhZAXCIoIbeM34OwATAR4yxIIsbN_BzedwdUpWP1UFUARqylv_F4nqZB2k-15U0X7FTHsPWdZdQiQ0kMbEDMkzO0NQqEyaBISBJrGULsxyI8zbM/s320/extonsquare_15_011715_strawbridges-north.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look at the north court of Strawbridge's with Strawbridge's off to the left. If only I could have seen this in the 80's.</span></div>
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Exton Square is a curious mall in how it continues to remain successful while being so close to dominant King of Prussia Mall a mere 14 miles to the east. However, it is starting to show the effects. In the past few years many stores have begin to close, and the lack of maintenance in the former Strawbridge's suggests that the store is on the short list of closings. The Macy's was in such rough shape that buckling floor tiles were held in place with duct tape! In addition, Sears looks to be departing the mall very soon: another difficult to fill vacancy leaving the mall. In all, the future looks nebulous with the perfect storm of the retail apocalypse coupled with the mall's proximity to King of Prussia.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3VkblqzwtzEG1GZY8p1AF9xUCKKzQVCmOeGP4jqitnvF-PfvYcytAIaeJUrXGR9QwbIsyLX1TDls86CjtY0kTFxLdm5pihq9IthNDA1AI0HYT5PVqxmwg0jNZcOfoosRXYIffg0pKLJJ/s1600/extonsquare_41_081917_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3VkblqzwtzEG1GZY8p1AF9xUCKKzQVCmOeGP4jqitnvF-PfvYcytAIaeJUrXGR9QwbIsyLX1TDls86CjtY0kTFxLdm5pihq9IthNDA1AI0HYT5PVqxmwg0jNZcOfoosRXYIffg0pKLJJ/s320/extonsquare_41_081917_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears looks like a closed movie theater, and their featured products are now equivalent to dollar theater castoffs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGMbRsYFpACDeNCwuLEiDk-HcSaQHoz_kOJm4cGnmlEUuUMRyKLCymaa5hHlLwHi7afqi2EPzAW73UCnEc8MbEDjLuPKAbRES34oLYQHijfM1dNbFHFWIX7m2u_HN6aQjEns5MT-TlU-Y/s1600/extonsquare_45_081917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGMbRsYFpACDeNCwuLEiDk-HcSaQHoz_kOJm4cGnmlEUuUMRyKLCymaa5hHlLwHi7afqi2EPzAW73UCnEc8MbEDjLuPKAbRES34oLYQHijfM1dNbFHFWIX7m2u_HN6aQjEns5MT-TlU-Y/s320/extonsquare_45_081917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Round 1 is more like round 2 for this space after JCPenney decided to stop competing with Boscov's. However, it looks more and more like round 3 for the mall might be costly for the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tSDREE_Uzsi9EXZv1wJJqSqxB-8YqgGHEhxq7jsyfFCWq3e0-vSNNpwCNSTywQOX45BgN_rct_hhdsxYhDQNfybB-cYGErniA57xnfDCxjePeg5xg6s3rovIAg5hGAOMD468Rkci4a94/s1600/extonsquare_47_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tSDREE_Uzsi9EXZv1wJJqSqxB-8YqgGHEhxq7jsyfFCWq3e0-vSNNpwCNSTywQOX45BgN_rct_hhdsxYhDQNfybB-cYGErniA57xnfDCxjePeg5xg6s3rovIAg5hGAOMD468Rkci4a94/s320/extonsquare_47_081917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not the best pic, but I do really love Exton's distinct sign that really highlights the angular elements.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo8NsGo_QC2KgMnW-AFVmsGhOUsraLZtA8pVUqRL1oPq8YFm-pVJdcbg2L22Ex4C8b-s_HpmfdO9TnJOwmX8GjX0bO2U6boRcfSWM1FyRT40ukRhealekUqh88zP3W4DCKKU4VKWpB3fU/s1600/extonsquare_1_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo8NsGo_QC2KgMnW-AFVmsGhOUsraLZtA8pVUqRL1oPq8YFm-pVJdcbg2L22Ex4C8b-s_HpmfdO9TnJOwmX8GjX0bO2U6boRcfSWM1FyRT40ukRhealekUqh88zP3W4DCKKU4VKWpB3fU/s320/extonsquare_1_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Outside of the food court. Photo from January 17, 2015.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmAM586LHn-6XVOKOQVOEZoffD2aVvNEj5CAAxDembjCmOyZhjZIkeI2C31aXLdU5igNLXLgzty0J8g95MnN7dnWiQ_C_iXqMsd2qT4IwDe5J-DxGuJZ41lZAWvDpvvy_bjpizh2I9Ygq/s1600/extonsquare_2_011715_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmAM586LHn-6XVOKOQVOEZoffD2aVvNEj5CAAxDembjCmOyZhjZIkeI2C31aXLdU5igNLXLgzty0J8g95MnN7dnWiQ_C_iXqMsd2qT4IwDe5J-DxGuJZ41lZAWvDpvvy_bjpizh2I9Ygq/s320/extonsquare_2_011715_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney after losing round 1, which is now Round 1 (round 2). Hopefully the mall won't lose this round. Photo from January 17, 2015 shortly after the JCPenney left the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSWWxw8Lt7jwF0wRmWnycX_dz13-8vCTQc4OVmg3_uszqNnN_KNHSmKJKA1IqWJDPMilNX8w7YxYtvRwXGu4n08wSJ5nk7Ctfz-pZoqxxET5HaJB3W9Jm_1Xofpm7_SN8mcZ2OxMwJQm9/s1600/extonsquare_5_011715_boscovs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSWWxw8Lt7jwF0wRmWnycX_dz13-8vCTQc4OVmg3_uszqNnN_KNHSmKJKA1IqWJDPMilNX8w7YxYtvRwXGu4n08wSJ5nk7Ctfz-pZoqxxET5HaJB3W9Jm_1Xofpm7_SN8mcZ2OxMwJQm9/s320/extonsquare_5_011715_boscovs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's, gaudy as always, in its southwest facing entrance. Photo from January 17, 2015.</span></div>
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Despite Exton starting to succumb to industry factors, it has nothing to do with the surrounding area. It is actually an upscale area with incomes adequate to support it. In fact, the Kmart that flanks an outlot just west of the mall will be closed and converted to Whole Foods. Nonetheless, some features of the mall do remain vintage. This is especially true of the former Strawbridge's, now Macy's, which has not seen any significant update since it opened in 1973. Overall, the future of Exton Square pretty much rests on Macy's. Will Macy's continue to be willing to operate so many stores in the Philadelphia market? It avoided the list of 68 store closings in 2017, but two other malls in the market were not so lucky. In addition, Sears as an anchor will likely need to be replaced or demolished in the near future. Most likely the outcome will be that Boscov's takes over the Macy's spot with at least part of the mall ultimately demolished within the next decade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHZsZXRiJkqLrIUCV-jYWHa7dxfPxnLIATy8td5GEkrWevkdm_i87Ibag0hIy3qXDwDdmadvxWYQ_XjWV2J_TF0vZP3lrgnRbIvIFiliQ6fLYLcHSnqXYXSeudMANVzR-vRr3VdV61SHS/s1600/extonsquare_25_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHZsZXRiJkqLrIUCV-jYWHa7dxfPxnLIATy8td5GEkrWevkdm_i87Ibag0hIy3qXDwDdmadvxWYQ_XjWV2J_TF0vZP3lrgnRbIvIFiliQ6fLYLcHSnqXYXSeudMANVzR-vRr3VdV61SHS/s320/extonsquare_25_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c-1gns9jjVK4UEm3UJrQgfMOkeQ7VnYrxgK-_KkSIV0QDm6jPGp2N1dlROkAfUcXCO2SFYcJoiVyrTXDlj8wt-5wG1SRgoYbSgi5NufABC67d-R9REjHInmPuA_pyoSi95tkXWoQ40ZB/s1600/extonsquare_26_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c-1gns9jjVK4UEm3UJrQgfMOkeQ7VnYrxgK-_KkSIV0QDm6jPGp2N1dlROkAfUcXCO2SFYcJoiVyrTXDlj8wt-5wG1SRgoYbSgi5NufABC67d-R9REjHInmPuA_pyoSi95tkXWoQ40ZB/s320/extonsquare_26_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall's "center court" is actually the center of Macy's, which has not been updated at all from when it was Strawbridge's. That's fortunate for us since it is still a stunning store (although in need of a little TLC).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAMhp-PcWSmfLXGG3S-Ppc2ipVyv4QVsuz7hXZL8_0uTp67S01CtP5hu_zfwoGe8o1uphyNx3uytFfzbKzSp38b_w9gScSpL2hapinJwyyRiUrtkBEcbmIV16WdkyIzj9PcrWjlpiBMlk/s1600/extonsquare_27_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAMhp-PcWSmfLXGG3S-Ppc2ipVyv4QVsuz7hXZL8_0uTp67S01CtP5hu_zfwoGe8o1uphyNx3uytFfzbKzSp38b_w9gScSpL2hapinJwyyRiUrtkBEcbmIV16WdkyIzj9PcrWjlpiBMlk/s320/extonsquare_27_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note the duct tape on the joints in the floor tiles. The flooring is in pretty rough shape, but I'll pass on replacing it if it's going to be those off-white shiny squares that Macy's insists on using. It's stuff like this that leads me to believe it's a doomed store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9CHRE3-Ms43qsqPLpEUNSwu01_e2WaztYlUK4Nm3Tf4OYd1x3yohfcRCMRCK62m5uEUyFm7yJLLShBfC0HmBNH-oSATNofza3cZzOGJEHATGT101TwQj8SaRLdsPw9giV_S0Q8-5-D-z/s1600/extonsquare_29_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9CHRE3-Ms43qsqPLpEUNSwu01_e2WaztYlUK4Nm3Tf4OYd1x3yohfcRCMRCK62m5uEUyFm7yJLLShBfC0HmBNH-oSATNofza3cZzOGJEHATGT101TwQj8SaRLdsPw9giV_S0Q8-5-D-z/s320/extonsquare_29_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FjH_ErdpgG3I_NRcKdKLN0aCl8nniAJDJO32lrBKle3f8Vanb80vsImTcbEoJtC-IjfmUeSTsab1W4Rm6prR3caN9fr-kmn6wCK7HTHDLLSAW6hxUrI2trygXX5pwJS_yOjqU442XCeP/s1600/extonsquare_30_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FjH_ErdpgG3I_NRcKdKLN0aCl8nniAJDJO32lrBKle3f8Vanb80vsImTcbEoJtC-IjfmUeSTsab1W4Rm6prR3caN9fr-kmn6wCK7HTHDLLSAW6hxUrI2trygXX5pwJS_yOjqU442XCeP/s320/extonsquare_30_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Macy's mutilated this part of the store with their white paint, but you can tell by the trim this was a classy dark wood area of the store. Note the parquet flooring past this department.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey-3im6qifKZDkxZ7rXSKfK24SmZact-fm5TAGvrNEse_zZmvpFLbAMG5zplfGpwRjozxd6X98spbltqoC4AI5Hm41CsvemF_BezyRkFb35v5Rwje11KpSCKUGvXQ-IjcUwNOpHAypq-8/s1600/extonsquare_38_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey-3im6qifKZDkxZ7rXSKfK24SmZact-fm5TAGvrNEse_zZmvpFLbAMG5zplfGpwRjozxd6X98spbltqoC4AI5Hm41CsvemF_BezyRkFb35v5Rwje11KpSCKUGvXQ-IjcUwNOpHAypq-8/s320/extonsquare_38_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Duct, duct, not a goose but too old for the pond.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeEMEfOVRhrmLzqRDctfWgcyWCqD45UzVRHr2xqUS6q0gSW_3Sdl3ij3rqOb4L8XOGBI_SD4EqohGP8ywMa5GKYLRBVaAet5PWXIK-4c5p3mAiT9P6QTJyKSKCPtsQ0rShonfILMQguXG/s1600/extonsquare_24_081917_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeEMEfOVRhrmLzqRDctfWgcyWCqD45UzVRHr2xqUS6q0gSW_3Sdl3ij3rqOb4L8XOGBI_SD4EqohGP8ywMa5GKYLRBVaAet5PWXIK-4c5p3mAiT9P6QTJyKSKCPtsQ0rShonfILMQguXG/s320/extonsquare_24_081917_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Skylight details above the center court of Macy's/Strawbridge's showing that modernism could still look glamorous.</span></div>
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Exton is a very interesting mall for its time, and has had a solid 44 year run, but it is a second tier mall at a time when even the top door malls are fighting to survive. The question is not if Exton will remain a retail center, it is how much longer it will remain a mall. It is not in much different shape than Granite Run Mall that recently demolished the interior mall leaving only Boscov's and Sears, so it is likely where the mall is headed: an open-air center anchored by Boscov's and maybe Macy's. Perhaps the new retail center will be designed more on the theme of the local history and fit in more with the Zook House and Pennsylvania Dutch architecture. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Exton Square in the next decade as the retail apocalypse continues to reshape the once powerful mall industry and is taking no prisoners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38MPtXWyIgzM3REykb4vTDr4v9G1XZx421UiAFN7MOtHNnMPVnX_gIiizfGMHlUsbGKYUr7chgCiYqlN1roDjQ4gYmMB0kf0BioQUNqtYSm7f81XHhLj5aSgBsd-tMYI1QVq3ty5ihHjg/s1600/extonsquare_18_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38MPtXWyIgzM3REykb4vTDr4v9G1XZx421UiAFN7MOtHNnMPVnX_gIiizfGMHlUsbGKYUr7chgCiYqlN1roDjQ4gYmMB0kf0BioQUNqtYSm7f81XHhLj5aSgBsd-tMYI1QVq3ty5ihHjg/s320/extonsquare_18_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Last, but not least, a mall directory from 2015. You get the idea now, right?</span><br />
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-72044755399440452692017-12-02T17:34:00.000-08:002017-12-02T17:34:20.020-08:00Neshaminy Mall: Bensalem Township, PennsylvaniaThe sixth mall in the Philadelphia metro area was a one-story mall in Bensalem Township, a fairly typical suburban mall with a few special touches that make it stand out above the rest. Named Neshaminy Mall, the mall was named for nearby Neshaminy Creek. Meaning "double drinking place", the name was derived from the language of the Lenni Lenape tribe of Delaware Indians. From the beginning, the mall lived up to its name constructing a large fountain as its centerpiece. Constructed in 1968 by a partnership between The Korman Company and Strouse Greenberg, the original mall looked impressive for one level with very high courts over two stories tall both in front of its original two anchors and in the center court. Those original anchors were Strawbridge & Clothier and Sears.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnhVQE_EZgoLhImCPQ1nqfPtIcISd82VWrfSHshPo-YlUbOc41htucn9Slm-F9SYW9_CXL3EUAJyIISsFfAcZl6sWdIJ7G48_Zv9FGkwAR4JhwY2J30rf9X3mEKW8cHFj2CKK-VKbxO9E/s1600/neshaminy_14_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnhVQE_EZgoLhImCPQ1nqfPtIcISd82VWrfSHshPo-YlUbOc41htucn9Slm-F9SYW9_CXL3EUAJyIISsFfAcZl6sWdIJ7G48_Zv9FGkwAR4JhwY2J30rf9X3mEKW8cHFj2CKK-VKbxO9E/s320/neshaminy_14_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As an ode to the tribe that the mall was named for, the original fountain was replaced within two years of the mall's opening with a much larger fountain that was paid for by one of the mall's two original anchors: Strawbridge's. Sears may have also had a fountain, but it was probably similar to the original one in front of Strawbridge's and later removed. Apparently Strawbridge's wanted to showcase their store with a much showier fountain with historic precedent to replace the more basic concrete fountain that was put there when the mall opened. The newer fountain features a waterfall, a pool, trees, plants and a statue of Tawanka, chief of the Lenni Lenape tribe for which the name Neshaminy was derived. It was dedicated on September 9, 1970. Strawbridge's was a family-run store until the 1990's, and the family loved to pay homage to the area's history both on the exterior and at the mall entrances. This was their contribution to Neshaminy Mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ2-rVWDOAATJ9h6bfoJK2kDMZDzr4RjpQmmQDF5VIL8a_6EMUaK9FGPhLUcWFUHK3vvPKRYu-DbwIpv2z-1nDjlBh_rN1R6kCzXMQD9WKYimGAmorFMSbjWlQa6k99ie0Dz7ZaKerKiF/s1600/neshaminy_24_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ2-rVWDOAATJ9h6bfoJK2kDMZDzr4RjpQmmQDF5VIL8a_6EMUaK9FGPhLUcWFUHK3vvPKRYu-DbwIpv2z-1nDjlBh_rN1R6kCzXMQD9WKYimGAmorFMSbjWlQa6k99ie0Dz7ZaKerKiF/s320/neshaminy_24_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr-lvVlLoyoABjUAlVjLiIbYZDNbxb6wkrQWizk5J0WE28jYCTOgqi8_cTPWhPwByQoBndIMvKl2c5-YBpAadR1ncd_YfIH2qni-e99eW6jJFH0qbmm8o_m61MYmFgVIz8HSgLg36bUWi/s1600/neshaminy_15_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr-lvVlLoyoABjUAlVjLiIbYZDNbxb6wkrQWizk5J0WE28jYCTOgqi8_cTPWhPwByQoBndIMvKl2c5-YBpAadR1ncd_YfIH2qni-e99eW6jJFH0qbmm8o_m61MYmFgVIz8HSgLg36bUWi/s320/neshaminy_15_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The first photo shows the fountain, waterfall and pool in front of the Strawbridge's (later Macy's) mall entrance. More details of the fountain and court are shown both above and below. The upper level seen above the Macy's sign was part of the Strawbridge's restaurant and was closed to the public when the restaurant closed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_2-8wWjDW5MWFKo4gPznNWXYGys_nQGQ_PffSP4Oul5oOP-Pa46d-9z2acXBz7j89n7XRhSUfRnPvSOlAeldgYQf6QcI4OQ28FQJTzw4uoQBzIalLuXXm7F2P-s3pNaXlVTRsc1NsvyD/s1600/neshaminy_13_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_2-8wWjDW5MWFKo4gPznNWXYGys_nQGQ_PffSP4Oul5oOP-Pa46d-9z2acXBz7j89n7XRhSUfRnPvSOlAeldgYQf6QcI4OQ28FQJTzw4uoQBzIalLuXXm7F2P-s3pNaXlVTRsc1NsvyD/s320/neshaminy_13_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the fountain and statue facing the Boscov's wing. Macy's is to the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3iLlTHBOlxodSWtaD0LXqN8ZsoGWnWESRHDcZPHwH7KzTFBKPSuyEp57L0V-BHgHbQBk7t8Vmk200fb-uKfei7MJagw4n4LZEZX4TL_u-sYsdkMRQTAwOFTXT1RpenD9k5ISOFx4g3qW/s1600/neshaminy_16_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3iLlTHBOlxodSWtaD0LXqN8ZsoGWnWESRHDcZPHwH7KzTFBKPSuyEp57L0V-BHgHbQBk7t8Vmk200fb-uKfei7MJagw4n4LZEZX4TL_u-sYsdkMRQTAwOFTXT1RpenD9k5ISOFx4g3qW/s320/neshaminy_16_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the statue</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7jfgjyx4FHf6Axdk1zv3msulrsA5CtvEGZRVxmTxufnIsnozAoEKl0f-EQPJ9VZhug4jU66PBMePuRcKBkj5LAzlDAT_uXWe8-qoslySxvNVlHHma3iWJXrWo6-i51470M4ldTui7ZT_/s1600/neshaminy_33_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7jfgjyx4FHf6Axdk1zv3msulrsA5CtvEGZRVxmTxufnIsnozAoEKl0f-EQPJ9VZhug4jU66PBMePuRcKBkj5LAzlDAT_uXWe8-qoslySxvNVlHHma3iWJXrWo6-i51470M4ldTui7ZT_/s320/neshaminy_33_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the waterfall</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp19U0fvLs8vu3RPpIwbaNaqnAaQaYNMH-V3RiW0jBPxg3c01IPZ5CvJlqtL7WPDQyaNlFzgCoy6dmDF9dT-ZpywQ7mmfz3Z9ct-pon-6XdsxxBzJ4NVBZf3gn93bSRB7uDflW7jPWgS-H/s1600/neshaminy_34_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp19U0fvLs8vu3RPpIwbaNaqnAaQaYNMH-V3RiW0jBPxg3c01IPZ5CvJlqtL7WPDQyaNlFzgCoy6dmDF9dT-ZpywQ7mmfz3Z9ct-pon-6XdsxxBzJ4NVBZf3gn93bSRB7uDflW7jPWgS-H/s320/neshaminy_34_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Plaque on the fountain explaining the meaning behind the fountain and sculpture.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C6jHq1ZbmvaNSt3-s3CeqZc-U2Utth-h_xNS34nVx00XUe487JLhow9o-_DZw1zTKLsiafxYycDBudrOWB-LV4yfjp9uj4XTFdnHWjychtbk4JBh0ivsgugycmZXcc320CFaWRrBZ-lb/s1600/neshaminy_17_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C6jHq1ZbmvaNSt3-s3CeqZc-U2Utth-h_xNS34nVx00XUe487JLhow9o-_DZw1zTKLsiafxYycDBudrOWB-LV4yfjp9uj4XTFdnHWjychtbk4JBh0ivsgugycmZXcc320CFaWRrBZ-lb/s320/neshaminy_17_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fountain facing the Boscov's wing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTF1FNOLxDMUfawPs-JC4NhlThFTkn2kQi14EcmCstMXH0_5NIegdW0yrAaDRI4-6sxbtQkTqKnaIRmLipjIhZ69E4PZVgIRnLBYRFnWTlKNVXdnpwVdiysKbYjhmi0fODKh8fCKLBcBi/s1600/neshaminy_35_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTF1FNOLxDMUfawPs-JC4NhlThFTkn2kQi14EcmCstMXH0_5NIegdW0yrAaDRI4-6sxbtQkTqKnaIRmLipjIhZ69E4PZVgIRnLBYRFnWTlKNVXdnpwVdiysKbYjhmi0fODKh8fCKLBcBi/s320/neshaminy_35_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fountain facing the main part of the mall toward Sears.</span></div>
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Strawbridge's did not hesitate to make their store the centerpiece of the mall despite not actually being in the center of the mall. This included the third floor of Strawbridge's overlooking the mall providing a view from what was then the Corinthian Room restaurant. This was also likely part of the reason for the fountain upgrade. Nonetheless, aside from Strawbridge's, the mall was otherwise a fairly typical mall of the era forming a straight shot from Strawbridge's to Sears. Over time, this arrangement proved to be less competitive, and an expansion was undertaken in 1975 to help the mall better compete with more popular Oxford Valley Mall. Oxford Valley Mall had opened in 1973 a mere six miles away with a bigger, better mall and was stealing customers from the older mall. The newer mall had the same anchors as Neshaminy, and the expansion of Neshaminy Mall added a northeast wing that included Lit Brothers department store and between 15-25 more inline stores.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcprcNgdyb5peF-a2EX25YYAZ6_BJr6u3bTo9Qx7pZ6NoUsC3El2D-_PRqwBBG8ja5Jf6H8UZ-EJb1ga1otq6kW32OoPw3Kl0GyWQMvVLvygwo7n-BWuZXeeIzgzSeVoTnK7R99axH4iZ/s1600/neshaminy_7_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcprcNgdyb5peF-a2EX25YYAZ6_BJr6u3bTo9Qx7pZ6NoUsC3El2D-_PRqwBBG8ja5Jf6H8UZ-EJb1ga1otq6kW32OoPw3Kl0GyWQMvVLvygwo7n-BWuZXeeIzgzSeVoTnK7R99axH4iZ/s320/neshaminy_7_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above is the detail of the skylights inside the former Strawbridge's/Macy's when it was still open. The gorgeous escalator/staircases in the center of the store was a signature style of suburban Strawbridge's locations.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWuZ_2TUtbUz0mbhW-t_UjrXV87OL8D2F1ZfbtlRSrS-v2JmZSH_NU2fvjQDekiYME3EnrjrQIFLXQQN3LPIxm-rsttaUpa3j_4U400r_SN2YeC3whguw8NDzZUChRdQyhLQk5uHs7jDE/s1600/neshaminy_9_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWuZ_2TUtbUz0mbhW-t_UjrXV87OL8D2F1ZfbtlRSrS-v2JmZSH_NU2fvjQDekiYME3EnrjrQIFLXQQN3LPIxm-rsttaUpa3j_4U400r_SN2YeC3whguw8NDzZUChRdQyhLQk5uHs7jDE/s320/neshaminy_9_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgaWYtAiuKzHX6qvdaamI_O5Pp4VnQjiQz9-eADiKMxd9pNp55rQUfH9sMpG1wuX-gGOpVa_wWzsFLIUQMD_hyxW7EDTadO9YBg3HhyphenhyphenH2ISXY4EiliRYwkpSCuNmmacqJrMcbNmIRN1Ei/s1600/neshaminy_10_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgaWYtAiuKzHX6qvdaamI_O5Pp4VnQjiQz9-eADiKMxd9pNp55rQUfH9sMpG1wuX-gGOpVa_wWzsFLIUQMD_hyxW7EDTadO9YBg3HhyphenhyphenH2ISXY4EiliRYwkpSCuNmmacqJrMcbNmIRN1Ei/s320/neshaminy_10_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwFBIJTK9eZi7VO3h_pFGmwz3YsTpAu0RiOVTW7Jx81nBy3eUTkO3Ae_9QRWUH07b77kCds6kk5qfndlc445FcjrbHj07-XlDxX7yyxBOtdb-q_QN6AlH0KC1od98H9fivFP9RK5EpQxa/s1600/neshaminy_11_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwFBIJTK9eZi7VO3h_pFGmwz3YsTpAu0RiOVTW7Jx81nBy3eUTkO3Ae_9QRWUH07b77kCds6kk5qfndlc445FcjrbHj07-XlDxX7yyxBOtdb-q_QN6AlH0KC1od98H9fivFP9RK5EpQxa/s320/neshaminy_11_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ni-eNZf7szA6wzBuoqCaLUgJFsN7IFjmePR3hm5fde5EHVpX6X-yvCrdI8PsORJayJYbiONBJ3c33cnto7utNW9GEIYIfRFgI-xpwYqp2eRFvrwYVI-F9axb06rgerlXib1mjTdwXj_E/s1600/neshaminy_12_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ni-eNZf7szA6wzBuoqCaLUgJFsN7IFjmePR3hm5fde5EHVpX6X-yvCrdI8PsORJayJYbiONBJ3c33cnto7utNW9GEIYIfRFgI-xpwYqp2eRFvrwYVI-F9axb06rgerlXib1mjTdwXj_E/s320/neshaminy_12_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">More detail of the stairs, escalators and chandaliers at the Strawbridge's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqHBS8Y9T_VomkeZTTOsY7XovNhx6C3DfE-vLPBjRDrdXGliA6NJAgmhKRy2FHNXtKesP8_yYebEvzzueKK4yReLu29n8Pw5SIEfNl45eHhCCZYtj8D51HhBo-4HrC08wdhCb3QMs-08A/s1600/neshaminy_19_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqHBS8Y9T_VomkeZTTOsY7XovNhx6C3DfE-vLPBjRDrdXGliA6NJAgmhKRy2FHNXtKesP8_yYebEvzzueKK4yReLu29n8Pw5SIEfNl45eHhCCZYtj8D51HhBo-4HrC08wdhCb3QMs-08A/s320/neshaminy_19_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exiting back out into the mall, more detail of Strawbridge's court. The overhead skylights and windows are 1960's, but it is tasteful and attractive giving abundant natural light.</span></div>
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Philly-based Lit Brothers, however, was a lower-end department store that was no longer able to compete after competition from larger chains cut into their business. The entire chain was liquidated in 1977. Lit Brothers closure was also due to its parent company, City Stores (now CSS industries), divesting its department store holdings in the span of 1973-1980 including other chains like Lansburgh's in DC and Loveman's in Alabama. Pomeroy's, a division of Allied Department Stores replaced Lit Brothers the same year. Ten years later, Bon-Ton would take over Pomeroy's when the chain was spun off as part of the sale of Allied Stores to Federated. Bon-Ton itself would itself prove to struggle in the market, closing in 1994. Boscov's would take over the location in 1995 and ultimately outlast all the other previous tenants.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bqJwfuojlxRdQUjbs2wSvuwz6SZLdmCOFWApoK-6cNQpXhBkqJevCd4B15hoKcoaJgz7OoziUmEOfypm9NXSXEDtQkLzAKHS9S2siFfjXKGp7fSstgmle9xxHoTBXEVawnzQCozIBZ3H/s1600/neshaminy_20_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bqJwfuojlxRdQUjbs2wSvuwz6SZLdmCOFWApoK-6cNQpXhBkqJevCd4B15hoKcoaJgz7OoziUmEOfypm9NXSXEDtQkLzAKHS9S2siFfjXKGp7fSstgmle9xxHoTBXEVawnzQCozIBZ3H/s320/neshaminy_20_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The 1973 addition was apparently originally designed as a darker corridor with no natural light. A later renovation added these skylights, which obviously had to be worked in above the existing ceiling trusses. This is an unfortunate and unsightly trend in more recent malls as a way of adding skylights where none previously existed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmEm2uHbQ8Y7VjB0UljdeGp8dus1cbIg6jYzSKSva1aINRBYlqROF-D3WNQDw0XpJb2Pu87YZhmeaYQFSQ92AW1r1Jat0FtP4li2HUsss_LTIOfx5mhJ0AV_RxGSnCo9H8St-lONnocgt/s1600/neshaminy_21_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmEm2uHbQ8Y7VjB0UljdeGp8dus1cbIg6jYzSKSva1aINRBYlqROF-D3WNQDw0XpJb2Pu87YZhmeaYQFSQ92AW1r1Jat0FtP4li2HUsss_LTIOfx5mhJ0AV_RxGSnCo9H8St-lONnocgt/s320/neshaminy_21_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Like the older parts of the mall, the Boscov's court was designed with high ceilings, but did they ever serve any purpose? Skylights added were more subdued than the 1960's portion of the mall. The store originally opened as Lit Brothers in 1973 and later operated as Pomeroy's and Bon-Ton before becoming Boscov's in 1995. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijCfFK9cW2zhn_ioFH8AFB1mJEiLYuYXN_VSenYAh3gboUq8LFfnom7nqUh6RWyMxuXQPcX596QR0DnJ4DSiEvt0VITkuR-TbjptT3kte5J-sW6ztoQUXx6u0U-vO0hwoGdJ2TqS0DC4U/s1600/neshaminy_22_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijCfFK9cW2zhn_ioFH8AFB1mJEiLYuYXN_VSenYAh3gboUq8LFfnom7nqUh6RWyMxuXQPcX596QR0DnJ4DSiEvt0VITkuR-TbjptT3kte5J-sW6ztoQUXx6u0U-vO0hwoGdJ2TqS0DC4U/s320/neshaminy_22_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A small exterior entrance corridor is located next to Boscov's that appears to have originally held around 4-6 tenants.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ-8Kmz9nn4uTeTy8mqrp7VZoq-g-IEcVjrq8ClR1b0rTnZkAGI1JSy7mE4WfR4stGlp9R7ascXMxN7iOy4hHpk6nuh8Rqv_RKRE3-4gkwKoB9iAZuQYnT3BHm4cCvCrmAoHlljepGe0w/s1600/neshaminy_23_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ-8Kmz9nn4uTeTy8mqrp7VZoq-g-IEcVjrq8ClR1b0rTnZkAGI1JSy7mE4WfR4stGlp9R7ascXMxN7iOy4hHpk6nuh8Rqv_RKRE3-4gkwKoB9iAZuQYnT3BHm4cCvCrmAoHlljepGe0w/s320/neshaminy_23_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Leaving the Boscov's court returning to the older part of the mall.</span></div>
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Since the initial 1975 expansion, the mall was expanded two more times. The first was the addition of a food court in 1989 that was further expanded in 1990. After a 1995 renovation, the mall was expanded again adding a northwest wing ending at a 24 screen AMC theater in 1998. This expansion also brought the mall to over one million square feet. Throughout the years, the mall also changed ownership several times. The first ownership change came with the sale of the mall from Mutual of New York (now known as AXA) to Homart Development Company, the real estate development arm of Sears. The mall was sold again to General Growth Properties (GGP) in 1995 when Sears sold off Homart properties and shut down the subsidiary. GGP continues to currently own the mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71NnTxfNIVAYahgDfq0wV67da86VwgBzpcR9GnPinuHaQG6WQJfVHCy1QQ_WMonx_SyCSuT0_MiQy2cZ6MwqlpFTuPSDbW0lGTeZj5O85VveHoZjD-m5tbvcyuUcvhzXmWHFlvjRClq2r/s1600/neshaminy_26_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71NnTxfNIVAYahgDfq0wV67da86VwgBzpcR9GnPinuHaQG6WQJfVHCy1QQ_WMonx_SyCSuT0_MiQy2cZ6MwqlpFTuPSDbW0lGTeZj5O85VveHoZjD-m5tbvcyuUcvhzXmWHFlvjRClq2r/s320/neshaminy_26_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h-rx6ryvQilCwlTA_HPTmzIWdeUSeXUwHAbPX3-OxDuixRDrcmWaLX8N-UuiPzXVF1AVqXQGw1rXCDpdqzC76XBnsFGV95AbeSp1kKSoJkIT8WcvJsTchyphenhyphen2MImEpRO0n63foBCVQC1Ut/s1600/neshaminy_25_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h-rx6ryvQilCwlTA_HPTmzIWdeUSeXUwHAbPX3-OxDuixRDrcmWaLX8N-UuiPzXVF1AVqXQGw1rXCDpdqzC76XBnsFGV95AbeSp1kKSoJkIT8WcvJsTchyphenhyphen2MImEpRO0n63foBCVQC1Ut/s320/neshaminy_25_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Details of the actual center court of the mall with abundant natural light coming from large windows and overhead skylights. If the areas around the skylights and high windows were replaced with actual color and wood trim with as impressive of a center court as exists in front of the old Strawbridge's, this would be truly impressive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7kwkRnMzic8ZXhMUq1k8CleN_ckL0aOdlRCXYGZ4xpubq21yX3IuwXcouC2aQWAphkINzCgS4lUE2vJ4dWR3yM_iIPOhw9l9biDtnsSSpJzWXi_omnpzfHSoLXu6IaaVl8lZ5Y8t_6eG/s1600/neshaminy_27_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7kwkRnMzic8ZXhMUq1k8CleN_ckL0aOdlRCXYGZ4xpubq21yX3IuwXcouC2aQWAphkINzCgS4lUE2vJ4dWR3yM_iIPOhw9l9biDtnsSSpJzWXi_omnpzfHSoLXu6IaaVl8lZ5Y8t_6eG/s320/neshaminy_27_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view into the food court area.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV3f9N6JvCiH871oJrVbRTi8zg6lXkeEQLDPd6FieNz6FtCryzA70_QdTfcmV33g1artf5FAlZvtKKgkpjDm0_beE-igLgJ5Eh5rjHN7O_5rLy_mQ1H4Got5BVQVcOwfybi3uWz-D3l7k/s1600/neshaminy_28_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV3f9N6JvCiH871oJrVbRTi8zg6lXkeEQLDPd6FieNz6FtCryzA70_QdTfcmV33g1artf5FAlZvtKKgkpjDm0_beE-igLgJ5Eh5rjHN7O_5rLy_mQ1H4Got5BVQVcOwfybi3uWz-D3l7k/s320/neshaminy_28_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUpJY_RrHzWI7J8R_KCpPA-_MxIZOWdVIiQbnW8RCs8RGi6jlihuCYQ_jMGhbbytrmIPhnZND7IBdstGPwlkTo11q4THlPjqC0lBgka4RXU5CMBs_5Gt3iD0CHzSmxbfDZu5Or7oV7QKl/s1600/neshaminy_29_072316_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUpJY_RrHzWI7J8R_KCpPA-_MxIZOWdVIiQbnW8RCs8RGi6jlihuCYQ_jMGhbbytrmIPhnZND7IBdstGPwlkTo11q4THlPjqC0lBgka4RXU5CMBs_5Gt3iD0CHzSmxbfDZu5Or7oV7QKl/s320/neshaminy_29_072316_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears court and mall entrance. Barnes & Noble takes up a large junior anchor space to the left of the Sears entrance. It is worrisome what will happen to this mall when Sears closes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSGIPevxn36Yztrjs5LaFukMTftsAk20jupq1pOyJl_T-8SNYbGM9GVG9mP0fLpT5_GdYv8AcrSYJ-5inYU0Vm7-4OazCHQ2IKN7S4VWHaQ9Sr5HO1qm-RNwoBCrUhxuf1n2mjK3RpInN/s1600/neshaminy_30_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSGIPevxn36Yztrjs5LaFukMTftsAk20jupq1pOyJl_T-8SNYbGM9GVG9mP0fLpT5_GdYv8AcrSYJ-5inYU0Vm7-4OazCHQ2IKN7S4VWHaQ9Sr5HO1qm-RNwoBCrUhxuf1n2mjK3RpInN/s320/neshaminy_30_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is NOT something you see everyday in a modern mall: a Time-Out Arcade! I'm glad I captured this. I ultimately found another Time-Out Arcade at another mall and went in with a friend to play some Skee Ball.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2EqJ-ZgeqQxstvTezVH2VXaGL2yaZzPuazPE_0HBBDjNGRe5mSF4CM8YVLHcYUkfW7oHhtNiaSL6bRNINnbfb8rlLGRwxk9nI7Ey9x1bKLsSerp2aikROgmBYj3xdFN-AzwbzEW2Vr2K/s1600/neshaminy_31_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2EqJ-ZgeqQxstvTezVH2VXaGL2yaZzPuazPE_0HBBDjNGRe5mSF4CM8YVLHcYUkfW7oHhtNiaSL6bRNINnbfb8rlLGRwxk9nI7Ey9x1bKLsSerp2aikROgmBYj3xdFN-AzwbzEW2Vr2K/s320/neshaminy_31_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Before you go to watch the fifth sequel of a movie you were tired of by the second one, you "gotta go to Mo's!" Modell's is a moderately successful sporting goods chain that has somehow found a niche among larger players in the Northeast. It is often found off-mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA601hOL7mGaAe-MAeVOBwcC5w43nfmoHbADyLD7HqHZnRRmQzOxJSna6GYQdjvj091MZ915vKXoh6M-N1FcZdJAAun8y84p_FdKrvdzj_AiYg-izr5dob80vb8y4MJy3VdfnCNHlxXPid/s1600/neshaminy_32_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA601hOL7mGaAe-MAeVOBwcC5w43nfmoHbADyLD7HqHZnRRmQzOxJSna6GYQdjvj091MZ915vKXoh6M-N1FcZdJAAun8y84p_FdKrvdzj_AiYg-izr5dob80vb8y4MJy3VdfnCNHlxXPid/s320/neshaminy_32_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fun for the whole family at the AMC 24! The addition of the theater in 1995 rounded off the mall at four anchors.</span></div>
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Next year, Neshaminy Mall will celebrate its 50th anniversary, but there may not be anything to celebrate considering that the mall is facing a crisis. Between 1995 and 2015, nothing significant changed with the mall other than Strawbridge's becoming Macy's. However, Strawbridge's was long in decline before it became Macy's with the family losing the store to May Company in the late 90's who then sold it to Federated Department Stores, which converted it to Macy's. In early 2017, Macy's decided to close its location at the mall after 49 years of business. This leaves a significant hole in the mall, especially when considering that the mall's only other original anchor, Sears, is very close to going under. This leaves only Boscov's and the AMC theater as anchors to the mall. Since dead anchors in malls are now impossible to fill, this is the beginning of the end of a very special little mall. We wish so much that the industry could be turned around and that new stores could come in and fill these voids, but since the beginning of the decade this has proved nearly impossible for too many malls. Non-traditional anchors are what will be needed, but this will mean that the existing Sears and Strawbridge's buildings will likely need to be demolished since they are too big for the needs of any future retail tenant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxgznE4tAefMYQxXr9GUVIZpz3Hf9puhpGSlZkY2h6GWLGnJm1SQ5JC1aMoXKqVFI1Sd6X9bpCk2EHrhq-J41LnsgZrDEyVFLP3K-kKdlNRaX-TfX6AtGzNqDHZDWEFQK4OqGZmLkedal/s1600/neshaminy_1_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxgznE4tAefMYQxXr9GUVIZpz3Hf9puhpGSlZkY2h6GWLGnJm1SQ5JC1aMoXKqVFI1Sd6X9bpCk2EHrhq-J41LnsgZrDEyVFLP3K-kKdlNRaX-TfX6AtGzNqDHZDWEFQK4OqGZmLkedal/s320/neshaminy_1_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears at a mall should never go without a photograph: especially when it's a store from 1968! As one of the original two anchors, the troubles with the chain are worrisome considering that Macy's left the former Strawbridge's location after 49 continuous years of business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears Auto Center</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2EsQ4DiFaNEIa_G50ZNILcA_4k3X9TqJXy5JPfuv0HMClnj8okkBWuojr96GHs9SA1deod-8OiW8ZSyucSObibx29JY_iXfyJgGbWJ6C8_L23dlYmbcMu9mbiwpNc-lbfrnkAD19-f_U/s1600/neshaminy_3_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2EsQ4DiFaNEIa_G50ZNILcA_4k3X9TqJXy5JPfuv0HMClnj8okkBWuojr96GHs9SA1deod-8OiW8ZSyucSObibx29JY_iXfyJgGbWJ6C8_L23dlYmbcMu9mbiwpNc-lbfrnkAD19-f_U/s320/neshaminy_3_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's, which opened in 1977 as Lit Brothers. As typical of Boscov's, the exterior entrance saw a few updates. When a smaller chain like Boscov's can update their stores from previous owners, but Macy's can't even afford a gallon of paint, it's pretty obvious there is something wrong with Macy's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbAIUOVHovcJ_zwYBCZqaGFNg2k45IxATP-DfPbfhT-gPrGyCngIRQIKplJdg445OLNHcr0VYokfPCtZcTuwwE9l8uuDduDNjlNCR9yNTlkxwLCLPYBZw2URrIzV7n-7PPPLoprjcO6p_/s1600/neshaminy_5_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbAIUOVHovcJ_zwYBCZqaGFNg2k45IxATP-DfPbfhT-gPrGyCngIRQIKplJdg445OLNHcr0VYokfPCtZcTuwwE9l8uuDduDNjlNCR9yNTlkxwLCLPYBZw2URrIzV7n-7PPPLoprjcO6p_/s320/neshaminy_5_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBr6OqfIOWsakJRLk4PIyGlMikAKyxAzGAyXD40Z8OH0otSSqaZzYtGfu4tSxLKrMfP_nx1RgmeU2-jz9y9cchHG7cJRcqg0X38KhWbJvhV6HGPiYbCMBWfZDGlZPdENzL6qccZqEy29E/s1600/neshaminy_6_072316_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBr6OqfIOWsakJRLk4PIyGlMikAKyxAzGAyXD40Z8OH0otSSqaZzYtGfu4tSxLKrMfP_nx1RgmeU2-jz9y9cchHG7cJRcqg0X38KhWbJvhV6HGPiYbCMBWfZDGlZPdENzL6qccZqEy29E/s320/neshaminy_6_072316_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">RIP Strawbridge & Clothier. The Strawbridge's "Seal of Confidence" is visible in the stone on the right. That confidence was lost when it became Macy's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GsutTU4WCm-ygj4MeV8CWRuhOsyc0NIrW0Iu0cpK9yLjEwr6u3E8eptvoOB9Aohnvj8p8BBA7wqnA6OR_rm0pccQYNjYvfh4dw4WiFC5xFJE2sRrH7kStRukA_8aiARLCas-MNPNaw3f/s1600/neshaminy_36_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GsutTU4WCm-ygj4MeV8CWRuhOsyc0NIrW0Iu0cpK9yLjEwr6u3E8eptvoOB9Aohnvj8p8BBA7wqnA6OR_rm0pccQYNjYvfh4dw4WiFC5xFJE2sRrH7kStRukA_8aiARLCas-MNPNaw3f/s320/neshaminy_36_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The problems for Neshaminy as a competitive mall, however, are not new. Since the mall was built, it has competed with two larger malls with better anchors. It is also a reflection of the industry as a whole where department store closures and consolidation are making it harder and harder for the typical suburban mall to survive. Neshaminy was one of those malls that was once bulletproof. As evidence of these problems, its main two competitors are also facing difficulties. Oxford Valley Mall, once the primary competitor to Neshaminy, is also not doing well with a dead anchor and many vacancies. Even competing Willow Grove Park Mall, located 12 miles away, just lost JCPenney and is soon to lose its Sears although it has already downsized Sears for Irish clothing store Primark. Neshaminy has also seen an uptick in vacancies since Macy's closure. Unlike with many malls with a sudden loss of a major anchor, this one is harder to pinpoint. Perhaps it can be summed up as the King of Prussia effect: a mall so dominant in the market that none of the other malls can effectively compete. At this point, it is difficult to predict what the final outcome will be, because the mall seemed to be doing very well when the pictures were taken. Macy's was full of customers and so was the mall. What happened? It seems as though the most likely outcome for Neshaminy will be redevelopment into a mixed use center keeping only Boscov's and the AMC theaters. It's not a plan that is worth celebrating when a mall like this survives 50 years, but the wheels of change are suddenly moving too fast for conventional malls like this one.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-23242534311544924042017-12-01T13:52:00.000-08:002017-12-01T13:52:38.819-08:00Concord Mall: Wilmington, DENon-locals and retail enthusiasts seem to have ignored a particular mall in the Philadelphia metro area. After seeing this mall, we have to wonder why. Opening in 1965, Concord Mall was originally a small enclosed mall anchored on the south end by a store called Almart, a discount division of Allied Stores founded in 1962. The mall attached to Almart was also built by Allied Stores. Of note is also that Almart was known as J.B. Hunter in other markets although J.B. Hunter appears to have been a low-end department store. While Allied Stores no longer exists as an entity in the U.S., it appears that the mall itself was spun off to a small corporation bearing the name of the former corporate parent. The early mall was a relatively small and noncompetitive ancillary mall compared with other malls in the market, so it is remarkable that the mall is not only still around today but is doing quite well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ySD5_r6siXm9ROu42T8TOqBq6mzzbgL7jXKRkVIEwDLOoKbQ0RrdDAnLXHyZbq6Vl23X55o1r6ZSqxHqXpq2k5gjgqgacoRVzBJKjWngCmPKEvA7Ogvs1x_bHyUA5PFasmG_az3HbqFi/s1600/concord_17_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ySD5_r6siXm9ROu42T8TOqBq6mzzbgL7jXKRkVIEwDLOoKbQ0RrdDAnLXHyZbq6Vl23X55o1r6ZSqxHqXpq2k5gjgqgacoRVzBJKjWngCmPKEvA7Ogvs1x_bHyUA5PFasmG_az3HbqFi/s320/concord_17_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Concord Mall is not a mall without competition, which is part of what makes it unique in how well it does. Add to that that all malls in Delaware greatly benefit from being in a state with no sales tax, meaning that retail is big business in the First State. This draws in many shoppers from Pennsylvania and New Jersey that might otherwise go to competing malls. In all, it basically carved out its own niche in the market despite being 14 miles from far more popular Christiana Mall, 17 miles from Springfield Mall, 17 miles from Exton Square Mall and 27 miles from the massive King of Prussia Mall. Competition is not that far away, but it is still far enough away that it definitely has a convenience factor. Its present anchors today include Boscov's, Macy's, Macy's Home and Sears. With Sears failing as a company, that might present issues for the mall, but as a healthy mall, this anchor may not be super difficult to fill. In fact, in an era when so many malls are on the brink of failure this is not one of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEWO-wfj0NMiGSjq1bIrOY3RlvL5eGypEemj7DEzQurNFnxFRxaA-Z2cahSoXgJfb6oyhXBYe3fXDXtsEt50A8ABt3jH5n7dcRRqPZJIkuCaQRatrI5MhQ5FOtmcAO79j9otGxoc4qBgL/s1600/concord_39_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEWO-wfj0NMiGSjq1bIrOY3RlvL5eGypEemj7DEzQurNFnxFRxaA-Z2cahSoXgJfb6oyhXBYe3fXDXtsEt50A8ABt3jH5n7dcRRqPZJIkuCaQRatrI5MhQ5FOtmcAO79j9otGxoc4qBgL/s320/concord_39_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBDCA1qPZyMn-LcS2cATGHGXQNhUYMiO4SHEVWnzs_QaAR6q_g_65XgAHSYvTMIZeKKhJWAdnPGrvTL4kdaoYRROGBN_q6FOpkBIc8bLiRClnYP7U1HdkZw8L3HSeLr5KVL7ikNCf0nIw/s1600/concord_40_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBDCA1qPZyMn-LcS2cATGHGXQNhUYMiO4SHEVWnzs_QaAR6q_g_65XgAHSYvTMIZeKKhJWAdnPGrvTL4kdaoYRROGBN_q6FOpkBIc8bLiRClnYP7U1HdkZw8L3HSeLr5KVL7ikNCf0nIw/s320/concord_40_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H0XizbrW6kYw6DEymXbSTP8lcdq1Q_H883_IYcoPIkHiWX5vYU5Yt-ZdeNwxuZj51dN1cazwyxNGhZCSPTUrZ0nKZTmGQf_jB5o9o6KavvcKceVvwN81zcyfzmbw2_XQn0vjBmdvoluS/s1600/concord_16_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H0XizbrW6kYw6DEymXbSTP8lcdq1Q_H883_IYcoPIkHiWX5vYU5Yt-ZdeNwxuZj51dN1cazwyxNGhZCSPTUrZ0nKZTmGQf_jB5o9o6KavvcKceVvwN81zcyfzmbw2_XQn0vjBmdvoluS/s320/concord_16_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The center court and fountain is very striking with decor similar to what was used in malls in the very early 90's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_GEhgzKlwe3bvNNRqGgCtw1bZUSBdGtiN__RPsVcFe9_l6uIXyxWfmCu6iAmaKvfWZNXmKFg169W4SQ6yfxgjYMuLNzdWMLnAwVEca43f_7m50A95piFDIssefT5fkIfkW13JdEDu5RB/s1600/concord_19_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_GEhgzKlwe3bvNNRqGgCtw1bZUSBdGtiN__RPsVcFe9_l6uIXyxWfmCu6iAmaKvfWZNXmKFg169W4SQ6yfxgjYMuLNzdWMLnAwVEca43f_7m50A95piFDIssefT5fkIfkW13JdEDu5RB/s320/concord_19_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking south down the Sears wing from center court. It is clear that the center skylights were added later due to the structural elements being incorporated into the design.</span></div>
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The layout of the original mall was a straight-shot one level mall with a small three-story office building in the middle making it a fairly typical mall of that period. In 1971, the mall saw its first addition when a Pomeroy's was added on the northern end of the mall transforming it a standard dumbbell shaped mall. It also appears that it was not an accident that Pomeroy's became the northern anchor. Pomeroy's was a division of Allied Stores, who also owned Almart on the mall's southern end. This meant the mall's owners had a vested interest in bringing in stores they already owned. The biggest coup for the mall, however, came in 1983 when Philadelphia-based Strawbridge & Clothier opened an elegant new store in the front of the mall. This new store came with very distinct architectural touches and was coupled with an update to the mall that restructured a dark and plain mall into a far more attractive one with a large glass atrium in the center court, added skylights, new planters, fountains and an updated look. It made an ancillary mall into a truly competitive one. Strawbridge's was also the first non-Allied anchor to open in the mall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmadIXO-MjPyNGfxwih6XcKDduTXK-t7oANtxu0DsEyTNJc9oZ9kvaSULE6oYjXsEKZOJr8t68KZG4F1RKYUV7Qz0CAg0lIEnHvqCO2viw5LkxjVl_nCLr-vDDdLUsY6LtfhcVBaSW_Xl/s1600/concord_20_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmadIXO-MjPyNGfxwih6XcKDduTXK-t7oANtxu0DsEyTNJc9oZ9kvaSULE6oYjXsEKZOJr8t68KZG4F1RKYUV7Qz0CAg0lIEnHvqCO2viw5LkxjVl_nCLr-vDDdLUsY6LtfhcVBaSW_Xl/s320/concord_20_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg849UihVWur_ZOOP19LxnA3pXo_fdKffPvvfb-kXYabg_a2706HRx-rAWz4U58iQ-J1921HxDyHBpqSqHkYhNqGTzb3koHSXLo64LjPIxpGggsEU0Yhxna9tTGUOBsHZm9D6UkArkkJrah/s1600/concord_21_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg849UihVWur_ZOOP19LxnA3pXo_fdKffPvvfb-kXYabg_a2706HRx-rAWz4U58iQ-J1921HxDyHBpqSqHkYhNqGTzb3koHSXLo64LjPIxpGggsEU0Yhxna9tTGUOBsHZm9D6UkArkkJrah/s320/concord_21_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw-RC6kwj8oGlQuC6RH77I4ZC3ii_pZT5F0dAgk2R5EtNhCE-62IBvBZoOcP5veZmWdpwBjKsfJTi8cFn3nYxdVhYYssqieJwNGOvOBamBdPoa7wknT1EKbqjjFExUimQzNuIhSEUR-8N/s1600/concord_22_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw-RC6kwj8oGlQuC6RH77I4ZC3ii_pZT5F0dAgk2R5EtNhCE-62IBvBZoOcP5veZmWdpwBjKsfJTi8cFn3nYxdVhYYssqieJwNGOvOBamBdPoa7wknT1EKbqjjFExUimQzNuIhSEUR-8N/s320/concord_22_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A more traditional fountain greets shoppers in the lush court in front of Sears.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCInYTpGjLj_mFafsqa-WfVIo0tWHkXGaf6iBg1HyMUEnJFGXBiZNKrTNSMocjsKWQgQSPUIuO3EPrz7R6cZ3RHB_F3OYNdwzaka5g7VIhKFSXgw1RAezOlQZi9ZkNmtik0k-M76Zm7Bo5/s1600/concord_23_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCInYTpGjLj_mFafsqa-WfVIo0tWHkXGaf6iBg1HyMUEnJFGXBiZNKrTNSMocjsKWQgQSPUIuO3EPrz7R6cZ3RHB_F3OYNdwzaka5g7VIhKFSXgw1RAezOlQZi9ZkNmtik0k-M76Zm7Bo5/s320/concord_23_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall directory today. The former north anchor was Pomeroy's and the south anchor was originally Almart. On the right side, it appears there was once a mall theater. The strip portion shown on the upper left is owned as part of the mall and is located just north of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYRxnM53XYT199VTSXOu5U6CjL_7ZIVkLwtT5DI-hFQ5Vb1LitFZP9ARxcgOjb7HiH7ghH8WBN5J-nPKRnfj0p9fVZDw0mgRxIa_LOLVEdQv3z5GW1nuaYp2ub092_qqUQNYS7u_k-WZ1/s1600/concord_24_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYRxnM53XYT199VTSXOu5U6CjL_7ZIVkLwtT5DI-hFQ5Vb1LitFZP9ARxcgOjb7HiH7ghH8WBN5J-nPKRnfj0p9fVZDw0mgRxIa_LOLVEdQv3z5GW1nuaYp2ub092_qqUQNYS7u_k-WZ1/s320/concord_24_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The tall planters were really an elegant touch.</span></div>
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The relocation of Strawbridge's, however, was somewhat sad as it replaced a 1951 store at the Merchandise Mart, now Merchant's Square. Built as an anchor to one of the oldest strip shopping centers in the country, the former Strawbridge's location was abandoned for many years and finally demolished in 2009 with a Food Lion built just behind the site of the former store. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/retrolandusa/sets/72157626729761667/with/5655943715/">A set of photos from Retroland USA</a> shows the demolition of the original store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjseHdMplIr0f-ayqp8-V1SZRLGwoGNdMoTdqSQ_KysXt60DBAmcODBkh3Ci4zrd7aYSd7JcEwL4iww2-54THtsfT4fEN26Tt_tnp4xJwbG8fNe7ZrZsRjUiGeId9irv_Sbp7WrsZL-WDJ/s1600/concord_28_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjseHdMplIr0f-ayqp8-V1SZRLGwoGNdMoTdqSQ_KysXt60DBAmcODBkh3Ci4zrd7aYSd7JcEwL4iww2-54THtsfT4fEN26Tt_tnp4xJwbG8fNe7ZrZsRjUiGeId9irv_Sbp7WrsZL-WDJ/s320/concord_28_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJim3wzBIflwPRWSY65VmVpwYmrV11VJ8Kd9mPVeH-lK2ViU4nw9A2hTTHxBY_jd4vhs0MJaytro2PMpNS_H0FmzvLQOtznNtdv3Xw6zZkjdPgCyunJrnMY5Kbfd7k-9ZNB-myKDNp3L4z/s1600/concord_32_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJim3wzBIflwPRWSY65VmVpwYmrV11VJ8Kd9mPVeH-lK2ViU4nw9A2hTTHxBY_jd4vhs0MJaytro2PMpNS_H0FmzvLQOtznNtdv3Xw6zZkjdPgCyunJrnMY5Kbfd7k-9ZNB-myKDNp3L4z/s320/concord_32_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the fountain next to the food court and in front of Boscov's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEh5g5kqG61z5mcPLRJdKXt4-4cX15dRrMtA2_5xTH_HeoTeOmQkTMOgnTF2zT-KE0oT8DokSvW6jISniKYJgiI3MInUPP6DdGZ3FsjwMhV4SL4nyinWb6hX-rrzY21IjhnnCds94uJ-U/s1600/concord_31_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEh5g5kqG61z5mcPLRJdKXt4-4cX15dRrMtA2_5xTH_HeoTeOmQkTMOgnTF2zT-KE0oT8DokSvW6jISniKYJgiI3MInUPP6DdGZ3FsjwMhV4SL4nyinWb6hX-rrzY21IjhnnCds94uJ-U/s320/concord_31_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's mall entrance, which was Pomeroy's until 1986. It has been there much longer than its original anchor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVBK_cD50ucmZvWS8a3jgLlQ891wZijsFMOlhuMd3Ad37W2bqukl-1vgCsphh6c82puTmD5TN_IgHzZgjo5qMWWhzNhJYmKt6s0Cjk5pTxlSvKUAoNQ8Fsh5kaO93rEN9nn0IrjsXh5er/s1600/concord_33_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVBK_cD50ucmZvWS8a3jgLlQ891wZijsFMOlhuMd3Ad37W2bqukl-1vgCsphh6c82puTmD5TN_IgHzZgjo5qMWWhzNhJYmKt6s0Cjk5pTxlSvKUAoNQ8Fsh5kaO93rEN9nn0IrjsXh5er/s320/concord_33_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A bit more detail of the tall planters looking south to center court.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nICL2WRfAVBitpSDU2EIU2iKUVejodVmOdirQo1_pPOhQ73TfZlCzEe0cqvOLhB_QhaVm1ukwcWegenhKQYLPyszUuVMNyi7f6qNTLw_BZHB8FsBLdlKvjHLN31ha-vzDG8fcLDayoE0/s1600/concord_15_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nICL2WRfAVBitpSDU2EIU2iKUVejodVmOdirQo1_pPOhQ73TfZlCzEe0cqvOLhB_QhaVm1ukwcWegenhKQYLPyszUuVMNyi7f6qNTLw_BZHB8FsBLdlKvjHLN31ha-vzDG8fcLDayoE0/s320/concord_15_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Macy's, which was Strawbridge's from 1983-2006, has by far the most elegant mall entrance. The mall is visible from the second floor of the store. Below is the Strawbridge & Clothier seal placed as a "monument" to the store. Every Strawbridge's location had this seal.</span></div>
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In 1984, the Almart chain was sold off to the Montgomery Ward corporation, which Ward's subsequently opened as a unit of their Jefferson Ward division, a discount format of Montgomery Ward. Jefferson Ward was originally a Miami-based discount chain called Jefferson's that Montgomery Ward purchased in 1973. Jefferson Ward was poorly operated by Montgomery Ward, and the stores were sold the following year to Bradlee's. Two years after Almart was sold, the Pomeroy's location was sold off to Boscov's as part of their expansion into the Philadelphia region and as part of the Campeau purchase of Allied stores. Pomeroy's itself would disappear the following year after Allied Stores was sold. All Pomeroy's locations were converted to The Bon-Ton. In all, the 1980's were pretty eventful for the mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2j-KxIS52dYuWw4nhG9FXS5jiqsLFrnwVd5SUC7kOWxGH_SYlqiCRQw8xD4VkySAJT2Jc7AorjyzeU9Kve7DlkSd8B7RZFxqMRXP4ovpjWgHyEsG4dtHJTvPfAcETjLOLuRlCmd_yQm8/s1600/concord_13_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2j-KxIS52dYuWw4nhG9FXS5jiqsLFrnwVd5SUC7kOWxGH_SYlqiCRQw8xD4VkySAJT2Jc7AorjyzeU9Kve7DlkSd8B7RZFxqMRXP4ovpjWgHyEsG4dtHJTvPfAcETjLOLuRlCmd_yQm8/s320/concord_13_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view from the second floor of Macy's to the cosmetics department and mall entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUmBYKc1XpEMU2XR3qDcWekhYHSCkKXc3lc4HYNs_ELg8Ah9lSTkwOTrcJSxO1zsX23LvTb5vyMqOWCKGW-jokCBOdpUysF7Hu9lSI2G5MLQiWL2xIeR-GvZbcOgi0twV7Gownp0hVTYA/s1600/concord_11_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUmBYKc1XpEMU2XR3qDcWekhYHSCkKXc3lc4HYNs_ELg8Ah9lSTkwOTrcJSxO1zsX23LvTb5vyMqOWCKGW-jokCBOdpUysF7Hu9lSI2G5MLQiWL2xIeR-GvZbcOgi0twV7Gownp0hVTYA/s320/concord_11_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCo2ebiXXbZUGlnOGzxecyFiYU_2b4y5lw4CjM_8rZcq0kQ2q7OnJBIJapki1Qe1mOPMsPk-eFG_VCrGsyMh13gH5CGAPOHfZXRM9QQL4AWIZqVReuoNeeqBTxEACxllJJp8b0L5kHTJc/s1600/concord_9_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCo2ebiXXbZUGlnOGzxecyFiYU_2b4y5lw4CjM_8rZcq0kQ2q7OnJBIJapki1Qe1mOPMsPk-eFG_VCrGsyMh13gH5CGAPOHfZXRM9QQL4AWIZqVReuoNeeqBTxEACxllJJp8b0L5kHTJc/s320/concord_9_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Staggered escalators give a unique perspective to the center of Macy's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi7u5LT66YVxmrbeIIjP4R02itGqNomnH6qQMMuf7hxm0M7naCVJwZ5fam2IPYzNvdZIySAXNcb1AqaAsye9rLpAcGv3gYaNcok_Lf9pjz01mgcIboPareBS4qZi_-aLEzbzoPEdMsRwT/s1600/concord_10_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi7u5LT66YVxmrbeIIjP4R02itGqNomnH6qQMMuf7hxm0M7naCVJwZ5fam2IPYzNvdZIySAXNcb1AqaAsye9rLpAcGv3gYaNcok_Lf9pjz01mgcIboPareBS4qZi_-aLEzbzoPEdMsRwT/s320/concord_10_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Domed skylight with visors in Macy's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKjfuMoaCiBifErJYLrKc6wdlnlJL7OYaUZrJqYGEMyeOfHHfKXX_h00Hax-re-Yt3fyKmwthbRqTQlJWK62ijJlWtSkrFS6XVjeGkorQwBuG40bn_Ak41DcHjdYL8OiXmCShV_HvnAAE/s1600/concord_8_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKjfuMoaCiBifErJYLrKc6wdlnlJL7OYaUZrJqYGEMyeOfHHfKXX_h00Hax-re-Yt3fyKmwthbRqTQlJWK62ijJlWtSkrFS6XVjeGkorQwBuG40bn_Ak41DcHjdYL8OiXmCShV_HvnAAE/s320/concord_8_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the Macy's outside entrance to the parking lot.</span></div>
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The positive side of all of this was that none of these changes harmed the mall. Changes in the industry in this case helped improve the mall's position in the market by making it more appealing to the residents of the region by bringing in popular stores. The addition of Boscov's and Strawbridge's was far more of a boon to the mall than its original format as a low-end mall anchoring a 1960's discount store. Nonetheless, further changes took place in the 1990's. 1992 saw the closure and demolition of the Bradlee's (former Almart) for a new two-story Sears. Soon after, 1994 saw creative reuse of the office building draped over the mall as Strawbridge's decided to expand its home section into the office building. This change created a strange quirk in the mall where the upper levels of the home store actually overlook the mall itself. Thus, what is otherwise a one level mall suddenly jumps to three levels! After these two changes occurred, Concord Mall finally stabilized.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25qSPXB7lr28bJotQAnNDdB40FLTCoMUbTyRddNZYItMO4tjSYjOrnqMfmfLuDolIzyWfbITIl8KVOtr0lVlhdmfLi98wlzpnNJ7OTzDcBpHZR4xOLzskVkwpWPDffnIER8Ek6Y-_My4j/s1600/concord_34_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25qSPXB7lr28bJotQAnNDdB40FLTCoMUbTyRddNZYItMO4tjSYjOrnqMfmfLuDolIzyWfbITIl8KVOtr0lVlhdmfLi98wlzpnNJ7OTzDcBpHZR4xOLzskVkwpWPDffnIER8Ek6Y-_My4j/s320/concord_34_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking up from the mall skylight is the mall's most unusual detail: an office building converted to Strawbridge's Home Store, currently Macy's Home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXtv0iy1icDTMDYHqoZinstXwCoGmc913WK36IefTgNyEni_kBl7bOQOBvMkMEpJdEjHqmDZVtQRpdItvKQPujhQ7NhPUMCKahDDyk462kIzX6hkjIfdS5Nue2aznw5dW_MlZNzMeto9v/s1600/concord_25_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXtv0iy1icDTMDYHqoZinstXwCoGmc913WK36IefTgNyEni_kBl7bOQOBvMkMEpJdEjHqmDZVtQRpdItvKQPujhQ7NhPUMCKahDDyk462kIzX6hkjIfdS5Nue2aznw5dW_MlZNzMeto9v/s320/concord_25_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKHAMsygALD0tysP8ncyJOtdR6TSyZ-7SDBDOjlHZf8Ntauo2X2oY8cJMSGZGsmVdRu3qfaAtkfQPdC5deH8vBeWL70kNCWTfPuKu2wMVY4FJCg1GWxhO11rog1Dt6PomxSncDZHbk6h_/s1600/concord_35_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKHAMsygALD0tysP8ncyJOtdR6TSyZ-7SDBDOjlHZf8Ntauo2X2oY8cJMSGZGsmVdRu3qfaAtkfQPdC5deH8vBeWL70kNCWTfPuKu2wMVY4FJCg1GWxhO11rog1Dt6PomxSncDZHbk6h_/s320/concord_35_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Macy's home store sneaks up on you as its narrow three-story tower looms over the main mall just north of center court. It opened as Strawbridge's home store in 1994 after previously functioning as an office building.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj362vOqlbNjOy9LPRCZeUZtBaoiMXLks_uQsuzOSiBmgLiMPPtlEXw1H9tac9sY_o2KbZFdEQaaUvmPB7ih21mAuNz_M1GIjMlI4MFF3X0fhsz_gfKRUp0jhPRbiZHKYdPjHmAPtvxX9tx/s1600/concord_27_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj362vOqlbNjOy9LPRCZeUZtBaoiMXLks_uQsuzOSiBmgLiMPPtlEXw1H9tac9sY_o2KbZFdEQaaUvmPB7ih21mAuNz_M1GIjMlI4MFF3X0fhsz_gfKRUp0jhPRbiZHKYdPjHmAPtvxX9tx/s320/concord_27_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Strawbridge & Clothier seal is also located just above the mall on the second floor.</span></div>
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Today, Concord Mall has seen very few changes since the adjustments of the 80's and 90's. The only anchor change since that time was Strawbridge's, which converted to Macy's in 2006 with the sale of then-owners May Department Stores to Federated Department Stores (now Macy's, Inc.). What will be interesting to see is what happens when Sears inevitably folds as a chain. Unless one of the few remaining department stores to choose from relocates from another store, the mall will need to be creative to fill the void. The most likely possibility is that JCPenney relocates from their current location at Prices Corner Shopping Center to the mall. JCPenney's current store at the shopping center is from the 1950's, and it is way too close to their Christiana Mall store. Another possibility is an urban format Wal-Mart, which currently has no locations in the immediate area. The addition of Wal-Mart in that spot would be incredibly ironic since it is only one letter off from the original anchor Almart, and both were discount stores founded in 1962. Less likely is that Lord & Taylor may also look to locate a store at the mall (they previously were located at Christiana Mall until 2006). If none of that materializes, the anchor will probably become extended mall space coupled with junior anchors or an entertainment option creating an interesting two-level addition on the southern end. Considering the excellent demographics, location and popularity of the mall, it should not be difficult to fill a Sears vacancy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam3EQu_6VzT74faqBP3vzI4sRt7DZEugdbk7gt__tjovoVyplRZ_nUpBc8NZvcb3B1_wX8ISew-3Gj2wneTPzIqETaSgYMHx4GSjnkslgv5mHxaxq4S9HPqH6EI2l8B3aFvTkdwHYz567/s1600/concord_36_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam3EQu_6VzT74faqBP3vzI4sRt7DZEugdbk7gt__tjovoVyplRZ_nUpBc8NZvcb3B1_wX8ISew-3Gj2wneTPzIqETaSgYMHx4GSjnkslgv5mHxaxq4S9HPqH6EI2l8B3aFvTkdwHYz567/s320/concord_36_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji38FbrnjdtjC9VCcGBpH0x1T6gaCOqtth-hChwokfReFEG7i6shNayNFrRgtv7kY11M8ZRJdwi2j_X5meoI1P0rnv3ZTlExEeCvM-lXXDTdsoQk1e-qlci-oCrlILsBqxZP2wPAT3aVKE/s1600/concord_38_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji38FbrnjdtjC9VCcGBpH0x1T6gaCOqtth-hChwokfReFEG7i6shNayNFrRgtv7kY11M8ZRJdwi2j_X5meoI1P0rnv3ZTlExEeCvM-lXXDTdsoQk1e-qlci-oCrlILsBqxZP2wPAT3aVKE/s320/concord_38_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Two views from the third level of the furniture store down into the main mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJRpxcSoM679t4kiE97chKEmm46iZHfJCagq5GY9sXj2tHPKgPFo5Q0ADv_mNecX0tnvUUgbGrrLpo39AhkmQuXp86KFYzoe6j_wF_DxRU_B375VzAmGJWuaAV_3_S0x8O9nvhzO96iW1/s1600/concord_43_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJRpxcSoM679t4kiE97chKEmm46iZHfJCagq5GY9sXj2tHPKgPFo5Q0ADv_mNecX0tnvUUgbGrrLpo39AhkmQuXp86KFYzoe6j_wF_DxRU_B375VzAmGJWuaAV_3_S0x8O9nvhzO96iW1/s320/concord_43_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Outside views of the officer tower transitioned to home store for Strawbridge's, later Macy's. Note the labeslcar in the third photo.</span></div>
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What is also remarkable about Concord Mall is the way it looks today. It was certainly a shock to enter a mall that had so much of what is rarely seen in malls today: lush planters, three fountains, colorful decor, and distinctive architectural touches sorely missed in most other malls. The mall itself does not have an exciting layout, but it was far more enjoyable when coupled with these special touches. Add this in with the very unique design for the Macy's and the surprising layout of the vertical home store, and what would otherwise be a very bland mall is actually quite beautiful. It probably helps that the owners are not part of a major mall conglomerate, which is also likely why the mall does so well despite being overlooked by larger, better known malls in the region. In all, Concord Mall got better with age in its 50+ years of business. It was an unexpected and surprising retail diamond that will hopefully continue to shine for many more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QDi4DkMkXKdt8rFUSQ7UueZW_9BnaZMA9u9srEs9aPNGglY2rGwnDIA6sGC2qhVoFwAsjJ_3EYDWjgMZhUFYrAg4-aj6k1GU_GQkQBHM_UNKd2GHwhaMtFoBh0GK_LSHaimAZaz0d036/s1600/concord_6_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QDi4DkMkXKdt8rFUSQ7UueZW_9BnaZMA9u9srEs9aPNGglY2rGwnDIA6sGC2qhVoFwAsjJ_3EYDWjgMZhUFYrAg4-aj6k1GU_GQkQBHM_UNKd2GHwhaMtFoBh0GK_LSHaimAZaz0d036/s320/concord_6_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the furniture store from the west side of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BOI-bExER5tLeB26jBzZb3F87xOFanWWpQR17lQKm9QXyiaf7fienDEPDn-3OuNg87azD15a1SMgdVgBMkdsZe_I1yBUJJnaPAAADkcb-kahaIn_A2D-aICjKmdTdZjN9vNiSK6mRDJ-/s1600/concord_5_070112_pomeroys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BOI-bExER5tLeB26jBzZb3F87xOFanWWpQR17lQKm9QXyiaf7fienDEPDn-3OuNg87azD15a1SMgdVgBMkdsZe_I1yBUJJnaPAAADkcb-kahaIn_A2D-aICjKmdTdZjN9vNiSK6mRDJ-/s320/concord_5_070112_pomeroys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's and mall entrance. Boscov's retains many architectural cues from Pomeroy's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2chgCevELh0wIGgJy6KvCSOsOZlhCtl5DTNgpk3qosETJeuCNv9-ayF_x-bsMnvgO9w2xe7JU1_IyZGI2mKwyW7ox0yZwUcz71peP5pyeyzm67rd7yQQmrRSWXxYeIxFdWdu90sRnplw/s1600/concord_3_070112_strawbridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2chgCevELh0wIGgJy6KvCSOsOZlhCtl5DTNgpk3qosETJeuCNv9-ayF_x-bsMnvgO9w2xe7JU1_IyZGI2mKwyW7ox0yZwUcz71peP5pyeyzm67rd7yQQmrRSWXxYeIxFdWdu90sRnplw/s320/concord_3_070112_strawbridges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exterior shot of Strawbridge's (Macy's) parking lot entrance. Zoomed out shots were taken, but they did not turn out well due to the store's close proximity to the road.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBUyAa93QqKNLRDYMezkW1midnZms1JG-oz2uuAQ0nfsMF6efCn6JUWnzI8L4NAjDygnn2dH4Jn4n7b1y7ZN8LALqTjB9kxwQP7jYgKqJeYvA9083gnOlulvPUpHIAkH_skEAM34AvOQ3/s1600/concord_2_070112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBUyAa93QqKNLRDYMezkW1midnZms1JG-oz2uuAQ0nfsMF6efCn6JUWnzI8L4NAjDygnn2dH4Jn4n7b1y7ZN8LALqTjB9kxwQP7jYgKqJeYvA9083gnOlulvPUpHIAkH_skEAM34AvOQ3/s320/concord_2_070112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of mall entrance next to Sears</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl9_G2JrRCNnUl0Nimh1vR1ILetaoah87u6xvI53KQVYYHGkGWlv8c68aLIaGcuRri3jMQ6UhOo2x1bY53Wrw-ourwKnpOzr2JBtuSpfvXPZmSmmHROjW0bCbzmYh7yftV5x2l0bao3_Z/s1600/concord_1_070112_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl9_G2JrRCNnUl0Nimh1vR1ILetaoah87u6xvI53KQVYYHGkGWlv8c68aLIaGcuRri3jMQ6UhOo2x1bY53Wrw-ourwKnpOzr2JBtuSpfvXPZmSmmHROjW0bCbzmYh7yftV5x2l0bao3_Z/s320/concord_1_070112_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears opened at the mall in 1992 replacing a closed location of a dying discount chain with a full-line department store. However, the site is the reason the mall was built in the first place: to complement the Almart discount chain that folded in the 80's. It was Jefferson Ward and Bradlee's prior to Sears.</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-53822110438616032372017-11-29T19:48:00.001-08:002017-11-29T19:48:42.350-08:00Southgate Mall: Elizabeth City, NCA few years ago, I had a chance to tour for the first time one of the oldest malls in North Carolina, a simple dumbbell shaped mall that has now reached its end. Plans to demolish the mall this year have already been announced and the JCPenney store has already been demolished, so I advanced this post to showcase this mall in its antique glory before it is lost to the dustbin of history. As the last and only enclosed mall found in Northeastern North Carolina, it should have been so much more, but weak economic factors in the region made it unable to expand or survive. As the location of one of the first ever modern Belk prototype stores, it deserves a mention despite being rather unimpressive by modern mall standards.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppokw9s-o5VjMgLgYbHKW53XIs4XJp96aFkk7dcw194pquEL6s33cCqUWDi9BszkWnysdYFmVYPcm_Yzu-N2wpLjBqnCNIYobFstSAao5UZ8bwyWBBWMQ3ReizMBFcIq66dEbnaudCenz/s1600/southgate_33_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppokw9s-o5VjMgLgYbHKW53XIs4XJp96aFkk7dcw194pquEL6s33cCqUWDi9BszkWnysdYFmVYPcm_Yzu-N2wpLjBqnCNIYobFstSAao5UZ8bwyWBBWMQ3ReizMBFcIq66dEbnaudCenz/s320/southgate_33_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Constructed from 1967-1969, Southgate Mall opened with four anchors: Belk Tyler, Grant's, Winn-Dixie and People's Drugs. It is unclear who originally built the mall, but it was owned throughout much of the 1970's and 1980's by Federal Realty. Its design was essentially a small town mall combining typical strip mall tenants with a regional department store in an enclosed mall. Its design features an front and rear entrance corridor, main corridor and spacious center court with high ceilings and high windows functioning as skylights: a design very common in malls constructed in the 1965-1973 period. Next to the mall on the west side, a Gateway Cinema was opened in 1973 and right behind it to the right a Mammoth Mart discount chain. This anchor lineup obviously could not last considering that Winn-Dixie has been gone from North Carolina for 12 years and none of the other stores still exist. Grant's was obviously the first to go, closing their store at the mall in 1976. Regional discount chain Roses arrived to quickly fill the void left by Grant's. It was odd that Kmart did not actually take over that store, but Kmart itself would not appear in Elizabeth City until 1982!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5FlRK4RFr4r-ZxU52_5opibrLVuUzWjBdA7HAFbAXheA7srPLrFtYF0suqM7njKYCSvxNERFC7PLoq7UlonwUSKXbCsrvTE7Ud8negxCo5LY7hzRhcHaEvuZgTJ_6mIuG5UMHKP7JoZe/s1600/southgate_30a_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5FlRK4RFr4r-ZxU52_5opibrLVuUzWjBdA7HAFbAXheA7srPLrFtYF0suqM7njKYCSvxNERFC7PLoq7UlonwUSKXbCsrvTE7Ud8negxCo5LY7hzRhcHaEvuZgTJ_6mIuG5UMHKP7JoZe/s320/southgate_30a_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Entering center court with view of the back entrance wing and center court skylights.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LJnb_xDvszTrsMFnvl6QvmqrOjufZ3PcwZEZepeg8hphlKeG-5pDII7Ys9snuW-orpctcgaI8efaeRxFtvLpqgXH5kO96IFAHjwmBF17ohIL08cJ-Rp16lLoJwb1Jixfc4Cb_Gh1P1zf/s1600/southgate_35_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LJnb_xDvszTrsMFnvl6QvmqrOjufZ3PcwZEZepeg8hphlKeG-5pDII7Ys9snuW-orpctcgaI8efaeRxFtvLpqgXH5kO96IFAHjwmBF17ohIL08cJ-Rp16lLoJwb1Jixfc4Cb_Gh1P1zf/s320/southgate_35_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view from the Belk wing to center court complete with the jewelry kiosk in the center</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmutPRyFmDDsJ2O_gESXPOD_mq_einIFEXEw3wyEYrSxRXTQjjpIzloGw4cxTMjQ_baFAlldq0jx4DMnrn639IiQf2Sw5RG0G1IeZeg3YS7ut_s7_R0dULlQ7Eyp4GyP99o7h7I7KpfYv/s1600/southgate_36_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmutPRyFmDDsJ2O_gESXPOD_mq_einIFEXEw3wyEYrSxRXTQjjpIzloGw4cxTMjQ_baFAlldq0jx4DMnrn639IiQf2Sw5RG0G1IeZeg3YS7ut_s7_R0dULlQ7Eyp4GyP99o7h7I7KpfYv/s320/southgate_36_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJoNKphtRPSDacD6TGI8TaM2l4bvBVs5C4i3wTVAu9Iy-u87dJ4N62cSfRaB7RtFqCO-q303K6pXdWc-MEHV6JfXB6ohKIN583c42j8ZjwFmX53D51l-NgqZiKvt_CEi4yce8AmRSM3AA/s1600/southgate_37_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJoNKphtRPSDacD6TGI8TaM2l4bvBVs5C4i3wTVAu9Iy-u87dJ4N62cSfRaB7RtFqCO-q303K6pXdWc-MEHV6JfXB6ohKIN583c42j8ZjwFmX53D51l-NgqZiKvt_CEi4yce8AmRSM3AA/s320/southgate_37_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF7gl8fUBENCpUCE_Ejq3-Z9xYlFJAsIUIBdMdnOJDK81tphgchUUywb_NWYptokjd6AwS8SiwivxmkUQyjNwgQf3vYPLHVF2pmnRsfGVHzCY8LE_bQ_gIWbghJTFomUvU8PrfcuoVUPg/s1600/southgate_54_070116_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF7gl8fUBENCpUCE_Ejq3-Z9xYlFJAsIUIBdMdnOJDK81tphgchUUywb_NWYptokjd6AwS8SiwivxmkUQyjNwgQf3vYPLHVF2pmnRsfGVHzCY8LE_bQ_gIWbghJTFomUvU8PrfcuoVUPg/s320/southgate_54_070116_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple more views of center court and the now-removed fountain. I can only imagine that a far more substantial fountain was in center court prior to the 1990's. From the flooring patterns in the photo, it appears that the fountains and planters stretched the entire length of the center court and likely included a sunken area.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7hmBBM5BIkUiOzRCUFkROpltWlYTmehP-pB4g4ChUiLA9JMk1dIHXgZ23jFeUZfW-ImqHaRpUb8n10RcW9d8pNywmt6NZv9rby46U9zVDLv70avZOWyc2twzVnTGxzlACJ9pfNS6gkOh/s1600/southgate_23_010114_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7hmBBM5BIkUiOzRCUFkROpltWlYTmehP-pB4g4ChUiLA9JMk1dIHXgZ23jFeUZfW-ImqHaRpUb8n10RcW9d8pNywmt6NZv9rby46U9zVDLv70avZOWyc2twzVnTGxzlACJ9pfNS6gkOh/s320/southgate_23_010114_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Christmas display from January 1, 2014. You got the feeling even then that the mall was not long for this world despite the festive feature.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mTyzHcDxU9ZwvsaLXg0eTySYXjaXv-I0IXenIb2JfKSC1ZROk5AtANXL5YdNVIhlu9sKlnJmK3RReazwyN-DSrGX1FrYFXJYXgP541fS8RmnMEHJ45vDlf9_krZTt0pqbATXU3wSqs9c/s1600/southgate_18_010114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mTyzHcDxU9ZwvsaLXg0eTySYXjaXv-I0IXenIb2JfKSC1ZROk5AtANXL5YdNVIhlu9sKlnJmK3RReazwyN-DSrGX1FrYFXJYXgP541fS8RmnMEHJ45vDlf9_krZTt0pqbATXU3wSqs9c/s320/southgate_18_010114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view to center court from the healthier Belk wing. Photo from January 1, 2014.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3ABWDrjvjK30d_6TbKMoKblibNAuUnW5aFricm7iBvqk7lW8gUkye7pnCAMc4x0dH6R2lj2ojXB0xrUqLwpb2yV-Kl_ox5tgxxUEgFxL45XGtnPnhkc0rf7ut3T9ZIESq12cGaHhV3y9/s1600/southgate_21_010114_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3ABWDrjvjK30d_6TbKMoKblibNAuUnW5aFricm7iBvqk7lW8gUkye7pnCAMc4x0dH6R2lj2ojXB0xrUqLwpb2yV-Kl_ox5tgxxUEgFxL45XGtnPnhkc0rf7ut3T9ZIESq12cGaHhV3y9/s320/southgate_21_010114_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view to center court from the JCPenney wing. Photo from Jaunary 1, 2014.</span></div>
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1982 saw the next anchor shift as Winn-Dixie left the mall to join that same Kmart at the then-new Holly Square shopping center. This left a void in the mall at a time when, unlike today, department stores were actually expanding and looking for new malls to anchor. Thus, around 1985 JCPenney relocated from their downtown store to take over the former Winn-Dixie space. It was a compact apparel-only store for JCPenney, and it ultimately would prove too small for them. The opportunity opened up when in 1993, Roses closed their store and left town. At the time, Roses was still an actual discount chain and was feeling the sting from Wal-Mart's expansion. JCPenney seized on the opportunity and relocated their store into the outer 2/3 of the former Rose's in 1996. This project was coupled with a small expansion of the mall into part of the old Grant's space. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkINtlkfcxuqZ1PXu0BPE9eCI0J6JL2Je-Vzg7SPJ_KsXTx7z3cNW8BYltYuB8uT9DV0VKMOlW9onUy8R0eFyScKuXPRUOGkD_1hmEG8NZjIGWGQfOettf-X5MDMhyphenhyphenAK8Dk5PoMAbxkyh/s1600/southgate_34_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkINtlkfcxuqZ1PXu0BPE9eCI0J6JL2Je-Vzg7SPJ_KsXTx7z3cNW8BYltYuB8uT9DV0VKMOlW9onUy8R0eFyScKuXPRUOGkD_1hmEG8NZjIGWGQfOettf-X5MDMhyphenhyphenAK8Dk5PoMAbxkyh/s320/southgate_34_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk's mall entrance is obviously one of the most uneventful they did in the 60's, but it is also one of the very oldest mall-based Belk stores, so it still was bound to look a lot better with "Belk Tyler" sprawled across the front. Throughout the 1970's and 1980's, Belk built some of the classiest mall entrances in the industry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVGD4n-jkf9gf9Jkc9erkMYEfekhQa_DcX47HkSGE4_j5FFTOcixlnT4YY0c_ztKRAeL37wMfbpsRDij218rCM7hCyJ7M7W6GMZeCHbxjLkRu1lQ9UTvvzBX-QmFxjghwpYImxYnnrDUJ/s1600/southgate_29_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVGD4n-jkf9gf9Jkc9erkMYEfekhQa_DcX47HkSGE4_j5FFTOcixlnT4YY0c_ztKRAeL37wMfbpsRDij218rCM7hCyJ7M7W6GMZeCHbxjLkRu1lQ9UTvvzBX-QmFxjghwpYImxYnnrDUJ/s320/southgate_29_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPev-HNN0xQiW4WcDeGHbrkQUxalLBRI2xF3bAA5i5wwsupptwzP8guNtjmoEQQFGn-M2fon4j2BuL4bpAy3IIioo7swgWFHfu66vKNW09AjWR2ClW6MLRXMgjnCJQZxJnM2GHTtSI23Al/s1600/southgate_38_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPev-HNN0xQiW4WcDeGHbrkQUxalLBRI2xF3bAA5i5wwsupptwzP8guNtjmoEQQFGn-M2fon4j2BuL4bpAy3IIioo7swgWFHfu66vKNW09AjWR2ClW6MLRXMgjnCJQZxJnM2GHTtSI23Al/s320/southgate_38_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look at the front entrance corridor in both directions. Plenty of unused space in this hallway suggesting they just covered up the empty stores.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEWWql5HBKa-sdfhimNcmKbJ1q6pssYvVOUOG0FXViId2WAMuN0sUn2hIoS-G-GgzKDsbKmYOTB6JNA_jG8ZYGQurDoe2bOMR9H0nP8Gp5pCS1uD4Agw5_ena0bfCkRuRRCeqI-k6A89q/s1600/southgate_46_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEWWql5HBKa-sdfhimNcmKbJ1q6pssYvVOUOG0FXViId2WAMuN0sUn2hIoS-G-GgzKDsbKmYOTB6JNA_jG8ZYGQurDoe2bOMR9H0nP8Gp5pCS1uD4Agw5_ena0bfCkRuRRCeqI-k6A89q/s320/southgate_46_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Back entrance to the mall connecting to center court</span></div>
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It appears that the mall's last renovation coincided with JCPenney relocating their store into the old Grant's/Rose's meaning it also occurred in 1996. Since the mall space was expanded into part of the former store to reach the new JCPenney, this makes sense. That renovation appears to have also taken out what appears to have been a far more spectacular center court replacing what was likely a larger fountain and planters with a smaller, more subdued fountain and more floor space. Hibbetts Sports took over part of the old Grants space next to JCPenney as part of this expansion. The changes were not dramatic enough to completely rob the mall of its vintage appearance, however, and much of the mall still maintains much of that early 1970's look and feel: a situation that has not been beneficial in more recent years. After JCPenney moved, Goody's would come into replace the former Winn-Dixie/JCPenney space in 1998, but they would only stay a few years. The 90's closed out with Belk Tyler converting to just Belk and People's Drugs becoming Revco in 1993, then CVS in 1998. While turnover was high, the mall was small enough to sustain this, thus it was pretty much running steady through all of this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzRJabAbcFgMeO3SS6twz_o3r6OIugGhG9a1IC4vTbSIb3fsfrJ31M5AbCNqPUqU-1N3CoINmzB-Eapftfp5GkuvRO6Az6ZnBStbfvYirqP5XL9wtFNxIFCks4aFiUmAzI_c8GpQWTieP/s1600/southgate_41_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzRJabAbcFgMeO3SS6twz_o3r6OIugGhG9a1IC4vTbSIb3fsfrJ31M5AbCNqPUqU-1N3CoINmzB-Eapftfp5GkuvRO6Az6ZnBStbfvYirqP5XL9wtFNxIFCks4aFiUmAzI_c8GpQWTieP/s320/southgate_41_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMsyF2csvJID1qf2doPZ0h24egyAX47JD0diROzD37ys_ab-Rkq3MSr2mDuLtwyVs7a0P3fyO9tHAXJ4XP0Wze2vVa_DWk-b2pSS5mTB4DR6IOWkfUTCfI04st0He_XXXwLN9gHpnPGhi/s1600/southgate_44a_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMsyF2csvJID1qf2doPZ0h24egyAX47JD0diROzD37ys_ab-Rkq3MSr2mDuLtwyVs7a0P3fyO9tHAXJ4XP0Wze2vVa_DWk-b2pSS5mTB4DR6IOWkfUTCfI04st0He_XXXwLN9gHpnPGhi/s320/southgate_44a_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Original 1969 Belk including a rare design pre-dating the standard 1970's brick arches. Belk is still committed to the mall and its redevelopment.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrN6qtjecQTcctqvOiPMTmkGaP6RCNij5WqySwNf_kn84wL6NZYLaBxpx4QVsGkkWmBWiWjpCFtD8m_nkAvYNjk4ow55EElcUEgN5n4Tgp2GKKz4NbtB3IGO1jWdHr5PcgLgIcD1k_oag/s1600/southgate_44_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrN6qtjecQTcctqvOiPMTmkGaP6RCNij5WqySwNf_kn84wL6NZYLaBxpx4QVsGkkWmBWiWjpCFtD8m_nkAvYNjk4ow55EElcUEgN5n4Tgp2GKKz4NbtB3IGO1jWdHr5PcgLgIcD1k_oag/s320/southgate_44_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM_Dx2MVijK4IvY2LwDWV64AZgWurmmCKxiXBBqS9_19yZ6eb52UdVw1aLVErLB4NkMNm0fv_sUo-yQih8Ed8zbzjlh2DhDQqXHZtYxr2V5l8caRCe7MBizRrEOGWcdX6xBB4UPvP_6ZW/s1600/southgate_45_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM_Dx2MVijK4IvY2LwDWV64AZgWurmmCKxiXBBqS9_19yZ6eb52UdVw1aLVErLB4NkMNm0fv_sUo-yQih8Ed8zbzjlh2DhDQqXHZtYxr2V5l8caRCe7MBizRrEOGWcdX6xBB4UPvP_6ZW/s320/southgate_45_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Belk Tyler included a garden center, a very rare concept that was only on a few Belk stores. The former garden center is unused, but is not in disrepair.</span></div>
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Overall, the coming and goings in the junior anchors at Southgate Mall were like musical chairs. The original Winn-Dixie space housed five tenants. The former People's Drug housed two other drug store chains before becoming at least three other restaurants, the most current being Dragon Buffet. The Grant's changed two more times, and the mall was expanded into part of it. Roses, which departed the mall in 1993, came back with their "Roses Express" format taking over the former Winn-Dixie/JCPenney space. Roses then quickly outgrew this space and relocated into the former Mammoth Mart that had just been vacated by a replacement store for the Holly Square Winn-Dixie. The Mammoth Mart building had many uses itself operating as King's Department Store from 1980-1983 and Farm Fresh from 1983-1997 before becoming Winn-Dixie Marketplace and later Roses. Yes indeed, the current Roses that is just west of the mall located in what had been a 1990's replacement store for the Winn-Dixie that replaced the original mall Winn-Dixie! To make things more confusing, former anchors moved around the city fairly close to the mall. Both Winn-Dixie and Kmart relocated from Holly Square by that time with Kmart the first to relocate in 1993 and Winn-Dixie in 1997. Holly Square sat mostly vacant for a time before finally being demolished in 2004 for Lowes after its last tenant Big Lots relocated from the older dead Kmart to part of the newer dead Kmart! CVS also left the mall around 2003, relocating to a free-standing location one mile to the east.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEM5N4zY5f1UPIpgj58EZianEU_9RqJV8PGrn-3WzKFkGJ4SmQlkq7cXqPLqQlS08uglQF3kT9egYEZPs4_jnge7Sv83FzGqd36k2nyzjtLi_rfrKvBTvtTlaps02uS6tKCrpU3qHu4z8/s1600/southgate_31_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEM5N4zY5f1UPIpgj58EZianEU_9RqJV8PGrn-3WzKFkGJ4SmQlkq7cXqPLqQlS08uglQF3kT9egYEZPs4_jnge7Sv83FzGqd36k2nyzjtLi_rfrKvBTvtTlaps02uS6tKCrpU3qHu4z8/s320/southgate_31_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHwmnUmxjB1C492tW3ySh5VxoXporBsw4O4WPGSzB8ntN2PO_WCPY9IHouqA6oWyTjV8meIRrTynp1YHPzn_QF6kuzEkOIk5hHZ4A9PHrq9IYAT4Zcp_5ltSO_sKP3rS1mkUti3mWGxuF/s1600/southgate_55_070116_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHwmnUmxjB1C492tW3ySh5VxoXporBsw4O4WPGSzB8ntN2PO_WCPY9IHouqA6oWyTjV8meIRrTynp1YHPzn_QF6kuzEkOIk5hHZ4A9PHrq9IYAT4Zcp_5ltSO_sKP3rS1mkUti3mWGxuF/s320/southgate_55_070116_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down the JCPenney wing in 2016. Burkes Outlet (formerly Winn-Dixie, JCPenney, and Roses Express) is on the right. The 1996 addition into what was Grant's/Rose's is visible just beyond the entrance hallway on the left.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR2ayIz0HwJ0K1WscfptQPGYdoxKkgEF3nb4BOirMym6J2_8SpScjSFKmXW8RCu6tbYy1USdKN7we9YFr_mgWOJl3_Z5beZirm4vZ_Km7G1y3Nmqfj0W1wMmqnzzjQ4fBcXQ35cy_ZVoJ/s1600/southgate_15_010114_grants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR2ayIz0HwJ0K1WscfptQPGYdoxKkgEF3nb4BOirMym6J2_8SpScjSFKmXW8RCu6tbYy1USdKN7we9YFr_mgWOJl3_Z5beZirm4vZ_Km7G1y3Nmqfj0W1wMmqnzzjQ4fBcXQ35cy_ZVoJ/s320/southgate_15_010114_grants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look back to January 2014 when JCPenney was still open. You can clearly see here how the hallway was extended for the store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18YHH0OsOuxfB63rnL9GF4HuNU8Nc7eaJaXEqpvMCKvzHGbF3og4X-T3RgUVFm2RBkzM6Dx0H73_7NTLU1xYGJdaMrzi82D-WQiEHDHGn-AXmPXqUCsV8_a3r78gBOYVaR0kGziKKy9Wb/s1600/southgate_56_070116_digitalsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18YHH0OsOuxfB63rnL9GF4HuNU8Nc7eaJaXEqpvMCKvzHGbF3og4X-T3RgUVFm2RBkzM6Dx0H73_7NTLU1xYGJdaMrzi82D-WQiEHDHGn-AXmPXqUCsV8_a3r78gBOYVaR0kGziKKy9Wb/s320/southgate_56_070116_digitalsky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney left their sign up after the store closed, but it has since been demolished (as of November 2017)</span></div>
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After 2010, the mall's struggles ramped up with the retail industry. Despite a steady growth rate in the region due to the proximity to tourism in the Outer Banks, the antiquated mall coupled with industry changes and high poverty rates in the region led to vacancies becoming more difficult to fill. This escalated when JCPenney finally gave up on the mall. JCPenney closed their store at the mall in 2016 ending a 30 year run at the mall in two separate locations. However, Belk proved to be far more established at the mall and renovated their store within the same year. This ultimately meant that Southgate Mall was a dying mall anchoring a successful Belk and Burkes Outlet. It was becoming painfully obvious that the location of the mall was not the problem, it was the mall itself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUZP6D5iCdXWqEtQYfIvXIS62m-ozCVWsUiklhYyzcotCHBx9RnvMX3YVeSdYRGRuFXGTFCVtBJnApemOarYbD4Bovf5Q_A-3eCyM_KYiPxjE-dP11WRPa9qo9q0LEK9zG2ruw9QtCUEA/s1600/southgate_40_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUZP6D5iCdXWqEtQYfIvXIS62m-ozCVWsUiklhYyzcotCHBx9RnvMX3YVeSdYRGRuFXGTFCVtBJnApemOarYbD4Bovf5Q_A-3eCyM_KYiPxjE-dP11WRPa9qo9q0LEK9zG2ruw9QtCUEA/s320/southgate_40_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKZWTzVaPfB0x2NXU6ebL_NJ-iBuKDoxQrYtvGB8HO0349-D8QSk6uUbtIo2MZc5cjbkecQXplaecdPEBKT358akK2pFfeXOKfFOVw7IYyzZLbqsyaBhZhd3ypsXaDKfcOGV_UDncoB6V/s1600/southgate_12_010114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKZWTzVaPfB0x2NXU6ebL_NJ-iBuKDoxQrYtvGB8HO0349-D8QSk6uUbtIo2MZc5cjbkecQXplaecdPEBKT358akK2pFfeXOKfFOVw7IYyzZLbqsyaBhZhd3ypsXaDKfcOGV_UDncoB6V/s320/southgate_12_010114.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Main mall entrance to Southgate Mall. Close-up shot from July 1, 2016 and setback shot from January 1, 2014.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT-pTfyfiDkQvMY0DzR_VsjN1oGLN2z58v3wFS_z7ttKgkYc_lb5lWv8KqSch2XghN08nXqNJRRmQhcR2HZDCS-DoTUY4OSIwVXSJ9Mf1lVbem41e2cWHjN2z638gACY1dEWaAdoEBBWH/s1600/southgate_39_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT-pTfyfiDkQvMY0DzR_VsjN1oGLN2z58v3wFS_z7ttKgkYc_lb5lWv8KqSch2XghN08nXqNJRRmQhcR2HZDCS-DoTUY4OSIwVXSJ9Mf1lVbem41e2cWHjN2z638gACY1dEWaAdoEBBWH/s320/southgate_39_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of inside of interest with the brass panels. It's a fascinating touch.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Ka3QVJ9LqNL1-pjXksivgZhOS0JgW_98ivCDS2ZZihBPDfF_PAX9a9FdalAHzp54niWUsNWgUP1TIOnrdKWT-uBi2WZofQAYYOVC_VtE0BkZL1xpeCIvJalLUY3qu1MU5-WLZrvPVWl/s1600/southgate_27_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-Ka3QVJ9LqNL1-pjXksivgZhOS0JgW_98ivCDS2ZZihBPDfF_PAX9a9FdalAHzp54niWUsNWgUP1TIOnrdKWT-uBi2WZofQAYYOVC_VtE0BkZL1xpeCIvJalLUY3qu1MU5-WLZrvPVWl/s320/southgate_27_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney front entrance with obvious details left over from Grant's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08bwEkkzJxpv0__931omKVkr34qpBeGeXkN6yw5PcWxvvAjulcLLWun-2QMW1uzCXn0t_dYGWHnIDOQ2zaLm81tEN37NEvmoGWUiwK0YcrAMvRM6uHqRF5r-oAF0VoQPCM2ZtelNqatRL/s1600/southgate_47_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08bwEkkzJxpv0__931omKVkr34qpBeGeXkN6yw5PcWxvvAjulcLLWun-2QMW1uzCXn0t_dYGWHnIDOQ2zaLm81tEN37NEvmoGWUiwK0YcrAMvRM6uHqRF5r-oAF0VoQPCM2ZtelNqatRL/s320/southgate_47_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszK1iGeW79HfqYKTWpINHpwR-kcPhruEN65ifuFbps7JwhzrHd74UCiL_MrtLr0w1HAhvClB6jwTb2jzUdt-xYGds8PcJmXHJ4e16Ymjj-a831Kxx8kzIJbHdGRbaARGasFOe8Gv4bcRf/s1600/southgate_48_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszK1iGeW79HfqYKTWpINHpwR-kcPhruEN65ifuFbps7JwhzrHd74UCiL_MrtLr0w1HAhvClB6jwTb2jzUdt-xYGds8PcJmXHJ4e16Ymjj-a831Kxx8kzIJbHdGRbaARGasFOe8Gv4bcRf/s320/southgate_48_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">When JCPenney took over the old Grant's/Rose's, they had to cut a new entrance into the back. Otherwise, it looks like a typical unremarkable 1970's discount store from the rear.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIVmVG4pG4T-V4XYtb8SxeJ9DjYmh1uB9807UYzChKXNnC3zeVfotSiWwOc4ysWo0svjPzbb7UcQoHE5xN07nwn79RCG-iL_cLnLsResZCSwqlSiWy_vmE0XYs0-FiV_XGjUg8iLl648W/s1600/southgate_8_010114_grants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIVmVG4pG4T-V4XYtb8SxeJ9DjYmh1uB9807UYzChKXNnC3zeVfotSiWwOc4ysWo0svjPzbb7UcQoHE5xN07nwn79RCG-iL_cLnLsResZCSwqlSiWy_vmE0XYs0-FiV_XGjUg8iLl648W/s320/southgate_8_010114_grants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBRL0zwgwmNd2GjiEMUaaraMBP64SPOPrNRroDXNh6cL8vCMPYg6FIeWXUjUWWpf-7c-XUM-j5rCMKQRveAVjQ9ZdLHIhBtqMQ-HnO30xZXoFrNhdYEFTShcE3WvHG8oWjIXAPgz5ntdI/s1600/southgate_9_010114_grants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBRL0zwgwmNd2GjiEMUaaraMBP64SPOPrNRroDXNh6cL8vCMPYg6FIeWXUjUWWpf-7c-XUM-j5rCMKQRveAVjQ9ZdLHIhBtqMQ-HnO30xZXoFrNhdYEFTShcE3WvHG8oWjIXAPgz5ntdI/s320/southgate_9_010114_grants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Grant's Auto Center was obviously sold off long before JCPenney took over the store, but they were probably forced out for the store's demolition.</span></div>
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According to Dailyadvance.com, it was <a href="http://www.dailyadvance.com/News/2017/02/05/Olson-Southgate-Mall-sold-for-2-3M.html">announced in February 2017 that the mall was sold in an auction for $2.3 million</a>. It had been sold the previous July for $8 million, and prior to that it was owned by ABC Properties of New York City since 2005 until they defaulted on the mortgage. The new owners were not coy about their plans for the mall. By July, it was announced that the interior mall of Southgate Mall would be closed and torn down after nearly 50 years of business. This announcement came as somewhat of a surprise considering that the mall still has active tenants inside, Belk is committed to the mall, and Burkes Outlet is still operating in the former Winn-Dixie space. In other words, the new owners simply do not think they can rework the interior mall in any way to make it successful again, thus the <a href="http://www.dailyadvance.com/News/2017/06/10/Southgate-owner-Major-changes-will-start-in-July.html">center will be transformed into a traditional strip shopping center with Belk as an anchor tenant</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MBpDbiPouUn5zAy5JWOolWaH5NqDswgJgdKQ-kaGWP4myFy2PwyUuTiUIviISQf1WAaIrr55bW_hk0dgM_RhFkS-RxThl6qrfqnHX9RIi8f0_g9DfvJ8-vOU2di3VMNjONqtUmFBk3hd/s1600/southgate_26_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MBpDbiPouUn5zAy5JWOolWaH5NqDswgJgdKQ-kaGWP4myFy2PwyUuTiUIviISQf1WAaIrr55bW_hk0dgM_RhFkS-RxThl6qrfqnHX9RIi8f0_g9DfvJ8-vOU2di3VMNjONqtUmFBk3hd/s320/southgate_26_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpyvEqaR1Rt99ZAcqDvjAbOhqrkyClxxk0qEjJ1Z58L84sOWAKkraJSt0PD4MLk94XawH5CpkpWNz-nCp6bjj-HQS98tcQP0T4UdGXR87qsGzfCnycanZwWMoCV_2nW0eI_Vhm4-LsaxQ/s1600/southgate_11_010114_grants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpyvEqaR1Rt99ZAcqDvjAbOhqrkyClxxk0qEjJ1Z58L84sOWAKkraJSt0PD4MLk94XawH5CpkpWNz-nCp6bjj-HQS98tcQP0T4UdGXR87qsGzfCnycanZwWMoCV_2nW0eI_Vhm4-LsaxQ/s320/southgate_11_010114_grants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple front view of the mall with the top photo looking from JCPenney to Belk and the bottom photo looking at Burkes Outlet (former Winn-Dixie, original JCPenney), and later JCPenney in what was Grant's/Rose's. Rose's is now located in what was the third Winn-Dixie just west of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8jFfnmg3iQE8Z9G8CIMoq37yGJOjoA_OhUKFXySB8SVIME3wC0T_-uaGzY-Um8Nl5Tx1cDm2FGW0HY4sO5ilMJFcCH8o3RIAXJzoJEVgsFznlx1vAiajwOKMW0bhA1NCOjxyR1EYaZJ6/s1600/southgate_52_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8jFfnmg3iQE8Z9G8CIMoq37yGJOjoA_OhUKFXySB8SVIME3wC0T_-uaGzY-Um8Nl5Tx1cDm2FGW0HY4sO5ilMJFcCH8o3RIAXJzoJEVgsFznlx1vAiajwOKMW0bhA1NCOjxyR1EYaZJ6/s320/southgate_52_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Southgate Mall sign from W Ehringhaus St (U.S. 17 Business)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3VNLhrPyHD8s_TMuXZXicCkZVCeHhyphenhyphenGyrA_xebkTUMT8h230eVBv8zIldXF4ccpsnAbutqzZZIT2PXoD0rorCkrkEqJ-5biZceB81kkWkTE5kLRBTzUGf4kR0G6EGp0FywJ6AYbkmyrA/s1600/southgate_51_070116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3VNLhrPyHD8s_TMuXZXicCkZVCeHhyphenhyphenGyrA_xebkTUMT8h230eVBv8zIldXF4ccpsnAbutqzZZIT2PXoD0rorCkrkEqJ-5biZceB81kkWkTE5kLRBTzUGf4kR0G6EGp0FywJ6AYbkmyrA/s320/southgate_51_070116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall theaters to the right of the mall. They did not open at the mall and were instead added in 1973.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpchDaWDkCBpa8gaOT8_5iglcUfWWrVVZDwfTCv4OWYNlJHps_DILeAzEtzcnVnOhXtuN0B4_GWDg5lp-7B4S2tGrbf1w7ejJjzLDwxnHlTk_ljy3iRRTcabwIP4v1TUURYCLZltcUf84/s1600/southgatemall_elizabethcity_final+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpchDaWDkCBpa8gaOT8_5iglcUfWWrVVZDwfTCv4OWYNlJHps_DILeAzEtzcnVnOhXtuN0B4_GWDg5lp-7B4S2tGrbf1w7ejJjzLDwxnHlTk_ljy3iRRTcabwIP4v1TUURYCLZltcUf84/s320/southgatemall_elizabethcity_final+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Historical map of the mall showing anchor history of the mall and its outlots 1969-present. The 2018 date refers to the pending demolition of the remaining interior mall.</span></div>
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Too many things in the past 15 years have begun to work against the mall. The primary issues were newer competition, an antiquated mall design, and traffic pattern changes. First, the construction of The Shoppes at Tanglewood (a strip adjacent to a Wal-Mart Supercenter) helped pull traffic, inline tenants and customers away from the mall. Second, as a mall much closer to downtown, the mall also suffered from a change in traffic patterns as US 17 was relocated to a new by-pass west of the city. While not particularly unique for its time, Southgate Mall is one of the very last representations of early enclosed malls, and its demolition will be another stinging loss as it joins many other malls across the country closing for good. At least these photos will help us to remember this quaint little mall.<br />
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<b>OTHER RESOURCES:</b><br />
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<a href="http://mallmanac.blogspot.com/2015/02/enduring-anomalies-southgate-mall.html">Mallmanac: Southgate Mall</a> (Another post with information about the mall)<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64587289@N05/">Ajsanjua's Flickr Page</a> (A wealth of information and photos about both the mall and Elizabeth City retail. Information from these galleries was used to write a proper history for this mall with permission.)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-51306121189822982472017-07-14T22:48:00.000-07:002017-07-14T22:49:09.398-07:00Laurel Mall: Connellsville (Dunbar Township), PAFiled under the most common name for malls is what was for many years a dead mall found between Uniontown and Connellsville, PA that refuses to let go. In fact, it has found some rather unique ways to survive. It is important to note that this Laurel Mall should not be confused with another Laurel Mall located in Hazleton. Neither extraordinarily large nor unique, this mall somehow did not get the memo that small 1970's malls that never got updated were supposed to be closed and demolished decades ago. Of course, for those of us that actually appreciate that, it's a real time capsule that has weathered, both figuratively and literally, many harsh Pennsylvania winters to remain in pretty good condition for its age. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36itsTgGMzWla6ljr8QCjfOGlRB7umFDye2hmsySgJGyfwqiFJr13m3Ad720lI4HqvNUhoeXGMET18lh_z0t3xFY1cUfvn1M0vyOAmBeuIHU5IQdo0hKTZQaEnVFHHKs0Yfcp2O2yU090/s1600/laurel_46_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36itsTgGMzWla6ljr8QCjfOGlRB7umFDye2hmsySgJGyfwqiFJr13m3Ad720lI4HqvNUhoeXGMET18lh_z0t3xFY1cUfvn1M0vyOAmBeuIHU5IQdo0hKTZQaEnVFHHKs0Yfcp2O2yU090/s320/laurel_46_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Built in 1971, Laurel Mall was constructed on the heels of aggressive expansion by Montgomery Ward and McKeesport-based G.C. Murphy's. Murphy's was found across the Eastern U.S. with a concentration of stores in the Mid-Atlantic. Starting in 1970, they were aggressively expanding their Murphy's Mart discount store format, and this was one of their larger locations (<a href="http://pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com/2009/10/winter-sunset-at-murphys-mart.html">and third to be constructed</a>) in Western Pennsylvania. Most anchored a mall. It was clear that both stores felt that a mall would help boost their competitive presence in the market, thus a simple T-shaped 300,000 square ft. mall was constructed tying the two stores together. Also included in the mall was a four screen theater and the only satellite location of Uniontown-based Metzler's department store, which had a junior anchor in the center of the mall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4egtYcA9shHkCGzYducTONdsoDGRhMnE3ayPxygwwmzrCW2Hb9x0o6E_bXc1rn6P7S1TUkLAEACYvGJMw9ry5Bc1E08zu0fQUWIsIHMYxCx_i2oCYy_FhA4kZKczUPIAJnPJY2wJNVwp/s1600/laurel_14a_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4egtYcA9shHkCGzYducTONdsoDGRhMnE3ayPxygwwmzrCW2Hb9x0o6E_bXc1rn6P7S1TUkLAEACYvGJMw9ry5Bc1E08zu0fQUWIsIHMYxCx_i2oCYy_FhA4kZKczUPIAJnPJY2wJNVwp/s320/laurel_14a_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A photo of the mall corridor from Pechin's taken June 5, 2013. The flea market had not yet taken off yet, so detail of the mall was more visible. Does anybody know what the store to the left originally was? The panels just past the store suggest that Towne Mall in New Castle had the same store. The lead photo shows center court looking toward the Wards wing with the former Metzler's department store on the left.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8xwHswpFbQhpDJSCk_ByuulGHs3znTZbh7M9Ppy2BFwW35XIeu8QPVyNhdP4wdKtt59r8blGF5dl_o-XVKazSmhVvSEWxcEWReEZMBnAJmpcp_koRYP1u0UGZoLJOLuJL8YPCyhkRKou/s1600/laurel_15_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8xwHswpFbQhpDJSCk_ByuulGHs3znTZbh7M9Ppy2BFwW35XIeu8QPVyNhdP4wdKtt59r8blGF5dl_o-XVKazSmhVvSEWxcEWReEZMBnAJmpcp_koRYP1u0UGZoLJOLuJL8YPCyhkRKou/s320/laurel_15_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Zoomed in shot of the same scene. Unfortunately, this was as close as I could get to a "before" pic of the Murphy's/Ames mall entrance. Photo taken June 5, 2013.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPyf7oZlgslFKO4NA5Q6u1CdnIKKPoPSVO5jkB2w2ZuBEqgpciBrNNvX46J0ouFfMCDjrQjcGqBrjcLyAJDZ-K6NGRYwYOU0W__XGrl6vlRHMMNETbr1RJNYaVlHCji8c84p_Zh6uroCD/s1600/laurel_22_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPyf7oZlgslFKO4NA5Q6u1CdnIKKPoPSVO5jkB2w2ZuBEqgpciBrNNvX46J0ouFfMCDjrQjcGqBrjcLyAJDZ-K6NGRYwYOU0W__XGrl6vlRHMMNETbr1RJNYaVlHCji8c84p_Zh6uroCD/s320/laurel_22_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Returning on May 27, 2017 I was finally able to explore the interior of the mall. This if the front entrance corridor with the former Metzler's mall entrance and center court in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwCCOWugVfNLhorOIy-FWCTdtB1wgyh_TDeUjF6IFnbonmxrGqtb9yH0Mcob4Bhi_AHiqYFaguTo3kgkoTq4lPzGWvmiBpZPbyZHCKj7OPnaPjZ22Vqf3sFuTAVFQobSsBpGJ4wKTthN_/s1600/laurel_23_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwCCOWugVfNLhorOIy-FWCTdtB1wgyh_TDeUjF6IFnbonmxrGqtb9yH0Mcob4Bhi_AHiqYFaguTo3kgkoTq4lPzGWvmiBpZPbyZHCKj7OPnaPjZ22Vqf3sFuTAVFQobSsBpGJ4wKTthN_/s320/laurel_23_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Wards mall wing. The glass at the end was the former mall entrance, now Pechin's Superfoods. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yu6QO68BV1KpCyaf3zIJCJEjETNCISHo9xlITxbx-pzs_ES5TJOLNt4Sc0Ad1a84aI8-3JrCw1YgY7VJFo6r5tqVhnH_ar5zU8Wbxu6qGaQLfbpuYX2QWj36kSqStUUoxM5GTx2Cdyx5/s1600/laurel_24_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yu6QO68BV1KpCyaf3zIJCJEjETNCISHo9xlITxbx-pzs_ES5TJOLNt4Sc0Ad1a84aI8-3JrCw1YgY7VJFo6r5tqVhnH_ar5zU8Wbxu6qGaQLfbpuYX2QWj36kSqStUUoxM5GTx2Cdyx5/s320/laurel_24_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Closing in on the former Wards mall entrance. It was nothing fancy for sure. <span style="text-align: center;">Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kccgQHTawKarCRHIkFzxx5oQMvQpZY-tExdK_I4btO_W815XZ-CSN5jGV-ZJUFRFmJdsHlUr9UxOHf3xU5oDgL5YIiPCFMVLpWVjOyWs8jdhJsRzy3Catq2Aju6Nhd3X1BC2CaaRFCik/s1600/laurel_25_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kccgQHTawKarCRHIkFzxx5oQMvQpZY-tExdK_I4btO_W815XZ-CSN5jGV-ZJUFRFmJdsHlUr9UxOHf3xU5oDgL5YIiPCFMVLpWVjOyWs8jdhJsRzy3Catq2Aju6Nhd3X1BC2CaaRFCik/s320/laurel_25_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wards mall entrance in detail with mystery junior anchor tenant on the right. Note the theater marquees on the left.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-2KiaMENfxEl4_KB5366wJ6nu07Nmax_YgApPpSoRLee-a5EJ4v1-W230paIj6RtC2B5mxq1eMlxH6kojdEn1NY2eFXZOY-c4gE-3aVy0XbqbI66llCGhtXtLTV43gZhcx70wS8UJ9aL/s1600/laurel_26_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-2KiaMENfxEl4_KB5366wJ6nu07Nmax_YgApPpSoRLee-a5EJ4v1-W230paIj6RtC2B5mxq1eMlxH6kojdEn1NY2eFXZOY-c4gE-3aVy0XbqbI66llCGhtXtLTV43gZhcx70wS8UJ9aL/s320/laurel_26_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blurry shot, but here are the theater marquees now sadly void of any movies since the theater closed in 2014.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></span></div>
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Laurel Mall was the first mall to be constructed in the Uniontown-Connellsville area, but it would not be for long. A year later, Uniontown Mall, a Crown American property, opened in Uniontown. The malls initially complemented each other given that its competing mall was constructed with a similar anchor lineup: Sears (general merchandise) and GeeBee (a discount store owned by Crown American). Laurel Mall stood out in that was constructed in a beautiful scene with the backdrop of the Allegheny Plateau rising up a short ways southeast of the mall. Fronting US 119, it also benefited from full visibility along a major highway halfway between the two cities making it a seemingly prime location for retail development. The funny thing is that aside from the mall and businesses on the outlot such as Burger King, not much else was ever built near the mall. This was a sign that success would be limited, and the mall struggled immensely over the past couple decades with only one or two stores operating in the mall in 2008.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGttoQdlvT2l9vfij-Z97i3RrjdcvL8xeBDsDIUZ8T8fc2AMKlrOlrd-0W7GJ0x8EZ9RosRhnYZ2RuINzDLBBMhDqxPo4RYorUq33a6wB4iNxgL6mwopMDMBPM16bTblxi6ddBpYIi08av/s1600/laurel_27_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGttoQdlvT2l9vfij-Z97i3RrjdcvL8xeBDsDIUZ8T8fc2AMKlrOlrd-0W7GJ0x8EZ9RosRhnYZ2RuINzDLBBMhDqxPo4RYorUq33a6wB4iNxgL6mwopMDMBPM16bTblxi6ddBpYIi08av/s320/laurel_27_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFIWmyZYf3G_J_jHLbTXdSqaqMFTU7Q5r6sfaVdD4tYBWGvy4nSL0TxuPr_Z_E06tI5PHI_6wndMyErTVOY40ep3W3oppLe-cmLoUwHj32W_Bspp2qiltPfqOeB9zLl_FwVg_2T6UNGXt/s1600/laurel_28_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFIWmyZYf3G_J_jHLbTXdSqaqMFTU7Q5r6sfaVdD4tYBWGvy4nSL0TxuPr_Z_E06tI5PHI_6wndMyErTVOY40ep3W3oppLe-cmLoUwHj32W_Bspp2qiltPfqOeB9zLl_FwVg_2T6UNGXt/s320/laurel_28_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The back southeast entrance wing leading to the theaters. As you can see, nothing was ever done to update these theaters. These extra doors allowed the theaters to stay open long past mall hours. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKA3c_zhenpeV38bM8ejAO09clE7FdGS6JHfVkMy5tZwPaKaijuB96-SwP-eO4fxQMwR4ZdrT20tvT82hr5GXW-hkrtguhyphenhyphenIQo4RwS1VBPz3wxJRICeXAVyfMKH5mfGCzX957smjx6uWK/s1600/laurel_29_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKA3c_zhenpeV38bM8ejAO09clE7FdGS6JHfVkMy5tZwPaKaijuB96-SwP-eO4fxQMwR4ZdrT20tvT82hr5GXW-hkrtguhyphenhyphenIQo4RwS1VBPz3wxJRICeXAVyfMKH5mfGCzX957smjx6uWK/s320/laurel_29_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the theaters and back door. If I'd known it was closed, I would have gotten more detail of the theater foyer. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqXZ_PMHKsY8LbqYh8j2J15ybDn5Tuzl8DL7qiievar13QDhuxv8ueUnsAA_QipB-uAYRS1HSe2b_u9jS2Ks3cAwACG1A0kMow2lronxBvuehg8MQq0nQtY9I9Y5dJyEPb2oC4B5OAMS6/s1600/laurel_30_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqXZ_PMHKsY8LbqYh8j2J15ybDn5Tuzl8DL7qiievar13QDhuxv8ueUnsAA_QipB-uAYRS1HSe2b_u9jS2Ks3cAwACG1A0kMow2lronxBvuehg8MQq0nQtY9I9Y5dJyEPb2oC4B5OAMS6/s320/laurel_30_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking back to the mall from the theaters. No, nothing is wrong with the camera. There is an odd greenish light along this hallway. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVzLABA8f3DyQF7-15nTgYMVfHj95c-QYdJOg_UMas3Wm5KEE8jHCQvjoCYkPh4rC94NTHpbwNPm1gerOHa82aOQtRjoo3TISHnw8i2Gd5gof10RREmyzrRxvhStPMX1TzKv2JJZXpGBm/s1600/laurel_32_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVzLABA8f3DyQF7-15nTgYMVfHj95c-QYdJOg_UMas3Wm5KEE8jHCQvjoCYkPh4rC94NTHpbwNPm1gerOHa82aOQtRjoo3TISHnw8i2Gd5gof10RREmyzrRxvhStPMX1TzKv2JJZXpGBm/s320/laurel_32_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mystery store next to Wards (on left). Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XX6v3W0Z9h3pnjVDNU1tj5dppZQkt7WBptO_jQeNL87Y6O_Vo4g_giUbaCf3rckkslEZAC7du6qfig-ISXbJPVoiz2fNmu3pFcOdtyRdIkESaNUD2Diqxt5XppIqb_sByQwaQ2q3nl2v/s1600/laurel_33_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XX6v3W0Z9h3pnjVDNU1tj5dppZQkt7WBptO_jQeNL87Y6O_Vo4g_giUbaCf3rckkslEZAC7du6qfig-ISXbJPVoiz2fNmu3pFcOdtyRdIkESaNUD2Diqxt5XppIqb_sByQwaQ2q3nl2v/s320/laurel_33_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Strolling down the Wards wing back to center court. Just past the change in the ceiling height is the beginning of the stonework for the Metzler's mall entrance. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpuZP_F_cCiHyB0QJqP9dtq8j92nyp2W0PQfv46ZJoDYSbuwTS47RLTgG2t9AP3WoDvPUXPXiRPqQT0rDetIvegsYNk5_I1vSvt8bLU1E2LwIfTP5AuaoO2f81gije1ZBIiIahXgOKohx/s1600/laurel_57_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpuZP_F_cCiHyB0QJqP9dtq8j92nyp2W0PQfv46ZJoDYSbuwTS47RLTgG2t9AP3WoDvPUXPXiRPqQT0rDetIvegsYNk5_I1vSvt8bLU1E2LwIfTP5AuaoO2f81gije1ZBIiIahXgOKohx/s320/laurel_57_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another view of center court looking to the Murphy's wing. It is difficult to photograph due to the people and stand in the middle. Because of all the temporary structures here, it was difficult to tell if center court ever had a planter or fountains. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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One thing that used to be a rule in the retail industry was that a mall's success hinged on having the right anchors, which Laurel Mall never had. It did not help that Uniontown Mall proved to have more muscle and was able to attract the right anchors. Crown American owned Hess's giving them a guaranteed mid-market anchor (later Bon-Ton), and JCPenney later passed over Laurel Mall for its competitor. Laurel Mall desperately needed to be expanded and have better anchors to survive, but the construction of an extension of the Pennsylvania turnpike close to Uniontown Mall also gave them a competitive advantage. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN9kPUMsgxda1Hxwf7xXx2wyIOvznp72zRaGCnhjPDfjLLtmSho6saIBo2AvRaaNb55BV54VUvS77DGNBcsmd2ChFowFDvhU5dc1qouIFpW1M_cygmfE9pn0PK9XHouAGn7orqlgOjQFS/s1600/laurel_34_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN9kPUMsgxda1Hxwf7xXx2wyIOvznp72zRaGCnhjPDfjLLtmSho6saIBo2AvRaaNb55BV54VUvS77DGNBcsmd2ChFowFDvhU5dc1qouIFpW1M_cygmfE9pn0PK9XHouAGn7orqlgOjQFS/s320/laurel_34_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry about the blurriness, but I was trying to capture this fake stone. If I had more time, I would have been diving through all the records that were in this store. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iPV2mJsB_4PHeOVpA6Qo-T1FBFDWA2n8g_y78eKvt04wUvuymSIUmnXMmOA0Cc6H4qRL2xgQWqSSCK_GuDazqFC1TLA4xEzzogGhCX1XblSHJyuWl7n1QINCo_5tvOBISz-kXvMJbXah/s1600/laurel_36_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iPV2mJsB_4PHeOVpA6Qo-T1FBFDWA2n8g_y78eKvt04wUvuymSIUmnXMmOA0Cc6H4qRL2xgQWqSSCK_GuDazqFC1TLA4xEzzogGhCX1XblSHJyuWl7n1QINCo_5tvOBISz-kXvMJbXah/s320/laurel_36_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In contrast to the Wards wing of the mall, the Murphy's wing is mostly unused. With Dollar Tree coming, this may be on purpose. Note that the structure on this end is not as in good of condition suggesting that they plan to close off this part. Also note the brick wall at the end where the Murphy's/Ames mall entrance used to be. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWDWJMDJq8w-rUf-0k_cYiUhe_q-q2cdWa-fviR4PD9Kg8zljuNirCnGflhlwLs2bOtKtZQpaeRu9mUsR0YZIWruZRY9YjTPAbv_4HZP9bBRT2Bp8k_EyN_JJvIT64yt6oxE54vGli4jd/s1600/laurel_37_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWDWJMDJq8w-rUf-0k_cYiUhe_q-q2cdWa-fviR4PD9Kg8zljuNirCnGflhlwLs2bOtKtZQpaeRu9mUsR0YZIWruZRY9YjTPAbv_4HZP9bBRT2Bp8k_EyN_JJvIT64yt6oxE54vGli4jd/s320/laurel_37_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dollar Tree will eventually be opening on the other side of this (with outside access). This was originally Thrift Drug, a division of JCPenney and later Eckerd. Thrift Drug was folded into Eckerd when JCPenney bought Eckerd in 1997. Eckerd appears to have closed at the mall when the chain was sold to Rite Aid. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEtUosD0rNGfUJ9q2KZq8jiZYreABAsAj6v68a1X41X_9SK5CkSjkscl04rH4BvcWYiDYQNmeIAB3jGRFfyojruotjK9aMZCaBnBHT0pJtOLjKdur0GWwWBDSjOXfkMTYyjn_3_YEH012/s1600/laurel_38_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEtUosD0rNGfUJ9q2KZq8jiZYreABAsAj6v68a1X41X_9SK5CkSjkscl04rH4BvcWYiDYQNmeIAB3jGRFfyojruotjK9aMZCaBnBHT0pJtOLjKdur0GWwWBDSjOXfkMTYyjn_3_YEH012/s320/laurel_38_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Thrift Drugs labelscar was rather obvious here. It was Pittsburgh-based, so it was a logical tenant in this mall. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMxlhzTR7H6tiFR2mT_D0ZCUu0x2P_66MR7YZdP6Ixbsk9_TeKQHLY8_M6JgOxqpuBPZAWbvNAFBZrC96LVI-J4SSxiReECCdkIpViB1zwrl8wqQoIY2G8e_KBQ3bvRdnKqaLfBpfkjNW/s1600/laurel_45_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMxlhzTR7H6tiFR2mT_D0ZCUu0x2P_66MR7YZdP6Ixbsk9_TeKQHLY8_M6JgOxqpuBPZAWbvNAFBZrC96LVI-J4SSxiReECCdkIpViB1zwrl8wqQoIY2G8e_KBQ3bvRdnKqaLfBpfkjNW/s320/laurel_45_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look back into the main mall with Metzler's visible on the left. The store on the right was most likely a Fashion Bug originally. I believe it was later Dollar General. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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Despite its vintage charm, not much can be said about its design. Inside, it is very basic with terrazzo floors, lots of brown and it appears the mall only had maybe one fountain or planter in center court, since covered up. It is a bland and unremarkable design by 1970's standards inside and out, and its charm only comes from the fact that it is such a well-preserved specimen for its time. It was built by a small developer (Laurel Development of Johnstown) meaning that a large budget for architecture was probably not available. In reality, the mall was about the anchors, not the mall itself, and this remains true today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JM7ciS4eoeobh2mijA2ZskDf1t8wGz8XYJAB4EM4nUoxIsDQdG3vhIL0vpueGT-Ob687UJMjLOzT7rPodj_accFSlI_VjhBhRuIk-pzxdanJGRA1cXLNEGz0pjFcro2uAtPIMSOXBWBo/s1600/laurel_35_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JM7ciS4eoeobh2mijA2ZskDf1t8wGz8XYJAB4EM4nUoxIsDQdG3vhIL0vpueGT-Ob687UJMjLOzT7rPodj_accFSlI_VjhBhRuIk-pzxdanJGRA1cXLNEGz0pjFcro2uAtPIMSOXBWBo/s320/laurel_35_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hallway to restrooms and former mall offices. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyBMUU7CgQ8l2fZsbcTYdkz_YswUPHMhXCGHu-KmmJfyUVeTfG6q2WXF-9gr5m6u2QITEDQPEUThP7OX9jHB4o3KCeiq_ahPlKwtSLI7Qg5mOJ0zXplubMgG8k8JL0R8y_BTvINVcCa0A/s1600/laurel_39_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyBMUU7CgQ8l2fZsbcTYdkz_YswUPHMhXCGHu-KmmJfyUVeTfG6q2WXF-9gr5m6u2QITEDQPEUThP7OX9jHB4o3KCeiq_ahPlKwtSLI7Qg5mOJ0zXplubMgG8k8JL0R8y_BTvINVcCa0A/s320/laurel_39_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This back hallway/entrance next to Rural King was walled off, but with the door wide open, exploration was a necessity! Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWzXmf25aOxcZ3hFvQJ5uYZZUlOsud-G2v6nsBtmauMCKwG1SplthyS1sdrSKzINkYxF9_qyPV-6e4rwmdSuSGlrSpZ0yZCT6el-oCo4TmOsv3a2EkmsBKSzfuEDImQ-G5oYtu69b6vRG/s1600/laurel_42_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWzXmf25aOxcZ3hFvQJ5uYZZUlOsud-G2v6nsBtmauMCKwG1SplthyS1sdrSKzINkYxF9_qyPV-6e4rwmdSuSGlrSpZ0yZCT6el-oCo4TmOsv3a2EkmsBKSzfuEDImQ-G5oYtu69b6vRG/s320/laurel_42_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The back entrance doors have clearly not been used in quite some time.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMoh8itxaqxXuDNjtr61k7OptWSEyOzFExoN4BwCWHpUArIUhGeUNBJf-BayTSG9AesFpWoYXl-2TwbfTCWEOFnycyFTp0GJcOjmJVeN0-BpTk8nyCXZKAOp_jd3FYF_CxngWqlYC2sR9/s1600/laurel_6_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMoh8itxaqxXuDNjtr61k7OptWSEyOzFExoN4BwCWHpUArIUhGeUNBJf-BayTSG9AesFpWoYXl-2TwbfTCWEOFnycyFTp0GJcOjmJVeN0-BpTk8nyCXZKAOp_jd3FYF_CxngWqlYC2sR9/s320/laurel_6_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The outside of the back entrance is certainly still stuck in 1971.</span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"> Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi0q71fKO3nf2dzmMYAZIP7o2fUmBI8ELYS93W3IaPK6UmrQRX2OTcKaxRsAmoMAvLw5lc1ui0-TTME4mOc1B80V5bSD-om4zrhh0DLry6ey4uurRDfPyhVCdex88JbvvCzSqmDcS2tSV/s1600/laurel_40_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi0q71fKO3nf2dzmMYAZIP7o2fUmBI8ELYS93W3IaPK6UmrQRX2OTcKaxRsAmoMAvLw5lc1ui0-TTME4mOc1B80V5bSD-om4zrhh0DLry6ey4uurRDfPyhVCdex88JbvvCzSqmDcS2tSV/s320/laurel_40_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail along the closed off back entrance wing next to Rural King looking back into the main mall. What were those windows for? It looks like a department store or display, but nothing of note is on the other side of the wall.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> The paneling on the right looks to have been part of the Murphy's Mart entrance at some point. Photos taken May 27, 2017.</span></span></div>
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Laurel Mall was losing this game. Having a discount store, a struggling second-tier general merchandise department store and a small local department store might have worked in the 1970's, but an anchor line-up like that by the 1990's was damning. Metzler's closed first in the late 1980's and was converted for awhile into a flea market. While Murphy's Mart was a very popular chain, it found itself not immune to the sociopathic retail environment in the 80's and was seized by Ames in a hostile takeover in 1985. Ames was far less popular and was itself struggling by the late 1990's. It would go under in 2002 leaving the Laurel Mall store dark. Montgomery Ward itself went under with the chain in 2001. The only original anchor tenant still operating at the mall by this time were the theaters, and they always had outside access from the back of the mall. At this point, most malls like this would have been redeveloped into a strip center, but apparently nobody was interested in dropping millions into renovating the property like that. Big box stores were instead choosing to locate in the shadow of Uniontown Mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbz0KZzaCzPFseLRYUp54JLuiCFg5h9KNpmICaX2HKyLWxh0ut8M6toukflMfeNlS_PzqAHf0jhXteD-cM40XRRkzYiSvcgI-DV2TiI8a1rtwA4WoOUosiJSLvdqUBPZy_O5iET5dy6kv/s1600/laurel_49_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbz0KZzaCzPFseLRYUp54JLuiCFg5h9KNpmICaX2HKyLWxh0ut8M6toukflMfeNlS_PzqAHf0jhXteD-cM40XRRkzYiSvcgI-DV2TiI8a1rtwA4WoOUosiJSLvdqUBPZy_O5iET5dy6kv/s320/laurel_49_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Interior wall decorations for the departments of Metzler's was a BIG surprise. This was left over from the 1970's and never updated after the store closed.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfVl2uU3YkNqaxNVEpIUnN4kdMA0EPqgb2bqOjz4F7ay7lm2yXE5kOgu4edMJeagrk4VlO-Zr38sZpYhfe8WBTuvVCip43u5xlYIWy4b-mOu-vtkyLefOM6vANsZ49SBBAANKhoWRCxtb/s1600/laurel_50_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfVl2uU3YkNqaxNVEpIUnN4kdMA0EPqgb2bqOjz4F7ay7lm2yXE5kOgu4edMJeagrk4VlO-Zr38sZpYhfe8WBTuvVCip43u5xlYIWy4b-mOu-vtkyLefOM6vANsZ49SBBAANKhoWRCxtb/s320/laurel_50_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">More pictures of Metzler's. Look at this decor! You never see anything this detailed in a department store anymore.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXGpzUAOy1whvdx0vhaFo8Ons10BP7EUiSAqjiPgeWzREhyjiLjNKF3niIu1jU_PCVMNFXUCZyypJojyReHiJ42W2KAxSI0PpSZ1igfzdiZmekuQPlca1YpjKhM-1E2CHX5WMKXKcxKeH/s1600/laurel_51_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXGpzUAOy1whvdx0vhaFo8Ons10BP7EUiSAqjiPgeWzREhyjiLjNKF3niIu1jU_PCVMNFXUCZyypJojyReHiJ42W2KAxSI0PpSZ1igfzdiZmekuQPlca1YpjKhM-1E2CHX5WMKXKcxKeH/s320/laurel_51_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not sure what this department was, but I'm guessing sportswear or something outdoors. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SRz4vlcMQFoAwyiBiY-h5ly3ggc3PU5tpxUZS1GyjyrlWtpnepr7sfKbRnIIsHPyQBLu7v37wlp1huBSY1DVsIuZeWXKAWVwFVg2j_uautZpd1jcTzxGGT9mSM96uvwPFCMEn4s9VvSH/s1600/laurel_52_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-SRz4vlcMQFoAwyiBiY-h5ly3ggc3PU5tpxUZS1GyjyrlWtpnepr7sfKbRnIIsHPyQBLu7v37wlp1huBSY1DVsIuZeWXKAWVwFVg2j_uautZpd1jcTzxGGT9mSM96uvwPFCMEn4s9VvSH/s320/laurel_52_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm guessing this was the intimates department. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC0uReTJ5q-JoN5g6Wa_mV_kVwkZ5aOQeT0kh1dC2cJvybZcPFvTd6kCniy0KjfYlJ8K7a_nblr6q6syHNi44ghny-3f7kg7Epkai16ohUodxHp6sHdCEz7VsRE0Me4rbO50H5ra_sc1X/s1600/laurel_53_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiC0uReTJ5q-JoN5g6Wa_mV_kVwkZ5aOQeT0kh1dC2cJvybZcPFvTd6kCniy0KjfYlJ8K7a_nblr6q6syHNi44ghny-3f7kg7Epkai16ohUodxHp6sHdCEz7VsRE0Me4rbO50H5ra_sc1X/s320/laurel_53_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvJ_pZW9F3PMcJv5qCw0AwIGM0x-AjUhBxK6FMFj7i3ScE9qsmrnRQi92jqpDzhsFZPCbSXW9mVwVKMzuRHmcNi3kpd3SDti-i9GfDg0fLvnpQA68b5H5ShTnFp5IsuwZv0sFvv_BtDhH/s1600/laurel_54_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvJ_pZW9F3PMcJv5qCw0AwIGM0x-AjUhBxK6FMFj7i3ScE9qsmrnRQi92jqpDzhsFZPCbSXW9mVwVKMzuRHmcNi3kpd3SDti-i9GfDg0fLvnpQA68b5H5ShTnFp5IsuwZv0sFvv_BtDhH/s320/laurel_54_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It got more impressive on the south wall of the store. I WANT this wallpaper in my future house! </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRKMdUPJ7HtRTr_vktc0TdNimqAeKH51c5dSEK2ik8dL1gGaT7fS6uWT118Zy2jcXdh0zDR18w2oezgUgZmlKbMVXwYqXKb6LtlT6hZTIF0spE43PmFloACvX_ocqV8DWtAJjsduQrJkU/s1600/laurel_55_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRKMdUPJ7HtRTr_vktc0TdNimqAeKH51c5dSEK2ik8dL1gGaT7fS6uWT118Zy2jcXdh0zDR18w2oezgUgZmlKbMVXwYqXKb6LtlT6hZTIF0spE43PmFloACvX_ocqV8DWtAJjsduQrJkU/s320/laurel_55_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm guessing this was the men's department. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6v81vujqGEmSOspZ1-xUG9C7i-ehN__zNmQdlytSBo50vDdNCpOOSu7blKYvlyoVu-kAhiFTj2tDYZJdOgVca9s0RCYfsmHJ_B-gxdKjW6SiGXy-3vtYIPswyRqEysEIav1ez3zwT6I2/s1600/laurel_56_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6v81vujqGEmSOspZ1-xUG9C7i-ehN__zNmQdlytSBo50vDdNCpOOSu7blKYvlyoVu-kAhiFTj2tDYZJdOgVca9s0RCYfsmHJ_B-gxdKjW6SiGXy-3vtYIPswyRqEysEIav1ez3zwT6I2/s320/laurel_56_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">What department would call for this marble? Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span><br />
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What do you do when a mall loses its anchors and yet the property cannot be redeveloped? You have two choices: abandon the property or get creative. Fortunately, the mall was bought by Gator Laurel Partners of Miami, FL who were willing to get creative. In 2008, they reopened the interior mall for a flea market leasing space to small vendors. It also helped that the former Montgomery Ward never sat vacant for long. It became a Shop 'N Save in 2001, which was later replaced in 2005 by Pechin Superfoods. Pechin is a really unique store that is a hybrid of a grocery store and hardware store. It kept traffic coming to the mall while the rest of the mall struggled. It is not clear if the flea market did not initially survive, but <a href="http://triblive.com/news/fayette/3682205-74/mall-laurel-store">in 2013 a grand reopening was held for the flea market</a>, which is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfvzs3spA4AeIixhpRi3MJBvGuTgccITFkrYKnUm24I-WdBJFZtP8CZH8C3bp-xzD6ofUwbMmqoZgQYhXRDesj3NFidctIPlCyWN59ZoZzH0ppj5Ijg7eOyDOPIaM8TANpf9Rh5z-CY0O/s1600/laurel_17_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfvzs3spA4AeIixhpRi3MJBvGuTgccITFkrYKnUm24I-WdBJFZtP8CZH8C3bp-xzD6ofUwbMmqoZgQYhXRDesj3NFidctIPlCyWN59ZoZzH0ppj5Ijg7eOyDOPIaM8TANpf9Rh5z-CY0O/s320/laurel_17_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Laurel Mall entrance. Note the overhead signs that appeared to advertise Murphy's Mart in the mall. If you look close you can make out the Murphy's "M". It is not clear if they were re-used for Ames. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0JdsMhFaVb5xvEEGtUcjwHffa-2BULPKM-yA_JbZnyC-vhrBPtdFqjv68f59SzO2mwQEGugT5B7wFsnFstTOQ3Jex49AnfIhenhlDjT3ywJ8p1GD75zBZ6579oWUPmBjBebOI60rWF7g/s1600/laurel_20_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0JdsMhFaVb5xvEEGtUcjwHffa-2BULPKM-yA_JbZnyC-vhrBPtdFqjv68f59SzO2mwQEGugT5B7wFsnFstTOQ3Jex49AnfIhenhlDjT3ywJ8p1GD75zBZ6579oWUPmBjBebOI60rWF7g/s320/laurel_20_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Front of Pechin's/Ward's. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdFykt8KQmNMSMHmmHfSjn5Yr3JHYtAPEFuI1WTg00hnEXcTbWoKs-VoKyiELljRCQBV3Lmkn3tqLbm298yMhHivIMTLPxxbbaWS0DuuQA6ndw6zaWA3hD41IPO_QSiz_xTljOJCf23z_/s1600/laurel_16_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdFykt8KQmNMSMHmmHfSjn5Yr3JHYtAPEFuI1WTg00hnEXcTbWoKs-VoKyiELljRCQBV3Lmkn3tqLbm298yMhHivIMTLPxxbbaWS0DuuQA6ndw6zaWA3hD41IPO_QSiz_xTljOJCf23z_/s320/laurel_16_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Montgomery Ward sign replaced with an advertisement for the flea market. Sign was later removed. Photo from July 5, 2013.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDseb0x7mBmtGAv25oMYmDanH8eBUxXyoGT4yZkpdqXCx0C1OWiqrMghhOH7rOtGEWzk0gSYAEBgu7CqFcA8PrEYa_e2L7hZ_fhrhay2P_2jY3mXWTyIeJE2z-pLao5SJ00_XYP9Mq3ob/s1600/laurel_7_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDseb0x7mBmtGAv25oMYmDanH8eBUxXyoGT4yZkpdqXCx0C1OWiqrMghhOH7rOtGEWzk0gSYAEBgu7CqFcA8PrEYa_e2L7hZ_fhrhay2P_2jY3mXWTyIeJE2z-pLao5SJ00_XYP9Mq3ob/s320/laurel_7_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Back of mall looking at the northeast mall entrance and the then-abandoned Murphy's/Ames. Photo taken July 5, 2013.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfbiIvOSeF2TuO-4kNlQgoHpHUA8SbU5J0YGs3wUAd8Or6ozFwdFT9MV5jMkUEVDp8rRB0R4FSjvwcoczd6AIK3svVTcUb64ZX5i8nRpXqEtjN7W7TlePuqwIH15gg5VN-z94OdRsAqpr/s1600/laurel_2_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfbiIvOSeF2TuO-4kNlQgoHpHUA8SbU5J0YGs3wUAd8Or6ozFwdFT9MV5jMkUEVDp8rRB0R4FSjvwcoczd6AIK3svVTcUb64ZX5i8nRpXqEtjN7W7TlePuqwIH15gg5VN-z94OdRsAqpr/s320/laurel_2_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Front of the closed Murphy's/Ames with mall space just to the right formerly used by Eckerd Drugs, originally Thrift Drugs. Photo taken July 5, 2013.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0RJy012K5pmRhxIZbYUmwHt83lOlGRjotj8Co1GgsDnIQZCZJVpSoegsa8eThj2DL4I1xQzrNJ9CZwn8U-nn7RWgjZ0hGmdo6aJPSfDBK2mY9iNnBifG23v4kYnmC1LcZk1N4wWLmQV-/s1600/laurel_3_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0RJy012K5pmRhxIZbYUmwHt83lOlGRjotj8Co1GgsDnIQZCZJVpSoegsa8eThj2DL4I1xQzrNJ9CZwn8U-nn7RWgjZ0hGmdo6aJPSfDBK2mY9iNnBifG23v4kYnmC1LcZk1N4wWLmQV-/s320/laurel_3_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Overview of mall from Murphy's to Wards taken July 5, 2013. Empty parking lots made it a lot easier to photograph than the 2017 visit.</span></div>
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Since 2013, the mall has seen a gradual renaissance. The expansion of the flea market has proven that it is successful. Even the old Metzler's has again been reopened as part of the flea market revealing its spectacular wall fixtures left over from the 1970's for each department. Its latest anchor to reopen is Rural King, a very popular hybrid big box store selling farm equipment, clothing, firearms and many other products that cater to a rural clientele. Rural King took over the long-vacant Ames space in 2014. A Dollar Tree is also opening in the former Eckerd/Thrift Drugs space. Key Bank also maintains a location near the front entrance. Inversely, the mall's theater, long in decline, closed at the end of 2014 and was gutted for asbestos removal, but the theater has little use in a mall in its current format. How could a dead mall like this find new life?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9wzJP-Pw4KnAb7WxID5YPd87AuoR1gsa8IwtHOUZ-qPk3_Mhl9oYXB4kIebonAgFeLuf5GgcFCtt9Lz9Y87fL5e5zuOiphCol5DUkTTPdmcapmpi6L9ZTiAMH10qqeZ7RlDLFRsLO3DK/s1600/laurel_5_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9wzJP-Pw4KnAb7WxID5YPd87AuoR1gsa8IwtHOUZ-qPk3_Mhl9oYXB4kIebonAgFeLuf5GgcFCtt9Lz9Y87fL5e5zuOiphCol5DUkTTPdmcapmpi6L9ZTiAMH10qqeZ7RlDLFRsLO3DK/s320/laurel_5_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Murphy's/Ames on June 5, 2013. The Ames sign had been removed by then.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mMkpZmHrp0b-vPd_HurcUzKqq3gyNouXGh5dpcyrhB4DATVf3y-3IhsjOD255Tiq_jTWdkklG5-XWfV5MGj8Ix06U5l4iDXtIsb2Cj3z712BR2V9Jqhn2_eq9gx3PmEeqtjMm6v8cg4L/s1600/laurel_21_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mMkpZmHrp0b-vPd_HurcUzKqq3gyNouXGh5dpcyrhB4DATVf3y-3IhsjOD255Tiq_jTWdkklG5-XWfV5MGj8Ix06U5l4iDXtIsb2Cj3z712BR2V9Jqhn2_eq9gx3PmEeqtjMm6v8cg4L/s320/laurel_21_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnVc0nYXR-cD7F3DEktsQf8x3cXAo_3jelPbL_7ykd8v1HdkNWZihb4t8p-YPBHxjVRy5JZcXZg7rBc7Z6Yw0L7W637GOCKBS4POANuwZ0iFF97_gfaSZs9-YfJskQZGPOB9NK2TcKgdD/s1600/laurel_58_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnVc0nYXR-cD7F3DEktsQf8x3cXAo_3jelPbL_7ykd8v1HdkNWZihb4t8p-YPBHxjVRy5JZcXZg7rBc7Z6Yw0L7W637GOCKBS4POANuwZ0iFF97_gfaSZs9-YfJskQZGPOB9NK2TcKgdD/s320/laurel_58_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fast forward to May 27, 2017 and Rural King has taken over the old Murphy's Mart with no modifications to the exterior awning other than paint.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKr3I9L_U1gfk4BEhUeBIGcz0dGLRytvlPlMqFvM2awwFZhj0j0dwHsjlfMoleRWiuLuPSdGCsleOqXfzxC-vG3RzdRh2aSL7AtyWvuJCpKYrtmM-U2AkJEj2t5rlcS2-xBOko_8Crj3D/s1600/laurel_10_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKr3I9L_U1gfk4BEhUeBIGcz0dGLRytvlPlMqFvM2awwFZhj0j0dwHsjlfMoleRWiuLuPSdGCsleOqXfzxC-vG3RzdRh2aSL7AtyWvuJCpKYrtmM-U2AkJEj2t5rlcS2-xBOko_8Crj3D/s320/laurel_10_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrImjWqIi70Suj7r1ooI-xTNK-QJd3TFNDjP15qry1rIJUb-6K6RsqUXP0VBBvZLVyt2sjXnbeIxnp8ncC-wf2CD_fRye6QyJvMJq0nqQLN7bVLk1o2PkoTbuwnPGOv70B4Ji1QbQE9ORT/s1600/laurel_64_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrImjWqIi70Suj7r1ooI-xTNK-QJd3TFNDjP15qry1rIJUb-6K6RsqUXP0VBBvZLVyt2sjXnbeIxnp8ncC-wf2CD_fRye6QyJvMJq0nqQLN7bVLk1o2PkoTbuwnPGOv70B4Ji1QbQE9ORT/s320/laurel_64_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The theaters in 2013 and 2017. It was still open in 2013 while in 2014 it is abandoned with the parking lot noticeably worse.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-iPZNpHlVmHJ-GQzRJxtB26v6_cZJwMZQPe3DM4pQq9t0JPKayfnnsxVKCXXoG5w107Snpf4fFiBEdvnMCy9PZbseqebgwA82weV8AU_heTd23TSWBWe5Qf6qS80_s-1VJY-vTIBz2vl/s1600/laurel_61_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-iPZNpHlVmHJ-GQzRJxtB26v6_cZJwMZQPe3DM4pQq9t0JPKayfnnsxVKCXXoG5w107Snpf4fFiBEdvnMCy9PZbseqebgwA82weV8AU_heTd23TSWBWe5Qf6qS80_s-1VJY-vTIBz2vl/s320/laurel_61_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Metzler's with the back of the Cinema IV to the left. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5jjsWjjJ3XkZxvLzEh46ZqyrggvNs-H4dpT8nB1YuXR3lgxRW3Ki5yNPByliwFn0ISFJwtdz7htQ0QIgYbx_asxvFPRSi5jAFhM23iZSOubrkFpPJLKLz_NHKoVWw40qGqlXGxpDyCxw/s1600/laurel_63_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5jjsWjjJ3XkZxvLzEh46ZqyrggvNs-H4dpT8nB1YuXR3lgxRW3Ki5yNPByliwFn0ISFJwtdz7htQ0QIgYbx_asxvFPRSi5jAFhM23iZSOubrkFpPJLKLz_NHKoVWw40qGqlXGxpDyCxw/s320/laurel_63_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Metzler's exterior entrance up close. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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Despite the fact that Laurel Mall is again a flurry of activity, it is questionable how much longer the mall corridors will be retained as part of the development. While the indoor flea market has expanded, both anchors have shut off all access to the mall making it unappealing to any actual retail stores that might want to locate in the mall. Rural King bricked up their mall entrance, and Pechin Superfoods keeps a wall of glass over the former Montgomery Ward mall entrance. In addition, the departure of the theater eliminates the need to keep a back mall entrance and wing open to the public. Flea Markets in old malls are almost always a temporary use as a way to bring income into an old mall, and portions of the building are not in the best repair. The air is musty inside, and these small vendors likely pay very little to open up booths in the mall. The success of attracting two large anchor tenants is also likely helping to improve cash flow meaning that the resources are there to begin gutting portions of the mall into larger tenants. The mall itself also looks very old and sleazy: an industry negative that can only be made right with full scale redevelopment. Since malls are out of fashion, there likely will be little resistance to any efforts to de-mall the property.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9b12tbr5BnwDPNv-f8mvGgG-5-h-Q6Bicijdw-kCCTJDKLtcFBSvx2txcaiFRdVVE8Sm5HJik0kGlDPqF3CdcOLlmUtcpXGabAVKzD2SgxUlwjacbBicZijPIvYv20k9h1wDqG7ouDGg/s1600/laurel_1_070513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9b12tbr5BnwDPNv-f8mvGgG-5-h-Q6Bicijdw-kCCTJDKLtcFBSvx2txcaiFRdVVE8Sm5HJik0kGlDPqF3CdcOLlmUtcpXGabAVKzD2SgxUlwjacbBicZijPIvYv20k9h1wDqG7ouDGg/s320/laurel_1_070513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Close-up detail of Laurel Mall main entrance. Photo taken July 5, 2013.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzeVMrJqSDOeQxlrmHQVi1QubuIGn_aHN7ck2Cv7a0m88ABeXk6UjFzuEb5H7sRm5RYhv69dVSUFoQygPp4b7a1U7Q812U2ADiJiY4TYgjR-uhgepOhoDy7CsUjrucjHHbN82lt7Twgdf/s1600/laurel_66_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzeVMrJqSDOeQxlrmHQVi1QubuIGn_aHN7ck2Cv7a0m88ABeXk6UjFzuEb5H7sRm5RYhv69dVSUFoQygPp4b7a1U7Q812U2ADiJiY4TYgjR-uhgepOhoDy7CsUjrucjHHbN82lt7Twgdf/s320/laurel_66_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The back of what was the Ward's Auto Center. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa6UONVW4ib5Fdvf54twkwZ5jTNj89YYbuUky-TiazolSUuKNLhCj6TUGk_69x5v5FSL7XhMFvXBD4n4GrfBttJeje1lleb5cYS2W6m_e_o9Dzlo8fNsFbG0sNWWpYcdaMC4yNMOsBSru/s1600/laurel_67_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa6UONVW4ib5Fdvf54twkwZ5jTNj89YYbuUky-TiazolSUuKNLhCj6TUGk_69x5v5FSL7XhMFvXBD4n4GrfBttJeje1lleb5cYS2W6m_e_o9Dzlo8fNsFbG0sNWWpYcdaMC4yNMOsBSru/s320/laurel_67_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A relic of Montgomery Ward remains on the backside of Pechin's (truck entrance). Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1atsWn-Z6sfGgHxhdExO_YCEKHhi1BWnFt6YaUOwe5eLLHyt0M8k77X4z9Y7ySc9pu1TFiZ6dsPbApGxS4l2atpjQWX1nBVh1vV0wmDLqbzhyphenhyphenY7rB8Zx4jpTy9QSffkanzFZxzJuHL6m/s1600/murphy%2527s+mart+connellsville+pa+1971+pleasantfamilyshopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="1200" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1atsWn-Z6sfGgHxhdExO_YCEKHhi1BWnFt6YaUOwe5eLLHyt0M8k77X4z9Y7ySc9pu1TFiZ6dsPbApGxS4l2atpjQWX1nBVh1vV0wmDLqbzhyphenhyphenY7rB8Zx4jpTy9QSffkanzFZxzJuHL6m/s320/murphy%2527s+mart+connellsville+pa+1971+pleasantfamilyshopping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the mall shortly after opening in 1971 from <a href="http://pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com/2009/10/winter-sunset-at-murphys-mart.html">Pleasant Family Shopping</a> shows Murphy's Mart on the left and a nameless mall entrance on a snowy afternoon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yDZU6_MN0SJi79RDH0r__Yo4-vOhqfPYFpUW-G7M7l3TBtiy4R2o0zbDm8GSDszsGAJAJ5-tuBXZKowpb8xcdXLfn_ugoVd2vhPC607YCo73fS7tknS7maOXlnsSy2i808W7ZJMk2PXW/s1600/laurel_68_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yDZU6_MN0SJi79RDH0r__Yo4-vOhqfPYFpUW-G7M7l3TBtiy4R2o0zbDm8GSDszsGAJAJ5-tuBXZKowpb8xcdXLfn_ugoVd2vhPC607YCo73fS7tknS7maOXlnsSy2i808W7ZJMk2PXW/s320/laurel_68_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the front of Laurel Mall from US 119. Rural King (Murphy's Mart) is on the left and the edge of Pechin Superfoods (Montgomery Ward) is on the right. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VxBuCXidC5iWNzuc7y_3MHblqvtEKfqUJUoW2o8bClmXnn9RL0ptQzx_aceH5OcA6x5hS1A-geojDR8fRWzs7l_yyF5SvE1jdCGvyeXcq9FWuzPZZgUWVhtt2kKLbFXNeDcq3EenEGEq/s1600/laurel_69_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VxBuCXidC5iWNzuc7y_3MHblqvtEKfqUJUoW2o8bClmXnn9RL0ptQzx_aceH5OcA6x5hS1A-geojDR8fRWzs7l_yyF5SvE1jdCGvyeXcq9FWuzPZZgUWVhtt2kKLbFXNeDcq3EenEGEq/s320/laurel_69_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the front of Laurel Mall from US 119 with focus on Rural King. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS1ruAT_s2CLQbLR-g91-b8f6htGc2fiuphJoUxUHuOT1BAyyyw8GqOiJ-Lod91fCHJLWUXs2_VqWn90U2XTYcl0m6V0kaLLp8qH7XHRjqgrhiTGBcFA7T-FLRTX2VRe1Nk5-PbecG-fK/s1600/laurel_70_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS1ruAT_s2CLQbLR-g91-b8f6htGc2fiuphJoUxUHuOT1BAyyyw8GqOiJ-Lod91fCHJLWUXs2_VqWn90U2XTYcl0m6V0kaLLp8qH7XHRjqgrhiTGBcFA7T-FLRTX2VRe1Nk5-PbecG-fK/s320/laurel_70_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the front of Laurel Mall from US 119 with focus on Pechin's Superfoods. Photo taken May 27, 2017.</span></div>
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Laurel Mall has proven to be the trick candle of the fickle mall industry. A mall that should have been long closed and demolished a decade ago has proven to have remarkable resilience while its lone competitor is beginning to figuratively collapse under its own weight. It might be said that the current owners of this mall are ahead of their time in attracting non-traditional anchors and pushing antiques (which are very trendy these days) over false hopes for once stable mall tenants like JCPenney, Foot Locker and Bath & Body Works. Uniontown Mall looks to be in trouble as it already lost Sears and is teetering on disaster with Bon-Ton in danger of going out of business. Laurel Mall, however, is resting on its laurels with two unique concept stores and a small interior mall that has once again found a way to fill its now broken parking lot with eager shoppers. It will be interesting to see in the years to come what happens when a mall with every reason to let go refuses to die.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CcUTU096u0FExOoH7oSozjvJrQLUwRG3eS37uOnIwXfmoytNORvsL3NXXqihH5RY5bbnjQNNcGSHFwcxEOZjIDpPbiy4t40GmmM7A7bd7QupenQiOsdbEd9wxOxk1kmVqWk1cfvm9Iay/s1600/laurelmall_map_final+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CcUTU096u0FExOoH7oSozjvJrQLUwRG3eS37uOnIwXfmoytNORvsL3NXXqihH5RY5bbnjQNNcGSHFwcxEOZjIDpPbiy4t40GmmM7A7bd7QupenQiOsdbEd9wxOxk1kmVqWk1cfvm9Iay/s320/laurelmall_map_final+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Due to the lack of a directory or lease plan, this overlay was created showing the mall and its anchor history. Another junior anchor appeared to be located next to Wards in the mall, but it is unknown what that store was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d3480.297605504668!2d-79.64971188435582!3d39.959235879421!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1500097588609" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Location of Laurel Mall on Google Maps</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-58817423016107353252017-07-13T14:05:00.000-07:002017-07-13T14:05:00.998-07:00Warren Mall: Warren, PAWhat if a mall died and nobody cared? This is how it feels when discussing the rather sad Warren Mall. Once a proud three-anchor mall featuring Bon-Ton, Kmart and JCPenney, today the mall is almost entirely vacant except for Bon-Ton and Dunham's Sports. In fact, at present only three tenants continue to operate in this forlorn mall as plans are currently in the works to demolish the interior. Built by Zamias Services, the mall also has a very similarly designed sister mall to the south with Indiana Mall. However, the similarities will not be visible much longer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbrVFsOqnVFqtlGrlSRfSQNrBxD29y0XAbVeVR7FpxETaAzfg-oWlcJG-CM38m4LjpSgLdTNHyyTtICdLabX6gG1xP0C3-iXfDihA_PPg8Fb2LTvJaXYpkiu0qdLM1jDO_DOnWG0H9yPr/s1600/warren_51_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbrVFsOqnVFqtlGrlSRfSQNrBxD29y0XAbVeVR7FpxETaAzfg-oWlcJG-CM38m4LjpSgLdTNHyyTtICdLabX6gG1xP0C3-iXfDihA_PPg8Fb2LTvJaXYpkiu0qdLM1jDO_DOnWG0H9yPr/s320/warren_51_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Built in 1979, Warren Mall provided a small regional mall to Warren County and the nearby city (and county seat) of Warren. It seemed that during the 1970's it was viewed by developers that nearly every county in the state needed at least one mall: a factor in why Pennsylvania is so overmalled. With U.S. heavy industry not yet in decline, the region was growing modestly while malls were at their peak. Since the mall opened, however, Warren County has suffered from the typical fate of the Rustbelt: a lack of opportunities, population loss and graying of the population (median age of 40). In fact, since the mall opened, the county itself has lost 7,000 residents, a population loss of 8.5%! None of those factors sustain a mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1U0miGX7plBeRv-JkC1XAXp8Hwz7AutHVx5kfWi-w3ihyzwwtH8s8KRFs78foHCuagrpfY8zUwcb2f_1ZItS4q86OxBPeHkwK953rntiyuT2lSyy8FYqkk8SfPa8ioE03miT-WNkuF29/s1600/warren_2_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1U0miGX7plBeRv-JkC1XAXp8Hwz7AutHVx5kfWi-w3ihyzwwtH8s8KRFs78foHCuagrpfY8zUwcb2f_1ZItS4q86OxBPeHkwK953rntiyuT2lSyy8FYqkk8SfPa8ioE03miT-WNkuF29/s320/warren_2_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkhUrN2rCdRMW3dkwgakTpXV69mRx8Q6tDDbmKnB3yuCuqW01RTavh88gmF0ctK8r3RPFlNLxITMA64i_9SX3lW-F_SiVMOuJe3Le5oceIqveXBYlTErkxN9KnhzufyzXqV8-7VTytWKL/s1600/warren_3_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkhUrN2rCdRMW3dkwgakTpXV69mRx8Q6tDDbmKnB3yuCuqW01RTavh88gmF0ctK8r3RPFlNLxITMA64i_9SX3lW-F_SiVMOuJe3Le5oceIqveXBYlTErkxN9KnhzufyzXqV8-7VTytWKL/s320/warren_3_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking into the mall, the few signs of life are deceptive. Master Cuts is closed for good on the right and aside from Bon-Ton, the only other business open here is the nail salon, because getting your nails done is more important than a haircut.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs2vqfLVK0cjPrTlMtS9BAwuA0IFsjjHL6csLKar0LqyWq7q9xfiLcePaXayx5NKWjNbBv9UE_4mwayYrSvAcBHshwheK8DO06szlyAomEapnwlDk5ndZjoD16DMflmmVBQLNjRqixDGQ/s1600/warren_4_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs2vqfLVK0cjPrTlMtS9BAwuA0IFsjjHL6csLKar0LqyWq7q9xfiLcePaXayx5NKWjNbBv9UE_4mwayYrSvAcBHshwheK8DO06szlyAomEapnwlDk5ndZjoD16DMflmmVBQLNjRqixDGQ/s320/warren_4_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I failed to get a close-up of the mall directory, so I created my own further down the post.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaohsWwlOVEF46XX3JkgaiiKZ4iaLPeA4znzebz2Nj7LiKUqNcuy1x1SHmSTWoY0VvPMsjrgsNJ4s2gu5iraM6D0-V8c0kZYGKRChNsaNlnB28dd_zqMGzRsfeiLX4a8MswG1WxTlilkVl/s1600/warren_64_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaohsWwlOVEF46XX3JkgaiiKZ4iaLPeA4znzebz2Nj7LiKUqNcuy1x1SHmSTWoY0VvPMsjrgsNJ4s2gu5iraM6D0-V8c0kZYGKRChNsaNlnB28dd_zqMGzRsfeiLX4a8MswG1WxTlilkVl/s320/warren_64_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of benches and planters in the front entrance corridor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzmr1UA10N_iz9pzjDzxiis6uoiMP_7RNQAZKhCSu9G0KdG28lVjGpHOjGvURJlCEXG0ntzLB8EcP2i49iEdcDMsie0iZjbHQu-lNnbJKTkTn17Z03RgW2xWv9rYfE4lf8LJcSedIt0Tj/s1600/warren_66_052817_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzmr1UA10N_iz9pzjDzxiis6uoiMP_7RNQAZKhCSu9G0KdG28lVjGpHOjGvURJlCEXG0ntzLB8EcP2i49iEdcDMsie0iZjbHQu-lNnbJKTkTn17Z03RgW2xWv9rYfE4lf8LJcSedIt0Tj/s320/warren_66_052817_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4zGUuTlg6hbZKmoBVDvfsJyPLKLUY3jmGoPuI9b1BR6Y6s2BwnN492B1UxgUAaoTvAj-bra-q3jXL7ORHtrUJu7casMtMB4kiUn1DddJYxo6Ej_8LTBoVovi4PTQodqqvrRRC_vseSBd/s1600/warren_6_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4zGUuTlg6hbZKmoBVDvfsJyPLKLUY3jmGoPuI9b1BR6Y6s2BwnN492B1UxgUAaoTvAj-bra-q3jXL7ORHtrUJu7casMtMB4kiUn1DddJYxo6Ej_8LTBoVovi4PTQodqqvrRRC_vseSBd/s320/warren_6_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavZG3fn0E-ZAnE46cv8lMpfk1Ad-s7rdaFpOq0fuyNjQoqNkJiek7dHvZgLv31NhvvFxUGMVSm1FuWyeSwZ6qFhiqg9gm5ZqAgFQ7Nsiyyq-vXz1Qzp2Mfd4_prQ97nHtdnS7yk_RGGZv/s1600/warren_58_052817_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavZG3fn0E-ZAnE46cv8lMpfk1Ad-s7rdaFpOq0fuyNjQoqNkJiek7dHvZgLv31NhvvFxUGMVSm1FuWyeSwZ6qFhiqg9gm5ZqAgFQ7Nsiyyq-vXz1Qzp2Mfd4_prQ97nHtdnS7yk_RGGZv/s320/warren_58_052817_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Approaching the Bon-Ton with a focus on the center court details in front.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbalRluzV6qo6rLu5R7TX-zLP5RmKBLQI4pcD2jdH8WrLwDdN7DgaljpCdS038wy8NQX_sFKpIGW8nSfxNP0QvgsKEniKT-QxWEPOuCexDQBZL5CUUQI-uZCW91HWACN6V3wAtApmoDfv/s1600/warren_53_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbalRluzV6qo6rLu5R7TX-zLP5RmKBLQI4pcD2jdH8WrLwDdN7DgaljpCdS038wy8NQX_sFKpIGW8nSfxNP0QvgsKEniKT-QxWEPOuCexDQBZL5CUUQI-uZCW91HWACN6V3wAtApmoDfv/s320/warren_53_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Overhead detail in center court with the center court fountain on the right.</span></div>
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Furthermore, 20 miles to the north Chautauqua Mall in Jamestown, New York provides a more complete shopping experience. Unlike this mall, Chatauqua Mall has a pretty typical rural selection of stores: JCPenney, Sears and Bon-Ton. In contrast, Bon-Ton is the only thing keeping the doors open at Warren Mall. It has been a slow decline, however. JCPenney closed in a large round of closings in 2000 and was replaced by Big Lots. However, Kmart hung on in the mall until 2014. Big Lots itself left the mall in 2013 with the store remaining vacant until it was replaced with Dunham's Sports in April 2017. Unlike Big Lots, however, Dunham's walled off access from the mall. That wall in fact IS the writing on the wall about the future of the mall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgcybuyajnsmyWHJYKY15-m-oFFX_h86ipqxhUiqNiCzluwjAdioMMbb9osB_6WSF_crTEK6HGu0LV8L33zuCIQm4VfB5BdQsX7V4JNhG4r-zGbTtTLsU4rAvEB7z-GSsD3eRsaU_2zqH/s1600/warren_59_052817_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgcybuyajnsmyWHJYKY15-m-oFFX_h86ipqxhUiqNiCzluwjAdioMMbb9osB_6WSF_crTEK6HGu0LV8L33zuCIQm4VfB5BdQsX7V4JNhG4r-zGbTtTLsU4rAvEB7z-GSsD3eRsaU_2zqH/s320/warren_59_052817_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKsachasx-H8YOKtr0xIe5vcpJpsdKcBtpIHkC_YaW17bFtAJKPgBi3UKlO6KZRZdPlHLzk-XmaX2VOHgTzjU6EF0J2SmW2Ag6_YrW-bdW0vTKq97WTC8tK21zTvS2ixyxdiCrqfj6Jtz/s1600/warren_60_052817_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKsachasx-H8YOKtr0xIe5vcpJpsdKcBtpIHkC_YaW17bFtAJKPgBi3UKlO6KZRZdPlHLzk-XmaX2VOHgTzjU6EF0J2SmW2Ag6_YrW-bdW0vTKq97WTC8tK21zTvS2ixyxdiCrqfj6Jtz/s320/warren_60_052817_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi1l0JjRTBY74X1hqm9LgaJoVbPB1Qvu0LD-GWHxqLBUebp-tWxYJgM12UJddCIARiMRF4-vjXHKnuBlxJ0tPBWk0utBQxIXPLInTINqweE_Rld9b4Db0GNQeeAdZj1R6xoxonzoYEEoZ/s1600/warren_62_052817_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi1l0JjRTBY74X1hqm9LgaJoVbPB1Qvu0LD-GWHxqLBUebp-tWxYJgM12UJddCIARiMRF4-vjXHKnuBlxJ0tPBWk0utBQxIXPLInTINqweE_Rld9b4Db0GNQeeAdZj1R6xoxonzoYEEoZ/s320/warren_62_052817_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A few shots inside the Bon-Ton that looks about as original inside as the mall itself does.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuF2lLrooAEJPFzrW0usjw2jJ43Hy0bIjp5ppnPbyOtmd7mtUVUE4TutR5m1PQEbvnRibLUkc5okiCUx-bG_rA6Zyo4LiHJXmDXuzLCJEsq1wVqeYirmokaxvfKfcTkAX0Lgep2nn2uq7/s1600/warren_7_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuF2lLrooAEJPFzrW0usjw2jJ43Hy0bIjp5ppnPbyOtmd7mtUVUE4TutR5m1PQEbvnRibLUkc5okiCUx-bG_rA6Zyo4LiHJXmDXuzLCJEsq1wVqeYirmokaxvfKfcTkAX0Lgep2nn2uq7/s320/warren_7_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw8B_jn4iO5PNPqpQo-mewj0QNEvv15PlqPn2qHBPVUp3LR7V-SECCSDEz4hGv0G8m1S3uAeKbn9c_M_8_keZaqWLvCtSm5KVmHSOvuRbXSj3piy2JyVZW2ld5M3EgkTWA86ptaheRuCt/s1600/warren_24_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw8B_jn4iO5PNPqpQo-mewj0QNEvv15PlqPn2qHBPVUp3LR7V-SECCSDEz4hGv0G8m1S3uAeKbn9c_M_8_keZaqWLvCtSm5KVmHSOvuRbXSj3piy2JyVZW2ld5M3EgkTWA86ptaheRuCt/s320/warren_24_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_sAVJZB8gMVPwLetGSh8JvZTjs7WnKtsyHpHDsbK7mOK9_9mj2BLM3hjjyHO701_BT5_LuxNKyaiJwqnkxJTMoE8hKLeS6xbvwGnVGow5asi6hFl4uG7UeZfVvHkSZ6flvUobzpCwejm/s1600/warren_23_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_sAVJZB8gMVPwLetGSh8JvZTjs7WnKtsyHpHDsbK7mOK9_9mj2BLM3hjjyHO701_BT5_LuxNKyaiJwqnkxJTMoE8hKLeS6xbvwGnVGow5asi6hFl4uG7UeZfVvHkSZ6flvUobzpCwejm/s320/warren_23_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The center court fountain has sadly been turned off. It was never super elegant: just stacked stone and a very small waterfall into the blue pool you see here, but it's striking with the yellow tiles, stained wood benches and plants basking in the ethereal glow of the small overhead skylight. The first photo faces the JCPenney wing, second the Kmart wing and third looking into the fountain with Bon-Ton on the left.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtH1PZLyPyn55GfJ01lvXXHf_3mih5IIs5qA8GSgDAtcXq3i6Mfkx3a5E_Iwjbbws2QbJuqvd1VJLVNIB5nAJAxtdeXWBNZdx9bPiVq5U6jVmhXORhAQXM-_EkhxcP7JuqOh2FYdiHCDr/s1600/warren_22_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtH1PZLyPyn55GfJ01lvXXHf_3mih5IIs5qA8GSgDAtcXq3i6Mfkx3a5E_Iwjbbws2QbJuqvd1VJLVNIB5nAJAxtdeXWBNZdx9bPiVq5U6jVmhXORhAQXM-_EkhxcP7JuqOh2FYdiHCDr/s320/warren_22_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Context of center court planter, skylight and Bon-Ton</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRMequ77FlAmKTbXUq3h8RoOUtyq-TGiDJNIKdZbiJLtVpuNam3idFgtMjVRReZTrazK9c0Hr3thbuxm2vzFMGrcFxbrUieglWrAJerdjbQte9-JUKAG5wV_r_5-DPPHo64v4wGqH4OSQ/s1600/warren_5_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRMequ77FlAmKTbXUq3h8RoOUtyq-TGiDJNIKdZbiJLtVpuNam3idFgtMjVRReZTrazK9c0Hr3thbuxm2vzFMGrcFxbrUieglWrAJerdjbQte9-JUKAG5wV_r_5-DPPHo64v4wGqH4OSQ/s320/warren_5_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Empty Kay Jewelry store next to center court. It has likely been vacant for at least 15 years.</span></div>
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What was pretty clear is that the closure of JCPenney was the catalyst that began the exodus of inline tenants. The mall had a few vacancies in the 1990's, but today all that is left is Napoli Pizza (which opened with the mall), a nail salon and Label Shopper, which has outside access only. The loss of JCPenney and so many inline tenants drove the mall into bankruptcy in 2003. While Zamias got the mall out of bankruptcy, the mall itself never recovered.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkTslYdVNHaFZTxGTC9RiSZRJiKkgsBczapgQIobDWvS8mrIaJdArxxJn1oHlabErb6OK7lsJeByCspvr5yHl-rHyvI2IWc4RR-dL-n-NfqpQvKfy701Z4cS4ct3XjqJYpTcM3yrtDKCI/s1600/warren_9_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkTslYdVNHaFZTxGTC9RiSZRJiKkgsBczapgQIobDWvS8mrIaJdArxxJn1oHlabErb6OK7lsJeByCspvr5yHl-rHyvI2IWc4RR-dL-n-NfqpQvKfy701Z4cS4ct3XjqJYpTcM3yrtDKCI/s320/warren_9_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Entering the JCPenney wing, later Big Lots.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfTt4fjnZdwtBtEna9jFIxHi6zKXL_P_m9ndXHIvuCpZP_N84G6nvd62VjKs4vOV4RnARZf8NsDq7wz4NPTTIeZOwncolmnLlOkmVrPf005MAM3K1kC4zIogpBvHWENTS8hzV57aKqkwq/s1600/warren_10_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfTt4fjnZdwtBtEna9jFIxHi6zKXL_P_m9ndXHIvuCpZP_N84G6nvd62VjKs4vOV4RnARZf8NsDq7wz4NPTTIeZOwncolmnLlOkmVrPf005MAM3K1kC4zIogpBvHWENTS8hzV57aKqkwq/s320/warren_10_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the planters and lights in the JCPenney wing. To the right was a Waldenbooks. The only reading going on in this mall now are bored Bon-Ton employees killing time on their smartphones waiting for the rare customer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4zUP08SbmycOBvVIa8GuoAgYhmMm4aa0qz9qnDUHlwYjP_iGotdcuB_1CXO7rvPqa3avnAhRpqYuVF1cye8dqVyj7_cM0hOgWdgdhbKDlUUQ06pwrY7X-q21BF4vYOPsoVkV2pjC6Wbx/s1600/warren_12_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4zUP08SbmycOBvVIa8GuoAgYhmMm4aa0qz9qnDUHlwYjP_iGotdcuB_1CXO7rvPqa3avnAhRpqYuVF1cye8dqVyj7_cM0hOgWdgdhbKDlUUQ06pwrY7X-q21BF4vYOPsoVkV2pjC6Wbx/s320/warren_12_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Label Shopper is the only store open on this wing. However, they have closed their mall entrance and have outside access. JCPenney is also not vacant. It is now Dunham's Sports, but they have walled off the mall entrance in anticipation of the mall's redevelopment.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLIhDhYwk1fAPQA9-SvdowlFok8uyCPSKnIBiqqSr3hyphenhyphen4XUXEDxSzFmFeyunG3SsM_bFm8NYXD9dFPCAVEeo8CMyBapYMtpW7KZQJWGPYjZW0EbGdCZ-gAYncQfeUtzh-BJ3P20z6Ibx5/s1600/warren_13_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLIhDhYwk1fAPQA9-SvdowlFok8uyCPSKnIBiqqSr3hyphenhyphen4XUXEDxSzFmFeyunG3SsM_bFm8NYXD9dFPCAVEeo8CMyBapYMtpW7KZQJWGPYjZW0EbGdCZ-gAYncQfeUtzh-BJ3P20z6Ibx5/s320/warren_13_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"JCPenny's...used to be here". The light over the planter, however, makes it look like JCPenney has passed on...oh wait.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4GP2YnnMKwnGZCEYE3ME2Hb0TPbc7FJmczcKRLdVwk3_Jh_HG7zpLt8BBwTos4NWGx115Hn53ETzr62H2y3b3ygVj9CP9ghf1LJ_1KiC52zNEo3g7eztITQi1dEJPsx3YD_do2I71N4m/s1600/warren_15_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4GP2YnnMKwnGZCEYE3ME2Hb0TPbc7FJmczcKRLdVwk3_Jh_HG7zpLt8BBwTos4NWGx115Hn53ETzr62H2y3b3ygVj9CP9ghf1LJ_1KiC52zNEo3g7eztITQi1dEJPsx3YD_do2I71N4m/s320/warren_15_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Skylight over the planter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcyQszOBIW_v3fFT6BMWnkdVfaBUKO8Q4mdoi1A-eNEKzxDJTAlndyJCGBJNwL4ILFJfEzCNJjoyyG6gcsed3I6aShbOwiZ-ShgFnNvT78vmq4U3J7JkiocWA1r9O-i5U9eG-CuN_t3in/s1600/warren_18_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcyQszOBIW_v3fFT6BMWnkdVfaBUKO8Q4mdoi1A-eNEKzxDJTAlndyJCGBJNwL4ILFJfEzCNJjoyyG6gcsed3I6aShbOwiZ-ShgFnNvT78vmq4U3J7JkiocWA1r9O-i5U9eG-CuN_t3in/s320/warren_18_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Next to the former JCPenney is this back entrance corridor leading to the back parking lot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_bjXICIciEiogb7JHttf0To3bRipMTekwmG0dBldL-owu9uR7z2S0ayLBHe4j19o7-g3eA2wuilQbKkC4R5biYqKjLb5ZJtZG-0lnaQiDjdPvXgfKcKcyLt7yV86J06DWfkPzO7rhHto/s1600/warren_16_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_bjXICIciEiogb7JHttf0To3bRipMTekwmG0dBldL-owu9uR7z2S0ayLBHe4j19o7-g3eA2wuilQbKkC4R5biYqKjLb5ZJtZG-0lnaQiDjdPvXgfKcKcyLt7yV86J06DWfkPzO7rhHto/s320/warren_16_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden glazed bricks lead the way to the light that will soon cover the site of the failed mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxsMVLNJi5k0pXHaZCxFmVoW_FUr8VNLZRc1jlnNuDW2_zt4i8sjvgHgFi7ugWq4XhSH80fpiAChOzMoT8ll-Kue286CY3Y3c9R53RQI0iX0xcJb6KD09GP1eCSBYDrrhX7Eeq1DMdbTF/s1600/warren_76_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxsMVLNJi5k0pXHaZCxFmVoW_FUr8VNLZRc1jlnNuDW2_zt4i8sjvgHgFi7ugWq4XhSH80fpiAChOzMoT8ll-Kue286CY3Y3c9R53RQI0iX0xcJb6KD09GP1eCSBYDrrhX7Eeq1DMdbTF/s320/warren_76_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the outside of the back entrance reveals a very stark and vintage entry with burnt orange letters over brown blocks, dark doors and a stained white brick facade.</span></div>
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Overall, Warren Mall has a pretty basic layout with exception to how the mall corridor turns diagonal to the main mall instead of ending flush with the former Kmart. The result was that Kmart sat diagonal to the rest of the mall. This was a necessary design fluke done because the back side of the mall backs up to Conewango Creek. In fact, the mall itself appears to be in the floodplain of the creek although I cannot find any evidence that it ever flooded the mall itself. Otherwise, the mall has a straightforward design with one main entrance, two smaller back entrances and three anchors. It is also still comparatively large and attractive for a mall serving a population of less than 50,000. If the county had continued to grow as it did in the 70's, the mall would likely still be doing well today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelzloOT0lghyphenhyphenTL_dt7c3fxozSAlTQHq9dTEFkNTcKZGYepVmjgkcV1-lQJQJl3iKrUGFK0Z4APsvqDXvLAtv7VijozkujBq5cm67eZPCGGSOsyTlKzDE-g5PQunLIG78SNe9ePbekdzUv/s1600/warren_28_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelzloOT0lghyphenhyphenTL_dt7c3fxozSAlTQHq9dTEFkNTcKZGYepVmjgkcV1-lQJQJl3iKrUGFK0Z4APsvqDXvLAtv7VijozkujBq5cm67eZPCGGSOsyTlKzDE-g5PQunLIG78SNe9ePbekdzUv/s320/warren_28_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c1Oc0_lZPsV6qPf7IWLGgYSX2xpBvZtGoY_g9cIJljpgJy-SIYRcjFR5JFJjOTtTqvFIGYLkSMazDNBePtLpoBhtiJ0YvFtT6oaIMp16wLgx6FKwzAODruWR8dxMOQ_CxLKMNF4LMt3R/s1600/warren_30_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c1Oc0_lZPsV6qPf7IWLGgYSX2xpBvZtGoY_g9cIJljpgJy-SIYRcjFR5JFJjOTtTqvFIGYLkSMazDNBePtLpoBhtiJ0YvFtT6oaIMp16wLgx6FKwzAODruWR8dxMOQ_CxLKMNF4LMt3R/s320/warren_30_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Ponderosa Steakhouse in the Kmart wing. A wrought iron rail blocks off access to the interior. However, a look inside reveals the once popular restaurant.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM13y0VgYljx6PJ8l5dH5UiNH5VPGpthqqh9ppwv6SHTZ0xMsj7ptsqSqJ5lphyG9yZUvFUM_FJLD0VIO2zl99oNPTp-aSV6aku6XXTyBR19nk-6tMPIrlJJ4y6KOrqdI-cAEk296APbp0/s1600/warren_26_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM13y0VgYljx6PJ8l5dH5UiNH5VPGpthqqh9ppwv6SHTZ0xMsj7ptsqSqJ5lphyG9yZUvFUM_FJLD0VIO2zl99oNPTp-aSV6aku6XXTyBR19nk-6tMPIrlJJ4y6KOrqdI-cAEk296APbp0/s320/warren_26_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Foot Locker on the left with an empty kiosk to the right and the former Kmart in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjJ4qm_-DqzNo09iEVZnSgdYQHT7W_9P-fAu8HE675qSdEPCjPGHQQY-H8wfiJycnD_F8knHtYoi-rSsFycZGw1-YF6wjtiQUIFUguwDX6lA2jgEJVpK7yuXr-J5FOEkDyWj4FSXMlkBn/s1600/warren_49_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjJ4qm_-DqzNo09iEVZnSgdYQHT7W_9P-fAu8HE675qSdEPCjPGHQQY-H8wfiJycnD_F8knHtYoi-rSsFycZGw1-YF6wjtiQUIFUguwDX6lA2jgEJVpK7yuXr-J5FOEkDyWj4FSXMlkBn/s320/warren_49_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the former Foot Locker</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJt_jFcxACHVbB3z4GEXWWiGAJH5DiC-3s8nbplV9JsP6olMISirZWERCf3JYIcxGe-VLDAliQENvbhFXY9Q_XLPHGrMTtiz3U9jT2UfNXx0g96lVtNKfU6_Ba4icyzIIeGFHUQh8Ch6y/s1600/warren_29_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJt_jFcxACHVbB3z4GEXWWiGAJH5DiC-3s8nbplV9JsP6olMISirZWERCf3JYIcxGe-VLDAliQENvbhFXY9Q_XLPHGrMTtiz3U9jT2UfNXx0g96lVtNKfU6_Ba4icyzIIeGFHUQh8Ch6y/s320/warren_29_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">There is just something awfully classy about the way they did planters and lights in the 70's malls. The skylight is nothing special, but touches like this make it far more eye catching and restful. The plastic tarp over the storefront to the left, however, is creepy. It was once a Fashion Bug, but it turned over and died.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnYtEcfv7vaCzydBL1l0VlqV94YPuJz5PEX8XYYZ36FVxb2rMsGN5ILDdlaZYoKQ-cFaf2s5aw20PWYxrafTaIF8kBtqVQuTmzbpTd2nBTdPsqKWV7ATWvww1OfduGooYWLOmydMcTOdz/s1600/warren_37_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnYtEcfv7vaCzydBL1l0VlqV94YPuJz5PEX8XYYZ36FVxb2rMsGN5ILDdlaZYoKQ-cFaf2s5aw20PWYxrafTaIF8kBtqVQuTmzbpTd2nBTdPsqKWV7ATWvww1OfduGooYWLOmydMcTOdz/s320/warren_37_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Your 80's horror movie fantasies could be filled with scenes where very evil things happen inside both of those former stores. Aside from visions of slashing and carnage, one way you can be absolutely sure that the owners do not give a damn about the mall anymore and plan to knock it down is when one empty store is blocked off with a chain link fence and another with a plastic tarp like this. There will be slashing and carnage, however...with a wrecking ball and backhoe. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJPpPZxQnvIHlPU-2TPnU-LNoCO9Tc9XjyfuA4DIpF0bT8dyAXV-5VFWLW4rMsTkQ6v_hZruKpryiXgR66m-QYoTbhEdqlDTnqX0Inl_wxI5Dl5LCf3jxU6XmSn0VRkeoyhAqx7BKt98P/s1600/warren_31_052817_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJPpPZxQnvIHlPU-2TPnU-LNoCO9Tc9XjyfuA4DIpF0bT8dyAXV-5VFWLW4rMsTkQ6v_hZruKpryiXgR66m-QYoTbhEdqlDTnqX0Inl_wxI5Dl5LCf3jxU6XmSn0VRkeoyhAqx7BKt98P/s320/warren_31_052817_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR18Q9TRJ6oj5LClMznrckHA7jrruc9KY13qEnSnJ9EBfU1MT_9oFziTpm2r95hFhSWCBtEB_HkucjXEdv57aSsBiYhTO5Z-4z-hvCgnb3bgFof7mxFOuV1Hx8bSJRpyxqyh-6el1mkW0/s1600/warren_35_052817_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR18Q9TRJ6oj5LClMznrckHA7jrruc9KY13qEnSnJ9EBfU1MT_9oFziTpm2r95hFhSWCBtEB_HkucjXEdv57aSsBiYhTO5Z-4z-hvCgnb3bgFof7mxFOuV1Hx8bSJRpyxqyh-6el1mkW0/s320/warren_35_052817_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kmart's mall entrance sits empty and forlorn. However, Ollie's plans to take over once the mall is demolished.</span></div>
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It is also important to note a few other features of the mall. Unlike Indiana Mall, the theater was not built into the mall itself. Instead, it exists to the left of the mall located on an outlot. To the left of that is a Tractor Supply, which is located in what was a former greenhouse Kroger. It is unknown when the Kroger closed, but it is believed to have closed as early as 1984 when Kroger left Pittsburgh meaning that the store was only open around five years. One source stated a store named County Market, a small independent with currently one location in Grove City, used to operate in that space.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliBYO0piy6un-hWzqWc217ZMn3BKie-dNeRjittphK_w0q07gMrykDy8QnQh9aQoZ8Kphu5qs2Y-mG2HtSjvWF6JjwFjE5K-vjtPXPjPK46L455cr84-kIycA0p_kCnBo6kSTr9WzJ6ap/s1600/warren_32_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliBYO0piy6un-hWzqWc217ZMn3BKie-dNeRjittphK_w0q07gMrykDy8QnQh9aQoZ8Kphu5qs2Y-mG2HtSjvWF6JjwFjE5K-vjtPXPjPK46L455cr84-kIycA0p_kCnBo6kSTr9WzJ6ap/s320/warren_32_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzI1t9rXdNoZqbFCRojoPY5xMyIf9anw7dgvtXKLSjCAf9t31DGrJnWtYPuNLpnXV_Fj2_U1sDl5pkSbwDkq_rVYn5aB-kKxX1C-Me5aZjgN5i1nXrJEccYw-TLYdfEKIYaDotkpoeCLF/s1600/warren_34_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzI1t9rXdNoZqbFCRojoPY5xMyIf9anw7dgvtXKLSjCAf9t31DGrJnWtYPuNLpnXV_Fj2_U1sDl5pkSbwDkq_rVYn5aB-kKxX1C-Me5aZjgN5i1nXrJEccYw-TLYdfEKIYaDotkpoeCLF/s320/warren_34_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A ray of false hope shines down on the side planter near the south mall entrance (and de facto Kmart entrance). Identical planters were positioned in the Kmart entrance corridor at Indiana Mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh524Dosu22-R09OLdl8c_ecwdbEZ0gi8kR3-zZUtdwAUrO5N16g9gfqsVO4fpNjf_ih1O8tukaeSgFzPzkiOAXq42lhOo14DZXHf8qyxBVlKg08m8_nKRRvAK1kbFXStJqQugRZZ3qIpmT/s1600/warren_42_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh524Dosu22-R09OLdl8c_ecwdbEZ0gi8kR3-zZUtdwAUrO5N16g9gfqsVO4fpNjf_ih1O8tukaeSgFzPzkiOAXq42lhOo14DZXHf8qyxBVlKg08m8_nKRRvAK1kbFXStJqQugRZZ3qIpmT/s320/warren_42_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Napoli Pizza, the last remaining original tenant, still does a good business next to the Kmart exterior entrance. To the right was Aladdin's Castle. Its former arcade appearance still lingers today.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o67lDZ7bkfVq3djOYT33TKez3evxjRd7D3azMmXTS49M7y5rLczfglfsThrMClmowwZFJ4NMU_ov0J_rHJ2Ha_1QZvssDNEMkFlu50OIMJEZyjeIrNNIoAILpbRY6pNNJwBd-7b0Epgr/s1600/warren_36_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o67lDZ7bkfVq3djOYT33TKez3evxjRd7D3azMmXTS49M7y5rLczfglfsThrMClmowwZFJ4NMU_ov0J_rHJ2Ha_1QZvssDNEMkFlu50OIMJEZyjeIrNNIoAILpbRY6pNNJwBd-7b0Epgr/s320/warren_36_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Where the mall bends into the main mall just past Kmart with this faux skylight overhead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b22ZtsfDK1Z58gtY3UfjRc0iZQQXI5q1duP2ZSxC-q3Duc383LJnaaurCY-pblZBPrstUjio7C41VAo8SqwdU0-F4xU2z6a-jAgEpCmGvtAYcFWgY3PGPBRMm30pow1KFFyBAQoFEHe8/s1600/warren_40_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b22ZtsfDK1Z58gtY3UfjRc0iZQQXI5q1duP2ZSxC-q3Duc383LJnaaurCY-pblZBPrstUjio7C41VAo8SqwdU0-F4xU2z6a-jAgEpCmGvtAYcFWgY3PGPBRMm30pow1KFFyBAQoFEHe8/s320/warren_40_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nope, it's just a very interesting artificial light fixture with reflective panels to enhance the glow.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QUtkqOXyRtFzx_Dfjpbv1OESN0rOr67zdEbwKo86PmaaqceXKMQyvOD_ou8GnB-i3vNrHVNbhWXQ5kiQWCUbpdC6mKL90cX7w0MHLwIX3jmddFQWyz-kGBEhzM9PAlM4JAFzLkTibTsn/s1600/warren_41_052817_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QUtkqOXyRtFzx_Dfjpbv1OESN0rOr67zdEbwKo86PmaaqceXKMQyvOD_ou8GnB-i3vNrHVNbhWXQ5kiQWCUbpdC6mKL90cX7w0MHLwIX3jmddFQWyz-kGBEhzM9PAlM4JAFzLkTibTsn/s320/warren_41_052817_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the former Kmart. It doesn't look rough because it's been closed a long time. It looks rough because it's Kmart and was barely maintained for years before it closed!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga1dEWJ6ypr2t5uIfjHMKdC4inlAC73KNLB0oVtTCnDRUoyLuJAh6XY8nS51wgfxmye1vufItScjVcMZg_wdZm-8QwpoaMUL57VkSQ-tjlBVtovuuchwfuAyFjP7uK523e5GQIGRez6ho/s1600/warren_47_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga1dEWJ6ypr2t5uIfjHMKdC4inlAC73KNLB0oVtTCnDRUoyLuJAh6XY8nS51wgfxmye1vufItScjVcMZg_wdZm-8QwpoaMUL57VkSQ-tjlBVtovuuchwfuAyFjP7uK523e5GQIGRez6ho/s320/warren_47_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another back entrance corridor is just before Kmart. This is the location of the bathrooms and mall offices. The bathrooms are wedged into a triangular corner between this hallway and Kmart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHYn-DzbLVXVzj7Uhk1QYLjRRyt8IOTzUb8VlvoRHqDNKpbPf_JjcfYWUbKyYBfM06BpJAeEXqsrsT8WyrADbN5z-Hts9RfJkt6bjFxP-L3o_bEXTL_nl2FMIzyUu1aHEJ-enArgHUzXD/s1600/warren_43_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHYn-DzbLVXVzj7Uhk1QYLjRRyt8IOTzUb8VlvoRHqDNKpbPf_JjcfYWUbKyYBfM06BpJAeEXqsrsT8WyrADbN5z-Hts9RfJkt6bjFxP-L3o_bEXTL_nl2FMIzyUu1aHEJ-enArgHUzXD/s320/warren_43_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Patti's closed before you could ever buy "Patti Pie" here (as if you ever could). </span></div>
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One thing that makes Warren Mall stand out over other dead malls is that it is remarkably unchanged from when it first opened nearly 40 years ago. While absolutely spotless and in good repair, nothing substantial has ever been done to the mall...EVER! The mall still features the same fountains, same flooring, same skylights, same wood trim and same planters since the day it opened. The exterior is equally as vintage with original "MALL" signs on back entrances and a solidly 70's design. What changed is the stores...most of those completely gone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEPlx8dE79aTbB1-6s3qrXX36TpSzTpKJwCpMzCa21YFfUtwn5MOmR9nAcvetYC8VHa94T56CvqHgwafYTzUcmu8q8duI517FMNeWbzf4xCvLMLomZfgQvrsHJIlTkzZfUr0VAdKQK3ja/s1600/warren_48_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEPlx8dE79aTbB1-6s3qrXX36TpSzTpKJwCpMzCa21YFfUtwn5MOmR9nAcvetYC8VHa94T56CvqHgwafYTzUcmu8q8duI517FMNeWbzf4xCvLMLomZfgQvrsHJIlTkzZfUr0VAdKQK3ja/s320/warren_48_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Re-entering center court with a dead Bath & Body Works on the left. Usually one of the last stores to close, it has been vacant over a decade!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5kHYctke6c8V8WcbvCDaU1VgnlIQojYAlt5Yn5e5Vl2Q9aoRXoacPgYhZfL_7w-0yk4w5ehzUiBmpLdcnBJJYFzJxIHM8zbrKrvgk0mXwiejvvBMcqtHxqhFbYYFeNDvI_8V0Ilkfrg5/s1600/warren_57_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5kHYctke6c8V8WcbvCDaU1VgnlIQojYAlt5Yn5e5Vl2Q9aoRXoacPgYhZfL_7w-0yk4w5ehzUiBmpLdcnBJJYFzJxIHM8zbrKrvgk0mXwiejvvBMcqtHxqhFbYYFeNDvI_8V0Ilkfrg5/s320/warren_57_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exiting the interior Warren Mall...forever :'(</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0gJTbKn5gR_iOa8Ar3VNKgpPt_iXvKfiA3wLrSitTQ5FUpIPJsW0VD4sJAm60_CQa4g2W2eyaREHozg6gFoE7HtF2nQt0hYyLidVzQubyka5rXqEqKxWuIipunv4C8ro_ctIlZuXbb_N/s1600/warren_68_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0gJTbKn5gR_iOa8Ar3VNKgpPt_iXvKfiA3wLrSitTQ5FUpIPJsW0VD4sJAm60_CQa4g2W2eyaREHozg6gFoE7HtF2nQt0hYyLidVzQubyka5rXqEqKxWuIipunv4C8ro_ctIlZuXbb_N/s320/warren_68_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Label Shopper's exterior entrance is due to its former life as CVS. It was also a Dollar General for awhile. CVS consolidated into a downtown store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-h6rBD5Bx-izQbBzxGjBzDg4qxa8sgTUFXVPgFeqxGhXCwYjz0CYJZMQX5B839OXnXNLwKgvWByw-3ooeKqp47qVv33eiSue7Bob088W62eWAv4yPewab86acjeilL6gCekuzx4GTaof/s1600/warren_69_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-h6rBD5Bx-izQbBzxGjBzDg4qxa8sgTUFXVPgFeqxGhXCwYjz0CYJZMQX5B839OXnXNLwKgvWByw-3ooeKqp47qVv33eiSue7Bob088W62eWAv4yPewab86acjeilL6gCekuzx4GTaof/s320/warren_69_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bon-Ton appears to only be accessible via the main mall entrance (which should at least mention that a mall is here!). Perhaps it once said "MALL" underneath this sign.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxBcbyIP-IbRXY6TOdgdFC61Qos6hhAzR0vvV5EiBCjIUUazHlvAd5oaHjtELvfuuOsdK4ChsGomy9AqC2P41INYMUfFmpSd3gzy59xcC4YHl2uSQQQKoRzoIviwtJiZAe_GDzosC0_v2/s1600/warren_77_052817_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxBcbyIP-IbRXY6TOdgdFC61Qos6hhAzR0vvV5EiBCjIUUazHlvAd5oaHjtELvfuuOsdK4ChsGomy9AqC2P41INYMUfFmpSd3gzy59xcC4YHl2uSQQQKoRzoIviwtJiZAe_GDzosC0_v2/s320/warren_77_052817_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In the back side of the mall, Bon-Ton has direct parking lot access...and the old logo to boot!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcXl-_-f3rKPSDrsegZZnPAFM9JnQhHjPFzUSeFQvp82WQqcCJvY8N0fyhIWRT6Bk4nr1VjsW3aatsPMKxug-stJWQQ-8xthWQ8eT4E4OXunpY1s1o0HE7Z3rj7L0mhWKoqUlyjiYyiwY/s1600/warren_70a_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcXl-_-f3rKPSDrsegZZnPAFM9JnQhHjPFzUSeFQvp82WQqcCJvY8N0fyhIWRT6Bk4nr1VjsW3aatsPMKxug-stJWQQ-8xthWQ8eT4E4OXunpY1s1o0HE7Z3rj7L0mhWKoqUlyjiYyiwY/s320/warren_70a_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsnK8DPnR1VoJdwabm7A4AiIFeVf7CAVLcCPowjr01aBlI6ITYAwtBsl2s7g__SsHZkRypKdwKMJ8LwlflplHkyCqQ3Zf-cfJBGr8aQ45Boo8ztGZ19QnFQ-xwog80hyphenhyphenY_4MdVjRudHYH/s1600/warren_71_052817_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsnK8DPnR1VoJdwabm7A4AiIFeVf7CAVLcCPowjr01aBlI6ITYAwtBsl2s7g__SsHZkRypKdwKMJ8LwlflplHkyCqQ3Zf-cfJBGr8aQ45Boo8ztGZ19QnFQ-xwog80hyphenhyphenY_4MdVjRudHYH/s320/warren_71_052817_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It looks like it's just a Kmart entrance, but it's actually also the mall entrance. It was very common in malls with Kmart as an anchor to have the Kmart entrance actually be the mall entrance with the actual store entrance inside along the mall corridor.</span></div>
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Obviously, a mall with no stores is not going to stay open as a mall for very long. It is unclear what Bon-Ton's commitment is, but like the mall itself, the store inside has never been updated. Bright orange and burnt sienna floor tiles grace the store's departments, and the lack of updates reflect the problems with Bon-Ton itself. It is a troubled company with far too many far-flung locations in dead malls, and the chain has an unfortunate reputation of catering to old people considering that its base of stores just happens to be in markets that younger people have largely left. With Kmart empty, Dunham's disconnected from the mall, and only three tenants retaining mall access, the signs were there that the mall was almost done, and it turns out to be true.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-zRC2mOCdG5wdR31yISpuNj9Vf2PrT2R9iBP0P18gq0PS3myQsCVfjqCMtJGRM5BAk8WOIfnEUcZBr4NaF_F9gCMu85IJ-x5WIzIkKXvcqffGK-CBVDAdVGjQo-Av7IYhw4ynGDhccxG/s1600/warren_72_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-zRC2mOCdG5wdR31yISpuNj9Vf2PrT2R9iBP0P18gq0PS3myQsCVfjqCMtJGRM5BAk8WOIfnEUcZBr4NaF_F9gCMu85IJ-x5WIzIkKXvcqffGK-CBVDAdVGjQo-Av7IYhw4ynGDhccxG/s320/warren_72_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Overview of the front of the mall from Kmart to the former JCPenney.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe3Ho_Y2T5AdvN41F4htUzukW-X_reN3iN0l_yBAPIjBeBIGGkR8fEj-gLxNmDiIP4IsGcvcwJgDZoymlmzq92mtru3N-f60u_x70NCH6YCJ3zK3oBFaDrJZKWD_smj4G_5e1GIutv7aW/s1600/warren_73_052817_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe3Ho_Y2T5AdvN41F4htUzukW-X_reN3iN0l_yBAPIjBeBIGGkR8fEj-gLxNmDiIP4IsGcvcwJgDZoymlmzq92mtru3N-f60u_x70NCH6YCJ3zK3oBFaDrJZKWD_smj4G_5e1GIutv7aW/s320/warren_73_052817_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dunham's in the old JCPenney with the Big Lots labelscar on the left. Dunham's arrival shows a commitment to the mall, but only as a redeveloped center. They have no mall access.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXklqktYK8NI7b_H97Pguz1BQzWbQeeWtXoGfUI4ecfsk2qGxAf5VCA5nZw67q7APw-I5qnKns7AWNczDjvOzOqm5Pi2I4LynA1_zN5DeGzKe4YeZk8oOLnBObyjeXjvuEngUA9BCPhBcw/s1600/warren_74_052817_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXklqktYK8NI7b_H97Pguz1BQzWbQeeWtXoGfUI4ecfsk2qGxAf5VCA5nZw67q7APw-I5qnKns7AWNczDjvOzOqm5Pi2I4LynA1_zN5DeGzKe4YeZk8oOLnBObyjeXjvuEngUA9BCPhBcw/s320/warren_74_052817_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The former JCPenney back entrance where store services are has been unceremoniously boarded up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaCNgSc3AUbwYNFAaib6_tFQqhKi1pxVILOQgNEcOOoinomYXDpZW6QAvNee2uE2UnjnZf9Jud0N0FGoaWzIRkE9cUWJy8czbp-7_e94f9zO9fz0R9ky9pAlIMV44hq29zFqIJzrntqaS/s1600/warren_79_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaCNgSc3AUbwYNFAaib6_tFQqhKi1pxVILOQgNEcOOoinomYXDpZW6QAvNee2uE2UnjnZf9Jud0N0FGoaWzIRkE9cUWJy8czbp-7_e94f9zO9fz0R9ky9pAlIMV44hq29zFqIJzrntqaS/s320/warren_79_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cinemas III rests on an outlot just north of the mall. It clearly is as vintage as the mall itself. Unlike its sister Indiana Mall, it is not part of the mall itself. This is likely due to the geographic constraints where the back of the mall backs up to Conewango Creek.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNwrjsAvfUDgl2-lmcjzMHTaZHBUWFDpTkCMESwLG0-dkSlIpLXTvr-dVcdkY8rGIhq2PJBdZiwG0KieKuFjscJc0yEhc16Y1Cbvcq-WmGADKbU4kBSOBhB8rlph5oFdyW9jSZENVZYcN/s1600/warren_81_052817_kroger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNwrjsAvfUDgl2-lmcjzMHTaZHBUWFDpTkCMESwLG0-dkSlIpLXTvr-dVcdkY8rGIhq2PJBdZiwG0KieKuFjscJc0yEhc16Y1Cbvcq-WmGADKbU4kBSOBhB8rlph5oFdyW9jSZENVZYcN/s320/warren_81_052817_kroger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Kroger. It is unknown how long this store ceased to be a Kroger.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RtFZtEbLwlj-QPd0U8CqmN93kX-9j08Nq8WIi-cw17MHNnT11whTjUfRhwqBWuXMvkfxxi3Lx-QLYQ2bAmkt0uMW6fILsr4Ww5cAjtjTMDncZkSJgNfNzT_JoK-kDDS63bqFKCacXyjF/s1600/warren_82_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RtFZtEbLwlj-QPd0U8CqmN93kX-9j08Nq8WIi-cw17MHNnT11whTjUfRhwqBWuXMvkfxxi3Lx-QLYQ2bAmkt0uMW6fILsr4Ww5cAjtjTMDncZkSJgNfNzT_JoK-kDDS63bqFKCacXyjF/s320/warren_82_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall's sign panels have been updated, but the very awesome original logo just abbreviating the name of the mall remains.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsOCD8RZ817ABNjfpZF_YQikGlNXhDb9mFuG5_w7hZ6AMCeHDWBJnXBbsg3NdWfW4VxqKrUoyL4YoAftffvzZYaZsoVT1CMFwpiDRQB7azGhmtymx5J10maOQ4SQfSzWf2zMXpf90h7wi/s1600/warren_84_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsOCD8RZ817ABNjfpZF_YQikGlNXhDb9mFuG5_w7hZ6AMCeHDWBJnXBbsg3NdWfW4VxqKrUoyL4YoAftffvzZYaZsoVT1CMFwpiDRQB7azGhmtymx5J10maOQ4SQfSzWf2zMXpf90h7wi/s320/warren_84_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Last but not least, check out these killer retro entrance/exit signs located along US 62.</span></div>
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In 2016, Zamias sold their interest in the mall to Cocca Development of Boardman, OH. The new owners pretty much had no qualms about what their plans were: to bring it down. It will be done in a fashion similar to what was done at Raleigh Mall in Beckley, WV. That means they will leave the anchors standing, but demolish the interior mall while keeping remaining tenants in the new development. This will also give Bon-Ton front parking lot access. In addition, Ollie's Bargain Outlet is moving into the Kmart space. With Dunham's already in the old JCPenney, this will ironically bring the mall back to full occupancy...minus the mall itself, of course. Redevelopment of the mall is scheduled to begin in 2018. We wish the best of luck to the redevelopment, but it will be sad to lose another well-preserved vintage gem with Warren Mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9ByAsmuWf_-t_dk150-dBXwCtpTf4v1L8lEfAysZA82sWYDtX0H05pG9V-5PB80ObMpSmF2ydCr_MwsbktCB8Rn6d5SBu50k8BfWtJiptxO0-LbI1Rps8c50xcvrd8Y2PM6tu8KxKD3_/s1600/warrenmall_final+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9ByAsmuWf_-t_dk150-dBXwCtpTf4v1L8lEfAysZA82sWYDtX0H05pG9V-5PB80ObMpSmF2ydCr_MwsbktCB8Rn6d5SBu50k8BfWtJiptxO0-LbI1Rps8c50xcvrd8Y2PM6tu8KxKD3_/s320/warrenmall_final+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here is a map and aerial of the mall and outlots. For details of former inline tenants, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tenpoundhammer/10032082605">these maps show various tenants from 1980-2000</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d3545.9990540512363!2d-79.1474355147658!3d41.89667332342721!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1499803342630" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px;" width="400"></iframe> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">For your further interest is the aerial of the mall from Google.</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-29031031423197142852017-07-12T14:17:00.000-07:002017-07-13T06:55:29.662-07:00Downtown Mall: Meadville, PAA trend in retail that fortunately has proven to be mostly uncommon is the "downtown mall". An ill-conceived idea by desperate urban planners, the goal was to try to keep retailers from fleeing downtown for the malls and shopping centers. The way they were going to do so was sort of a reverse psychology where if the then-wildly popular malls were placed very close to or in place of downtown, the urban core would continue to thrive since downtown was also the mall. Earlier (and more successful) downtown malls included closing the street to vehicles and adding covered canopies to the existing downtown shopping district, but later versions involved actually creating an enclosed mall. Thus, the location of the mall in or close to downtown would hinder the ability of suburban competitors from killing downtown businesses. The later version of this involved actually creating an enclosed mall downtown. This trend lasted from about 1970-1982 and was helped along by federal urban redevelopment grants that aided in the cost of building the new structures and demolishing what was already there. What was often lost were tons of irreplaceable historic old buildings and a sense of place. Even worse, these malls were smaller than your average suburban mall, had awkward layouts, difficult parking and were quite unsightly from the outside. Furthermore, these downtown malls were mostly colossal failures that ended up either demolished or repurposed for offices.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0da5X3XMUZVz1KrfwZth7OW7tf4S-7rvh37zmZxErp-juFOTauK0C_ZlMYYPomJaCvtHdSjEJi-kYIikRH7ZOXoxBxGNHpMiKqYF7QPBLxPUQutpEc-ZyCPFd_6OnuRxa8PcWnkdJTJV/s1600/downtown_34a_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0da5X3XMUZVz1KrfwZth7OW7tf4S-7rvh37zmZxErp-juFOTauK0C_ZlMYYPomJaCvtHdSjEJi-kYIikRH7ZOXoxBxGNHpMiKqYF7QPBLxPUQutpEc-ZyCPFd_6OnuRxa8PcWnkdJTJV/s320/downtown_34a_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meadville also jumped on the bandwagon for this trend bringing its first mall to the city. Constructed in 1973, this mall fortunately proved to be less destructive in that it was built with an attractive exterior design, ample free parking and was worked into the edge of downtown instead of in place of it. While it barely retains its original function today, the mall itself is still a haven for many small local businesses and is not yet completely a dead mall like many of this type. It also provides a climate controlled easy starting point to reach and explore the rest of downtown. Furthermore, it outlasted its only other mall competitor in town: quite a feat for an enclosed downtown mall!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ3vv6U19bHDdwCuiu9mSYhddoq6WdPioyXVm4w1PwiUjw_a_OzRURi9Fb7T7gdzntyrQOUtVyapRxRAd4ORvWbG4VNHJzwAio3bysOcptkZEH4BqmsU57F9jllgUsQBPOXzOzb1tDc8w/s1600/downtown_37a_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ3vv6U19bHDdwCuiu9mSYhddoq6WdPioyXVm4w1PwiUjw_a_OzRURi9Fb7T7gdzntyrQOUtVyapRxRAd4ORvWbG4VNHJzwAio3bysOcptkZEH4BqmsU57F9jllgUsQBPOXzOzb1tDc8w/s320/downtown_37a_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Downtown Mall's main entrance from Water Street is pretty strikingly vintage, but it's only accessible by foot from nearby streets. Most people enter from the opposite side.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwumaVj55V46Ow5m2FEHo-m8gf4yUQMPlA88MdGiN-e7Iu5gEsQZ0Sbl9jHNgoPRUvf85YjxiMwQwkMzJznqLKXMT647SsK4cxQhScQrFEOpC85ecWvdowy4PIQGEG3PI31f9luR9cvL_Y/s1600/downtown_31_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwumaVj55V46Ow5m2FEHo-m8gf4yUQMPlA88MdGiN-e7Iu5gEsQZ0Sbl9jHNgoPRUvf85YjxiMwQwkMzJznqLKXMT647SsK4cxQhScQrFEOpC85ecWvdowy4PIQGEG3PI31f9luR9cvL_Y/s320/downtown_31_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN375C3uHTSZ6lj0g4cz1zYy43UBr-T1OAdcWgfUgn_c6lJ8AWZ1b6eyJJoZaE-t8uaN1e_mLmhUhFJlqw2bD0HJ6AFEZGwNa0_YM0H3AzoewvI-ztP2XUbuShxKVj2vJL0LmOZJqYcgdX/s1600/downtown_38_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN375C3uHTSZ6lj0g4cz1zYy43UBr-T1OAdcWgfUgn_c6lJ8AWZ1b6eyJJoZaE-t8uaN1e_mLmhUhFJlqw2bD0HJ6AFEZGwNa0_YM0H3AzoewvI-ztP2XUbuShxKVj2vJL0LmOZJqYcgdX/s320/downtown_38_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A little more detail of the mostly vacant strip outside of the main entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk-AKZNyd5c2pl1j5dyhYvl041-cWmyY2_wYFcSLTch6npLvCq9z-Hjeee-SyZ5Bvl1PqoIGSVOVMHOi4BYglcJJslQhBgdXtNvA9Do8p0Sm3ldml-PBYyzH5POSpmLekZ-JjqY2XR0Hw/s1600/downtown_33_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk-AKZNyd5c2pl1j5dyhYvl041-cWmyY2_wYFcSLTch6npLvCq9z-Hjeee-SyZ5Bvl1PqoIGSVOVMHOi4BYglcJJslQhBgdXtNvA9Do8p0Sm3ldml-PBYyzH5POSpmLekZ-JjqY2XR0Hw/s320/downtown_33_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Some detail of the entrance overhang with skylights. It's hard not to miss when this was a typical mall entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAebLSAblkimkGyaiLp5xpt5HfMMp4U6BihtboOaQfbH9tJ8sp_NB73AMoirqnkZvTgGXlU0Uxnp31RhsU7YnxyIBNFzH6D5-koyICDwMPsZ9mrpPTYHLYdAeMOWlynWe-KwhJ_K3SFb2/s1600/downtown_32_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAebLSAblkimkGyaiLp5xpt5HfMMp4U6BihtboOaQfbH9tJ8sp_NB73AMoirqnkZvTgGXlU0Uxnp31RhsU7YnxyIBNFzH6D5-koyICDwMPsZ9mrpPTYHLYdAeMOWlynWe-KwhJ_K3SFb2/s320/downtown_32_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On the side of the entrance to the left was this gorgeous Rhododendron in bloom. Plenty of these were found across the region highlighting the beauty of the area.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2J1-V0cohEKP7bBWVKDjegAeJqujZeILWXev9jtp3CXob5KWdN0ruqeuiBEjFJK0e-WZfg6ULM_zkQnpaSJnaaSz3fYky82Am-oCqgIRbSGLxz5KMyZ-PSajWu05TURuv_-4gVG3R7Se/s1600/downtown_36_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2J1-V0cohEKP7bBWVKDjegAeJqujZeILWXev9jtp3CXob5KWdN0ruqeuiBEjFJK0e-WZfg6ULM_zkQnpaSJnaaSz3fYky82Am-oCqgIRbSGLxz5KMyZ-PSajWu05TURuv_-4gVG3R7Se/s320/downtown_36_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the north end of the mall from the main entrance. At the far end was a local department store called Weldon's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYbYUs-tiPPwjj8kco33Zb_VSY_43ZeVQr8E2-JTw3vW1WNOoMZDoN7pYODTPgvjJSL9817GaqDXIahr6I5lhjp_se_MTxw6pgUaGnajjudV3ip3OVm2gatFZjnAgZD_8WDP0JHzk7QkA/s1600/downtown_3_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYbYUs-tiPPwjj8kco33Zb_VSY_43ZeVQr8E2-JTw3vW1WNOoMZDoN7pYODTPgvjJSL9817GaqDXIahr6I5lhjp_se_MTxw6pgUaGnajjudV3ip3OVm2gatFZjnAgZD_8WDP0JHzk7QkA/s320/downtown_3_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall entrance from the parking lot side was, unfortunately, updated.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1QxsP7owWmGJoiHnaCLBNVVKAwewvwgYCX3IjF6rqMBLNfvR1eN36jzhDzeVfa5sMg4lZNd9MHPfW5NQuVXAZoXdHoxjJGV7qvBfEbhEy42XpkmCqBgr9niotRIdgXVmUiLD7lkYym-_/s1600/downtown_1_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1QxsP7owWmGJoiHnaCLBNVVKAwewvwgYCX3IjF6rqMBLNfvR1eN36jzhDzeVfa5sMg4lZNd9MHPfW5NQuVXAZoXdHoxjJGV7qvBfEbhEy42XpkmCqBgr9niotRIdgXVmUiLD7lkYym-_/s320/downtown_1_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seeing H&R Block as the first tenant listed at a mall does not sound terribly promising, does it?</span></div>
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Meadville's sole competitor was not exactly a superregional mall, but it sure wanted to be. Named Meadville Mall, it was an L-shaped mall that opened a couple years after Downtown Mall opened in 1976. It was originally anchored by Montgomery Ward and Grant City, later Kmart. Like many other malls in the region, it was also built by Zamias Services. The two malls co-existed for around 30 years until Montgomery Ward failed. After no replacement was found for years following Wards departure with the mall falling into disrepair, the mall closed and demolished in 2008. The Kmart, however, was not demolished and remained open until 2017.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QFRdX2DF4j0B6ZaZXJ6zW3WhUDq2gqIIfm2bwunAmTnlmdcLoQkJ32SwloQvmYVbmR010wWIE1f0mMl161KkMuEDjNpcfTZJv4vbvVgAKY-fDgXMDyRoJNtEUm-Yul_EJ_DUaf_-_gaM/s1600/downtown_4_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QFRdX2DF4j0B6ZaZXJ6zW3WhUDq2gqIIfm2bwunAmTnlmdcLoQkJ32SwloQvmYVbmR010wWIE1f0mMl161KkMuEDjNpcfTZJv4vbvVgAKY-fDgXMDyRoJNtEUm-Yul_EJ_DUaf_-_gaM/s320/downtown_4_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view from the back entrance corridor to the front entrance. Center court is just ahead before those doors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UbNkBbCMNqcd19sksv0CHIUp4-fw99LCgEV6C1yUCDG_1I1o4Eiel7B53kD9oy6TFea7eY6-WnF0LqOP6h2SF7ahyHbAbFht5j99FF5e5dBA75EPKhEH8ppr-_m4l3yYksWSPyaXoQjA/s1600/downtown_5_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UbNkBbCMNqcd19sksv0CHIUp4-fw99LCgEV6C1yUCDG_1I1o4Eiel7B53kD9oy6TFea7eY6-WnF0LqOP6h2SF7ahyHbAbFht5j99FF5e5dBA75EPKhEH8ppr-_m4l3yYksWSPyaXoQjA/s320/downtown_5_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">So...this is center court. One awkwardly placed overhead skylight, high ceilings, a stage (I guess they thought events would be held here?) and a sad little plant next to it. There might have been more to this originally, but the flooring looks pretty original and unmodified. Of course, if you're bored you can exit through those doors and head downtown!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7AiHx6YQRRMqY1cM6m_I1VzGpPhsoKI4ryaS3Ybo-EHybzFpcZPrDMp6bNfjlpcVuPC4wgO7S7EZn99t7MW9DhdoyS1Y0xKBq2Jj9QU-y-tttwd2wBFNCpu_4YYuFjyBg6sUEvoPJg1E/s1600/downtown_8_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7AiHx6YQRRMqY1cM6m_I1VzGpPhsoKI4ryaS3Ybo-EHybzFpcZPrDMp6bNfjlpcVuPC4wgO7S7EZn99t7MW9DhdoyS1Y0xKBq2Jj9QU-y-tttwd2wBFNCpu_4YYuFjyBg6sUEvoPJg1E/s320/downtown_8_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The hallway to the right leads to Big Lots, originally Fisher's Big Wheel.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd3E-yb-kTUnGXbhzx5d-2URBkvHi9oYGOqKKd_tcFxM6Tku86MpQ7rykc80M-bxSPTLwvJ60KS5WSteasgrHXdjdxNzoemSgZ3qEdmswBJgNT6HjhPP0eFM_C62XawNhbG7_grAricht/s1600/downtown_10_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd3E-yb-kTUnGXbhzx5d-2URBkvHi9oYGOqKKd_tcFxM6Tku86MpQ7rykc80M-bxSPTLwvJ60KS5WSteasgrHXdjdxNzoemSgZ3qEdmswBJgNT6HjhPP0eFM_C62XawNhbG7_grAricht/s320/downtown_10_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A pretty quick look shows that most of the tenants are your 8-5 variety that are not exactly selling stuff to your average shopper. This is the fate of most malls like this.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cwOS9NPL5ZYTzLpYa90uJMfbr0mJOy9tk0Yp-vtzguqRqZAAbQ51nQFZMXYfAVDU-cHL6G4ykrtNGQ-qhZQQ9tLCSrri7HJE_6Q_5wj1ufswznqqLynvUVYkdh9FElUUgHRBPnSWR-2-/s1600/downtown_11_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cwOS9NPL5ZYTzLpYa90uJMfbr0mJOy9tk0Yp-vtzguqRqZAAbQ51nQFZMXYfAVDU-cHL6G4ykrtNGQ-qhZQQ9tLCSrri7HJE_6Q_5wj1ufswznqqLynvUVYkdh9FElUUgHRBPnSWR-2-/s320/downtown_11_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Meadville's history is on display on the short hallway leading north from center court to the parking lot. This is 90 degrees from the back parking lot entrance and parallel to another hallway leading to Dollar General.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHxVVy-CImiFGE2SGeujs93P5y9dQgHMz696YHAMhg2QFlHByHrQ4kt46MSZXPcg4waSOHVEVAsrokrhXSP-KlN2UIxlr0If6hs8FouGVLMX9I-FeO9xOXH-l83oZuGSybWMEXHqICjE9/s1600/downtown_7_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHxVVy-CImiFGE2SGeujs93P5y9dQgHMz696YHAMhg2QFlHByHrQ4kt46MSZXPcg4waSOHVEVAsrokrhXSP-KlN2UIxlr0If6hs8FouGVLMX9I-FeO9xOXH-l83oZuGSybWMEXHqICjE9/s320/downtown_7_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Railroads are the theme here suggesting the city's former history as a railroad hub.</span></div>
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Nonetheless, Meadville Mall was located far enough outside of town to attract a larger retail strip, was close to I-79 and for years posed a significant threat to Downtown Mall. However, the existence of the Downtown Mall also helped deflect interest away from expanding Meadville Mall. Plans to add Sears, JCPenney and Ashtabula, OH-based Carlisle's fell through in 1990. Sears again attempted to enter the mall in 2002 by taking over the former Wards, but this again mysteriously failed. The result of this was that a once viable competitor ultimately found itself unable to survive in a market that was not only competing with another mall, but also not really thriving considering that Crawford County's population is stagnant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEBl1wpO9tUtOklVYw2hFFyy0gmWsA-bNebOuwuNpx2tDPYQkV-zwQDV2nDza_vblahHLMENkfZkPiqy85l4EPfyY29xGOcdqDtciZASjLjGC0pBghHXeHAIY51J4l7CZX_SRkhSQkG0d/s1600/downtown_12_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEBl1wpO9tUtOklVYw2hFFyy0gmWsA-bNebOuwuNpx2tDPYQkV-zwQDV2nDza_vblahHLMENkfZkPiqy85l4EPfyY29xGOcdqDtciZASjLjGC0pBghHXeHAIY51J4l7CZX_SRkhSQkG0d/s320/downtown_12_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjHqpFLn3XgpjRRGwkI8U4ow6VwSVDdfzd01-jMWxx7QmnjXCZ0luzT0r_Za8ABPCWKpl2QS725GPAZJqAtYaQO2Cpbxqj-ycXk3j0kgt6o5_iK6XauA5d_3OCWV6WptV1Eef-tcV6zsQ/s1600/downtown_16_052817_bigwheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjHqpFLn3XgpjRRGwkI8U4ow6VwSVDdfzd01-jMWxx7QmnjXCZ0luzT0r_Za8ABPCWKpl2QS725GPAZJqAtYaQO2Cpbxqj-ycXk3j0kgt6o5_iK6XauA5d_3OCWV6WptV1Eef-tcV6zsQ/s320/downtown_16_052817_bigwheel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Big Lots with a mall entrance! Until 1994, this was Fisher's Big Wheel, a New Castle-based discount chain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmr6ZR3fj_UmVWhhTcOfCTq9vdcd0giCHyfkKreBVurm2DIGugAvlR0pr2wMBkX-uXYHLFji-I3r9Cjv_XfaIyflafhJUf1xubLRPLlLFUCi6uZ4rS1fgvcpy_kPHSK0p6TYxftyfjkee/s1600/downtown_15_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmr6ZR3fj_UmVWhhTcOfCTq9vdcd0giCHyfkKreBVurm2DIGugAvlR0pr2wMBkX-uXYHLFji-I3r9Cjv_XfaIyflafhJUf1xubLRPLlLFUCi6uZ4rS1fgvcpy_kPHSK0p6TYxftyfjkee/s320/downtown_15_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It is not clear what is here now, if anything, but this old Murphy's plaque is interesting. Did this mall once have a Murphy's?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzHX3GA9-lrapKY6SsOAmFITfquky5Fyp6yNvu7kK2cLXnrtl1RoJyRfOTX2HHfmje9nf9SFyIXquCrdUuYhnXmJPcEuDzqfXrKHyTokn7X-3ED7iwfLOAINqikwcdGOl_uleaN_Bwggr/s1600/downtown_17_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzHX3GA9-lrapKY6SsOAmFITfquky5Fyp6yNvu7kK2cLXnrtl1RoJyRfOTX2HHfmje9nf9SFyIXquCrdUuYhnXmJPcEuDzqfXrKHyTokn7X-3ED7iwfLOAINqikwcdGOl_uleaN_Bwggr/s320/downtown_17_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Heading back to center court. It's a pretty short hallway.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzyIFQhkX8tkyY03vKuUummTi5wrGrmpErxVzP5XEFpfw-lbHUKz20GPUpdV1TLdjchOK_X06Y7OtkOqwGMuPnnlieMBrBqR40ZTfVUpZvaKqo5EHou9XxZfOpclObHj831Pi_k-rMqoe/s1600/downtown_18_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzyIFQhkX8tkyY03vKuUummTi5wrGrmpErxVzP5XEFpfw-lbHUKz20GPUpdV1TLdjchOK_X06Y7OtkOqwGMuPnnlieMBrBqR40ZTfVUpZvaKqo5EHou9XxZfOpclObHj831Pi_k-rMqoe/s320/downtown_18_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Look to your left at the hallway leading to the parking lot (and the shortest walk to Top's Supermarket).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde2It06f_9geOEOq8rvcX_u5mdPPQ6-kqZhH069GXz7dLDJdVB2aOANaOe6GNCRLBGddv3J-UAUoqSWtDjsgu4p1EQsKn1ReZ1fqD4-EAoMgnYDhtq_TiPEjeTwiweWXLuHUw-d6r4HBj/s1600/downtown_19_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde2It06f_9geOEOq8rvcX_u5mdPPQ6-kqZhH069GXz7dLDJdVB2aOANaOe6GNCRLBGddv3J-UAUoqSWtDjsgu4p1EQsKn1ReZ1fqD4-EAoMgnYDhtq_TiPEjeTwiweWXLuHUw-d6r4HBj/s320/downtown_19_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Now look to your right. Another mall corridor! This one lead to Weldon's (now Dollar General).</span></div>
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Downtown Mall also has another closer competitor with Park Avenue Plaza. A strip of 1960's vintage, the center has many stores that might otherwise locate in the mall such as Peeble's and Dunham's. Peeble's itself is housed in what was another regional department store: Erie-based Trask's (hard to say!). While it is today a lower-end shopping center, it is not completely vacant either. Several local stores and non-retail services operate in the mall itself, and its original anchors are both tenanted by chain stores. However, you could not actually call it a healthy mall. Usually malls in this state are not too many years from being redeveloped.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPZrSk4A-E8nK_MdoDuBzfjDL-4xX4r_Inh2VAy1RwF50t2nfi9PCMbSsc0j0f7k7cju6NPe9ODQNoXjFgywhp7LqBGqHNcCdnfSQEBM1x2X4c-T2m73NAMP1iei8RMLMUrwsu0GZ6msd/s1600/downtown_20_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPZrSk4A-E8nK_MdoDuBzfjDL-4xX4r_Inh2VAy1RwF50t2nfi9PCMbSsc0j0f7k7cju6NPe9ODQNoXjFgywhp7LqBGqHNcCdnfSQEBM1x2X4c-T2m73NAMP1iei8RMLMUrwsu0GZ6msd/s320/downtown_20_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW24RNuJvE3owOaq7PZcj-v0sNIVLBPEpR438ky8dcQ8O6wTONg19afqNaCAP4PABQDNnw1RxEblEUaj8ScMG8tDq6bhJGzya2jwsDTFrgi2FSXLeHD9x-RNUdnITke8S1OxAYqoO5Hc6/s1600/downtown_21_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW24RNuJvE3owOaq7PZcj-v0sNIVLBPEpR438ky8dcQ8O6wTONg19afqNaCAP4PABQDNnw1RxEblEUaj8ScMG8tDq6bhJGzya2jwsDTFrgi2FSXLeHD9x-RNUdnITke8S1OxAYqoO5Hc6/s320/downtown_21_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down the northeast corridor. Dollar General is in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcYBjCc2UeuVIHRFHGyiPn0bG_ZBZrz06nfJuqlE3E_lhmsT9VUEaW1vhyB38fY2ibqgvfGy7SUj2OnCH-oxQAIkH6xS7lrQgfzD-4luQEnb3Wa7JAlMu5vYNf1RABGN2zKpbITFPW4ze/s1600/downtown_22_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcYBjCc2UeuVIHRFHGyiPn0bG_ZBZrz06nfJuqlE3E_lhmsT9VUEaW1vhyB38fY2ibqgvfGy7SUj2OnCH-oxQAIkH6xS7lrQgfzD-4luQEnb3Wa7JAlMu5vYNf1RABGN2zKpbITFPW4ze/s320/downtown_22_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Empty jewelry store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaDIvrGwtNvv6XmjEhyOnSuOQMH5cc6UjMl1ZFNqLKE3njk8nYzci9FNDw_hymdCnWbe1fohdfoRpHsOXdNOhYTNkOQguKuzssKJFGs6oVVvG8Yi8cVE7lMGH8UH-BGm8TsjbYaRIdia5/s1600/downtown_27_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaDIvrGwtNvv6XmjEhyOnSuOQMH5cc6UjMl1ZFNqLKE3njk8nYzci9FNDw_hymdCnWbe1fohdfoRpHsOXdNOhYTNkOQguKuzssKJFGs6oVVvG8Yi8cVE7lMGH8UH-BGm8TsjbYaRIdia5/s320/downtown_27_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sign still up, but no jewelry to be sold.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6KtNpH2hM2UxNj12p6e1iKNhecGkP4sxFDMdrbiapsJKCSWZ6UeahzbZQog0e_xybbHEy0y9R5xLuprBYx3v8-g9kxZmDawciXsae4xeLhgQ0uOLWkjtdgUHsPq57li-NwhUDPKuJsJG/s1600/downtown_23_052817_weldons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6KtNpH2hM2UxNj12p6e1iKNhecGkP4sxFDMdrbiapsJKCSWZ6UeahzbZQog0e_xybbHEy0y9R5xLuprBYx3v8-g9kxZmDawciXsae4xeLhgQ0uOLWkjtdgUHsPq57li-NwhUDPKuJsJG/s320/downtown_23_052817_weldons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaOx0_gF67Md-IPp9yu7kr0lEI5RLgXmWaz081nJWN8hjhZyPz_4VegpS3r4QRttgOLtZmOSXUEcEdraqy1HdZDFX5kSMbBODpZ7BIb9HlKLUkuOyZiYgBIt6KJrRcaUDFm2ncbEnj7WJ/s1600/downtown_24_052817_weldons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaOx0_gF67Md-IPp9yu7kr0lEI5RLgXmWaz081nJWN8hjhZyPz_4VegpS3r4QRttgOLtZmOSXUEcEdraqy1HdZDFX5kSMbBODpZ7BIb9HlKLUkuOyZiYgBIt6KJrRcaUDFm2ncbEnj7WJ/s320/downtown_24_052817_weldons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNa2oKD906SekkmZJttsb111t6oaqjdOCqqIOLg_8tCwhkTweyro7-_MUvurKbcAUUZGO0kSEKl9cpkZMiOtt6h_emLSLvBQ8PMMG9m3QQPfZQ7ydMPzwMAhwgACgb-y9wwTuH1KEpq9m/s1600/downtown_25_052817_weldons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNa2oKD906SekkmZJttsb111t6oaqjdOCqqIOLg_8tCwhkTweyro7-_MUvurKbcAUUZGO0kSEKl9cpkZMiOtt6h_emLSLvBQ8PMMG9m3QQPfZQ7ydMPzwMAhwgACgb-y9wwTuH1KEpq9m/s320/downtown_25_052817_weldons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2SMBt14eQtXADeXm987BCWg2Z2GBeJ_vpU0yp0UCSpkDpMZged_HzYgbScQcAmVfQ9H1u0eKWz2KC53DEWRmahNOxFTAGUXs3OdDxV7JstGZbCl2mDoif-rE1CK3Q_BTZWHeDVRJ7evN/s1600/downtown_26_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2SMBt14eQtXADeXm987BCWg2Z2GBeJ_vpU0yp0UCSpkDpMZged_HzYgbScQcAmVfQ9H1u0eKWz2KC53DEWRmahNOxFTAGUXs3OdDxV7JstGZbCl2mDoif-rE1CK3Q_BTZWHeDVRJ7evN/s320/downtown_26_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dollar General is rather strangely oriented in the mall. Past Dollar General (and the front entrance corridor), the mall makes a 90 degree turn to a back entrance (facing west).</span></div>
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When Downtown Mall opened, it had two anchors: Fisher's Big Wheel, a defunct discount chain that was based in New Castle and Weldon's department store. Fisher's Big Wheel is today occupied by Big Lots (with a mall entrance), and Weldon's is now Dollar General. Fishers Big Wheel went under in 1994, and this appears to have been when Big Lots took over. It is unclear when Weldon's departed, but it was most likely also during the 1990's. However, the Tops supermarket on the outlot of the mall appears to be an original anchor unchanged. It is unclear what else was in the mall, but most likely a drug store took up a decent portion of the interior mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1r5tTvRZt27wcmQNtQiOs5iPD3w2Bg81zo8EOUHG-GHSsiv4O2279usej-dBHtBJf6YBsz4EMoYJxLR5BKVgdUDLCFIaOlkcCVL7EbMid_atcob6tSJcoxcW3mgvajixEAb1ood8HHOL/s1600/downtown_28_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1r5tTvRZt27wcmQNtQiOs5iPD3w2Bg81zo8EOUHG-GHSsiv4O2279usej-dBHtBJf6YBsz4EMoYJxLR5BKVgdUDLCFIaOlkcCVL7EbMid_atcob6tSJcoxcW3mgvajixEAb1ood8HHOL/s320/downtown_28_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5XZz6YMp_talAwWzM4Nisr1ik6bNTPfwKX6nZZXzD3AAfGiQ-8Ladg9ENGtA5YoQspk9C3DYX961UjOhaAUqjcalLfm0nc9GXuPSnSpRF6nRMiRY4gQtPQbukoFqIN0v5M2i3DFZus9f/s1600/downtown_29_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5XZz6YMp_talAwWzM4Nisr1ik6bNTPfwKX6nZZXzD3AAfGiQ-8Ladg9ENGtA5YoQspk9C3DYX961UjOhaAUqjcalLfm0nc9GXuPSnSpRF6nRMiRY4gQtPQbukoFqIN0v5M2i3DFZus9f/s320/downtown_29_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking back into center court.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5kIvkN_cqFTdgbT2Yp5EE2fHGwPoDZz152s-HDEhIqDsDZzUNwHscr297gbusMc3wioeWaMDdO4w_Og6N1c2mH8qH_RenkGwli21q1VxFod5Xkj6wdbjbmwg0hyphenhyphenHd5gpf-D-pv2DAXD9/s1600/downtown_30_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5kIvkN_cqFTdgbT2Yp5EE2fHGwPoDZz152s-HDEhIqDsDZzUNwHscr297gbusMc3wioeWaMDdO4w_Og6N1c2mH8qH_RenkGwli21q1VxFod5Xkj6wdbjbmwg0hyphenhyphenHd5gpf-D-pv2DAXD9/s320/downtown_30_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Center court facing the back (west) entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVVxjej_hcOyPwyHUb6tWkyIiqYJ9fWeMBnskmRJWUqLxlO3RqIkjAxEK34Nsd8ulUj-ZvN8u2lcoLJ7lzQs9HNHVW9Mk0fRNedEu_TxbukGa2VcBZhAvIy8R6_3keflkPuBKEJ-wZ2Cl/s1600/downtown_2_052817_tops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVVxjej_hcOyPwyHUb6tWkyIiqYJ9fWeMBnskmRJWUqLxlO3RqIkjAxEK34Nsd8ulUj-ZvN8u2lcoLJ7lzQs9HNHVW9Mk0fRNedEu_TxbukGa2VcBZhAvIy8R6_3keflkPuBKEJ-wZ2Cl/s320/downtown_2_052817_tops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Picture of the tops on the NW corner of the mall. The mall is to the right of me. Unfortunately, for some ungodly reason I failed to get more exterior shots: especially of the old Fisher's Big Wheel. Fortunately, all sides of the mall are completely visible on Google Street View.</span></div>
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Like most enclosed downtown malls, Meadville Mall has an awkward layout. The front of the mall actually fronts Water Street looking like a large one-story office building. Parking is to the rear of the mall adjacent to French Creek Parkway, Meadville's by-pass for US 19. The mall itself, never updated on the inside, features a large center court with one side abutting the Water Street entrance and four hallways extending away from the court. One goes to the back parking lot, one goes to the former Fisher's Big Wheel (Big Lots), one goes to Dollar General (former Weldon's) and one goes parallel to the Dollar General corridor to a back exit. All corridors except the one to Big Lots lead to outside entrances. It also appears that the Weldon's space was subdivided with no mall access considering that the space is much too big for Dollar General. It is a rather plain design for the era it was built as well with no fountains or planters although it is possible that one or two were covered up in center court. In all, the mall was basically outmoded 25 years ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwi9XUWQtWxphxw4GhSP3UtmqeM_pQotga58XjD_EMFNRDYdBuP5HeBCRoe2Mf7EOn4AvUtGeT_ERI3gNldc5gNmI9dZhysQF_oZsgGTpBL7K7Ml8kbH8OkXZ5c4cSJNofVZ9iVQfpWys/s1600/downtownmall_2+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1178" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwi9XUWQtWxphxw4GhSP3UtmqeM_pQotga58XjD_EMFNRDYdBuP5HeBCRoe2Mf7EOn4AvUtGeT_ERI3gNldc5gNmI9dZhysQF_oZsgGTpBL7K7Ml8kbH8OkXZ5c4cSJNofVZ9iVQfpWys/s320/downtownmall_2+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Explaining the layout of this mall is difficult, so this map was created showing the placement of the pedestrian corridors and the anchors. However, there are missing pieces of information here and any help with this map would be appreciated. It is assumed that a few of those spaces were junior anchor tenants as well.</span></div>
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Despite being a competitor, it is not exactly clear that Downtown Mall ever truly caught on. In truth, it was always a poor competitor that primarily hindered the ability of the city to gain a better mall. While not totally dead, it is clear that the interior mall has long past outlived its usefulness. More popular chain stores are found down the road in Park Avenue Plaza, but not a lot of retail is thriving in Meadville. However, Meadville appears to overall be mostly lacking in retail options compared to many other cities. It is unclear why this is. The nearest major mall in Erie, is 35 miles away. This means Meadville should be able to sustain more stores in the market than just Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Tractor Supply. Perhaps this is the reason that Downtown Mall continues to defy the odds 45 years later.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-71938923884018721552017-07-11T13:05:00.002-07:002017-07-11T13:22:54.214-07:00Cascade Galleria/Towne Mall: New Castle, PAFinding old malls that retained their original design from the 60's and 70's is today very rare. Usually malls like this are small, one-story malls found in cities too small to support them in somewhere in Appalachia. This, of course, pretty much describes the sad and forgotten Cascade Galleria, originally known as Towne Mall. Mostly deserted outside of office hours, at one point around 30 years ago it was the center of activity in the heart of New Castle. Located on the southwest corner of downtown, it brought the first and only enclosed mall to Lawrence County as more of a community mall serving residents of the city which, at the time, was a city with over 40,000 residents in a county with over 100,000 residents. Perhaps they deserved better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzgDOnZT4wDD32sYpbVFqz5MY3Hf3qljfpY4cOpgRI4FUAme2o58YVKfAAAva9hQvqb7X1KM33fkzMPm9AkfwTwgQbGunr3yjuBfH-BBZ9MvLAMOfhyphenhyphenIacYiGH-2pjubU5Ce-LuzuePzN/s1600/cascadegalleria_12_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzgDOnZT4wDD32sYpbVFqz5MY3Hf3qljfpY4cOpgRI4FUAme2o58YVKfAAAva9hQvqb7X1KM33fkzMPm9AkfwTwgQbGunr3yjuBfH-BBZ9MvLAMOfhyphenhyphenIacYiGH-2pjubU5Ce-LuzuePzN/s320/cascadegalleria_12_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Opening in August 1970, the mall featured a full-line Sears and Murphy's as its two anchors. The mall itself is also quite small: likely only between 100,000 to 200,000 square feet. Downtown had several department stores, but most of these ignored the mall, including Allied-owned Troutman's (later Pomeroy's). After the mall opened, the effects of the collapse of the steel industry coupled with the major shift in retailing began to affect the mall. First to depart was Murphy's, which closed their location at the mall in 1994. Sears would leave the mall in 1995, relocating to a brand new standalone store on the west side of town at the junction of US 224 and the I-376 tollway. The departure of these two anchors left the mall for dead.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSE2pGnLvbUT81UHp5nIfNv887PZ1jBMERaFAGzg4vvQ2dyXmKI2G6R8GvtA-gQfdnFwsDJmNVieMcOvSMFIW0T4p4Hda74IMfp0ba-fkNTQJDs926Bk512wE-rt66PcLkewIZwor5w3M/s1600/cascadegalleria_4_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSE2pGnLvbUT81UHp5nIfNv887PZ1jBMERaFAGzg4vvQ2dyXmKI2G6R8GvtA-gQfdnFwsDJmNVieMcOvSMFIW0T4p4Hda74IMfp0ba-fkNTQJDs926Bk512wE-rt66PcLkewIZwor5w3M/s320/cascadegalleria_4_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Center court features wood-grained ceilings and a non-functioning fountain. The wall on the left with the small hallway is actually what used to be the Sears wing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaQQrWYLYFEJ1Jq77AKc1cNXZxLZI9LjYRyEQKPHGW5UivPgh_N3zVBJSCJsKnLkQqV-ttsblJ_yk2__tU-fDqYaI3skERvuZCCs1dZSnB-Rf6kTo2WJIQ18hOeGaEJLQGdG8GpBBqLwx/s1600/cascadegalleria_2_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaQQrWYLYFEJ1Jq77AKc1cNXZxLZI9LjYRyEQKPHGW5UivPgh_N3zVBJSCJsKnLkQqV-ttsblJ_yk2__tU-fDqYaI3skERvuZCCs1dZSnB-Rf6kTo2WJIQ18hOeGaEJLQGdG8GpBBqLwx/s320/cascadegalleria_2_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On the left is what was a local pretzel shop.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavhAhY94oyvCKwZ0sdm0tT0DdnPSl4nSxYPxmNTzVB0sLgP_MWJkcQJLTrLYlOMKGvFeTBQYDhWyOr6J9gcUMCCOEDyebb3_T9am04e-PSi6Z4HbBtNSOmUMCkCqQqVPwZQIJ5rx6Q6Mu/s1600/cascadegalleria_1_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavhAhY94oyvCKwZ0sdm0tT0DdnPSl4nSxYPxmNTzVB0sLgP_MWJkcQJLTrLYlOMKGvFeTBQYDhWyOr6J9gcUMCCOEDyebb3_T9am04e-PSi6Z4HbBtNSOmUMCkCqQqVPwZQIJ5rx6Q6Mu/s320/cascadegalleria_1_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down the east wing to center court (facing west).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43hkin1e37ZICUsZbrB3Im3iWuSauH73OithUjGdaWgQyiyKUxEvcdR84JUzR2FGy-OGXzOisfBeKrndbWx1dugyYbk7Sy3J15CExZrw8JoUnimMxLD6tgj-kXCuEhAwI3csjBc5tAJ7z/s1600/cascadegalleria_13_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43hkin1e37ZICUsZbrB3Im3iWuSauH73OithUjGdaWgQyiyKUxEvcdR84JUzR2FGy-OGXzOisfBeKrndbWx1dugyYbk7Sy3J15CExZrw8JoUnimMxLD6tgj-kXCuEhAwI3csjBc5tAJ7z/s320/cascadegalleria_13_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">North wing from center court. The back portion is mostly walled off except for access to the north entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zRgs5zedQVwMKhoRHBmB08UdbskStzv7HfOeTOKV7Kl6E5xm75Yl4YGXLGF2gs9X2jkqd5k62JEVcUMi7gxtcDjCz9C17TjcOGq-evGBVUkbANBFJfTRttTN4Cl-NSLiFJJ6WPVtpJSo/s1600/cascadegalleria_8_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zRgs5zedQVwMKhoRHBmB08UdbskStzv7HfOeTOKV7Kl6E5xm75Yl4YGXLGF2gs9X2jkqd5k62JEVcUMi7gxtcDjCz9C17TjcOGq-evGBVUkbANBFJfTRttTN4Cl-NSLiFJJ6WPVtpJSo/s320/cascadegalleria_8_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EW08H5JJVX8FKYLDspyAaWJBdaUTnv_yhi-2V29d90eUxt_2xE6LslwdwufMn1ljgHoLlvTRiNUyqTH81QTKYn0aY62eF_8RA8XfQ_1s9eCdC7w-igcGx_sGMxMIhX7kW5JAcycEFQdD/s1600/cascadegalleria_5_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EW08H5JJVX8FKYLDspyAaWJBdaUTnv_yhi-2V29d90eUxt_2xE6LslwdwufMn1ljgHoLlvTRiNUyqTH81QTKYn0aY62eF_8RA8XfQ_1s9eCdC7w-igcGx_sGMxMIhX7kW5JAcycEFQdD/s320/cascadegalleria_5_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down the north wing. Murphy's was on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge66WfRg_XTk1cIVMUMiiMEs2OcLpAaDeoyAD_T8BOs89jVAeG8YaMBtMc2x8V0UJKlmIsut3mnUwUSe2Y_GhaAe4iwc9w92zkK_fLQi4YIKrIilhtYAPgb7z052i3KEyeWM2GS6F29uPO/s1600/cascadegalleria_9_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge66WfRg_XTk1cIVMUMiiMEs2OcLpAaDeoyAD_T8BOs89jVAeG8YaMBtMc2x8V0UJKlmIsut3mnUwUSe2Y_GhaAe4iwc9w92zkK_fLQi4YIKrIilhtYAPgb7z052i3KEyeWM2GS6F29uPO/s320/cascadegalleria_9_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">High window skylight detail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX-KohLdH7xKW9b6WXftuPVD28FsTW-0AogA0FvcdPQwGI8EhyMFXOilIcT3QViAMdDVGQRCRCbOrzFe-AfaFPXBCOgU3UHpZ3eHckRgQ423tIuRcbCOX_KLB2hpkP04eRqnZE-_C3rIo/s1600/cascadegalleria_6_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWX-KohLdH7xKW9b6WXftuPVD28FsTW-0AogA0FvcdPQwGI8EhyMFXOilIcT3QViAMdDVGQRCRCbOrzFe-AfaFPXBCOgU3UHpZ3eHckRgQ423tIuRcbCOX_KLB2hpkP04eRqnZE-_C3rIo/s320/cascadegalleria_6_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Next to the wall on the north wing is this staircase coming off to the side. The aerial shows a small area that appears to include a higher roof that would thus support this second level.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4Ah9ItFwz67lPY_9LiDMsB8Ckx8u87ONEJENajUfAH9C-yQ3DVkZXLCff2Fpo0VZKh3fkpf7uqSpFPi0p9ZvV8j2ell0mrjAZqP3yGslDeABlHZrN-G746TpNX3XAr3UoX3Gi0-Ksr-1/s1600/cascadegalleria_23_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4Ah9ItFwz67lPY_9LiDMsB8Ckx8u87ONEJENajUfAH9C-yQ3DVkZXLCff2Fpo0VZKh3fkpf7uqSpFPi0p9ZvV8j2ell0mrjAZqP3yGslDeABlHZrN-G746TpNX3XAr3UoX3Gi0-Ksr-1/s320/cascadegalleria_23_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The north end of the north wing is mostly blocked off except this piece of the corridor heading to exterior doors where the light is coming in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBrFsOTujHd6kkHk2qD4wLTvGjUnRH02c19XAZEhGx8RjsXNfuXWbQltcWFg8TBiVAtscmz9bn_JrmstUcUS-Uq13Va9xC49toyvpcqMTavTGSeqTWct4mLx2UBWJWivX7p-fkLJYEkfo/s1600/cascadegalleria_24_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBrFsOTujHd6kkHk2qD4wLTvGjUnRH02c19XAZEhGx8RjsXNfuXWbQltcWFg8TBiVAtscmz9bn_JrmstUcUS-Uq13Va9xC49toyvpcqMTavTGSeqTWct4mLx2UBWJWivX7p-fkLJYEkfo/s320/cascadegalleria_24_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Outside entrance from the north end of the north corridor. Perhaps this was designed for a third anchor (Troutman's?) that never came. If so, there was no room to add this anchor without tearing down several buildings.</span></div>
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Like in Meadville, Cascade Galleria was built on the edge of downtown instead of close to the interstate. This meant that the mall was not only in an undesirable location for a mall, but also it was unable to expand. This contributed to Sears departure. Murphy's departure, then a part of the McCrory's chain, was expected as five and dime stores were in sharp decline by the 1990's. When these stores left, no other stores were interested in taking over all of that anchor space. Thus, the mall was ultimately repurposed with what few stores remained replaced with offices. In fact, the only tenant in the mall today that serves a retail purpose is Towne Mall Pizza, an eatery that was not only an original tenant, but also popular enough that it did not need the mall to survive. Family Dollar does occupy a portion of the Sears, but it is only accessible from the outside and does not connect to the mall. Tenants in the mall today include Erie Business Center, AT&T, a credit union, a workers compensation office and a beauty school. Not even a GNC or nail salon is interested in doing business in the mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeMQ4KjVdgSPs4S6ES4oda5l0gtbSAyApwh8AN-w4iR5vEt0ab07ZCmekAHwK3Cav1AAwxLPrBzHCKjVpeGtgtqOD45i2F1YTqT1BMpV_J4bnU0-XRUqR5U2DEgSqWONizsk7sEmeU6F9/s1600/cascadegalleria_26_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeMQ4KjVdgSPs4S6ES4oda5l0gtbSAyApwh8AN-w4iR5vEt0ab07ZCmekAHwK3Cav1AAwxLPrBzHCKjVpeGtgtqOD45i2F1YTqT1BMpV_J4bnU0-XRUqR5U2DEgSqWONizsk7sEmeU6F9/s320/cascadegalleria_26_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAgtdqtxmgH5H28g6X9-G_SS_DlRu3unNbG004XsZLpefCdtYauUZR04_yKsfI1aV6zPfCxK8mOSO15BORz4oSmactfSWRd5s6hCG-VnWXXPpnv2RWiJ66Q4TFw5SLSk8jDsKl80ZYqLw/s1600/cascadegalleria_22_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAgtdqtxmgH5H28g6X9-G_SS_DlRu3unNbG004XsZLpefCdtYauUZR04_yKsfI1aV6zPfCxK8mOSO15BORz4oSmactfSWRd5s6hCG-VnWXXPpnv2RWiJ66Q4TFw5SLSk8jDsKl80ZYqLw/s320/cascadegalleria_22_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking down the very dark north wing to center court with the wall ahead blocking Sears court.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FLSFf4KcRdTZXmGsy9qTK9yCyFNP_eYDDnXuvMhmhTR_xYyQZTEJoz9cVe3d0ao3OYTe645VyIV4foJyceFbE-yChyphenhyphenziM0EcZ6yWvm6VvqN-Wu4vk0m7eT-w1HzzIceRzR3u04ZdQ3DH/s1600/cascadegalleria_27_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FLSFf4KcRdTZXmGsy9qTK9yCyFNP_eYDDnXuvMhmhTR_xYyQZTEJoz9cVe3d0ao3OYTe645VyIV4foJyceFbE-yChyphenhyphenziM0EcZ6yWvm6VvqN-Wu4vk0m7eT-w1HzzIceRzR3u04ZdQ3DH/s320/cascadegalleria_27_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Details of a few of the old shops. The outline of an overhang is visible on one of the former shops on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvB9FV1CtkVi8LyVEl_o_FRMjiapZT4yuZxWtg5K4gYXTWoQK9pKsaFxFMHqcpGiPn09vMIs1d6Mm3BgJMB4_jR7HxFu1iJkU1mOPJRkhMZbkP9X5wPRAffBfaXyfTadGMFpXkDUzYDXR/s1600/cascadegalleria_10_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvB9FV1CtkVi8LyVEl_o_FRMjiapZT4yuZxWtg5K4gYXTWoQK9pKsaFxFMHqcpGiPn09vMIs1d6Mm3BgJMB4_jR7HxFu1iJkU1mOPJRkhMZbkP9X5wPRAffBfaXyfTadGMFpXkDUzYDXR/s320/cascadegalleria_10_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">What is left of the Sears mall entrance is visible down this narrow hallway. The wall to the right used to be part of the Sears wing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY6JfwceeawMYPJJnuT22BvvY2hIMbvAY8LoF1rBE5oCr-OezJpi7EA3kGqGs3InZHrFCN9AVExKjHdofjnjxPykFqhuBg9v_SmEPUMwRw6dsDML53xGRvEfLqcUUCpHilZkqH_bBE8fD/s1600/cascadegalleria_11_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY6JfwceeawMYPJJnuT22BvvY2hIMbvAY8LoF1rBE5oCr-OezJpi7EA3kGqGs3InZHrFCN9AVExKjHdofjnjxPykFqhuBg9v_SmEPUMwRw6dsDML53xGRvEfLqcUUCpHilZkqH_bBE8fD/s320/cascadegalleria_11_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the Sears entrance that is now offices.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N5ZziIkrvwhxtGC087IbSFzBD0v13lUjGaEUe6EJfmI66jtnze5R4BQGRljfJ9ew94nD1AFqzQnGgZpc2JuQfAazRxtZLgMiVXqqcQNn_YfdeHK557RENar4Z-lp15yYDTz162D6tsHh/s1600/newcastlenews_davidcolella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N5ZziIkrvwhxtGC087IbSFzBD0v13lUjGaEUe6EJfmI66jtnze5R4BQGRljfJ9ew94nD1AFqzQnGgZpc2JuQfAazRxtZLgMiVXqqcQNn_YfdeHK557RENar4Z-lp15yYDTz162D6tsHh/s320/newcastlenews_davidcolella.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo contributed to the New Castle News by David Colella showing the Sears mall entrance when it was fully intact.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k-Gibvnbt4LDyjJ_dqBMtxv66osm9DcXGwImImyNem1-bky6k_QNXbDV6scAyhIaSLF1UriCChLlDJdPn6lrKmZPj5ovaWzjxrE-av9H7yanP9ssaDuJNg3KVf8wghyJhIdEd7e-MJVL/s1600/cascadegalleria_14_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k-Gibvnbt4LDyjJ_dqBMtxv66osm9DcXGwImImyNem1-bky6k_QNXbDV6scAyhIaSLF1UriCChLlDJdPn6lrKmZPj5ovaWzjxrE-av9H7yanP9ssaDuJNg3KVf8wghyJhIdEd7e-MJVL/s320/cascadegalleria_14_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDSDQT8N-gySKSyOcfYwWcg8uhkTiEJrdvQpjjB_qkMu3c7hbFSdICv6SsMUdVIff6Ha9jmoYONoB1Glazqj_tg9BTW8BianNKz__C1N8oJwQUVC-rnQICH8gaXKK-OkQBDuM8ORYx0O_/s1600/cascadegalleria_7_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDSDQT8N-gySKSyOcfYwWcg8uhkTiEJrdvQpjjB_qkMu3c7hbFSdICv6SsMUdVIff6Ha9jmoYONoB1Glazqj_tg9BTW8BianNKz__C1N8oJwQUVC-rnQICH8gaXKK-OkQBDuM8ORYx0O_/s320/cascadegalleria_7_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ5KLBDoIVWT9nIuVKel0T7_WGSbyB9X56yUk23zVDdfCsTkBPv3TkSbs51zW6o3cgE7VqD40kfzm88qny3f0yhfgYilLTPJoH3SAENI6e7oCMaRq3Zem4jRvx0bhtl0tVjGJFBN7ZgCn/s1600/cascadegalleria_16_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ5KLBDoIVWT9nIuVKel0T7_WGSbyB9X56yUk23zVDdfCsTkBPv3TkSbs51zW6o3cgE7VqD40kfzm88qny3f0yhfgYilLTPJoH3SAENI6e7oCMaRq3Zem4jRvx0bhtl0tVjGJFBN7ZgCn/s320/cascadegalleria_16_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shots of the west wing walking away from center court. The brick-clad arches on the exterior help to make the mall darker.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcZRAecz46GMRsQVeCKxoAn5ScqhysGlPpRpAnGgvEwHaht3ZA_dO-KQ8jwUIyqaWxZtq6LOBfraq6le9kmX3zFx_nDN2nnEYCJNTtIlblz9BsqZuFQ_TZIv23_F83D2q8tjjwgYhlN9v/s1600/cascadegalleria_17_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcZRAecz46GMRsQVeCKxoAn5ScqhysGlPpRpAnGgvEwHaht3ZA_dO-KQ8jwUIyqaWxZtq6LOBfraq6le9kmX3zFx_nDN2nnEYCJNTtIlblz9BsqZuFQ_TZIv23_F83D2q8tjjwgYhlN9v/s320/cascadegalleria_17_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking down the west wing back toward center court. The next photo shows more detail of the former store on the left.</span></div>
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Sears relocation would ultimately prove to be unsuccessful. For one, New Castle is not large enough nor developed enough to support typically mall-based retailers. Much better shopping options are found a mere 18 miles west in Boardman, OH including Southern Park Mall and a huge variety of big box stores surrounding it. It seems more than anything the mall was built in hopes that people would choose to shop in New Castle rather than make the trek to the vast shopper's paradise to the west. It did not work. Sears in its newer location closed in 2015 after 20 years although Dunham's Sports and Lowe's still operate stores at Union Plaza. While the city is clearly large enough to support some big box retail, it is not large enough to support the types of stores found in malls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAz5-eG8ue_gPHHuvGn5OO5zFNF0MN8qGiZR4o9y3DFLuAcaQMSa4OD3idbOSlIIFAPlxZ8hxavGONARaC4KHyuZ34oZ3VZUPjgVsSUss9vSzJs_IkMZqQNN8pyKLo9YumYrHpIve2ctYe/s1600/cascadegalleria_19_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAz5-eG8ue_gPHHuvGn5OO5zFNF0MN8qGiZR4o9y3DFLuAcaQMSa4OD3idbOSlIIFAPlxZ8hxavGONARaC4KHyuZ34oZ3VZUPjgVsSUss9vSzJs_IkMZqQNN8pyKLo9YumYrHpIve2ctYe/s320/cascadegalleria_19_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former store on west wing. Does anybody know what this was? It has pretty distinctive architecture suggesting a junior anchor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP0VXCBorJY1b3bn7zVSqarDlrvjh4ehuerugaqxZcG-YkXtO-d7uWh-F-UsDsW9UkzjDGMy6N7dmgwiqEPjZEy-b6hVs6ZVtuMWyIQmfIhNCqZkIYxPinq1gnDyXHIdIJaB_b7KS-HD0/s1600/cascadegalleria_18_052717_dnu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP0VXCBorJY1b3bn7zVSqarDlrvjh4ehuerugaqxZcG-YkXtO-d7uWh-F-UsDsW9UkzjDGMy6N7dmgwiqEPjZEy-b6hVs6ZVtuMWyIQmfIhNCqZkIYxPinq1gnDyXHIdIJaB_b7KS-HD0/s320/cascadegalleria_18_052717_dnu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking back to center court along the west wing of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXIFYD371OxRtx8jNUFvm_kwG2U-KPAcz1GZAcVhxblOs3Nx78Hk_FalY8SQf7YUnb5snYTciS_iI36RXI2pHDzjxSbC2igRH5b54SkjWHJ06Jq1Jt5ZacfP28LliYMFPTqAkF0LFrllA/s1600/cascadegalleria_21_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXIFYD371OxRtx8jNUFvm_kwG2U-KPAcz1GZAcVhxblOs3Nx78Hk_FalY8SQf7YUnb5snYTciS_iI36RXI2pHDzjxSbC2igRH5b54SkjWHJ06Jq1Jt5ZacfP28LliYMFPTqAkF0LFrllA/s320/cascadegalleria_21_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Center court looking into the east wing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DQExUw8ZLAVwAbadsOojWElPqkgRdkUQqCS9tBg2dVVmdtJz4LKF7GS5j6myAMpTXLAGalm3SpeIBUVftL_1h_lBysX550loNF0stzNlI8WXutwb2HoZB-p-LN08MGw5QoCMsWe-n80c/s1600/cascadegalleria_32_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DQExUw8ZLAVwAbadsOojWElPqkgRdkUQqCS9tBg2dVVmdtJz4LKF7GS5j6myAMpTXLAGalm3SpeIBUVftL_1h_lBysX550loNF0stzNlI8WXutwb2HoZB-p-LN08MGw5QoCMsWe-n80c/s320/cascadegalleria_32_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Although the sign over the mall appears to have been updated, Town Mall Pizza looks to be the only original tenant remaining in the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO58PCzrUvkraaUyd7ehueNt3IUhg1h1gc6ZPXr2TkIfUeLJRwn4QvriDZHbljjmt7Ws64Bx3r2_leYKRrt1_EUgHIm5dDw58SK3IqtEd-Fuo01PYeHsK-qrHy3bBXb2XbDy8x37Q00rl7/s1600/cascadegalleria_29_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO58PCzrUvkraaUyd7ehueNt3IUhg1h1gc6ZPXr2TkIfUeLJRwn4QvriDZHbljjmt7Ws64Bx3r2_leYKRrt1_EUgHIm5dDw58SK3IqtEd-Fuo01PYeHsK-qrHy3bBXb2XbDy8x37Q00rl7/s320/cascadegalleria_29_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking down the east wing toward the east entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRrmXora1zkVB4IL6m_-He-VnJdGH28FaeqjoRsmQpZGwiMR4o2g5Ip195wQDDddUUTaOCRGMbfPXHtg_LaE4f5OEwokRVEDKZgH_dcVRWFLVlRSIktzVKUm2ZcDcZHxynUN2HNccKR72/s1600/cascadegalleria_30_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRrmXora1zkVB4IL6m_-He-VnJdGH28FaeqjoRsmQpZGwiMR4o2g5Ip195wQDDddUUTaOCRGMbfPXHtg_LaE4f5OEwokRVEDKZgH_dcVRWFLVlRSIktzVKUm2ZcDcZHxynUN2HNccKR72/s320/cascadegalleria_30_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note the unusual overhang of this store coupled with the rather vintage Town Mall Beauty School sign. A photo contributed from the 1970's shows that a store called "Mr. Little's" used to be in this spot fronted by a kiosk. The store to the right was apparently called "Rivet". Next to that was the pretzel stand shown in previous photos.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oPCsZFkHQTlecUgkyq2QpovZRtbgijTslf97U5Yrv5ioKI27Ve7rtObmiNjM1Hqjs9xpRDLoGxtMnqnKzm__Dgu5Up6ybfJgCOk0vXFQWU_PfAPHW8ymQySMWrIagczJgJveg4YGKnlt/s1600/newcastlenews_anthonydicarlo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oPCsZFkHQTlecUgkyq2QpovZRtbgijTslf97U5Yrv5ioKI27Ve7rtObmiNjM1Hqjs9xpRDLoGxtMnqnKzm__Dgu5Up6ybfJgCOk0vXFQWU_PfAPHW8ymQySMWrIagczJgJveg4YGKnlt/s320/newcastlenews_anthonydicarlo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here is the photo from the early days of the mall contributed to the New Castle News by Anthony DiCarlo showing what was originally here. So much has changed, but so much has remained the same.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zVV8fHzxzGa3SmsaAB33zLJcWeAxxuCh7eo-fVixEKDpNNNgZDENW8IWQWZCSBRD757E6wHnIBxpeG2ZeRlL_uXsyg9SEO5z1B4NB35ZdI7jSpUaTEXyhrzAJNG3qwjnCcExukADvW7K/s1600/cascadegalleria_31_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zVV8fHzxzGa3SmsaAB33zLJcWeAxxuCh7eo-fVixEKDpNNNgZDENW8IWQWZCSBRD757E6wHnIBxpeG2ZeRlL_uXsyg9SEO5z1B4NB35ZdI7jSpUaTEXyhrzAJNG3qwjnCcExukADvW7K/s320/cascadegalleria_31_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">What appears to have been the former Rivet location.</span></div>
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It is not clear when Towne Mall became Cascade Galleria, but what is clear is that the mall has barely been touched in over 45 years. While clearly in good repair, almost all of the original 1970 decor is still intact even though portions of the mall have been partially walled off. This includes, unfortunately, all but a small part of the Sears mall entrance and one side of the Murphy's wing. A few original storefronts also remain, although many of those facades were stripped away leaving just drywall and glass. The center of the mall contains a dark, but beautiful wood-grained ceiling with a vaulted court and high window skylights. The mall also has planters and one fountain that has long since been turned off. The layout is shaped like a cross with the former Sears at the top of the cross, the main entrances on each side and a smaller entrance at the bottom of the cross.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh9Z95KKFAksCtvZI6JsL6rfPovaz6tvMHZ33zRjq6L-mmMj9_Lrx6m62UEqIBd1kmamCjvQcNVpY8Gu779wvmFUihcgit89JUIahedv2crIPfeos9iOjn_2KRoerKGM8mzTHJuRZ7Wvq/s1600/cascadegalleria_34_052717_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh9Z95KKFAksCtvZI6JsL6rfPovaz6tvMHZ33zRjq6L-mmMj9_Lrx6m62UEqIBd1kmamCjvQcNVpY8Gu779wvmFUihcgit89JUIahedv2crIPfeos9iOjn_2KRoerKGM8mzTHJuRZ7Wvq/s320/cascadegalleria_34_052717_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV8ZshrWBr5e2fS7oTLi1kIzn7HF-RS8I6iNcOiHLwvyOazxC3J_kmFZ6oVRXlGVtRrWZEo2hyUY5PYzOu_r5y08c6kxkNYKu0RmdLPpLaHJPT6P2pSfYPyM4KwBNk5CB3EC8iPWK_Xg1/s1600/cascadegalleria_40_052717_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV8ZshrWBr5e2fS7oTLi1kIzn7HF-RS8I6iNcOiHLwvyOazxC3J_kmFZ6oVRXlGVtRrWZEo2hyUY5PYzOu_r5y08c6kxkNYKu0RmdLPpLaHJPT6P2pSfYPyM4KwBNk5CB3EC8iPWK_Xg1/s320/cascadegalleria_40_052717_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exterior shots of the former Sears, much of what has been taken up by Erie Business Center (west side) and a portion by Family Dollar on the east side. Part of the store appears to remain vacant.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrPXlT6MAXpgc8_Pd1I8s6qc6VJWRrPujbUPORcIfp2BEg0e8Tu-VQJneXFwtRiBHDEb4S6y9OuoDHD5M-ed9ZP8DoMC3Px3TPny1oz8niuP_coHN833Oj-UXraDUeaAiajItKf2oVuh2/s1600/cascadegalleria_35a_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrPXlT6MAXpgc8_Pd1I8s6qc6VJWRrPujbUPORcIfp2BEg0e8Tu-VQJneXFwtRiBHDEb4S6y9OuoDHD5M-ed9ZP8DoMC3Px3TPny1oz8niuP_coHN833Oj-UXraDUeaAiajItKf2oVuh2/s320/cascadegalleria_35a_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UlsR54RHFYTuyqdOznstg36_tpZHXw65eJTGs2kiyXyT3T11bSHpmE5m3oZOZQrtRp0GWU35oul3S9D802QPQsNQgLyFK_ntzQsqGxEv1jfyNTXNoYmkFYD0_BGa4kafWDl4ByXM1F2y/s1600/cascadegalleria_37_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UlsR54RHFYTuyqdOznstg36_tpZHXw65eJTGs2kiyXyT3T11bSHpmE5m3oZOZQrtRp0GWU35oul3S9D802QPQsNQgLyFK_ntzQsqGxEv1jfyNTXNoYmkFYD0_BGa4kafWDl4ByXM1F2y/s320/cascadegalleria_37_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the outside of the east entrance of the mall. It was really quite an attractive design for 1970.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGeTY4V77U3IyTU-XdLjAdvRIDc6-7dhn8UnioH5zc5FYwVjnJ-q0CdY-Y3ou108VQsWInqAG_I2OL7TPqPPAlYu8pgDZGor2EME13UmHul77W3pjNr89xBwEt2Tzc4cm5yr4bVgLLLsI/s1600/cascadegalleria_36a_052717_murphys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGeTY4V77U3IyTU-XdLjAdvRIDc6-7dhn8UnioH5zc5FYwVjnJ-q0CdY-Y3ou108VQsWInqAG_I2OL7TPqPPAlYu8pgDZGor2EME13UmHul77W3pjNr89xBwEt2Tzc4cm5yr4bVgLLLsI/s320/cascadegalleria_36a_052717_murphys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Murphy's location (outside entrance). It looks like much of the right side of the north wing was taken up by Murphy's. Today it houses what appears to be a call center for AT&T.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yWxBOZMgMm9SAN2MjNm0w8ekoBsJbFSL7zkPJnH3SPjqdRwr_27kEmhSfNfEaJRSFtxHoiBau7z3o89JSiv6JwzaV5kPHE57Yk6hv3LmZMn9km_lFm28LerWoSLN4csuS7qPo3ecEIEP/s1600/cascadegalleria_39_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yWxBOZMgMm9SAN2MjNm0w8ekoBsJbFSL7zkPJnH3SPjqdRwr_27kEmhSfNfEaJRSFtxHoiBau7z3o89JSiv6JwzaV5kPHE57Yk6hv3LmZMn9km_lFm28LerWoSLN4csuS7qPo3ecEIEP/s320/cascadegalleria_39_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">On the southeast outlot of the mall is this former grocery store. Was this a former Top's or something else?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AxnhdeI7swYsCPiSDlm1T_8LoQ2ODuGn7MQBN7t3hu7WyPPRNNcHkIorNHFfByB0Rp2N-FXK1Olgdnct9j0V-QNhr1rXpHpWKL7BWqPRyLHpYPl7HchpGAUHeA-yyOAHfTSsRWqP7lcK/s1600/cascadegalleria_41_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AxnhdeI7swYsCPiSDlm1T_8LoQ2ODuGn7MQBN7t3hu7WyPPRNNcHkIorNHFfByB0Rp2N-FXK1Olgdnct9j0V-QNhr1rXpHpWKL7BWqPRyLHpYPl7HchpGAUHeA-yyOAHfTSsRWqP7lcK/s320/cascadegalleria_41_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the west side of the mall with Sears barely visible on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kdOKH_KchgldK3hEcsEITFmXTWnW6y-edXEG5VKeiVYl0NZDxsveEFEEpG1jbJne3iywwu6Biil2gqfpcLAiDgu84LObspDxTqDsCiUxuiV6bWqxjUn1KpgYJpSJdAUYXGwOPG9VKFFS/s1600/cascadegalleria_38a_052717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kdOKH_KchgldK3hEcsEITFmXTWnW6y-edXEG5VKeiVYl0NZDxsveEFEEpG1jbJne3iywwu6Biil2gqfpcLAiDgu84LObspDxTqDsCiUxuiV6bWqxjUn1KpgYJpSJdAUYXGwOPG9VKFFS/s320/cascadegalleria_38a_052717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The name and logo appears to have been changed in the mid-1980's, but the sign itself is the same sign frame used for Towne Mall originally.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMkk5Vz0Qrs5zIXQJzZg4p0qGsfakstz3WxceecHMxerxTrIBJgSB2G9Q7Ebf_J31KeLEmUyGzCIUTsuLbGlD-yPKdzL66dVrRM_P4ubNDyHVCHAQdrSfeLUNiqXY6t-VX3lBCdyrAF1l/s1600/cascadegalleria_44_052717_searsreplacementstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMkk5Vz0Qrs5zIXQJzZg4p0qGsfakstz3WxceecHMxerxTrIBJgSB2G9Q7Ebf_J31KeLEmUyGzCIUTsuLbGlD-yPKdzL66dVrRM_P4ubNDyHVCHAQdrSfeLUNiqXY6t-VX3lBCdyrAF1l/s320/cascadegalleria_44_052717_searsreplacementstore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Last, but not least, is Sears replacement store located three miles to the west at the intersection of US 224 and I-376 (Pennsylvania Turnpike). It closed in 2015.</span></div>
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Since Cascade Galleria is repurposed in an area that is not growing, it is realistic to assume that the mall is not going anywhere. However, what often happens with repurposed malls is that a larger tenant ultimately takes over much of the mall such as a medical center, government offices or a call center. Right now, that is shared among multiple businesses, but that can change at any time: especially for a mall this tiny. When this happens, corridors are walled off and the vintage elements are stripped away making the building look like any other modern building inside. As it is right now, two corridors are already partially walled off suggesting such a metamorphosis is already underway. For right now, despite no longer functioning as a retail mall, another mid-century enclosed mall is still mostly intact and unmodified from its original look reminding us of the golden age of retail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7QrVLwMAj5ciHCJjUqgkQ7tdBTTZ7xU4HlbTMsLWNupoVa7lmbRO4Rgwy_FNlycHUA4vSe1MvfwQSv_anLjfyXpblPOhLV0maYjuPMqTw8T6T6Z_65GP9Qr2jI8WG2qieC47SuicPFWi/s1600/cascadegalleria_2+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="956" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7QrVLwMAj5ciHCJjUqgkQ7tdBTTZ7xU4HlbTMsLWNupoVa7lmbRO4Rgwy_FNlycHUA4vSe1MvfwQSv_anLjfyXpblPOhLV0maYjuPMqTw8T6T6Z_65GP9Qr2jI8WG2qieC47SuicPFWi/s320/cascadegalleria_2+copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-90859317716328436972017-07-01T15:24:00.000-07:002017-12-20T10:55:45.100-08:00Clearfield Mall: Clearfield (Lawrence Township), PAThe rarest find in terms of retail is the existence of the mythical enclosed strip. One of the oddest mall types, this design feature seems to exist solely in regions known for harsh winters providing the benefits of a strip mall without the exposure to the elements. While this design would seem to be popular, it does not appear that any centers of this type were constructed after the early-to-mid 1970's. Clearfield Mall is one of the most classic examples of such a mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e-Ucxgyo4bMbQht2mmSTSIyZ7AfxfdVrkZa60diuQWZ4I9lXpX-Kp7PESu9WniEqpql0cNsIucOI_A347Kyg7ZydHaPGVdnCf1TGelmm2ufXR0TjnaL3IhuTfAWY-2a7Q1BdsC5EeZcJ/s1600/clearfield_5a_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4e-Ucxgyo4bMbQht2mmSTSIyZ7AfxfdVrkZa60diuQWZ4I9lXpX-Kp7PESu9WniEqpql0cNsIucOI_A347Kyg7ZydHaPGVdnCf1TGelmm2ufXR0TjnaL3IhuTfAWY-2a7Q1BdsC5EeZcJ/s320/clearfield_5a_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Built in 1970, Clearfield Mall was also one of the first centers built by Zamias Realty featuring a pair of tenants typical in their early malls: a discounter and catalog department store. In this case, this pair included Murphy's Mart and JCPenney. The mall itself did not end at either store, instead fronting both stores just the same as if it was an open strip center. However, the mall has a catch in that in the bend of the mall a small back corridor leads to a set of doors into a back parking lot. With no anchor, it does not seem this corridor would have ever been much of a draw, but it was still open to the public with nearly every storefront vacant with exception to a financial services office and a second Goodwill store (which appeared to be offices, also).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uaGU3eAbizOSAYLNC34WppMtMgOj3jpFJurOZmQSHJSGlkUpSv3_KNO97s24calGIr0QSr7-Cr0avsLGaUgjucuVRP_WJ8AFnNz3NfpzM_7eI0L0ZNAq1KcEmxUOHtgwBJgdLb8kjRa_/s1600/clearfield_44_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uaGU3eAbizOSAYLNC34WppMtMgOj3jpFJurOZmQSHJSGlkUpSv3_KNO97s24calGIr0QSr7-Cr0avsLGaUgjucuVRP_WJ8AFnNz3NfpzM_7eI0L0ZNAq1KcEmxUOHtgwBJgdLb8kjRa_/s320/clearfield_44_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You KNOW when you see a mall with a front like this, it's going to be shockingly old inside as well.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEi5xXprAYSMdLDQi45GfcFDRBNTMtUHVYwNbm018CT7sARkwHkJJfML5yQ0F8tGezXgTF-gvzG5ivxhDuJ7j1n7I-rRZKettB51e_H-e6VVxBHGSXchrwHgwTi50VXg_rvnqoyMzVmB1/s1600/clearfield_1_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEi5xXprAYSMdLDQi45GfcFDRBNTMtUHVYwNbm018CT7sARkwHkJJfML5yQ0F8tGezXgTF-gvzG5ivxhDuJ7j1n7I-rRZKettB51e_H-e6VVxBHGSXchrwHgwTi50VXg_rvnqoyMzVmB1/s320/clearfield_1_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney is in the midst of flying the coop. It is uncertain what will replace it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv5KVlbBf9f7hCosfiWrZCUHVcokTmuWXGIsGGrA7WaHmOlC8xqygCFQH8K6qw-cZc4xG06vei1OeL37-VccoPQeUSlmcNtgkZ2PJmpaZrdasHUTslOJrhGDUILQBha31Cbmt-u179rXH/s1600/clearfield_7_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv5KVlbBf9f7hCosfiWrZCUHVcokTmuWXGIsGGrA7WaHmOlC8xqygCFQH8K6qw-cZc4xG06vei1OeL37-VccoPQeUSlmcNtgkZ2PJmpaZrdasHUTslOJrhGDUILQBha31Cbmt-u179rXH/s320/clearfield_7_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjmQ9299IfHIL6SZRKgAeUR812Zt3Lc2vTu1mLsyM_vUkvuRtq-tzU2Q9Ros4BJIR7Wse23CCKySErsS4VmfFxYaGaL9-E1W47iIyuksPfi_GO22YejsXWL-ARVPR6TyoOxqkvP92VuNc/s1600/clearfield_3_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjmQ9299IfHIL6SZRKgAeUR812Zt3Lc2vTu1mLsyM_vUkvuRtq-tzU2Q9Ros4BJIR7Wse23CCKySErsS4VmfFxYaGaL9-E1W47iIyuksPfi_GO22YejsXWL-ARVPR6TyoOxqkvP92VuNc/s320/clearfield_3_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FnFoVXSucjXVHl530yu-661kj-QtiseCdJXrcjqEfNBcBkcQ2J85mfpEm-7M9R_v4j_1UAsf9u8l9nhitIfJ4ENXDQQQ7LI7typVen8yxH6u2D_U1yKjBQtecU4B5sKhxhPt0da8Aqhi/s1600/clearfield_6_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FnFoVXSucjXVHl530yu-661kj-QtiseCdJXrcjqEfNBcBkcQ2J85mfpEm-7M9R_v4j_1UAsf9u8l9nhitIfJ4ENXDQQQ7LI7typVen8yxH6u2D_U1yKjBQtecU4B5sKhxhPt0da8Aqhi/s320/clearfield_6_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A few more shots of the front of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJH5Eoyg304Be6io7X-EYNNgEPFN_DQGdFI-fNULsD3zvWxm72HJHcti_EUqL3NM4_iLGH_WKQybr8gaB9AN04qwAVIkGMvkEu2Av9H-29jeJ7ubsDUI695VDGQ-LpLa9k0XXjkCTYhUU/s1600/clearfield_9_052917_murphys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJH5Eoyg304Be6io7X-EYNNgEPFN_DQGdFI-fNULsD3zvWxm72HJHcti_EUqL3NM4_iLGH_WKQybr8gaB9AN04qwAVIkGMvkEu2Av9H-29jeJ7ubsDUI695VDGQ-LpLa9k0XXjkCTYhUU/s320/clearfield_9_052917_murphys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">At the Ollie's end of the mall. Enclosed strips do not have traditional mall entrances. This was once Murphy's, later Hills and Ames. It was vacant up until Ollie's arrived.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNmNF4Amez_5nQ86tKsHy3lnLEMTaeCNzVEOec7mfEjGuWeKasu-Z-gGF3Keq4s-aZIDBCzN75vJiSq2et6XDC6iTtjZrO6gcfGjD2fHBQFT_4uXajQX01L_D94iD04Keo75OdTldqFSo/s1600/clearfield_10_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNmNF4Amez_5nQ86tKsHy3lnLEMTaeCNzVEOec7mfEjGuWeKasu-Z-gGF3Keq4s-aZIDBCzN75vJiSq2et6XDC6iTtjZrO6gcfGjD2fHBQFT_4uXajQX01L_D94iD04Keo75OdTldqFSo/s320/clearfield_10_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look back into the "main mall", which as you can see is one-sided.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp0RQfJZF8FzH7rUxKCif3PKnuyEKyvsDK_05u3RzUH-454fKI76GIZfugemnm6uZL4gkpAVAbwCvMeJyzNC-eWMvxOcze-Ctk6f6EHeUMmzahLpggbcQBOk2YrkirIdfnHBqqyJCZ39i/s1600/clearfield_11_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp0RQfJZF8FzH7rUxKCif3PKnuyEKyvsDK_05u3RzUH-454fKI76GIZfugemnm6uZL4gkpAVAbwCvMeJyzNC-eWMvxOcze-Ctk6f6EHeUMmzahLpggbcQBOk2YrkirIdfnHBqqyJCZ39i/s320/clearfield_11_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dollar General operates in part of what was originally Fashion Bug.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-X3O2xm21Ssq-G-Y69GceXCTj7qhS9A4fYhcn8FkCtNKdF0HbiZMctw_owBvRU4FrXveksbqEecqoVsUP8Z42U329BUEsBpsGdjxmIlCk-1g6-etI-WmYKphaPllAx4Niz86ud0DgOXEE/s1600/clearfield_12_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-X3O2xm21Ssq-G-Y69GceXCTj7qhS9A4fYhcn8FkCtNKdF0HbiZMctw_owBvRU4FrXveksbqEecqoVsUP8Z42U329BUEsBpsGdjxmIlCk-1g6-etI-WmYKphaPllAx4Niz86ud0DgOXEE/s320/clearfield_12_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A mini-arcade rests on the parking lot side of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbR2sbVDuXtKDUtpjl4DTMENRCMD0WKZ2V00J2IDTk_baSWbxuIS9C854ojJm0nzy_LD4HBlfuHuCbjroJ0O9gL-eqkSEgx1oOCtkfzsvb3_1LZrNAq2KDo1JjLO9Q8P50z5SbWJa15jN/s1600/clearfield_13_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbR2sbVDuXtKDUtpjl4DTMENRCMD0WKZ2V00J2IDTk_baSWbxuIS9C854ojJm0nzy_LD4HBlfuHuCbjroJ0O9gL-eqkSEgx1oOCtkfzsvb3_1LZrNAq2KDo1JjLO9Q8P50z5SbWJa15jN/s320/clearfield_13_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q0jKpbtDSBMteSHheWlQULTwv54v4LWOccbhF-lc5wr6tlLnXazZv_iw5veQD4pET1UZerDWVh51DcJPYrCyKpiM785_8P6lpn7WIXI_Rrqjxi6DXHU_zjkwLGyK2Wgc_LA3chIYPCx4/s1600/clearfield_14_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q0jKpbtDSBMteSHheWlQULTwv54v4LWOccbhF-lc5wr6tlLnXazZv_iw5veQD4pET1UZerDWVh51DcJPYrCyKpiM785_8P6lpn7WIXI_Rrqjxi6DXHU_zjkwLGyK2Wgc_LA3chIYPCx4/s320/clearfield_14_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hallmark has been replaced by the sound of someone exhaling the "H" sound.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HHezhe79d1TG3RNkhx_4MK90CYJNKQOsXuZct2dv4dzTNFjYDLVLf0KcVY7hWjpM7P-UWjZ7UxSNZblg8ZwTVzBsFQsA6bmxRTkyVFlJ1zQQ7VcVIeikQydehHS1c79X3p7QSR1RXNsp/s1600/clearfield_58_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HHezhe79d1TG3RNkhx_4MK90CYJNKQOsXuZct2dv4dzTNFjYDLVLf0KcVY7hWjpM7P-UWjZ7UxSNZblg8ZwTVzBsFQsA6bmxRTkyVFlJ1zQQ7VcVIeikQydehHS1c79X3p7QSR1RXNsp/s320/clearfield_58_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hallmark is now the hall of shelves</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju08FQ3oUMMfVjA5_fjLmcwMvdh6KZv6iQLsU3Qb9smwMwULD7g0ekRF4ZIBgH6zyABxh-XAHlDexVl3lLUHtObsc2ZVjcX2EM8bLW0W43ws5h1dFnVaf8Z6DsAB2p0EvHeKSI8JVyNX9A/s1600/clearfield_15_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju08FQ3oUMMfVjA5_fjLmcwMvdh6KZv6iQLsU3Qb9smwMwULD7g0ekRF4ZIBgH6zyABxh-XAHlDexVl3lLUHtObsc2ZVjcX2EM8bLW0W43ws5h1dFnVaf8Z6DsAB2p0EvHeKSI8JVyNX9A/s320/clearfield_15_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The funny thing with a mall like this is you'd expect a leaky, yellowed ceiling and disrepair, but this mall is still a Zamias property and is actually well-maintained. Vintage does not always mean a moldy public health hazard. You can see updated lights and sprinklers meaning the roof is in good shape. If you keep up the roof and fix nothing else, these old malls could last forever.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTCrFoFN31QQq2FtQCYJ2bHfT6MRbzaUx8oS9Tl7mySFaXeY3Oujx2x6tWJ8AsV_iMDEAeH-enJngW5xFoL4HfIXJAaXdVpGZL20b-BJz6-oeGO6nZB6ihZEAQZR2EAEWK5ZqMvCgxM9G/s1600/clearfield_57_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTCrFoFN31QQq2FtQCYJ2bHfT6MRbzaUx8oS9Tl7mySFaXeY3Oujx2x6tWJ8AsV_iMDEAeH-enJngW5xFoL4HfIXJAaXdVpGZL20b-BJz6-oeGO6nZB6ihZEAQZR2EAEWK5ZqMvCgxM9G/s320/clearfield_57_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside the GNC. It's as original as they come other than the updated logo.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgXLpLgFYV2xlQGMYHYhkZJdOwvkRUp6AueyBDGAQldQDHQdvO_qrKTQDr3pNwgW4i_n0J9JbnxAMA_a6NH8yndm8EkdsfeQsK4Rfxlman65Eqf45n_Dw0LYDRfPbhYgXvEi93jA2bMV1/s1600/clearfield_17_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgXLpLgFYV2xlQGMYHYhkZJdOwvkRUp6AueyBDGAQldQDHQdvO_qrKTQDr3pNwgW4i_n0J9JbnxAMA_a6NH8yndm8EkdsfeQsK4Rfxlman65Eqf45n_Dw0LYDRfPbhYgXvEi93jA2bMV1/s320/clearfield_17_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Whatever store operated on the right was a very tight squeeze. It's basically a built-in kiosk.</span></div>
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Today, Clearfield Mall is not doing too hot. The former Murphy's Mart, later Ames, is today Ollie's Bargain Outlet and JCPenney is in the process of closing their nearly 50 year old store. While the JCPenney seems to be in otherwise good condition, it is clearly one of the weakest stores in the chain. In addition, like Clarion Mall, a Peebles sits in the outlot instead of in the mall itself effectively stealing business from JCPenney. The mall itself, however, is easy to fill with only about 15 stores and about 50% occupancy suggesting that remaining tenants are likely to leave soon. The Hallmark is long closed, and remaining retail stores today include Pennsylvania Wine & Spirits, Dollar General, Goodwill and GNC. The Dollar General in particular hid a labelscar for now-defunct Fashion Bug.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNtMVu0Z6bclIqC2fXbp9_KdAwdYPEcuRcwQS10pXV3opU0IJhnwfCuw7L2O84aeLZHCswuVtYPWUvL7WK0S9HiC2erjmg_zfKLP04XCFx4WEtuvZjNpn4qK-JExmJAZY7RKuS6y85-jh/s1600/clearfield_18_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNtMVu0Z6bclIqC2fXbp9_KdAwdYPEcuRcwQS10pXV3opU0IJhnwfCuw7L2O84aeLZHCswuVtYPWUvL7WK0S9HiC2erjmg_zfKLP04XCFx4WEtuvZjNpn4qK-JExmJAZY7RKuS6y85-jh/s320/clearfield_18_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The state-run liquor store nears what could best be considered "center court", which is where the L-shaped enclosed strip turns and reveals an interior full mall section.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH62_cgNyKLGpOqY7ELb2K2V20jjx8BdSwZN5owZHXOcAGd2zOev2PEpfk8smOMdWi0Jzh8KHrfpmtQf-pJT8n-9ZTnix3ESCzNCmygltT9baM8jzVbTxlOKoRkbTyFWf7KoG63tPgeNjW/s1600/clearfield_19_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH62_cgNyKLGpOqY7ELb2K2V20jjx8BdSwZN5owZHXOcAGd2zOev2PEpfk8smOMdWi0Jzh8KHrfpmtQf-pJT8n-9ZTnix3ESCzNCmygltT9baM8jzVbTxlOKoRkbTyFWf7KoG63tPgeNjW/s320/clearfield_19_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">What surprises await those around this spooky looking bend?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ulGJmjanbDIJZhiqiwMcLZOZ9zl_GGFylNSApPgzNdTwQkaneCEpXx1qYl83PZ7ut3SNEXctLxvfBG2GtakmMsFY_-UUZ8ekBGaZdZzaYtHrF0GAl2zLr31Q8tR4Ad4wJTrFtjFEw19C/s1600/clearfield_20_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ulGJmjanbDIJZhiqiwMcLZOZ9zl_GGFylNSApPgzNdTwQkaneCEpXx1qYl83PZ7ut3SNEXctLxvfBG2GtakmMsFY_-UUZ8ekBGaZdZzaYtHrF0GAl2zLr31Q8tR4Ad4wJTrFtjFEw19C/s320/clearfield_20_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And here it is! The back mall. On the left is this highly intriguing corner with original wood paneling. Was it just a design flaw they couldn't figure out what to do with?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis12oO1xNOFnLVx40_pNal946lMAvwMHwvlB0ChqqtrGIZTK37zm8X_N1I-I4qSzqczm-AQZkRiLeBAG0OUZLxXeEWFQFEfEahHTWR4SiPdMEL8gY4EjWtDHbz5ZQeVYxBYEg8Rmv_X2Ue/s1600/clearfield_21_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis12oO1xNOFnLVx40_pNal946lMAvwMHwvlB0ChqqtrGIZTK37zm8X_N1I-I4qSzqczm-AQZkRiLeBAG0OUZLxXeEWFQFEfEahHTWR4SiPdMEL8gY4EjWtDHbz5ZQeVYxBYEg8Rmv_X2Ue/s320/clearfield_21_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnC_-S4QeflgYkS6OEKexVp7K0QLtltvFJE6LhUuc76Hf3nWDx93KekmV-rXUwjpf_heKwL-shhEQn_kJ47anAGXqwpodhr1mzTX7TwE4aidAZeZgc7V-b0jypNqfyyES_Yn08fp8bK25/s1600/clearfield_22_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnC_-S4QeflgYkS6OEKexVp7K0QLtltvFJE6LhUuc76Hf3nWDx93KekmV-rXUwjpf_heKwL-shhEQn_kJ47anAGXqwpodhr1mzTX7TwE4aidAZeZgc7V-b0jypNqfyyES_Yn08fp8bK25/s320/clearfield_22_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">It looks to be an original Foot Locker forgotten to time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClK_aFon58KjlBLnnpPUhwV8tN6NUf3rAAd7qzVp4xvbxcCMd4lOuInm0KWvmvgeDYmoF07y6AG7YSDdwaUTu0AYNVog9FS9vbLywa8yi7wUDxhvuK81hShUtk42KhW1t4Kvzls-sfs0p/s1600/clearfield_23_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClK_aFon58KjlBLnnpPUhwV8tN6NUf3rAAd7qzVp4xvbxcCMd4lOuInm0KWvmvgeDYmoF07y6AG7YSDdwaUTu0AYNVog9FS9vbLywa8yi7wUDxhvuK81hShUtk42KhW1t4Kvzls-sfs0p/s320/clearfield_23_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Geez, set up a lemonade stand or something. I cannot imagine any parent willing to give their kids a gumball from that machine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRfh-qRWnJdnMSlKsh4FNXdun7aBxSxxQtr8pmQIV3Y488GBd4rCVffqzucwmtWz_HoqF6wNYqwmCRhQKM52oXTWUbuuXkvDwlqe0KAH-9YamXktKxo8GMd8qUUtMQKgCXnzPvSMXwpvM/s1600/clearfield_24_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRfh-qRWnJdnMSlKsh4FNXdun7aBxSxxQtr8pmQIV3Y488GBd4rCVffqzucwmtWz_HoqF6wNYqwmCRhQKM52oXTWUbuuXkvDwlqe0KAH-9YamXktKxo8GMd8qUUtMQKgCXnzPvSMXwpvM/s320/clearfield_24_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO4nIB8fS0IOrvxsGFoNFP4u9UiHsRDrcyJvR1e3bbw9SkosMUsLcfjD5W2cowLLlUgRJhjF89pTZ_jRfLlLRibyYLTx7dNYGi4nfDud8DqnkhAMOSJTz8uGBrX1Pb5uDvqQ_w9-ebjZn/s1600/clearfield_25_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEO4nIB8fS0IOrvxsGFoNFP4u9UiHsRDrcyJvR1e3bbw9SkosMUsLcfjD5W2cowLLlUgRJhjF89pTZ_jRfLlLRibyYLTx7dNYGi4nfDud8DqnkhAMOSJTz8uGBrX1Pb5uDvqQ_w9-ebjZn/s320/clearfield_25_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yessir, this just leads to a back door. No anchor, no reason to go back there at all. It's clear from the vacant storefronts that not many have in years.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZQV_RIb6sS5FM8GT0IL_jl9Z10ZbdUJE2dOl4P5HOBp4s6mkOE_ng4RDScA1T-O7_MVAPW_GPlqhyGAGKYuwGVFeQl3BdqvRlGLjdHWpMLtXCw5v4w4dwlmZT1lLiXdWMEbME4A1QGs8/s1600/clearfield_26_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZQV_RIb6sS5FM8GT0IL_jl9Z10ZbdUJE2dOl4P5HOBp4s6mkOE_ng4RDScA1T-O7_MVAPW_GPlqhyGAGKYuwGVFeQl3BdqvRlGLjdHWpMLtXCw5v4w4dwlmZT1lLiXdWMEbME4A1QGs8/s320/clearfield_26_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr-vI2cEs_3-e2Pa-D2XiCiVTKco5TXPPiJB4k1djRGKeehhDbRuFc6bntu08Q02owdkp5H0j6B_weWPzboNlsoW1aWkLp5CwbRpJf2AeJHWUh0dLHMB5vLzKWrLR1ccQLJ5cCsdDuj6_/s1600/clearfield_27_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihr-vI2cEs_3-e2Pa-D2XiCiVTKco5TXPPiJB4k1djRGKeehhDbRuFc6bntu08Q02owdkp5H0j6B_weWPzboNlsoW1aWkLp5CwbRpJf2AeJHWUh0dLHMB5vLzKWrLR1ccQLJ5cCsdDuj6_/s320/clearfield_27_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQshrm5yy1AwFC9-fJ6-5lpqD0HyqpRFVlaoQsFxrrOBUj-en51uI0VFMxwlTBBNCE2m3JV9g0SuI0nY8dnlicDJwOTyA-VTSNHvmv_XNtAmCW1gBUC3xvDMwEBogGn_w1F0cnUFjURbM/s1600/clearfield_29_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQshrm5yy1AwFC9-fJ6-5lpqD0HyqpRFVlaoQsFxrrOBUj-en51uI0VFMxwlTBBNCE2m3JV9g0SuI0nY8dnlicDJwOTyA-VTSNHvmv_XNtAmCW1gBUC3xvDMwEBogGn_w1F0cnUFjURbM/s320/clearfield_29_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It is impossible to tell what this ever was, but what is inside looks like just storage.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktzidMOhXOFBZ7Au6TKGo7bDj179uJWuTi2nQDuOoB3nUpBzWIKKNbtTmWnTILGicy7y7FcUuXgkbISneNwbaCbHJYpjnGXFu2e7rcgcOkrUSFGAVr0OG-lirMpYQJk7WRFVfUmXBOYxE/s1600/clearfield_28_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktzidMOhXOFBZ7Au6TKGo7bDj179uJWuTi2nQDuOoB3nUpBzWIKKNbtTmWnTILGicy7y7FcUuXgkbISneNwbaCbHJYpjnGXFu2e7rcgcOkrUSFGAVr0OG-lirMpYQJk7WRFVfUmXBOYxE/s320/clearfield_28_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Let's see what's outside these doors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIgNICzKQSn5AdX3odIscNUaxBPu6A6SncVMKNirtGzFrC1DI8LjHRfduU859h7PRGXwUntA7Ib2V8zm5obdYJ4M4y06PO_lB4SoHRjJyxl-HRUwzR2CI4dV4ifBCKlWG5x42wthP_EZe/s1600/clearfield_49_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIgNICzKQSn5AdX3odIscNUaxBPu6A6SncVMKNirtGzFrC1DI8LjHRfduU859h7PRGXwUntA7Ib2V8zm5obdYJ4M4y06PO_lB4SoHRjJyxl-HRUwzR2CI4dV4ifBCKlWG5x42wthP_EZe/s320/clearfield_49_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Umm, okay. This REALLY makes you want to shop here. What's insane is that these doors are even accessible!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzfBkqmQ9Ak6eCvfIucFIrfenTfT4avfcZq7USdzIAy7FZd5viVGSKfYhbJFG2XuNW2u4kdjz25yd7ty_tU5yB6bfoaO8p_KsKGhIUNIROaQqHXmzYn_KQ2EwHp6QOtangqoWRLyQeq8X/s1600/clearfield_52_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzfBkqmQ9Ak6eCvfIucFIrfenTfT4avfcZq7USdzIAy7FZd5viVGSKfYhbJFG2XuNW2u4kdjz25yd7ty_tU5yB6bfoaO8p_KsKGhIUNIROaQqHXmzYn_KQ2EwHp6QOtangqoWRLyQeq8X/s320/clearfield_52_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cinder block with appropriate graffiti. It makes you think they hoped to land a third anchor here in the back, but it just never worked out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuinTi92dcKykfZuKbwwP1DtA0dm4pklGjt3P3FRpRGd2e7tQWnRdG-uwtOdCiwlAGq1dXBPvly_A8BPUn4ajWGTuvD3hvum1uFsLO86oiEigea1n9IM8xJjIBA2SZ6nHqsGTdREikqwG/s1600/clearfield_31_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuinTi92dcKykfZuKbwwP1DtA0dm4pklGjt3P3FRpRGd2e7tQWnRdG-uwtOdCiwlAGq1dXBPvly_A8BPUn4ajWGTuvD3hvum1uFsLO86oiEigea1n9IM8xJjIBA2SZ6nHqsGTdREikqwG/s320/clearfield_31_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking back in those double doors into the corridor of lost hope. The doors on the left appeared to be some restaurant.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsviFU7WXzNKnXw-WJgbnXeLzZgvfRyXposbX6k3IdDpEntwupsoJ-yUdgTUIfBdXKLyt85zkrdYyhgY5JV2liG-zSfAzxr6nNSia93Pi-1ELZ4VUZmSJsIAUHjirWZALe-8_09k6ZEa52/s1600/clearfield_48_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsviFU7WXzNKnXw-WJgbnXeLzZgvfRyXposbX6k3IdDpEntwupsoJ-yUdgTUIfBdXKLyt85zkrdYyhgY5JV2liG-zSfAzxr6nNSia93Pi-1ELZ4VUZmSJsIAUHjirWZALe-8_09k6ZEa52/s320/clearfield_48_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside, it looks like the Sad Cafe circa 1985.</span></div>
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The mall is also a museum of pretty much every design cue from 1970. Not only has it not been updated, but the back wing features a mystery space featuring a faux-room with no outer walls and scuffed up wood paneling at the beginning of the back portion. Floors and other fixtures also appear to be original. While the mall is clean and not in disrepair, the lack of interest in updating the property suggests that its days are numbered as an enclosed mall. While the JCPenney was likely marginally profitable, it likely pays next to nothing in rent. This suggests that the future of this center is not a mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRkYZ37-bmbMk3NR6cPlMX3N-B9Anv1gVL2cs1ZHAIaoQ-ocStSOGiLyRoQgQlSHsPEVLjCD3Qz_DDmhFGzMZZd_7G3n7aKQOlXw7cDq_nOwCxWxdQJLmhV_wJjf8JcuJ-MDgCtOc8Aol/s1600/clearfield_34_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRkYZ37-bmbMk3NR6cPlMX3N-B9Anv1gVL2cs1ZHAIaoQ-ocStSOGiLyRoQgQlSHsPEVLjCD3Qz_DDmhFGzMZZd_7G3n7aKQOlXw7cDq_nOwCxWxdQJLmhV_wJjf8JcuJ-MDgCtOc8Aol/s320/clearfield_34_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Leaving the back mall wing heading to what will soon not be JCPenney.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb4wqcd2W570G0K5LHLHfptWJLmeQetZSq-ql-5J75Cal93dIEuIScEkIHfE_qIJCtKFhyUz7T-zNsgzohhHR8D7e6jdMGzfX4WXBxx9X9E2fjw1rlBVArfBWyWJ0yHMiFSmpv_rcqnbq/s1600/clearfield_35_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTb4wqcd2W570G0K5LHLHfptWJLmeQetZSq-ql-5J75Cal93dIEuIScEkIHfE_qIJCtKFhyUz7T-zNsgzohhHR8D7e6jdMGzfX4WXBxx9X9E2fjw1rlBVArfBWyWJ0yHMiFSmpv_rcqnbq/s320/clearfield_35_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another mystery tenant complete with beautiful wood paneling is tucked away on the parking lot side of the L. What was this? A travel agency?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG0t8zDSZIUybaV21nyK4_wolLOvIUbLWLqyYiraQlFVyGABUwpir6F5BLE_WxvFc-Tfy1i8NHHVG2jyVZSQKvx9Z2gKCKhyphenhyphen9s_9Rr6F7SLhE_dmeDwJdURV-X3z2JNLd4uQ6QtLxbMPt/s1600/clearfield_37_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG0t8zDSZIUybaV21nyK4_wolLOvIUbLWLqyYiraQlFVyGABUwpir6F5BLE_WxvFc-Tfy1i8NHHVG2jyVZSQKvx9Z2gKCKhyphenhyphen9s_9Rr6F7SLhE_dmeDwJdURV-X3z2JNLd4uQ6QtLxbMPt/s320/clearfield_37_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfmT4Q-GNE4cqczGsOjg2Hq2nAmQnWopZXFTVqhu8w95R1QbQnM_c-p4fu5twvqCVmvIqUpMfSkVg1UfwXUbbCghhwQwbLI97ybtUOBK8V9dwa1V9XPHKOLx06Th2RfYnF7DZaElClmEs/s1600/clearfield_40_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfmT4Q-GNE4cqczGsOjg2Hq2nAmQnWopZXFTVqhu8w95R1QbQnM_c-p4fu5twvqCVmvIqUpMfSkVg1UfwXUbbCghhwQwbLI97ybtUOBK8V9dwa1V9XPHKOLx06Th2RfYnF7DZaElClmEs/s320/clearfield_40_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney mall entrance and exterior front entrance. You enter the mall to enter the store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6nCfV-w7oZtab7BzUe4MFo7L6uQWfQA8X2n_DsivF2Td44TMXj-5pG9wJ92tgBTfAfEMzZ-AO5lnSU7dQQPaLroBAxKZLhl0BAlOAeFo9r1exb9T68g-bmR4uG_e-1qac0rH0DEF_W3y/s1600/clearfield_41a_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6nCfV-w7oZtab7BzUe4MFo7L6uQWfQA8X2n_DsivF2Td44TMXj-5pG9wJ92tgBTfAfEMzZ-AO5lnSU7dQQPaLroBAxKZLhl0BAlOAeFo9r1exb9T68g-bmR4uG_e-1qac0rH0DEF_W3y/s320/clearfield_41a_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckkZib3UeLPiyPR_eDXQrJP59cTSZAU1lI1Lu6OMw57ZYoj5LImTuVYqEkRz-NM9vbNydEBiaX9-BBd95YAsoSHRSpceDQsAM8nc641lnwe_SlxnVej42WgKTfrhn10BoDHo7xMhODQ_-/s1600/clearfield_42_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckkZib3UeLPiyPR_eDXQrJP59cTSZAU1lI1Lu6OMw57ZYoj5LImTuVYqEkRz-NM9vbNydEBiaX9-BBd95YAsoSHRSpceDQsAM8nc641lnwe_SlxnVej42WgKTfrhn10BoDHo7xMhODQ_-/s320/clearfield_42_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_RcY5wUj6VSuVxlMOEM0goXT7riwCM4u-J3F39fHGcDYXfAH0GfNzUoBAj3d4q11zSQMS-AFDC4zPGVZlpobeRV5zTmu5MMNQp7c0JFsGHvPniLbnNg9L-JR59n2Bb-dUb3bhWzcTtEu/s1600/clearfield_43_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_RcY5wUj6VSuVxlMOEM0goXT7riwCM4u-J3F39fHGcDYXfAH0GfNzUoBAj3d4q11zSQMS-AFDC4zPGVZlpobeRV5zTmu5MMNQp7c0JFsGHvPniLbnNg9L-JR59n2Bb-dUb3bhWzcTtEu/s320/clearfield_43_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A few more details of the JCPenney mall entrance looking into the main mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ7XGRcFRmGlKBXvjK6UorSDGcGe6et2fhzVvOK1IuH_UqW8rkcbIHaR2ziuO2gmm9vJYWDtMP3cW607yCti_YALizwdRswjfgKjuzw3TYXQ42zohXLc2h-VTJYNHTZM67AKZLj70Sy74/s1600/clearfield_38_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ7XGRcFRmGlKBXvjK6UorSDGcGe6et2fhzVvOK1IuH_UqW8rkcbIHaR2ziuO2gmm9vJYWDtMP3cW607yCti_YALizwdRswjfgKjuzw3TYXQ42zohXLc2h-VTJYNHTZM67AKZLj70Sy74/s320/clearfield_38_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIiqHhSe72GCUkK9dcDzOKxN7EZC000eg8PXUgIat6HyKr8ejxfdAm53wrkJH4gMCEqNle_OwsWLmZNAMrgk-jzDdKj3XaUZR33UdriZGxT0I_9HX2fFFUOj8HEM6Kvc4iicOFSyf5hFC/s1600/clearfield_39_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIiqHhSe72GCUkK9dcDzOKxN7EZC000eg8PXUgIat6HyKr8ejxfdAm53wrkJH4gMCEqNle_OwsWLmZNAMrgk-jzDdKj3XaUZR33UdriZGxT0I_9HX2fFFUOj8HEM6Kvc4iicOFSyf5hFC/s320/clearfield_39_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple shots inside the closing JCPenney. It is not as remarkable or as vintage as you'd think.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ifrRQWExVcshsgZ84fqugW-NRUnqcOMgFMENqI00mqvD2_ozQQFWq2LHFgMgbqdEY_D-cQwOG8i8OueGosOfZKmO1HgRDoGl9m7-GL0xDppruOmfUDVQlXkAXbCyCbWPLBCQNCsBR8pC/s1600/clearfield_50_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ifrRQWExVcshsgZ84fqugW-NRUnqcOMgFMENqI00mqvD2_ozQQFWq2LHFgMgbqdEY_D-cQwOG8i8OueGosOfZKmO1HgRDoGl9m7-GL0xDppruOmfUDVQlXkAXbCyCbWPLBCQNCsBR8pC/s320/clearfield_50_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHQ3SeHJAFC8w6TMK3bZQtPXE_fzD838iAo2L4BIN2xlVSkRv_IQTDOHlDRcr2C80s9ubqoKE3ICnF-q5rhyphenhypheniXbssBEJFJbm1v0ewBwXOSFtGOsNK-XjV9DUP4aCFXHY0-yN6SOadJZvE/s1600/clearfield_51_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHQ3SeHJAFC8w6TMK3bZQtPXE_fzD838iAo2L4BIN2xlVSkRv_IQTDOHlDRcr2C80s9ubqoKE3ICnF-q5rhyphenhypheniXbssBEJFJbm1v0ewBwXOSFtGOsNK-XjV9DUP4aCFXHY0-yN6SOadJZvE/s320/clearfield_51_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"JCPenny's...used to be here". Yes, an official sign with an official spelling error! This is the back entrance to the store with direct parking lot access. However, this door was locked.</span></div>
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So what is the future of the property? For one, aside from those of us who find mid-century anything amazing, the property on the outside looks like a retail fossil. Looking at an aerial, it does not even look like a mall: just a typical strip shopping center. It would be very easy for owners to simply take out the enclosure along the front of the mall and turn it into an outdoor walkway from Ollie's to the (soon to be former) JCPenney. The interior mall in turn could simply either be removed, converted to an open-air courtyard or given to Goodwill to expand their store into the mall space or subdivided for new tenants. Peebles could relocate from their current location into the former JCPenney space.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ziZod29zDG49TmWUzX8l1USp0uoh95JMOiOHE2vkVG27PJ3z3hYDtG7grAWBdcyIVirjHMNvYAqhKosZrLIeNvxASQOr9_1A20KL2oMrtF3sXswCGrmWz-vmRAob7-k-N2oVCLq482u_/s1600/clearfield_45_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ziZod29zDG49TmWUzX8l1USp0uoh95JMOiOHE2vkVG27PJ3z3hYDtG7grAWBdcyIVirjHMNvYAqhKosZrLIeNvxASQOr9_1A20KL2oMrtF3sXswCGrmWz-vmRAob7-k-N2oVCLq482u_/s320/clearfield_45_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tom & Jerry are keeping an eye on the JCPenney entrance. The back mall is peeking around the corner also.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDLH8YJFIS6tZQzekPOW5IjlYIClhs6I4VxP6dC9Rr8QIfU5pyXEjqQHMKhYrpyr6sNXR_apQd2a91UjkeV0MlSAS-yEefD-AQxLnvzbWKZnvSFKCMMNzH3VQFPTEOqejFQ0wrmtKDkdk/s1600/clearfield_53_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDLH8YJFIS6tZQzekPOW5IjlYIClhs6I4VxP6dC9Rr8QIfU5pyXEjqQHMKhYrpyr6sNXR_apQd2a91UjkeV0MlSAS-yEefD-AQxLnvzbWKZnvSFKCMMNzH3VQFPTEOqejFQ0wrmtKDkdk/s320/clearfield_53_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2MGLKmJSY1B0WJLX6dP30l5zXt_9VJHz1cD90-OYSbBrSuA5efer00sC02pkCql8vBQffK02fAsl9weVh3vzkJkfQdB57USRGEEV7WN1YD3NtkWGAVa0gczJOLbKCil3zKBbHwtSwlDb/s1600/clearfield_54_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2MGLKmJSY1B0WJLX6dP30l5zXt_9VJHz1cD90-OYSbBrSuA5efer00sC02pkCql8vBQffK02fAsl9weVh3vzkJkfQdB57USRGEEV7WN1YD3NtkWGAVa0gczJOLbKCil3zKBbHwtSwlDb/s320/clearfield_54_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A little more detail in the back wing. This abandoned store that once housed "Pet Place" is today part of the Goodwill. It is not clear what purpose it has since the store is not technically part of the Goodwill in the main mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBK8hHrYOMuzVqTWxACm1mwY9XJUG_TKWlygVaTLt5MkG4M3cmOXnLsJxL-Rv08oIPQAw7Px71kVXwEnPz3xuA3VqDnx4fxv6uNtPN4aS26QLydaU9LnIv4WXtPyFUvn6LXWEKBvifYKK/s1600/clearfield_55_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBK8hHrYOMuzVqTWxACm1mwY9XJUG_TKWlygVaTLt5MkG4M3cmOXnLsJxL-Rv08oIPQAw7Px71kVXwEnPz3xuA3VqDnx4fxv6uNtPN4aS26QLydaU9LnIv4WXtPyFUvn6LXWEKBvifYKK/s320/clearfield_55_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A little more detail of the wood paneling faux room shows that it has a third side split by the main (strip) mall access. Tom & Jerry are just around the bend to the left as well as JCPenney.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZj6NdKcoepGZz8F8vlCHVEOSYaZt8kBMs2tlpy_MJJxTDDpvYIwkCZPBGXQNSNAqf0UII9SmYPGwu6daGwFxFCpxo9zXW3QxsSSZdEiqjhUPh7Hux1bwGXDj4hCEhKN9JpiBTQAqHK7-/s1600/clearfield_46_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZj6NdKcoepGZz8F8vlCHVEOSYaZt8kBMs2tlpy_MJJxTDDpvYIwkCZPBGXQNSNAqf0UII9SmYPGwu6daGwFxFCpxo9zXW3QxsSSZdEiqjhUPh7Hux1bwGXDj4hCEhKN9JpiBTQAqHK7-/s320/clearfield_46_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bnxqTZxn6jy58B0e_TxmNXyGajD6P2QtHvnuZm22Vr3Tb2e77r73wgD0a4sAw1sFPtykQtfVWZsqmOPqMspk1slN_u6_7rC4oaBfSgy7iPU82aHuExIJWo2DBveJOWFgklqPaGJN6cPn/s1600/clearfield_47_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bnxqTZxn6jy58B0e_TxmNXyGajD6P2QtHvnuZm22Vr3Tb2e77r73wgD0a4sAw1sFPtykQtfVWZsqmOPqMspk1slN_u6_7rC4oaBfSgy7iPU82aHuExIJWo2DBveJOWFgklqPaGJN6cPn/s320/clearfield_47_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I guess the mall has a few skylights. This is looking back into the main enclosed strip mall where most of the action is.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQImZLimFo3BKOCa02r-BdY1T7MviMo-GYpJkADOQREDKEV735f_yXF705igqjz73pXfkelmVVtJX539lHljQYHe8Avl5Frdy0i2M_xfjOybRmLwXD8wwAanuvXxjq5mBR4U-uztg9id0/s1600/clearfield_56_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQImZLimFo3BKOCa02r-BdY1T7MviMo-GYpJkADOQREDKEV735f_yXF705igqjz73pXfkelmVVtJX539lHljQYHe8Avl5Frdy0i2M_xfjOybRmLwXD8wwAanuvXxjq5mBR4U-uztg9id0/s320/clearfield_56_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking back to Ollie's</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BeQQbFrX26vRW2Tmuk17dM0LfsZWbDD7zl9h-NOKRKN1BIqoZTZuWR5oqKvy_n90NuKqrD9XuSEC8yrySSJsjFhrZFlGlp9qQPShiSimgsPMvf6q5yhn_JUSqwoEIlo3gXKZ0Cu9WaHW/s1600/clearfield_59_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BeQQbFrX26vRW2Tmuk17dM0LfsZWbDD7zl9h-NOKRKN1BIqoZTZuWR5oqKvy_n90NuKqrD9XuSEC8yrySSJsjFhrZFlGlp9qQPShiSimgsPMvf6q5yhn_JUSqwoEIlo3gXKZ0Cu9WaHW/s320/clearfield_59_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmtaHa9PVCok3huGTRUS_u1EZ8PRnjSQ6GTot8pdb9O13Xe_ovq4bFoA0Q1dt6glA7ltozZK13BDGy1-0o5KHZ2QTTEshgeI1Q5XMgUcY1tcYYLuB7PpNHrg4VPxqUYLO4n-9wrIrLF0Z/s1600/clearfield_62a_052917_murphys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmtaHa9PVCok3huGTRUS_u1EZ8PRnjSQ6GTot8pdb9O13Xe_ovq4bFoA0Q1dt6glA7ltozZK13BDGy1-0o5KHZ2QTTEshgeI1Q5XMgUcY1tcYYLuB7PpNHrg4VPxqUYLO4n-9wrIrLF0Z/s320/clearfield_62a_052917_murphys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail around Murphy's/Hills/Ames/Ollies. If you look very close you can almost make out a "Mart" on the right of where the white paint is.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_6LRPN6DVCaU4LrzFLfjhly7NUXSjCB42FKuoLarK_A6oenUGWrnPNoaDQxv-PaiGzxxsvjPIzrVPAmcwVFpPgUeh3ca0DD2awnxcm4IgXVuYTMqvzoaS8GHrBbn5AE7yW9p0M573cZ1/s1600/clearfield_63_052917_murphys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_6LRPN6DVCaU4LrzFLfjhly7NUXSjCB42FKuoLarK_A6oenUGWrnPNoaDQxv-PaiGzxxsvjPIzrVPAmcwVFpPgUeh3ca0DD2awnxcm4IgXVuYTMqvzoaS8GHrBbn5AE7yW9p0M573cZ1/s320/clearfield_63_052917_murphys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Outside of Murphy's/Hills/Ames/Ollie's</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bv1TtijEV9ql9jfr8HVCOX-XKIrJKmIlSloWLLfOGFSrSnHQftTdvH2luim3EuvkWGcvdas25Dao7w1UjjwjguzPPIMjzj-JrrDKwbEs_WmYnL1eon7qZzh-KUmhsIam-euzX6KPaExw/s1600/clearfield_64_052917_peebles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bv1TtijEV9ql9jfr8HVCOX-XKIrJKmIlSloWLLfOGFSrSnHQftTdvH2luim3EuvkWGcvdas25Dao7w1UjjwjguzPPIMjzj-JrrDKwbEs_WmYnL1eon7qZzh-KUmhsIam-euzX6KPaExw/s320/clearfield_64_052917_peebles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Brody's? Like Clarion Mall, the Peebles is just outside instead of IN the mall.</span></div>
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The gutting of the mall space would mean lower rents meaning a region that cannot support the higher rents of a mall could offer lower rents as a regular strip. Of course, despite the economic sense this makes, it is boring. A creative solution would be to better market the center such as attracting antique stores along the back portion, attracting more service-oriented tenants and finding a suitable replacement for JCPenney such as a grocery store (Shop 'n Save), but could anything be done to make the mall as-is attractive to potential businesses again? For once, it would be nice to see something interesting that is old manage to come back to life without changing it into the same old boring strip mall.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">From space it is nearly impossible to tell that an actual mall is here. It just looks like a typ</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ical 70's strip mall.</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-89975625519184115892017-06-30T10:40:00.000-07:002017-12-20T10:56:01.857-08:00Clarion Mall: Clarion (Monroe Township), PAThe journey to Clarion Mall turned out to be a rather hair-raising experience. Out of nowhere, severe storms were exploding across the landscape along the Allegheny Front, and the closer we got to Clarion the more intense they got. We stopped at a station to escape the hail noting that we were right in the center of the storm. When the hail stopped, we continued north to the mall hoping to capture images of this mall before it closed for the evening (at 5 PM, Sunday). Just as we arrived at the mall, very dark clouds surrounded the area and tornado sirens went off. Had we not left that station, we may have very nearly been hit directly by a tornado! However, it did not appear that a tornado actually touched down. It turns out this area is a hot spot for tornadoes having been hit by two weak tornadoes at the beginning of the month. You know if the town has a siren, it's not uncommon!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihXLsqi29B7G940zXzwfC7ULGmSwqSOM_c4_FznATEwjEdD568txbi06u-oPCE3q4KTQhhgjWBNZoJoaSyOiF12dqsvXGwhxklVXhczlcelyYb5xxaRDB-0EYO8Jn7-TBZ7OC5vevCwZr/s1600/clarion_7_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihXLsqi29B7G940zXzwfC7ULGmSwqSOM_c4_FznATEwjEdD568txbi06u-oPCE3q4KTQhhgjWBNZoJoaSyOiF12dqsvXGwhxklVXhczlcelyYb5xxaRDB-0EYO8Jn7-TBZ7OC5vevCwZr/s320/clarion_7_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyway, upon arriving at the mall we managed to get inside just before the torrent unleashed over this little mall. Warm and dry inside, it was not a total surprise to find a mall that still retained much of its vintage charm. It felt like I not only stepped inside from a storm, I also stepped into 1985! Located just off of I-80, the mall holds its own as a simple T-shaped mall constructed in 1980 anchored today by Kmart and JCPenney. The mall once featured a third anchor known as Dank's (Dank & Co.). Dank's closed with the whole Lewistown-based chain in 1995 and was replaced with Carmike Cinemas (including an expansion for the screens). In addition, the mall features a Peebles on the outlot. Peebles was originally a second location of the local Brody's department store, which itself closed in 1987.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l7vbenI5t1AeD-5HHopObieq3Hj10BX3kERSStmnSWmMCDGCJIuHkqmjPrkIJ46RMzFR8i10-rvmABiSXMdu7vo_dkmV62fW_aKAqqFaWMw8yNrOv2Rc7aDzy2wWpWVI7835vOsQJCaj/s1600/clarion_1_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l7vbenI5t1AeD-5HHopObieq3Hj10BX3kERSStmnSWmMCDGCJIuHkqmjPrkIJ46RMzFR8i10-rvmABiSXMdu7vo_dkmV62fW_aKAqqFaWMw8yNrOv2Rc7aDzy2wWpWVI7835vOsQJCaj/s320/clarion_1_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqWBrnXoyUtgWtYd_s5atsrMsmVMQPlEV6e9iEZATFv2bpS2qO3IenV5MF4zTZdaRUdCkzBElWSLjZ-U4r_9aaZTJA6zta9QMIFDp4EpCGSc4yOYcrTtPkY9n9ubuMomWD-y6hHIdfjX8/s1600/clarion_19_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqWBrnXoyUtgWtYd_s5atsrMsmVMQPlEV6e9iEZATFv2bpS2qO3IenV5MF4zTZdaRUdCkzBElWSLjZ-U4r_9aaZTJA6zta9QMIFDp4EpCGSc4yOYcrTtPkY9n9ubuMomWD-y6hHIdfjX8/s320/clarion_19_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking down the main entrance wing into the main mall. Carmike Cinemas is currently where Dank's department store originally had a junior anchor. The theaters use part of the old Dank's, but added on further to the back.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor6n9Po-OF1VmWRt1_jKbqNgziFsSAFK4oQaEJDKZkf4dK6q2TtVnBLJy6wTL1nEnqlttXMYk1HMq-OSfenqwYC-Y617-iwqSKpUT76EiBoMJNKs4Hv5i1bqNmyzinBZ-PEcsrKXux-zO/s1600/clarion_20_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor6n9Po-OF1VmWRt1_jKbqNgziFsSAFK4oQaEJDKZkf4dK6q2TtVnBLJy6wTL1nEnqlttXMYk1HMq-OSfenqwYC-Y617-iwqSKpUT76EiBoMJNKs4Hv5i1bqNmyzinBZ-PEcsrKXux-zO/s320/clarion_20_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AYDAdaPaoop5HZZ37PNBwkhJNjqQh-AYRtsxkVe9H5IlvNWgBZrXDbCaywnltFfGS7RNjMbBBaT6R56idpAZ-RQRXJ-oeS9D_SLINPNxzqMQJ5eknTzn08jNNfDPcYGVnnEZVTINfn0g/s1600/clarion_27_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AYDAdaPaoop5HZZ37PNBwkhJNjqQh-AYRtsxkVe9H5IlvNWgBZrXDbCaywnltFfGS7RNjMbBBaT6R56idpAZ-RQRXJ-oeS9D_SLINPNxzqMQJ5eknTzn08jNNfDPcYGVnnEZVTINfn0g/s320/clarion_27_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1AGhjhETuNeuFis8W4p772BnGRQLi7a7GS2Yc-evMboIj_2vTtYq0KM8Fntd0-e-ZDBl7FaAncUfh7t8Z7l_PCBGqutV6gj6TpKYa1mTIeysTA_Sp5DRIZJcuLZVt2E9SKt5Qf7BiEMb/s1600/clarion_18_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1AGhjhETuNeuFis8W4p772BnGRQLi7a7GS2Yc-evMboIj_2vTtYq0KM8Fntd0-e-ZDBl7FaAncUfh7t8Z7l_PCBGqutV6gj6TpKYa1mTIeysTA_Sp5DRIZJcuLZVt2E9SKt5Qf7BiEMb/s320/clarion_18_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the empty planters that very much appear to have been fountains originally. All fountains were covered up in the mall. There is no way natural plants could survive here.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH_0mfLDRlkTcL2u69GuJVRDPlkaWNP3s2QfoFPoC2pm6ThtLssXIX9C-49M8RZ_HYJJJ1CYSYHR4SrBxe0GNHi-pXFa56hHW-eSmiBhloA_T-JeTGJT4o9jZjuplLQYlRZa0h9W-XLfs/s1600/clarion_17_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH_0mfLDRlkTcL2u69GuJVRDPlkaWNP3s2QfoFPoC2pm6ThtLssXIX9C-49M8RZ_HYJJJ1CYSYHR4SrBxe0GNHi-pXFa56hHW-eSmiBhloA_T-JeTGJT4o9jZjuplLQYlRZa0h9W-XLfs/s320/clarion_17_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking down the main wing from the mall to the front entrances. Yes, it's pretty dark. </span></div>
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The mall features a rather unique design element in that the mall corridor is designed with a sloped ceiling along the main corridor with skylights only on the east side. However, the court areas feature high window skylights in front of both JCPenney and Kmart. Planters are still found throughout the mall as well, but fountains were all completely shut off including one in front of JCPenney that was permanently covered. In all, the mall has an older design than the date of construction suggests, but Clarion itself is a borough with just over 5,000 residents in a county just under 40,000 residents suggesting that it may not be able to support a larger mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXIVdOyznbexW93DnRFhMWU5iE0JmlFNnjHhTpZdNgp7Bw90lJKO0wxnKJ_jeVvLhElZwyw7chATLGODZLni-lIpHtS6-2q2LRekdb7-35F1U-mayvAHmyHBQeobNJtgSDzanCN2aL4zu/s1600/clarion_2_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXIVdOyznbexW93DnRFhMWU5iE0JmlFNnjHhTpZdNgp7Bw90lJKO0wxnKJ_jeVvLhElZwyw7chATLGODZLni-lIpHtS6-2q2LRekdb7-35F1U-mayvAHmyHBQeobNJtgSDzanCN2aL4zu/s320/clarion_2_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rNonsMM2dGUmcESRxXRt908vHcSB73mYdMdD944Ep8NtmjgL4tkcNtkeC4yrW3wNXkluQpe37R9Vt5HG_dMA6h_kMJkkVooFr-xG8rSZMBfnxOKWZpmjmh-XU8k3ClyczmyNF_J2lfts/s1600/clarion_3_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rNonsMM2dGUmcESRxXRt908vHcSB73mYdMdD944Ep8NtmjgL4tkcNtkeC4yrW3wNXkluQpe37R9Vt5HG_dMA6h_kMJkkVooFr-xG8rSZMBfnxOKWZpmjmh-XU8k3ClyczmyNF_J2lfts/s320/clarion_3_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-MgzSDvSifpEUhqOQ-__kni-5aWt5eP-NrSQP5beL9pc1YiBShOGfsGUxztfOcNn2IAiaB_0hseagtMEmIPg4O0tinG3g1QolGw467yrJuPkA-06rG7O3gV5GPxE4whaBt6xm7oh_A0e/s1600/clarion_4_052817_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-MgzSDvSifpEUhqOQ-__kni-5aWt5eP-NrSQP5beL9pc1YiBShOGfsGUxztfOcNn2IAiaB_0hseagtMEmIPg4O0tinG3g1QolGw467yrJuPkA-06rG7O3gV5GPxE4whaBt6xm7oh_A0e/s320/clarion_4_052817_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down the Kmart wing. Notice the loft-style skylights except in the court in front of Kmart. The Kmart entrance wing is to the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsx3Xa2hZA2xjJEkk80SwVYuhaAEWzCJImIbKUo_hLK1rqrygBOmIiuFbSZziyPW-uQhpstkq96zsiwJEItaexJROWB6TRt9_-LyZtsnAtUMxWUcoPmr90LhB03JeI7Gp5nKuUGj2hYaT/s1600/clarion_21_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsx3Xa2hZA2xjJEkk80SwVYuhaAEWzCJImIbKUo_hLK1rqrygBOmIiuFbSZziyPW-uQhpstkq96zsiwJEItaexJROWB6TRt9_-LyZtsnAtUMxWUcoPmr90LhB03JeI7Gp5nKuUGj2hYaT/s320/clarion_21_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-wfvG1zdljF7xKe5T0ieoiac2v7Dbk4K54hb_E95xgERmPslrwSVs_5aXSXJBBr8IZ3EgzLoHyAD3qJbsVG2hkTSlyVYAEOoRe5IN9e_aTfr5JzzX_wzaCN0SMsJAXr6Yw__XJbjg5vt/s1600/clarion_22_052817_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-wfvG1zdljF7xKe5T0ieoiac2v7Dbk4K54hb_E95xgERmPslrwSVs_5aXSXJBBr8IZ3EgzLoHyAD3qJbsVG2hkTSlyVYAEOoRe5IN9e_aTfr5JzzX_wzaCN0SMsJAXr6Yw__XJbjg5vt/s320/clarion_22_052817_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down and back along the Kmart entrance wing. As as typical in malls anchored by Kmart, the store is only accessible through the mall. This Kmart, however, does not have an entrance wing on both sides. It looks like it might have in the past, however.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyYQw-1yG5MrER3IC7AfQCeFK9FQetCF5epDJ30vlXFyishiJh9Eo5NK2urRIqoejc2Rm3ckI8RZZEII_1AflxPv8XqAw8JDWjHjl-c2gsHLUKMlPglU9Fx-OVvDk0nRCQ_3jPPLq5aWs/s1600/clarion_23_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyYQw-1yG5MrER3IC7AfQCeFK9FQetCF5epDJ30vlXFyishiJh9Eo5NK2urRIqoejc2Rm3ckI8RZZEII_1AflxPv8XqAw8JDWjHjl-c2gsHLUKMlPglU9Fx-OVvDk0nRCQ_3jPPLq5aWs/s320/clarion_23_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAXpOSp8R5F8ErxHkT0M0mhrARuIDfxLXqW5PrJp5xFhZqQot3XRVcI6etxVhvVfEvZfWI8NJaro11qYlEtTM6s3cK_Wg2df-b7wzuc0eRvTwKFJgh0X1tKPlkPcVOkhANGLlHIlGniO9/s1600/clarion_24_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAXpOSp8R5F8ErxHkT0M0mhrARuIDfxLXqW5PrJp5xFhZqQot3XRVcI6etxVhvVfEvZfWI8NJaro11qYlEtTM6s3cK_Wg2df-b7wzuc0eRvTwKFJgh0X1tKPlkPcVOkhANGLlHIlGniO9/s320/clarion_24_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The fountains are long since shut off, but the planters and benches are still very much there. It is a pretty short walk from Kmart to JCPenney.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLl_KUCIQVkcw_cQ4AulyKrfM-GocQwCPJnxXgJi0SCg9NYboAfinNv44bH8-FxZT9sfQ4XJkRjTElG9QPCwiRpVhmJ97q7gQRAdTEoOUn6oUgjNC7fqC3U_yYy9tmjTIUsqdqEYShr5l/s1600/clarion_25_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLl_KUCIQVkcw_cQ4AulyKrfM-GocQwCPJnxXgJi0SCg9NYboAfinNv44bH8-FxZT9sfQ4XJkRjTElG9QPCwiRpVhmJ97q7gQRAdTEoOUn6oUgjNC7fqC3U_yYy9tmjTIUsqdqEYShr5l/s320/clarion_25_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Next to GNC is the front entrance wing to give perspective of how small this mall actually is.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwoQVhHEDGu6nAzT5kRfRqbYjtpjwhC55ao1MPNgJqEKOmrVqovxkHNK2ozUIXOpOaBmWFYiyqQcmqNJ7x9qx4Dpj3-byrQTrRjqH-6ev_8Ci7o_84oPDZlx-VmGT0I3bOKUAkSl_jase/s1600/clarion_6_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwoQVhHEDGu6nAzT5kRfRqbYjtpjwhC55ao1MPNgJqEKOmrVqovxkHNK2ozUIXOpOaBmWFYiyqQcmqNJ7x9qx4Dpj3-byrQTrRjqH-6ev_8Ci7o_84oPDZlx-VmGT0I3bOKUAkSl_jase/s320/clarion_6_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blurry shot of the benches. At least you can visualize yourself sitting here while your significant other takes about 10 minutes to shop here (unless he/she REALLY loves JCPenney).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD-9VEk76vSsarYgrLGxxAi71fAA-ffo0TZVmXNVXcrBm5JbNTuGXjdxqUECRO_2XQZk8HrjPCmcaNABUfGsTvhPEHsudjgWG2rsAdYXy0Kxl1kgZHvCFx0lV-DUnWMbep-0PAakwv0cs/s1600/clarion_15_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeD-9VEk76vSsarYgrLGxxAi71fAA-ffo0TZVmXNVXcrBm5JbNTuGXjdxqUECRO_2XQZk8HrjPCmcaNABUfGsTvhPEHsudjgWG2rsAdYXy0Kxl1kgZHvCFx0lV-DUnWMbep-0PAakwv0cs/s320/clarion_15_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the center of the mall, Carmike Cinemas on the left and the main entrance wing on the right.</span></div>
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What sustains the mall is Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a Tier 2 state university that serves as a draw to an otherwise remote region. The student body itself brings in 5,000 residents each year who likely shop at the mall to avoid the much longer drive to Pittsburgh, Indiana (PA) or Youngstown (OH) to shop. The mall also <a href="http://www.clarionmall.com/index.html">appears to be locally owned</a> and managed in lieu of many other malls in the region that are primarily owned by Zamias Realty. Nonetheless, it is a tiny mall featuring no more than about 200,000-250,000 square feet. Very few malls of this size remain operational today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLfSOhlB-Unx8KjCznqJXGILwGxLXNnO6DOHGKgV_0IDtGYWBmLYtCmxaBaUNCPXFAHrw56Nb_f7oseM-Msij_WaBJ68yr3ymOcgOUtyAe9OtJbv9ZpyazxLXzxFGJY_UwEpSGDw-m1EW/s1600/clarion_10_052817_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLfSOhlB-Unx8KjCznqJXGILwGxLXNnO6DOHGKgV_0IDtGYWBmLYtCmxaBaUNCPXFAHrw56Nb_f7oseM-Msij_WaBJ68yr3ymOcgOUtyAe9OtJbv9ZpyazxLXzxFGJY_UwEpSGDw-m1EW/s320/clarion_10_052817_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzSpCCN8K8YhcSSz4UPlXoRo4IjjE1PCTPvrx-n6F_hbpo40t13r7EZW5VzJd-qZMQ3BxPByFE5XzABNsE-Hr-vzmlY4Tz_3GdcP9L0f01H8duqLbt5OGKC3L8YLMgncCOzz2sAdwTL81/s1600/clarion_11_052817_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzSpCCN8K8YhcSSz4UPlXoRo4IjjE1PCTPvrx-n6F_hbpo40t13r7EZW5VzJd-qZMQ3BxPByFE5XzABNsE-Hr-vzmlY4Tz_3GdcP9L0f01H8duqLbt5OGKC3L8YLMgncCOzz2sAdwTL81/s320/clarion_11_052817_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney loved the slanted wood front mall entrances in the 80's. I never get tired of them. What I do get tired of is fountains like the one covered up there being turned off forever.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8AUgJBbYlOb1spwvxJD4vw8HUpgdKGpBatAoXX-Ce9HGWXBksIwI4krabu2UmCQQQzkrlHzJbJgUmy02Em3_EweEAXKkfxzK3_QHi1JFp8nns-p5jtVwEnoNXUI_SUE0eYbuTt5vCPVX/s1600/clarion_13_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8AUgJBbYlOb1spwvxJD4vw8HUpgdKGpBatAoXX-Ce9HGWXBksIwI4krabu2UmCQQQzkrlHzJbJgUmy02Em3_EweEAXKkfxzK3_QHi1JFp8nns-p5jtVwEnoNXUI_SUE0eYbuTt5vCPVX/s320/clarion_13_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySHTwRwUTp10DcIIdHtQ5KLKqwokFL9J-ESO0ZfAEmka64KMfx-SnINcVHo2hASMWWqdOa2sJmVAR1oEscoKNxwVIDifoOTPCip_2VLLWrPjmwuuRZfOHj5wWtwf3QO-SDqyf_iLFuadg/s1600/clarion_14_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySHTwRwUTp10DcIIdHtQ5KLKqwokFL9J-ESO0ZfAEmka64KMfx-SnINcVHo2hASMWWqdOa2sJmVAR1oEscoKNxwVIDifoOTPCip_2VLLWrPjmwuuRZfOHj5wWtwf3QO-SDqyf_iLFuadg/s320/clarion_14_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You can see here how the court area with high window skylights transitions into one with the same only on one side.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwSqWYHB3QPEX3wZjGkWqfxnJWukQeekNbwcF5vPjF6pOYx7mejLxwCvUUSv3ccymgp76J6wtyJ6HtFu42jINDP8FgpCor7Mo8P9j4X5iLOV9z0fnr6EZo5aYs4F22rlXMtZec8uH7rE7/s1600/clarion_28_052817_brodys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwSqWYHB3QPEX3wZjGkWqfxnJWukQeekNbwcF5vPjF6pOYx7mejLxwCvUUSv3ccymgp76J6wtyJ6HtFu42jINDP8FgpCor7Mo8P9j4X5iLOV9z0fnr6EZo5aYs4F22rlXMtZec8uH7rE7/s320/clarion_28_052817_brodys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Peebles for some reason snubbed the mall (or at least its original anchor Brody's did). Maybe Peebles will make its way into the mall itself eventually.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dgf1cHq5wYrldJhxvOoIDGUDa7DYHI0t3EmISVXberE-KLrgZZ8g48jC53MKGB9Ch6xNs5kwxxKLLDf4b4xpVLyMkChq9OAKfbGj28HBTq3QAQX7AmPubesQ7YfIDkSb4tkofX7dbDHZ/s1600/clarion_35_052817_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dgf1cHq5wYrldJhxvOoIDGUDa7DYHI0t3EmISVXberE-KLrgZZ8g48jC53MKGB9Ch6xNs5kwxxKLLDf4b4xpVLyMkChq9OAKfbGj28HBTq3QAQX7AmPubesQ7YfIDkSb4tkofX7dbDHZ/s320/clarion_35_052817_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney is on the south end of the mall with the dangerous storm behind it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIh7c_uKVDQbUOMJjqA2dmoc90NQTDbHMQPtZ1WIPhhe5HO0tcvk9jyJL02ePglC_eqSsSeQzJAH1J18iWCBSKB1jjeV0vkxZ9BbW9Bu_GMtT2TeJdxRqotwWcx72aWJsrCsr8ELry58i/s1600/clarion_30_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIh7c_uKVDQbUOMJjqA2dmoc90NQTDbHMQPtZ1WIPhhe5HO0tcvk9jyJL02ePglC_eqSsSeQzJAH1J18iWCBSKB1jjeV0vkxZ9BbW9Bu_GMtT2TeJdxRqotwWcx72aWJsrCsr8ELry58i/s320/clarion_30_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm pretty sure that's a tornado trying to form on the other side of the mall, but it didn't touch down. The Carmike Cinemas sign is the main mall entrance. Under the Kmart sign is the other mall entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79KULRunNVf9gGzU0oHTpqFRvFqfyW-5CtWxn7VDfR-G9z7qPgudeoO04Ktw85dg-7GGetXa1-aseN7COW0Y9OZ-VVsbcsQQZw4MQu05e24oVQwZDY9mpQWV3Q_bdlSR0XlnENgByxvGr/s1600/clarion_31_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79KULRunNVf9gGzU0oHTpqFRvFqfyW-5CtWxn7VDfR-G9z7qPgudeoO04Ktw85dg-7GGetXa1-aseN7COW0Y9OZ-VVsbcsQQZw4MQu05e24oVQwZDY9mpQWV3Q_bdlSR0XlnENgByxvGr/s320/clarion_31_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney in perspective with the main mall entrance. It's not very big unlike those angry skies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCOTONOllfaXxwzDD2UMXQlmUslYY_Nne0m7a-V8UOKn9Vrz8tAi3jodco8-bpZslzDVqO_XzfkX6xQ4PyG2t6D8CkcMPo6gKxbR9Toath4x6npo8dSK1RtnndBcbGPDkpUVAS6B8Y8e4/s1600/clarion_37_052817_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCOTONOllfaXxwzDD2UMXQlmUslYY_Nne0m7a-V8UOKn9Vrz8tAi3jodco8-bpZslzDVqO_XzfkX6xQ4PyG2t6D8CkcMPo6gKxbR9Toath4x6npo8dSK1RtnndBcbGPDkpUVAS6B8Y8e4/s320/clarion_37_052817_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Better detail of the Kmart mall entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NQyeoX6_OzEQxrv0eC0FoI95jpjCXYauSlSBlHJvieK1-bi5kc_w019RRVTCG_eq6G9Z4KcvhEUfzNKTPK5HmS_77UeGEk3iE7dwbFDjGgzFA_M0-yn_l-UZylcolnjbLM2D0z8QDkxP/s1600/clarion_38_052817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NQyeoX6_OzEQxrv0eC0FoI95jpjCXYauSlSBlHJvieK1-bi5kc_w019RRVTCG_eq6G9Z4KcvhEUfzNKTPK5HmS_77UeGEk3iE7dwbFDjGgzFA_M0-yn_l-UZylcolnjbLM2D0z8QDkxP/s320/clarion_38_052817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately the mall sign is not very impressive. I guess not to many would be thrilled by the mall, but when you need your JCPenney fix or cell phone fixed, it's convinient.</span></div>
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While the mall does have some vacancies, it cannot be considered a dead mall. Regardless, it is in an awkward position as Kmart and JCPenney both are risky anchors. However, quite a few options exist for anchors in the mall if either leave. The ideal scenario would be is if Kmart leaves, JCPenney relocates into the larger Kmart space and Peebles relocates into the former JCPenney space. Unfortunately, the greatest likelihood is if any anchors are lost, the mall will likely just be turned into a strip center connected to Peebles. Nonetheless, whatever happens to the mall, it was a very nice find to discover a tiny small-town mall still operating today with both original anchors. This is especially true in an era where malls large and small are being ripped up by an economic tornado strengthened by a jet stream fed by internet sales, anchor consolidation, a weak rural economy and massive store closures.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kmart is the biggest anchor by far according to Google Maps. Peebles is on the upper right, and the addition for the theater is clearly visible.</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-49979468093228245182017-06-29T15:25:00.000-07:002017-06-29T15:25:55.514-07:00Indiana Mall: Indiana (White Township), PAMalls like Indiana Mall are why I have not yet given up on retail blogging. A hidden gem located just south of the downtown in a very quaint borough in the Allegheny Mountains, this mall is one that has seen very few updates either inside or out since it opened over 30 years ago. Indiana itself is a college town whose primary economic engine is the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a seriously confusing and misleading name! Located approximately 50 miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, the mall holds its own due to its location being far enough from any major malls and far enough from major interstates. The town itself is located almost perfectly halfway between I-76 and I-80 with its nearest competitors all 40 miles away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUCCA4JUd-RPV4aJB35y9ibNbSdcedxLvXe9-V6N7wSSv-ePsWvhIrOy4uTRCNovExtwACRV8iwqyucGHyssiw9Eybp4fCbZiqMrsHENwbUUYjDPhqvPkeVIZLwIM6l4CWwR1n2FauEJ9/s1600/indianamall_9_052917_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUCCA4JUd-RPV4aJB35y9ibNbSdcedxLvXe9-V6N7wSSv-ePsWvhIrOy4uTRCNovExtwACRV8iwqyucGHyssiw9Eybp4fCbZiqMrsHENwbUUYjDPhqvPkeVIZLwIM6l4CWwR1n2FauEJ9/s320/indianamall_9_052917_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Built in 1979 by Zamias Realty, the mall personifies the challenges that the company, whose base is in the region, has in updating and properly marketing the malls it owns. Nonetheless, the lack of updates is not a complaint from us as we enjoyed the time warp that the mall took us in. Mall architecture today is mostly bland, boring, and gaudy, so it was nice to look into the past when malls provided a true sensory experience. Unfortunately, costs have driven the owners to begin gutting some of these vintage elements. Two out of four fountains were converted to planters and two other planters/fountains were completely removed although the total number was still far more than most modern malls. The mall has also seen an uptick in vacancies with probably as much as 10-20% of the mall vacant and several stores filled with non-retail or mom & pop stores. While not yet in dead mall territory, a weakness in inline stores indicates a similar weakness in anchors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcMcNW2Fo6aiyChgGtYdafh4ltu07ojUyrFvwEPFByuVy_kN37rSTg2cEUyWLwjKHJOYHZnc9gQveBflpTNbIe7AyAiu1zwyEn_CpMipMMq2svuMfuKiFKG1dM0TAgpLjzPO7dD4ZYAZH/s1600/indianamall_34_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcMcNW2Fo6aiyChgGtYdafh4ltu07ojUyrFvwEPFByuVy_kN37rSTg2cEUyWLwjKHJOYHZnc9gQveBflpTNbIe7AyAiu1zwyEn_CpMipMMq2svuMfuKiFKG1dM0TAgpLjzPO7dD4ZYAZH/s320/indianamall_34_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3io8EzPAQkgDP9BBYyMIyUoy7mddL6wFAqYuyuhXhFt4TNCs1MeI9TGza_BDnfuomTUJsRKkgxiXSOZphyphenhyphenhz48PaA6LI2wDiTuyM_wUs8q6Ty3emHAMAmfR5XC37jFmHynW4xo2FkBJi9/s1600/indianamall_13_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3io8EzPAQkgDP9BBYyMIyUoy7mddL6wFAqYuyuhXhFt4TNCs1MeI9TGza_BDnfuomTUJsRKkgxiXSOZphyphenhyphenhz48PaA6LI2wDiTuyM_wUs8q6Ty3emHAMAmfR5XC37jFmHynW4xo2FkBJi9/s320/indianamall_13_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeSE349D74zl-04FnA-fUKwHLA_M6W-TxqDCXBMAe_oT7_r0sXyatroU8kso0LJK7YKgMtwJJS4-cVJyi9sQj4xMANWTjVdAgV9aLn-XVRt1Mi5oFcz2Re6FhZsyA_UTp-3-klY0ULEyu/s1600/indianamall_35_052917_yorksteakhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeSE349D74zl-04FnA-fUKwHLA_M6W-TxqDCXBMAe_oT7_r0sXyatroU8kso0LJK7YKgMtwJJS4-cVJyi9sQj4xMANWTjVdAgV9aLn-XVRt1Mi5oFcz2Re6FhZsyA_UTp-3-klY0ULEyu/s320/indianamall_35_052917_yorksteakhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The fountain and sunken court in front of Bon-Ton deserved photos from just about every angle. Aside from the fountain detail, this is looking also to the side entrance, into the main mall and the adjacent wood-paneled store to the right of Bon-Ton. It should be of note that the stores next to the entrance wing next to Bon-Ton were once York Steak House. The last pic shows what is left of the long-closed chain and staple of 80's malls.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Until the early 2000's, Indiana Mall had </span><a href="http://www.hllibbycorp.com/case.php?case=Regency%20Mall" style="text-align: center;">competition along the same road</a><span style="text-align: center;"> closer to downtown from another smaller enclosed mall named Regency Mall. This older mall, constructed in 1969, was anchored by Murphy's Mart and Montgomery Ward: two now-defunct anchors that effectively doomed it as an enclosed mall. Wards actually closed early at the mall, closing in 1993 and replaced by Martin's. Murphy's became Hill's and later Ames, but Ames itself went under in 2000. H.L. Libby purchased that mall in 1998, demalled much of the mall in 1999 and turned the remaining mall corridor into TJ Maxx and Jo Ann Fabrics in 2010. </span><span style="text-align: center;">It appears that today Martin's occupies the former Ames location while Ollie's Bargain Outlet is in the old Wards. Other than the footprint,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> today the mall bears no resemblance to its former life. The failure of this competing mall certainly helped extend the life of dominant Indiana Mall.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZibK51E6rbUvu0vc8QHgp37jFb-V6C2EbhGT8v9aeFs-esGrC_5k8GawDWqKOPzCl8Mp9BndJ5firtS1UetLhHbyHe_T1tLCoYdVHKUMLWhb0eSeCnu1B_u78WT8HnwIs84Zjaf6eNGtc/s1600/indianamall_7_052917_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZibK51E6rbUvu0vc8QHgp37jFb-V6C2EbhGT8v9aeFs-esGrC_5k8GawDWqKOPzCl8Mp9BndJ5firtS1UetLhHbyHe_T1tLCoYdVHKUMLWhb0eSeCnu1B_u78WT8HnwIs84Zjaf6eNGtc/s320/indianamall_7_052917_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvOFykoY30LIvh-XqzC4y-LAq88QGJLBqFkur9YesWkmjxMQz4GX0AIa5NFLMgv1r_3B7i7XtsqfclG7Jyusut1r5sZ4j0Re_4HkA9OBLedaNrUvV9cakGqgfB8hsIGUCF3GeenUZOfqz/s1600/indianamall_8_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvOFykoY30LIvh-XqzC4y-LAq88QGJLBqFkur9YesWkmjxMQz4GX0AIa5NFLMgv1r_3B7i7XtsqfclG7Jyusut1r5sZ4j0Re_4HkA9OBLedaNrUvV9cakGqgfB8hsIGUCF3GeenUZOfqz/s320/indianamall_8_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of the bubble fountain and burnt orange tiled seating area in front of Sears. The fountain is not the best design, but the whole feature to me is beautiful and remarkable. </span></div>
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Unfortunately, times have changed so much that a mall being the sole survivor in a region is no longer insulation from brutal market forces. It has a precarious anchor line-up with Kmart, Bon-Ton, JCPenney and Sears. Because of that, prospects look frightening for this mall as it sits in an economically depressed region with all four anchors struggling to stay in business. In fact, it was just announced on June 6, 2017 that one of its original anchors, Kmart, would be leaving the mall after 38 years. Remarkably, both Sears and Kmart have still been operating in the same mall this long, and Sears is not (yet) closing. Furthermore, Bon-Ton is in financial trouble and JCPenney is unlikely to remain at a mall with three other dead anchors as JCPenney also continues to close stores in an attempt to claw their way back to profitability. In a worse case scenario, the mall could die almost overnight if the dominoes fall quickly on the heels of Kmart's closing with no replacement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyi1SPqAhXzmkDlAnuQY-dKhRQncKXHweQd5t8k085zDS31A389EdVONnLO5T-YLG-zQkiP4LO144lTrKEmfhu9H2ZhEOrsN2lIIQzDzNTIupagbe2KygcatgKcKTihWTfN1hGnLorfM4/s1600/indianamall_6_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyi1SPqAhXzmkDlAnuQY-dKhRQncKXHweQd5t8k085zDS31A389EdVONnLO5T-YLG-zQkiP4LO144lTrKEmfhu9H2ZhEOrsN2lIIQzDzNTIupagbe2KygcatgKcKTihWTfN1hGnLorfM4/s320/indianamall_6_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down the mall corridor from the Sears wing. Lorelli's Jewerly on the right was closed. Since it was Sunday, it may have just been closed for that reason instead of for good seeing that it is apparently a primary tenant to the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_jzYkVhQCioPjCMAjQBqsWMFH9u3dIjfChwrkyqT6xo5kGpxuLT8YnAkL3T1exCHF8CHNVnd4ozo9omsPAvNOOJ7b4qcuj4PWCRvTHSizl5BCYGiNBAuhbeDmvHKKOyE168xIJ3wXSNi/s1600/indianamall_15_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_jzYkVhQCioPjCMAjQBqsWMFH9u3dIjfChwrkyqT6xo5kGpxuLT8YnAkL3T1exCHF8CHNVnd4ozo9omsPAvNOOJ7b4qcuj4PWCRvTHSizl5BCYGiNBAuhbeDmvHKKOyE168xIJ3wXSNi/s320/indianamall_15_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Despite the vacancies, a few major chains do have a presence in the mall. American Eagle on the right is one of those suggesting that the mall is still viable.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6AWtSzOhjlWlrT2dSO4olDmAdzdp_PWh0jDRJWpOew5yFrXdBxdno-sSbdGKOSwKL2cwO17UpmtPsEQu7iBjsrgn9FtzAAtCt7Zc6kFqe2ut9BKyiVtNPzhCRYy49EnBBeCB1wkGbhFv/s1600/indianamall_24_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6AWtSzOhjlWlrT2dSO4olDmAdzdp_PWh0jDRJWpOew5yFrXdBxdno-sSbdGKOSwKL2cwO17UpmtPsEQu7iBjsrgn9FtzAAtCt7Zc6kFqe2ut9BKyiVtNPzhCRYy49EnBBeCB1wkGbhFv/s320/indianamall_24_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFbm1fglYKLlvTd32mw-aCrNlDOpTqZR0mK5bfs81z-Tl8OC9tjSv3_yUnfx__MQnvCsHKwVZ1IZ1r2MDNaIZAosxVD2MpPQI1-vbSCT1dzB_UAzqxM9intXiM7vGGzzsAhTzxX9KUVu9/s1600/indianamall_51_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFbm1fglYKLlvTd32mw-aCrNlDOpTqZR0mK5bfs81z-Tl8OC9tjSv3_yUnfx__MQnvCsHKwVZ1IZ1r2MDNaIZAosxVD2MpPQI1-vbSCT1dzB_UAzqxM9intXiM7vGGzzsAhTzxX9KUVu9/s320/indianamall_51_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A couple more inside shots. Here appear to be either removed planters or some other feature like a big clock. The Cinemas IV deceive, because they have no interior mall access. Patrons must go down the north side of the Kmart entrance wing and exit the mall to reach the theaters.</span></div>
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Unlike most malls today, Indiana Mall is a mall that has seen remarkably few changes since it opened. In fact, the most fascinating aspect is that every single major anchor in the mall is original! The only notable changes were the expansion of the existing Kmart in 1992 and the addition of Old Navy as a junior anchor in 2006 only for the same to close in 2012. This lack of changes is remarkable in that the mall has been open for 38 years! Its sister mall, Warren Mall, is not in such a good position as its interior mall portion is barely open today, but Indiana Mall is in a far better location in a larger town further from competition that is healthier economically.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLmEm0RdxfgWHAehxLlKf5SKvsjAYSoxeRJiRCOqL_drarTLRNcVnn6mi2p8mQH_MYt-tUo1EYiJzuDkulxqODMwD_5gp0s6afjdw6aKVWXEkuUmP_1VS5fO1WsVv0eubzgwFFTvZIfVh/s1600/indianamall_29_052917_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLmEm0RdxfgWHAehxLlKf5SKvsjAYSoxeRJiRCOqL_drarTLRNcVnn6mi2p8mQH_MYt-tUo1EYiJzuDkulxqODMwD_5gp0s6afjdw6aKVWXEkuUmP_1VS5fO1WsVv0eubzgwFFTvZIfVh/s320/indianamall_29_052917_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhrjvZfIRyAV7dKBgiensVGAdS2JabRpEIMxd-bEAHvTg3KNvDuYxhPocPYteI-eygUKDhjYMShuQlpitg_iCtzSce6sacw1wkbHQ9PVFlFpZHhFBUIhNVj5Nwh3I6dZisOg9B609EkHI/s1600/indianamall_20_052917_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhrjvZfIRyAV7dKBgiensVGAdS2JabRpEIMxd-bEAHvTg3KNvDuYxhPocPYteI-eygUKDhjYMShuQlpitg_iCtzSce6sacw1wkbHQ9PVFlFpZHhFBUIhNVj5Nwh3I6dZisOg9B609EkHI/s320/indianamall_20_052917_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kmart's mall entrance is in the west wing of the mall. Since there are no exterior entrances, an entrance corridor is on each side. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqLU972KmEGaRCk72c95Q0FCikAXIUJrDXGdkLoHXZ3N0iyYTySUcNcVDoEgnYMI-ZTrnztc-OiKa7InGOH2YgQjGtQR6KUbeOyMXhCG28tbr3qlW3uj4kXO4RMGa1NajqcXTgrkASPwb/s1600/indianamall_22_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqLU972KmEGaRCk72c95Q0FCikAXIUJrDXGdkLoHXZ3N0iyYTySUcNcVDoEgnYMI-ZTrnztc-OiKa7InGOH2YgQjGtQR6KUbeOyMXhCG28tbr3qlW3uj4kXO4RMGa1NajqcXTgrkASPwb/s320/indianamall_22_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look down the Kmart entrance wing to the right of the Kmart entrance. The Bavarian looking design to the right is actually the wall for Capri Pizza: an original tenant to the mall still open today and still serving excellent pizza-by-the-slice. We ate there for lunch. A planter is off to the left that I (unfortunately) failed to photograph.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSEww6QSZQijkqV1-1_jxLdKyk1VH6G_anEhzdThQhd6pHffKwLJBiWH9s-AEIiDy_ocCdbig3nxU6g99GrpWzeo3MdVyVWcLbYFyXkAKJDHALjfEccSjljxfSlChNOOIlk6qR-HPlHUB/s1600/indianamall_23_052917_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSEww6QSZQijkqV1-1_jxLdKyk1VH6G_anEhzdThQhd6pHffKwLJBiWH9s-AEIiDy_ocCdbig3nxU6g99GrpWzeo3MdVyVWcLbYFyXkAKJDHALjfEccSjljxfSlChNOOIlk6qR-HPlHUB/s320/indianamall_23_052917_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kmart mall entrance looking to other exterior entrance. The other matching planter near the entrance is in the background.</span></div>
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Typical of its malls built in the late 70's by Zamias, the mall features at least three anchors and a theater. In fact, the mall is so original that the older Bon-Ton logo not used since the early 1980's remains on the mall entrance. JCPenney itself appears to have been an addition built about a year or two after the rest of the mall was built. It looks to have been tacked onto an empty anchor pad when the mall was first built. Clues that this is so are that the ceiling tiles are different in the JCPenney wing as well as the fact that JCPenney itself is flush with the mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqBgyJM0xv7bmGivE5vg8GRp4Qvuq59RDXn5jKwbKhP6CKTeTnZJu4zm4CiJT7TrP78F7ZvkAWU_c_pkwhCGRI15IhyFkUUcT32HnzTDXBnrx_cW4vGa5FKIeSpyshpSpd8GjjKYJ-t9k/s1600/indianamall_16_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqBgyJM0xv7bmGivE5vg8GRp4Qvuq59RDXn5jKwbKhP6CKTeTnZJu4zm4CiJT7TrP78F7ZvkAWU_c_pkwhCGRI15IhyFkUUcT32HnzTDXBnrx_cW4vGa5FKIeSpyshpSpd8GjjKYJ-t9k/s320/indianamall_16_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'd love to know what wonders were removed underneath, but I'm picturing an impressive planter possibly with a waterfall much like what was at Warren Mall. Regional candy stores, like the one in the background, are common in Western Pennsylvania.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF8ZrmJWy2orErVAoVQFibwlFEpaExa1xxkJ8PsB5piJb2Ah6-GETuCFahVlUk6akcRY84qlg_IEr0prg7aXnowXvLQYCl0j0SoR4PH6fp4L1iYDl374NVddpc70lzg-_a9oiLYNhFz3w/s1600/indianamall_18_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirF8ZrmJWy2orErVAoVQFibwlFEpaExa1xxkJ8PsB5piJb2Ah6-GETuCFahVlUk6akcRY84qlg_IEr0prg7aXnowXvLQYCl0j0SoR4PH6fp4L1iYDl374NVddpc70lzg-_a9oiLYNhFz3w/s320/indianamall_18_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">JCPenney court. Note the different ceiling tiles. Although uncertain, this store looks to have been added onto the mall in 1980 or 1981. What was here before was likely either an unfinished, walled off wing or an original main entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vRPg2XSJJDocplTmDJA9XidcqX2sdbpFnvsh36NAzMhAspVZ1ioTCBOd2X0ZxyG4X0HEdr9BFw5A4lSid3Be3W0HWP1NbqYMSFhrGbgqTuvNIl1gV1ieoZzp1tba8KkDZmZkzH_1EDmB/s1600/indianamall_50_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vRPg2XSJJDocplTmDJA9XidcqX2sdbpFnvsh36NAzMhAspVZ1ioTCBOd2X0ZxyG4X0HEdr9BFw5A4lSid3Be3W0HWP1NbqYMSFhrGbgqTuvNIl1gV1ieoZzp1tba8KkDZmZkzH_1EDmB/s320/indianamall_50_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail of planters in front of JCPenney looking back into the main mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eCx5V0FS7EEFpFf6uyKa7I384AXlj9A3L6AE-iyjI1o7u8JNUFeNgdjFuzuqN0byLkMcLjkUaEApqPN5xF65D4bxhkdiW4LhI7CAXz7t4AMg0JIsg9mK9osR0DHWvZ7Y-S8_4bwjhxsQ/s1600/indianamall_1_052917_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eCx5V0FS7EEFpFf6uyKa7I384AXlj9A3L6AE-iyjI1o7u8JNUFeNgdjFuzuqN0byLkMcLjkUaEApqPN5xF65D4bxhkdiW4LhI7CAXz7t4AMg0JIsg9mK9osR0DHWvZ7Y-S8_4bwjhxsQ/s320/indianamall_1_052917_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk-Liwv87YTf2fmPAUG3Fnh6xg8aMpkNpyPuO63m4sjpkT-LaQ2Ilt-BWJFZ8isxvxw84LHZKpRJjTkv9RfS4lt9PPsJdZnU8lMb0IfqVhw0jYvWTlK6pJGAzTwIu1nKbWELsO33C2DLf/s1600/indianamall_69_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyk-Liwv87YTf2fmPAUG3Fnh6xg8aMpkNpyPuO63m4sjpkT-LaQ2Ilt-BWJFZ8isxvxw84LHZKpRJjTkv9RfS4lt9PPsJdZnU8lMb0IfqVhw0jYvWTlK6pJGAzTwIu1nKbWELsO33C2DLf/s320/indianamall_69_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sears is a relatively unremarkable store design-wise, but at least it's not closed. Many stuff not currently in the city could take over this store when it inevitably leaves.</span></div>
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The decor found in Indiana Mall is at the very least intriguing. Zamias was not a company to skimp on color or architectural detail on their older malls, and the remaining fountains are a feast for the eyes featuring burnt orange tiles and a bubble fountain next to Sears and another huge jet fountain in the middle of a sunken area with brick planters in front of Bon-Ton. In addition, two sets of planters remain in front of Kmart and JCPenney, the former definitely previously used as a fountain. JCPenney's entrance court features brick planters while Kmart's fountain/planter combination is surrounded by gold tiles. In addition, the center court features dark brown painted wood beams and red trim providing a striking appearance even without the fountains and planters that were removed sometime in the past 5-10 years. While apparently lost on most of today's mall owners, these features were clearly a draw for mall patrons much as they were in years past, and it is greatly appreciated that so much of these are still there. Families with children were gathering around these features all throughout the mall, attesting to their popularity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37HJHV-Kr7-RJFivMCEZKRRG0yCGznCQz6YdrfML4k-YEoVcVGjZqmqKM6ib6Q4eL4en20DE-SZlkSjBl7P5o3EJfBizDO5RcEE2RJG2Vr7LTYxkH8_S6ZzmBfl9lYFNjzVTtCUBl3VEx/s1600/indianamall_59_052917_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37HJHV-Kr7-RJFivMCEZKRRG0yCGznCQz6YdrfML4k-YEoVcVGjZqmqKM6ib6Q4eL4en20DE-SZlkSjBl7P5o3EJfBizDO5RcEE2RJG2Vr7LTYxkH8_S6ZzmBfl9lYFNjzVTtCUBl3VEx/s320/indianamall_59_052917_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the nicest shots I've ever taken of a JCPenney store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvKPE5PJ28Z2Z3F7ouigOCyPn5NZRPbTCZ7i3LpdTjiAEk1Rms8xHbjMzFb3WoEJoXtwsOG21CfGbN6owDpQBIGkEJ3MkIHYLKIh8sobL1k2ltg5UtWgRVWBNT-PIiWj1KL40F7GOe6-V/s1600/indianamall_62_052917_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvKPE5PJ28Z2Z3F7ouigOCyPn5NZRPbTCZ7i3LpdTjiAEk1Rms8xHbjMzFb3WoEJoXtwsOG21CfGbN6owDpQBIGkEJ3MkIHYLKIh8sobL1k2ltg5UtWgRVWBNT-PIiWj1KL40F7GOe6-V/s320/indianamall_62_052917_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsFjIxAT86RvAJ_Ezye6LR7TbibI0PxAhdjNCYeKt3T0DtCKM2gNTHvqFkiaSBdfMzbfSpgm0NB3Y7gHsNlUjWC73NWu4y2YhI8HIuGhjBZTxdl6iU6_OuEvQjitSsd3lgKiAT33P18Zq/s1600/indianamall_63_052917_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsFjIxAT86RvAJ_Ezye6LR7TbibI0PxAhdjNCYeKt3T0DtCKM2gNTHvqFkiaSBdfMzbfSpgm0NB3Y7gHsNlUjWC73NWu4y2YhI8HIuGhjBZTxdl6iU6_OuEvQjitSsd3lgKiAT33P18Zq/s320/indianamall_63_052917_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Bon-Ton's exterior logo does not match the interior mall entrance. This is also an older logo used in the mid-to-late 1980's. Why is that? Were there two logos used at the same time, was this updated later or what?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqBRpi5sVdrIMJLdgIADMHiB6xrxk3S3O9TPBh4gdnp2kmLkKpFGjGaEWvM3bb7s2hypYjUtgwsChQLMXMDurAF8caVRHrRfROnm_Jblbu-1vLGnsA7fVEK5sT6-HEf8K9RnhMR4E7l5i/s1600/indianamall_64_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqBRpi5sVdrIMJLdgIADMHiB6xrxk3S3O9TPBh4gdnp2kmLkKpFGjGaEWvM3bb7s2hypYjUtgwsChQLMXMDurAF8caVRHrRfROnm_Jblbu-1vLGnsA7fVEK5sT6-HEf8K9RnhMR4E7l5i/s320/indianamall_64_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Appalachian beauty can be found at the mall with these hemlock trees and rhododendrons in full bloom in the northwest corner of Bon-Ton. All over the region, the colorful rhododendrons and wildflowers really added a zest to the landscape.</span></div>
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Metaphorically, the day we visited the mall came after a major storm even that caused flooding across the region as well as wind and hail damage. Like those storms, the mall is facing a severe storm in the future that may damage its ability to survive. The sudden loss of nearly all of its anchors is a crisis, but it does not have to be. While IUP can help sustain the mall, the owners need to take action to recruit as many replacement anchors as possible before they lose all of them. With many major chains currently not operating any locations in the town, the opportunities are there to improve what the mall offers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXKbJP_-yI8ep7lKm0X-kudewDQndrxSPuHnDPLHqn9eqWooqq1QLLp_4zeJft_kIZKzjWDDzW8VuwTmoZ3fZaQVMBnYtiuEmBRq3nmgRjltkV4sot-s0LlCpvwewC3T9vOX4dxO_UcXZ/s1600/indianamall_58_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXKbJP_-yI8ep7lKm0X-kudewDQndrxSPuHnDPLHqn9eqWooqq1QLLp_4zeJft_kIZKzjWDDzW8VuwTmoZ3fZaQVMBnYtiuEmBRq3nmgRjltkV4sot-s0LlCpvwewC3T9vOX4dxO_UcXZ/s320/indianamall_58_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1970's knew how to make mall entrances: very dark and stark. The burnt orange on gray/brown aluminum in those oddly small letters is so jarring it almost dares you to pass under that sign. Nonetheless, it looks far better to me than those stucco-filled "splashy" exteriors you see on malls today with way too much going on, and the design usually out of context with the building. This entrance is located between JCPenney and Sears.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx73t1316Opb7kZO-2z8uIJ6Y0mKfsQvoNT1jN-YxV0Nl15OvONDRnaelitougyjMHGs7lNuA4rvNhcPdJtL71YiTx4w1bQN-ErTAQvPnDs5LC_ElJJ6CLBazl5eDDUajCgGtHEoJ0QLNP/s1600/indianamall_65_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx73t1316Opb7kZO-2z8uIJ6Y0mKfsQvoNT1jN-YxV0Nl15OvONDRnaelitougyjMHGs7lNuA4rvNhcPdJtL71YiTx4w1bQN-ErTAQvPnDs5LC_ElJJ6CLBazl5eDDUajCgGtHEoJ0QLNP/s320/indianamall_65_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As you can see here, a mall entrance is on the left leading to Bon-Ton and the fountain court, the Kmart (north) entrance corridor is on the right and Cinemas IV are in the middle. Check out that 1970's color! If Kmart had its original logo, this would be a mid-century gem.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_TsrimvhugUJOJyOoyvz57NLMec2sVPize5lXe-vKJiaN0X1RdnZBBRs93z8lmPHLMrbviIlhlngoAYMYFtMU6XYjMMCjqp2rlyTOKKI8CdofbOE5roDxi8Lmx7h3h5ziIRhG4eNtVAm/s1600/indianamall_66_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_TsrimvhugUJOJyOoyvz57NLMec2sVPize5lXe-vKJiaN0X1RdnZBBRs93z8lmPHLMrbviIlhlngoAYMYFtMU6XYjMMCjqp2rlyTOKKI8CdofbOE5roDxi8Lmx7h3h5ziIRhG4eNtVAm/s320/indianamall_66_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another stark little "MALL" entrance. This is the one that goes to Bon-Ton and used to have York Steak House on the right just before the court.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr8-LNZJ-pIi00KwReEK-T4kd1szFvJy-rh5RrScxCeJFpLp-rpbefSRK9HzX2iEGu9ZjrCH2ngE66SDj5_g-phF0z0Kwx7qMrpNCchKts4fTkvBzkAXfkBBZHGTXxbCJozwsHRUy4hfH/s1600/indianamall_67_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr8-LNZJ-pIi00KwReEK-T4kd1szFvJy-rh5RrScxCeJFpLp-rpbefSRK9HzX2iEGu9ZjrCH2ngE66SDj5_g-phF0z0Kwx7qMrpNCchKts4fTkvBzkAXfkBBZHGTXxbCJozwsHRUy4hfH/s320/indianamall_67_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Does this make you want to go see a movie? However, you would expect to see Raiders of the Lost Ark on the letter board instead of what's there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ANsST9uDbIBhofwFdu5FZ0tRl69K1ObnJquXlupUQ4KHFMkJK89Ks20n8-UoLe4ltA58iIZ9JsYtfSLFZ9fhdKfOKjFIgGaz18Vy3Cn5uhz3bro9roIvR2ubK3AxhZCssNF9QbkGf3hk/s1600/indianamall_68_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ANsST9uDbIBhofwFdu5FZ0tRl69K1ObnJquXlupUQ4KHFMkJK89Ks20n8-UoLe4ltA58iIZ9JsYtfSLFZ9fhdKfOKjFIgGaz18Vy3Cn5uhz3bro9roIvR2ubK3AxhZCssNF9QbkGf3hk/s320/indianamall_68_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Caesar's will need to be packing up and looking for a new location since Kmart is closing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChzUwVn2LveqOsGeol4Z-mJNua1hseeVrhWJw5z3OqJXJctF0m-l-fytiCMcvp4n1BUaU7Ngbjq3kr7xNF_MfrJfngWUKkROuM-s2y2cIfCaE3gJ_fCca06bDnRkjM4KpRFxvpANs3Hb7/s1600/indianamall_70_052917_kmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChzUwVn2LveqOsGeol4Z-mJNua1hseeVrhWJw5z3OqJXJctF0m-l-fytiCMcvp4n1BUaU7Ngbjq3kr7xNF_MfrJfngWUKkROuM-s2y2cIfCaE3gJ_fCca06bDnRkjM4KpRFxvpANs3Hb7/s320/indianamall_70_052917_kmart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">...and so it begins. These Kmart-anchored malls usually start failing with the closure of Kmart first with everything else following. It may not seem to matter, but there are quite a few malls barely surviving at the moment whose first anchor to go was Kmart. This is the south entrance wing to Kmart.</span></div>
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A wise move for the mall right now would be to begin a plan to replace the existing Kmart and Sears. Since Kmart is already closing, and Sears is not far behind, the anchors that need to be considered consist of relocating JCPenney into the present Sears space, adding a Target or Kohl's into the current Kmart, adding a Dick's Sporting Goods, Dunham's or Burlington Coat Factory for the current Bon-Ton and bringing in a cluster of junior anchors among choices such as H&M, Forever 21, Petco or Ross Dress For Less for the rest. In addition, the theaters should probably be relocated to where JCPenney is currently or the store demolished to create a new main mall entrance. If JCPenney leaves altogether, bringing Boscov's into the (likely soon to be former) Sears may also fill that void as well as providing a very popular regional store to draw in more customers. Overall, Indiana lacks many major retail chains while the current anchors are unpopular stores, so the loss of these department stores presents an opportunity to attract any of the far superior stores mentioned. Adding those stores may also help bring in more chain stores within the mall itself thus filling the vacancies with more chain stores, although it will be necessary to transform large blocks of space over to these junior anchors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_a4o6lB-bbKIe93k9ADMEXfPxDKfywO57ideMOvd-x_bS9fGFZI11uTQIOQ9aQylRh6AzMkQCYFZNd3bdp3RFPZ0VBA007ZZY2cRmKnxW3uXbOrJ1Gj1n_rFkbuSA0KgzsfyrSGyKPXx/s1600/indianamall_71_052917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_a4o6lB-bbKIe93k9ADMEXfPxDKfywO57ideMOvd-x_bS9fGFZI11uTQIOQ9aQylRh6AzMkQCYFZNd3bdp3RFPZ0VBA007ZZY2cRmKnxW3uXbOrJ1Gj1n_rFkbuSA0KgzsfyrSGyKPXx/s320/indianamall_71_052917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We enjoyed our visit to Indiana...um, Pennsylvania. Your mall may not have been in everyone's Top 10, but we enjoyed it. From here, we returned to our overcrowded and overpriced cities from whence we came.</span></div>
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Many would look at the mall's vintage design and suggest that what is needed to rescue the mall is a major renovation. That is exactly <i>not</i> what is not needed right now. While gutting the mall and replacing it with a clean, hospital-grade atmosphere that removes all disco era elements seems like a rescue strategy, it is not an ugly mall in its current design. A major overhaul would only drive away more tenants due to the higher rents. It should be noted that bigger, shinier malls designed to attract major chain stores in anything but an urban A-list mall is a dangerous course right now as chain stores in malls are vanishing fast. In fact, the mall should focus its money and efforts on attracting new anchors to the mall while bucking the trends completely. Malls like Berkshire Mall in Reading have NOT seen a loss of customers or stores by refusing to renovate. A tenant mix that is 15-25% mom-and-pop stores coupled with popular anchors may actually make the mall more appealing in a college town: especially local restaurants and stores that sell used records, antiques, arts and crafts as long as it is balanced with popular chain stores and junior anchors. At the end, fountains and planters should actually be restored and even expanded in the mall as a means to create a unique draw that is missing from so many malls today. I guess the question is, is Zamias willing to take a chance and turn this vintage gem into a diamond in the rough?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d3447.0343162690574!2d-79.1840869009799!3d40.60842053939241!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1496855660217" style="border-style: initial; border-width: 0px;" width="400"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google maps view of the mall. JCPenney is on the right, Bon-Ton on top, Sears on the bottom and Kmart on the left.</span></div>
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<b>ALSO</b>: Here is a <a href="http://www.indianamallpa.com/uploads/4/5/8/5/45856013/1468256134.png">directory</a> from the mall's website of the mall showing the locations of stores, planters and fountains.</div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-49311360925970245912017-03-15T09:00:00.000-07:002017-07-15T23:59:35.329-07:00Cressona Mall: Pottsville, PASome malls stand out as major landmarks that are impossible to miss. Cressona Mall is not one of those. In fact, if you pass it driving along PA 61 you would easily mistake it for a strip mall. If not for the name, you might not even notice that there was a mall there, but in fact there is. A mostly dead one, that is. While Cressona Mall has remained somewhat viable as a strip center, the interior mall is today barely hanging on with just a few local shops and a Goodwill store. Nevertheless, for the lover of the mostly lost "community center" mall, this is one of the very few examples remaining today.<br />
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Most community malls were designed to be basically a strip mall turned inward. Never large and never very fancy, the idea was that a climate controlled mall could house the same tenants normally found in an open-air strip center usually on less land. Initially the typical strip mall tenants lined up to fill these malls mixed in with a variety of local stores. In no cases did it work considering that shoppers proved unwilling to trek into these mini-malls, and chain stores likewise fled leaving a leaky, nearly derelict building with a few local businesses operating on very low rents. Eventually the cost of maintenance led to the building being demolished in favor of a traditional strip mall. Cressona so far has proved to be one of the very few exceptions.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The first photo is looking down the south wing of the mall toward what was Hills/Ames with a narrow office corridor to the right. The next two photos are exterior shots looking toward Giant and Staples (former Grant's). The second photo is looking to what was all originally Hill's, later Ames.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mall directory shows significant vacancies in 2015, but apparently many of these have since been filled or shops combined for larger tenants.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z0X1Wls-PCCDGtdSPYhsGlH8-Ce0_2v62zrWvCMbcpsMtZ7r0Tb47YcvVEjQQitGJD1zvDwhh-Yhu7anG6AhvAM5GRAevK46gmt5UxNyQD4QOCeS-FXUEbkG5LNubDC_97AuNlrIU9On/s1600/cressona_4_061315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z0X1Wls-PCCDGtdSPYhsGlH8-Ce0_2v62zrWvCMbcpsMtZ7r0Tb47YcvVEjQQitGJD1zvDwhh-Yhu7anG6AhvAM5GRAevK46gmt5UxNyQD4QOCeS-FXUEbkG5LNubDC_97AuNlrIU9On/s320/cressona_4_061315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Front entrance wing looking to center court. It is not known what the Goodwill was originally.</span></div>
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When Cressona Mall opened in 1974, it housed three major tenants: a Grant's, Hill's Department Store and Bi-Lo (a local supermarket not to be confused with the larger Southern chain). Grant's after closing with the chain became Lane Department Stores and today is Staples. Hill's became Ames after Ames purchased the chain in 1998. Ames at that point had overexpanded and went out of business four years later. Today, the former Ames space is divided up into three spaces with Ollie's on the far end, a medical center in the middle and the portion connected to the mall itself still vacant. In fact, an Ames sign remains today at the mall entrance in the Hill's oval. Buy-Lo also changed twice: first to Insalaco (which <a href="http://insalacodev.com/">today is a real estate development firm</a>) and later to Carlisle, PA-based Giant. The grocery anchor never had direct mall access.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A separate look at the front entrance wing, which is the most vibrant part of the mall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW63QVf6rHsCvwE0l2mcuTKYLUbYuHgJYZCZsQ2MsFPBe3TUeJH0gKVMLBRhcUld3DMYpazEyOfqXidwUo0v-tM1atADvckeamTbgbghzVW4IsEc17PcPDgCtA9jTBVxhbge2ySzYtgRfz/s1600/cressona_5_061315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW63QVf6rHsCvwE0l2mcuTKYLUbYuHgJYZCZsQ2MsFPBe3TUeJH0gKVMLBRhcUld3DMYpazEyOfqXidwUo0v-tM1atADvckeamTbgbghzVW4IsEc17PcPDgCtA9jTBVxhbge2ySzYtgRfz/s320/cressona_5_061315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of center court and what appears to have been a local department store in what was now the Goodwill judging by the fancy light fixture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view from the Grant's/Giant/Dollar General side of the mall looking toward Ames/Hills</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zZi6aGcAAXGoH87NZUsU2o81-qI5qHbYnVayxo-Ld6nn4XY3a9U7U-h698Z6DfEhI5TyY-WofFwbmr_j4bxo-P05PuJHJLBYjdfui695ff81yRL-u9_HbB6asqdajhYGpQlf9r3Wg64e/s1600/cressona_11_061315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zZi6aGcAAXGoH87NZUsU2o81-qI5qHbYnVayxo-Ld6nn4XY3a9U7U-h698Z6DfEhI5TyY-WofFwbmr_j4bxo-P05PuJHJLBYjdfui695ff81yRL-u9_HbB6asqdajhYGpQlf9r3Wg64e/s320/cressona_11_061315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This snack bar kiosk looks to have been pretty much untouched since the 80's, but does anybody know what it used to be?</span></div>
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The mall's struggles are by no means remarkable. The fact that a mall is still there and open to the public is what is actually remarkable. Not all of the mall, however, is still intact. Dollar General built their store into existing mall space cutting off access to Staple's, which originally had been Grant's. The mall otherwise exists today with few tenants dependent on inline access and the most vacancies found in the main part of the mall. The front part, however, is the busiest and includes a candy shop near the front entrance is definitely one of the best I have run across. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A look at the entire Hills/Ames wing starting at the mall entrance moving to center court. Dollar General is visible in the background, but the store does not have any mall access.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8m604rJb-H8LN2mKWh2PqiDAX53v9uyQQjGRsEFL6M_v01661BD9zWfjMW37rARCTfiBKe4IuY1GA-iHK8usj5RWFnUJryfPZvaHm4HsnZz-fym1w4fBrWLuNTDhcFrD4QjqAu9uUDKn/s1600/cressona_18_061315_hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8m604rJb-H8LN2mKWh2PqiDAX53v9uyQQjGRsEFL6M_v01661BD9zWfjMW37rARCTfiBKe4IuY1GA-iHK8usj5RWFnUJryfPZvaHm4HsnZz-fym1w4fBrWLuNTDhcFrD4QjqAu9uUDKn/s320/cressona_18_061315_hills.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl3LUh1_x4iA6xQWYmwvGMjFHWRiLffCPzKDyCiJFdMH41nBlNCGL_fuP0XpK2-q7ZViDz45GANF0epdHdgB__aNKZrXGLaianvH1iULvQ_H8sfWGweb9RPI4plXXr5K2B6UNETsKsJ5o/s1600/cressona_19_061315_hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl3LUh1_x4iA6xQWYmwvGMjFHWRiLffCPzKDyCiJFdMH41nBlNCGL_fuP0XpK2-q7ZViDz45GANF0epdHdgB__aNKZrXGLaianvH1iULvQ_H8sfWGweb9RPI4plXXr5K2B6UNETsKsJ5o/s320/cressona_19_061315_hills.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Ames sign in the Hills oval still hangs on in 2015, but this sign will be removed very shortly for a Planet Fitness. While sad, it is obviously not in the best interest of a mall to have a mall entrance and anchor pad sit vacant for 15+ years, so it is bittersweet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnVAHFLt4UZMWbg6dwnlF0GjSHDzNJ4wucOjeoAdW-eh5guNGFo8rLvsKxrzIiSmWhG0KKahFgDjFfliYWQkWrgnUWuV3KhXck4x-RgnXIaR0AxoKbOGwS_zcZAPVwxv2FNekDMvLCfi2/s1600/cressona_24_061315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnVAHFLt4UZMWbg6dwnlF0GjSHDzNJ4wucOjeoAdW-eh5guNGFo8rLvsKxrzIiSmWhG0KKahFgDjFfliYWQkWrgnUWuV3KhXck4x-RgnXIaR0AxoKbOGwS_zcZAPVwxv2FNekDMvLCfi2/s320/cressona_24_061315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Goodwill takes up a good size chunk of the mall in center court.</span></div>
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Cressona Mall is found on a corridor in a portion of Pennsylvania that has been struggling economically. Once a center of heavy industry, it joins three other dying malls within a close proximity. To the north is Fairlane Village Mall, which is anchored by Boscov's and Kohl's although only Boscov's maintains a mall entrance. Fairlane Village is more than 50% vacant and at present is the only modestly healthy traditional mall in the area. Further north is the infamous Schuyllkill Mall, a large and remarkably vintage mall located on the very top of a mountain that has been dying for years and may end up closed for good sometime within the next year. Even further north is the infamous Centralia mine fire that led to the demolition of an entire town suggesting that happiness and a tax base remains a struggle for residents living along PA 61. South of there is Fairgrounds Square Mall, another struggling mall in Reading, which is likely to be redeveloped after it's sale to Hull Property Group. After Schuyllkill likely falls to redevelopment, Cressona may not be far behind considering that on April 2, 2015 it was announced that the mall was <a href="http://wnep.com/2015/04/02/cressona-mall-faces-foreclosure/">facing foreclosure</a>. It is clear the only real problems with the center involve the interior mall portion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ai5wl55C4y4MH6IxS5hE75_cdntPU_WPnjVXYuJzUstu8vLqY4cM96mimmq44IbYsPAr0xjbwgJvRW1mYeG6iy3WonTBN0czLlMyGC7RIrRnqs748rithCgi6W1Z-ld-TLdkUUibuBO1/s1600/cressona_17_061315_hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ai5wl55C4y4MH6IxS5hE75_cdntPU_WPnjVXYuJzUstu8vLqY4cM96mimmq44IbYsPAr0xjbwgJvRW1mYeG6iy3WonTBN0czLlMyGC7RIrRnqs748rithCgi6W1Z-ld-TLdkUUibuBO1/s320/cressona_17_061315_hills.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Inside the former Hills/Ames, many relics remain, but the scene only shows 1/3 of the store. The other 2/3 was split off for Ollie's Bargain Outlet and a medical center.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GKs2paGl4UAaWly-dkWldH_FbOv-FheE-JKMvGl47Fp5lcIEN9ci6s8a48Dv0I-4oUeFegdrTGHvfo-vgUMDPvWS2F4VqMslSvBnTPgqIMU-ybpkvSUxiLppB1jcompugHpM6F5FDmrZ/s1600/cressona_4_041914_grants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GKs2paGl4UAaWly-dkWldH_FbOv-FheE-JKMvGl47Fp5lcIEN9ci6s8a48Dv0I-4oUeFegdrTGHvfo-vgUMDPvWS2F4VqMslSvBnTPgqIMU-ybpkvSUxiLppB1jcompugHpM6F5FDmrZ/s320/cressona_4_041914_grants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dollar General creates a mall entrance only to close it off. It appears Dollar General filled some of the mall space with the Staples behind it the original entrance to Grant's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtiVAA0769TvGIsyy1tkjbyY2kR6cOVNPROI9xHl4yyuqyRR6G2ZB2WvCbYjOlwjQ5MDDTgh8BASidgxMGYctIwzzJDmuL_CwaLNeHhuah-gE55DXTQwUEGpCBFDR6H13vzhjwzL-J2UG/s1600/cressona_6_041914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtiVAA0769TvGIsyy1tkjbyY2kR6cOVNPROI9xHl4yyuqyRR6G2ZB2WvCbYjOlwjQ5MDDTgh8BASidgxMGYctIwzzJDmuL_CwaLNeHhuah-gE55DXTQwUEGpCBFDR6H13vzhjwzL-J2UG/s320/cressona_6_041914.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The way to fill a small mall with few options for tenants is obviously to combine spaces into larger ones. Rent-A-Center on the right takes up many spaces formerly occupied by several smaller tenants.</span></div>
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The owners of this little mall, however, have plenty of front-facing stores to keep this mall going as long as they want if they can just figure out what to do with or without the interior portion. They just proved they have muscle when it <a href="http://republicanherald.com/news/cressona-mall-to-bulk-up-with-addition-of-planet-fitness-1.2042061">was announced in 2016</a> that the former Ames/Hill's space would be filled with a Planet Fitness. Many malls these days have been thinking outside the big box to fill these voids, but it remains to be seen if they will maintain the interior portion long-term. The article states that out of 21 interior spaces that only six are presently vacant suggesting that either the economy must be picking up in the area or they are leasing to non-traditional tenants. In addition, PennDOT just completed major improvements to PA 61, which will hopefully drive more traffic into the region. Unfortunately, this change will also mean the loss of one of the last vestiges of dead retail in the mall: the Ames sign still found at the mall entrance. At least with the possible jobs coming to a redeveloped Schuyllkill Mall and the continued viability of Cressona that possibly an economic renaissance may be coming to Schuyllkill Valley.</div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-46712389807908259352017-03-14T11:42:00.000-07:002017-03-14T11:42:05.476-07:00Westgate Mall: Bethlehem, PAWestgate Mall is one of those malls easy to miss. From the outside it does not even look like a mall. From aerials, it is easy to mistake it for a large strip center. This probably explains why in the many discussions about dying malls that this one is overlooked. Originally opening in 1973, the mall exists as a forgotten yet surviving early shopping center in Bethlehem. Since eclipsed by larger malls, the mall has largely become a community mall serving an ever decreasing customer base. Probably the only reason it survives today is because it maintains three major anchor tenants that provide financial security although they seem to be awaiting either redevelopment or openings for better locations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLMue4CjmkRzhTdXRB88FtOsT_IEq4bCLcAeD4Mhc_-tkcobneTDF1lO5WpISXho6g0e2G3n-QBWrxo9xzhezJp-kKBhzg6xZFGqJbSsrNrJ6yJE-czNsCCaBCM27PTk_z79YeMGIVvk6/s1600/westgate_6_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLMue4CjmkRzhTdXRB88FtOsT_IEq4bCLcAeD4Mhc_-tkcobneTDF1lO5WpISXho6g0e2G3n-QBWrxo9xzhezJp-kKBhzg6xZFGqJbSsrNrJ6yJE-czNsCCaBCM27PTk_z79YeMGIVvk6/s320/westgate_6_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Developed by Harold S. Campbell, Westgate Mall is a combined enclosed strip and enclosed mall meaning that few like it exist anywhere. The anchors to the original center included Hess's on the west end of the main mall, Newberry's on the east end and George's IGA Foodliner on the strip portion. The mall also contains an upper level portion of offices on the strip portion over the top of the current Rite-Aid. Another second level office portion was located next to Newberry's, but that portion is walled off and currently unusued. In all, it was a strangely designed center. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOvea_UJqHjSC6EszU0UtyQEUTmoP0XiNvKL6Som8eKTRyyzVxAeonFMf2iGMzxKLxtCEP0E4dYl4PNirijoTD8NcrphQ7UGQUxzvHBRj69vxilOjkkfSxeq8YV811nzEurdo3FmVoCeQ/s1600/westgate_2_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOvea_UJqHjSC6EszU0UtyQEUTmoP0XiNvKL6Som8eKTRyyzVxAeonFMf2iGMzxKLxtCEP0E4dYl4PNirijoTD8NcrphQ7UGQUxzvHBRj69vxilOjkkfSxeq8YV811nzEurdo3FmVoCeQ/s320/westgate_2_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's a big step up into the mall leaving Bon-Ton (former Hess's). However, don't expect to be stepping up into a shopper's paradise. The first photo shows the bend from the enclosed strip into the main mall with the former Newberry's entrance on the left and a mystery staircase to walled off offices straight ahead. Photo and all other uncredited (webmaster) photos taken May 3, 2014.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4yVByjueaDgbKCRV3AyesGGoD36jXDdUVU_Tb_eWN67BMKc6-sbj9lMY8kWKy9dPr3NmYT8KlU2Q31TFsFg15MqWOYoOhZiQFUdiBNhv-wFDgXOMW3v4FAqFh-Gzwb2IwBrCeh9E7PMs/s1600/westgate_3_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4yVByjueaDgbKCRV3AyesGGoD36jXDdUVU_Tb_eWN67BMKc6-sbj9lMY8kWKy9dPr3NmYT8KlU2Q31TFsFg15MqWOYoOhZiQFUdiBNhv-wFDgXOMW3v4FAqFh-Gzwb2IwBrCeh9E7PMs/s320/westgate_3_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Westgate Mall in the full mall portion has no natural light relying on overhead artificial light to brighten the concourse. This was typical in the 70's, but since the 1980's natural light is preferred.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyJBiZUnV4VfeENvJ7qsEN02ljKSIOCXfqTig2qKT9C4m021C-ZrTjUBMtoo0A8MM07ksHFhingeqmNgkRxn5hCkPXEyU5fBSHpAjescwpZ7w5TrHWm7nFKuyOKH88ztKFZMt2VUTw4aw/s1600/westgate_4_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyJBiZUnV4VfeENvJ7qsEN02ljKSIOCXfqTig2qKT9C4m021C-ZrTjUBMtoo0A8MM07ksHFhingeqmNgkRxn5hCkPXEyU5fBSHpAjescwpZ7w5TrHWm7nFKuyOKH88ztKFZMt2VUTw4aw/s320/westgate_4_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It is unknown what this last operated as, but it was a very large tenant. The portion on the left was rebuilt after a 1977 fire.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QQCi1aRdGJc2pilqfbnTb_Erf0ogDQ_6YTjGRJ7_a1u5843oWX6gBPRvBTrIBegZXw89WdHDynm2-_ViBm7g3u3OE0yMBe_b6zo_2i7iJoRsFXmaLTaoJy4pYBiQ1W0UgaZR8aY8LBrx/s1600/westgate_43_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QQCi1aRdGJc2pilqfbnTb_Erf0ogDQ_6YTjGRJ7_a1u5843oWX6gBPRvBTrIBegZXw89WdHDynm2-_ViBm7g3u3OE0yMBe_b6zo_2i7iJoRsFXmaLTaoJy4pYBiQ1W0UgaZR8aY8LBrx/s320/westgate_43_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Apparently this empty store was used as a Republican campaign headquarters in 2012. Photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohLRUGm0ABCnnqmaVivyel9J1CSgo0jf3bxVKywMpaG3APKmN24Gru-f9_zW1XK0g1GW6SH3VVjtxNGCYFqWZK1lNrZlHx1v1xMxepMlAremVLEe0tEv2i2pLYa_QCqxqR-_8DN7hmPFX/s1600/westgate_44_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohLRUGm0ABCnnqmaVivyel9J1CSgo0jf3bxVKywMpaG3APKmN24Gru-f9_zW1XK0g1GW6SH3VVjtxNGCYFqWZK1lNrZlHx1v1xMxepMlAremVLEe0tEv2i2pLYa_QCqxqR-_8DN7hmPFX/s320/westgate_44_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdn0T9XnQ6sp6Vtfc3HKv-0AMKZL1T5iavYmC-eHLdZi2WbaUWRc6HPKMrAu7vUh8JVn7efO-0qfzqBWxDQ9Jtf0Qx6RdGhGTzxOcB55QdVYb2G6YMnKnYY8hNyna9yv0ZN0wHq9NcT1R/s1600/westgate_5_050314_newberrys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdn0T9XnQ6sp6Vtfc3HKv-0AMKZL1T5iavYmC-eHLdZi2WbaUWRc6HPKMrAu7vUh8JVn7efO-0qfzqBWxDQ9Jtf0Qx6RdGhGTzxOcB55QdVYb2G6YMnKnYY8hNyna9yv0ZN0wHq9NcT1R/s320/westgate_5_050314_newberrys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Newberry's mall entrance head on from the main mall with the mystery steps to the right (no public access, of course). First photo taken May 3, 2014. Second photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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An interesting note about the Hess's is that it is identical in design to a store built at South Mall closer to Allentown. However, the enclosure of the mall was not handled in a typical fashion. Since the mall included both a strip and enclosed portion, ultimately the strip portion was enclosed, too! However, unlike most efforts to enclose a strip, it simply became an enclosed hallway with the original tenants on one side and the parking lot on the other with glass windows separating it. Only a portion of the enclosed strip actually has tenants on both sides. In addition, Hess's anchored the mall in a strange fashion with the store staggered like a discount store with the store set back away from the front of the mall. While it still does have a mall entrance, it includes a tiring set of steps and an odd diagonal door to the right going directly outside. In addition, Bon-Ton today takes up space of an inline tenant on the opposite side of the single door.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hnmt-KI3mFoYe-wyB80jGHhiNANbhVgLNVsorF1dHgi8Z3sfkUfBOSeI_pd-TSaSnTA3E50Kb5gKMihcKpvzFgPsWTm0VCo8Msnv6W9NXvgzBddd9pMyb3SWaVvWXzXBTUwZa28yCzp2/s1600/westgate_46_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hnmt-KI3mFoYe-wyB80jGHhiNANbhVgLNVsorF1dHgi8Z3sfkUfBOSeI_pd-TSaSnTA3E50Kb5gKMihcKpvzFgPsWTm0VCo8Msnv6W9NXvgzBddd9pMyb3SWaVvWXzXBTUwZa28yCzp2/s320/westgate_46_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gc43GOQMfv1jpZM2upICwZR1yi5V4yiQQm5HAhQW-NU5mTSRWT_9CxuOk1HVUo5x4NWQ_o8vWRFxBD-_PCvvxT654ML15lf3BoZfLLubvZKOjggT_Si2l1oLYvWh5VG-YGXdMRKUu96i/s1600/westgate_20_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gc43GOQMfv1jpZM2upICwZR1yi5V4yiQQm5HAhQW-NU5mTSRWT_9CxuOk1HVUo5x4NWQ_o8vWRFxBD-_PCvvxT654ML15lf3BoZfLLubvZKOjggT_Si2l1oLYvWh5VG-YGXdMRKUu96i/s320/westgate_20_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking back from Newberry's to Bon-Ton with these odd railings posted as a means to give some sort of definition to the mall. The mall has continuous slopes from Newberry's to Bon-Ton. First photo is by Digital Sky from August 26, 2012 and second is from May 3, 2014.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bRmRjh-vlR5ydA6vaaJ46d4fwB_vOyaTjYEi4ksyKsA2TDJSNeCj-dx104a_vMd50CIVR3cktqYhSdbNc7MJza_OYjHXIx6CLZlZUbX3-pI8LcOIiQPXpjfc_0_GRz0X3MNiQrxtJ1kV/s1600/westgate_42_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bRmRjh-vlR5ydA6vaaJ46d4fwB_vOyaTjYEi4ksyKsA2TDJSNeCj-dx104a_vMd50CIVR3cktqYhSdbNc7MJza_OYjHXIx6CLZlZUbX3-pI8LcOIiQPXpjfc_0_GRz0X3MNiQrxtJ1kV/s320/westgate_42_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRTrNN2LhAjO4VIgkE626I5uDUd8_DJfdnunQE3I21vSVgRrt-BFKU7xEz3DhRm1seaR6TlYTm9RyshI8lFkt2uDSnaM9biNT4uKUQVRAtUHBjJWha4_ocO81hGNPyfnK_u8_SZAHItiZ/s1600/westgate_21_050314_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRTrNN2LhAjO4VIgkE626I5uDUd8_DJfdnunQE3I21vSVgRrt-BFKU7xEz3DhRm1seaR6TlYTm9RyshI8lFkt2uDSnaM9biNT4uKUQVRAtUHBjJWha4_ocO81hGNPyfnK_u8_SZAHItiZ/s320/westgate_21_050314_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">These photos show the mall a little less cheery between 2012 and 2014 with the colorful banners removed overhead. First photo by Digital Sky.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYlegPbFXNFhDt0EI3BTHGwwjCXEkis1RV3vZgmh_TDXT92mW6abyupu-Rj_Zfls5AdILCBF7H0SdNPuKEEF-b3AzUlwwuhfKjdDZlLIbIa13145eBfUb4oAhLgm22S6Vo1C74uT1wBID/s1600/westgate_41_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYlegPbFXNFhDt0EI3BTHGwwjCXEkis1RV3vZgmh_TDXT92mW6abyupu-Rj_Zfls5AdILCBF7H0SdNPuKEEF-b3AzUlwwuhfKjdDZlLIbIa13145eBfUb4oAhLgm22S6Vo1C74uT1wBID/s320/westgate_41_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Kay Jewelers sporting this vintage logo has since left the building. Only in Pennsylvania would a store like this last this long in a basically dead mall. I guess they drew enough traffic from Bon-Ton. Second photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5w8vI75CroLWWBGbeEp5OgFZCn4st8Z1bqUkE_s85McDexV6GjGqX26mAPEL9TMHhutxWM4EwhxsIcm0f10Lj2P0NLWy6pjUgC659Qj1RJauyhH3QLFPWqu93WcbmVUFm05EDXpDSg0Z/s1600/westgate_45_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5w8vI75CroLWWBGbeEp5OgFZCn4st8Z1bqUkE_s85McDexV6GjGqX26mAPEL9TMHhutxWM4EwhxsIcm0f10Lj2P0NLWy6pjUgC659Qj1RJauyhH3QLFPWqu93WcbmVUFm05EDXpDSg0Z/s320/westgate_45_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Westgate Optical clearly appears to be one of the mall's oldest tenants. Photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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Tragedy struck the mall when in 1977 <a href="http://www.mcall.com/news/local/fromlv/mc-yk-pictures-lehigh-valley-malls-20150710-036-photo.html">a fire erupted that destroyed 18 stores</a>. The fire happened along the front portion of the mall next to Hess's. That portion today includes is where Bon-Ton operates a second store in the mall. Aside from this obvious major setback, the mall appeared to be modestly successful throughout the 70's and 80's, but by the 1990's the mall began to struggle as Lehigh Valley continued to draw customers away. Like most early malls, the mall had a tough time competing with only one department store anchor and a major five and dime store as its principal anchor tenants. JJ Newberry closed with most of the chain in 1997 leaving a huge vacancy in the center of the mall that has never been filled. However, the owners also lucked out with A&P eventually being replaced by Weis and Hess's was replaced by Bon-Ton. Rite-Aid also maintains a location in the mall along with Weis in the enclosed strip portion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_B8xET7LlcFPkaDdDEe7iflTwStFq3QpP_0Es0xGqQsDHN0tcZhxKR5x7aHrIiKasKyAa8tm7YJjpDTdKNIcUY_oei88I-lduidgWb9nKa735yaeVlpxGt90ohWuynCEikuc1uuJAmuh/s1600/westgate_22_050314_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_B8xET7LlcFPkaDdDEe7iflTwStFq3QpP_0Es0xGqQsDHN0tcZhxKR5x7aHrIiKasKyAa8tm7YJjpDTdKNIcUY_oei88I-lduidgWb9nKa735yaeVlpxGt90ohWuynCEikuc1uuJAmuh/s320/westgate_22_050314_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fdhokhfXWvzI6d4TZJqXUD8RoKXwo8Tzm6ugyFjRYE9OZ7VA69WHvP5vSVWuM2dxqJFJ9-Xc7OCAZbpb8IgWPuEMZPZ5sKUGI78yn6L35NpwQ0BVcJJ7iDXY_wWar1OjfaB_KEZG7nJ2/s1600/westgate_23_050314_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fdhokhfXWvzI6d4TZJqXUD8RoKXwo8Tzm6ugyFjRYE9OZ7VA69WHvP5vSVWuM2dxqJFJ9-Xc7OCAZbpb8IgWPuEMZPZ5sKUGI78yn6L35NpwQ0BVcJJ7iDXY_wWar1OjfaB_KEZG7nJ2/s320/westgate_23_050314_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The two entrances to Bon-Ton. The latter replaced an unknown store inline and was part of the portion rebuilt after the 1977 fire. Note the door on the right of Bon-Ton to the outside. The wall directory ties the two images together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SjYGZlg7viAUI1uDX9fYaJj2nAUVtLcb0RRc5pXyWO3MiEg9aaFdrZ3iIXMH_2N5DnHQMrRxfvLvcLxTse7Av-BH0OVdfVWdBU7LaN8TkewF4frEVZ-JNRPmur2bfh-4n2-gaf8_pQ1U/s1600/westgate_47_082612_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SjYGZlg7viAUI1uDX9fYaJj2nAUVtLcb0RRc5pXyWO3MiEg9aaFdrZ3iIXMH_2N5DnHQMrRxfvLvcLxTse7Av-BH0OVdfVWdBU7LaN8TkewF4frEVZ-JNRPmur2bfh-4n2-gaf8_pQ1U/s320/westgate_47_082612_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The two Bon-Ton stores side by side with the "escape door". Photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0fcfwHPlBs8-s4jVg9-kUZLETY-h1EfQgdSdi1YtxeV7tQkRDjxQ3E-_GC2PJSvxa3D6a7KHIJMp6koh-KVkRnHF0kVW-mfiW73O8LYotyK4uZ65m28G2BLZrjdVyFEv38tbdMUldvUw/s1600/westgate_9_050314_newberrys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0fcfwHPlBs8-s4jVg9-kUZLETY-h1EfQgdSdi1YtxeV7tQkRDjxQ3E-_GC2PJSvxa3D6a7KHIJMp6koh-KVkRnHF0kVW-mfiW73O8LYotyK4uZ65m28G2BLZrjdVyFEv38tbdMUldvUw/s320/westgate_9_050314_newberrys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beginning of the enclosed strip portion includes what appears to be a second former entrance of Newberry's to the right.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84S1F4gzf7i0kHD6jcDVUe7EwnF3OUc3wwGCyvgaZUWc-y6KoNWb0qIfD5hj4hVmNkZmKJnNCRXGegg4-0C_4SFn4p94VywV7YbzPZIVi-KnUxS7dzv1t__eVV3wMGUlbiAgzbAW6Z4VZ/s1600/westgate_10_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84S1F4gzf7i0kHD6jcDVUe7EwnF3OUc3wwGCyvgaZUWc-y6KoNWb0qIfD5hj4hVmNkZmKJnNCRXGegg4-0C_4SFn4p94VywV7YbzPZIVi-KnUxS7dzv1t__eVV3wMGUlbiAgzbAW6Z4VZ/s320/westgate_10_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCFHvMAjn7Z7U5imqskEuvxtXlLCb3qboep2bxYR-9mkVUEYT8cfu4Ixg1OkxzTc3uf4nXvLaP-arSvV8gb7ZUIO2y95DEGn82Un5bjcMb1FB4NSj8zWEwFjyuAyN6gh6twofe_RMLBb8/s1600/westgate_11_050314_weis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCFHvMAjn7Z7U5imqskEuvxtXlLCb3qboep2bxYR-9mkVUEYT8cfu4Ixg1OkxzTc3uf4nXvLaP-arSvV8gb7ZUIO2y95DEGn82Un5bjcMb1FB4NSj8zWEwFjyuAyN6gh6twofe_RMLBb8/s320/westgate_11_050314_weis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">More of the corridor headed to Weis with a bend in the corridor approaching the Weis store entrance.</span></div>
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A curiosity with the mall was the size of front-facing inline tenants, most of which looked to be junior anchors. An empty store with a wood front is the most noticeable sat next to a former front mall entrance that is today part of Subway. This store had both outside and mall entrance access and took up a large section of the road-facing side of mall. It looks like today it periodically opens as a temporary store/office, but most everything in the main mall portion is empty. Kay Jewelry and Payless Shoes are two of the remaining tenants in that section as of 2012 with Kay since departed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aAIaLS5nL3uAW59PTYoZxYl0lunBUjQjsH1azHCKD6bTWN604Zg_5pW5rh35p6KeHj9tQ919c7kMuqC4JQX5njlk-2fXeMcvT2rHlrnRR_9-qkDaoE9sfSAkAceh66CMj5yX-ZwUMTs0/s1600/westgate_12_050314_weis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aAIaLS5nL3uAW59PTYoZxYl0lunBUjQjsH1azHCKD6bTWN604Zg_5pW5rh35p6KeHj9tQ919c7kMuqC4JQX5njlk-2fXeMcvT2rHlrnRR_9-qkDaoE9sfSAkAceh66CMj5yX-ZwUMTs0/s320/westgate_12_050314_weis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Weis entrance on the right; outside entrance on the left. Judging from the scene ahead this looks like a bit of a tight squeeze for that cart full.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimGI78p7pYBBl3iiG8M24X7Fu-F7EuM6vBLtfvaAtUucKqAOfmz6E37G56Pnn724Q8g-Q5_iJuR6FJ2MLWRJ58vNwFw5MnHwI2mhGvt0r4h84kXqbP966g_RaZd5G8dz_E_O9XV3IDG3E/s1600/westgate_13_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimGI78p7pYBBl3iiG8M24X7Fu-F7EuM6vBLtfvaAtUucKqAOfmz6E37G56Pnn724Q8g-Q5_iJuR6FJ2MLWRJ58vNwFw5MnHwI2mhGvt0r4h84kXqbP966g_RaZd5G8dz_E_O9XV3IDG3E/s320/westgate_13_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another bend in the enclosed strip beyond Weis includes some narrow stores on the left that create a breif (and more legitimate) mall. Something tells me that door on the right is fake.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-3ORbKFUZwPwZrWu40l16vPoctmc_v5DNny0-SS6G7RtbHB1is5x-6-s9Z0jEnpPM79QQ1Os16PSeQMmE9Jg5v8GHBUkZeJO6BTcadWBCU7POrEpPHjGkAJCUFo0h1oVwJUxG44PboZa/s1600/westgate_14_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-3ORbKFUZwPwZrWu40l16vPoctmc_v5DNny0-SS6G7RtbHB1is5x-6-s9Z0jEnpPM79QQ1Os16PSeQMmE9Jg5v8GHBUkZeJO6BTcadWBCU7POrEpPHjGkAJCUFo0h1oVwJUxG44PboZa/s320/westgate_14_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Twisting and turning on a climate controlled urban hike that ends at Rite-Aid</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ4RRKttjPbFOnx5jV-EFTXqZ_0N14oHYxO5j8b2-NZ0IXGFaI_QoQ3PUDmVhMIQmNJ3u_iSVY0ZRPGYsdBESX9YAKRI6rJctljkxAMHtOT7tQ55Uw4z_XTuTMReQ1HTIiNu37AR2ioda/s1600/westgate_15_050314_riteaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ4RRKttjPbFOnx5jV-EFTXqZ_0N14oHYxO5j8b2-NZ0IXGFaI_QoQ3PUDmVhMIQmNJ3u_iSVY0ZRPGYsdBESX9YAKRI6rJctljkxAMHtOT7tQ55Uw4z_XTuTMReQ1HTIiNu37AR2ioda/s320/westgate_15_050314_riteaid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rite-Aid on the right with the end of the mall in sight.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnwc218M49PZow2hRYnXLpi7lIehSneQjzncSqpYUAXeJFJvdww8puHWvyxsQCJKA4DGm3h7Ys6g3H7l7UIqpFOOFCRpFAt9279w1x5U3_DbXXIehWLKiLXWLlGF85EkceZPAg27_SldL/s1600/westgate_16_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnwc218M49PZow2hRYnXLpi7lIehSneQjzncSqpYUAXeJFJvdww8puHWvyxsQCJKA4DGm3h7Ys6g3H7l7UIqpFOOFCRpFAt9279w1x5U3_DbXXIehWLKiLXWLlGF85EkceZPAg27_SldL/s320/westgate_16_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The east end of the mall is...a single glass door. The possibilities are endless just across that parking lot!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7pKmPHV-s51MSmTQoY5FBGLOQmHo-xrtyzwaFXad_oIEroFb3LP5i876iWB1Xn74iHlnGnhtxLiCgk0lsqQZcimROSG0-Va9q-RSM1QBjORTLNm77RC4AjHTqIenyfqC_fzP7SBbHxkI/s1600/westgate_17_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7pKmPHV-s51MSmTQoY5FBGLOQmHo-xrtyzwaFXad_oIEroFb3LP5i876iWB1Xn74iHlnGnhtxLiCgk0lsqQZcimROSG0-Va9q-RSM1QBjORTLNm77RC4AjHTqIenyfqC_fzP7SBbHxkI/s320/westgate_17_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking back from the door to the beginning of the long and twisting journey back to Bon-Ton.</span></div>
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Despite this, today Westgate Mall is significantly vacant. Most of the active tenants are located in the front of the mall with parking lot access while the back of the enclosed mall is mostly empty. Bon-Ton also likely only holds on due to inability to obtain anchor space at Lehigh Valley Mall nearby. Otherwise, they would probably close. The mall has also not had any renovation in at least 30 years making it one of the most vintage malls still in operation in the state, but that is <a href="http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-bethlehem-westgate-mall-overhaul-20150811-story.html">supposed to change when it was announced in 2015 that the mall would receive a $5 million dollar overhaul</a>. Much of that is to support the addition of Sky Zone Trampoline Park in the main mall corridor. How the mall hangs on is anybody's guess considering that the vast majority of shoppers drive a little further up the road to go to Lehigh Valley Mall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuGyKNfGnrnnM9wrMYwqruqzm2pcKYoZ3876aTJYeK1CREDLXkfJ6u8zJmVXUKylGN6GMBKHszw_bg8v-w-Yr3BK5gxz1j8A656GVYGok3xQcmydPc3YniFTvCjCGvZN2tXnz8zfSPWJT/s1600/westgate_18_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuGyKNfGnrnnM9wrMYwqruqzm2pcKYoZ3876aTJYeK1CREDLXkfJ6u8zJmVXUKylGN6GMBKHszw_bg8v-w-Yr3BK5gxz1j8A656GVYGok3xQcmydPc3YniFTvCjCGvZN2tXnz8zfSPWJT/s320/westgate_18_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View of the upper level offices from the bend in the enclosed strip portion. The Weis is visible in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKTGPGrr2vmizXfKz8x3EeYIy1Xt03Sv6UGyXoRv3G7X52skD7DnRC9WqtplitDBO8N12sn0vjCchbDQmr8CPVoimbXw0-sIPIovVzRA73xg36sYmGYh-1g2rLr_0M6yjANolO0h7yjyl/s1600/westgate_19_050314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKTGPGrr2vmizXfKz8x3EeYIy1Xt03Sv6UGyXoRv3G7X52skD7DnRC9WqtplitDBO8N12sn0vjCchbDQmr8CPVoimbXw0-sIPIovVzRA73xg36sYmGYh-1g2rLr_0M6yjANolO0h7yjyl/s320/westgate_19_050314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Near the turn back to the legitimate (double-sided) mall. Not that this is illegitimate. It's still a mall, and these days you take what you can get.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Outside view of the mall from the Bon-Ton side. The stores in the foreground were wiped out in the 1977 fire.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtYWDRshB1WyVvCUygjer2R8i-p8dv2j_agYUe787UtTfyNRtlFa_AKyCvld3HsvX0BiW23dJQR9kSaRvQnwPXF1LbbWir_EvZ1nGiPwSeqT3ARHf3khvaiGR80cHC7qreU_aDOfRgLQR/s1600/westgate_32_082612_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtYWDRshB1WyVvCUygjer2R8i-p8dv2j_agYUe787UtTfyNRtlFa_AKyCvld3HsvX0BiW23dJQR9kSaRvQnwPXF1LbbWir_EvZ1nGiPwSeqT3ARHf3khvaiGR80cHC7qreU_aDOfRgLQR/s320/westgate_32_082612_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bon-Ton's second store outside with the funky mall entrance in the right corner.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEFvuZZqR6o_95xn0LTJrfp_orQ07XszjtR8yKvzFADcWvuVweK5p6v1ee63YNmeG_JUUtSGYoEbYRJeeT3LZsZ-vpBBqH-je7iF0JU5_UJ4wg5sbAHhyphenhyphenPBCfdOe2Z7KnbLkwJEqIQGZC/s1600/westgate_25_050314_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEFvuZZqR6o_95xn0LTJrfp_orQ07XszjtR8yKvzFADcWvuVweK5p6v1ee63YNmeG_JUUtSGYoEbYRJeeT3LZsZ-vpBBqH-je7iF0JU5_UJ4wg5sbAHhyphenhyphenPBCfdOe2Z7KnbLkwJEqIQGZC/s320/westgate_25_050314_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jbe8ydwF7M_3CvvKvmrDcLcLvkphQAo6KiRJzpgL_wt_EOCVrR3uhzzKd2kY45ORlNU-9PDY7Q4JNhEj7TeZ1S7UbR_e2aVQnLOVqpB0Ygf3gNoFA2_Q40LdxLTV3F38L6gXjO3Yf4Ag/s1600/westgate_31_082612_bonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jbe8ydwF7M_3CvvKvmrDcLcLvkphQAo6KiRJzpgL_wt_EOCVrR3uhzzKd2kY45ORlNU-9PDY7Q4JNhEj7TeZ1S7UbR_e2aVQnLOVqpB0Ygf3gNoFA2_Q40LdxLTV3F38L6gXjO3Yf4Ag/s320/westgate_31_082612_bonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exterior shots of the Bon-Ton (former Hess's) with the mall name on the NW corner. Photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The most probably future for Westgate Mall is a redevelopment into a regular strip mall when Bon-Ton finally leaves, but for right now the owners seem to be committed to keeping an enclosed mall: very unusual in 2016! Regardless, Bon-Ton is probably exploring options currently including taking over the current Sears store in the partially demalled Whitehall Mall. It is curious that after Leh's department store closed at Whitehall that they didn't decide to relocate then, but most likely at the time they felt they couldn't effectively compete so close to the larger, better mall. Whitehall was also trying to shake off their own reputation as a mall favored by elderly shoppers when it was redeveloped. Whatever the outcome, it is absolutely remarkable that this mall has made it over 50 years. As the first regional shopping mall in Lehigh Valley, it has endured quite a bit of competition to survive this long even in its anemic form. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Westgate Mall main entrance. Only the logo was changed. The original entrance used an Old English-style font. Photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT0tBhyphenhyphen_nxG-EuJ9xDFyJSrFKw7awjQeuxDHAy2aWyKgnBMUuc8DSRPqiDcJlkj3Mquw-fECWS4diJK0qmsIw0a82CutsB0XQp7sN2049Kw6l_O-k6B5Coa0qKpjio1jKf6TDIVJkin_k/s1600/westgate_34_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT0tBhyphenhyphen_nxG-EuJ9xDFyJSrFKw7awjQeuxDHAy2aWyKgnBMUuc8DSRPqiDcJlkj3Mquw-fECWS4diJK0qmsIw0a82CutsB0XQp7sN2049Kw6l_O-k6B5Coa0qKpjio1jKf6TDIVJkin_k/s320/westgate_34_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A secondary mall entrance to the main mall was unceremoniously downgraded to an entrance for Subway. To the untrained eye, it looks demalled! Photo taken by Digital Sky August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Westgate Mall's original logo was found on this sign. Photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbGyS3I8gP2BBqKyjQuHXKZhR3Kwy48G8-XkR_5TTSqTvQIOEbZDYmA9lbqcxbnN3RrMRFJX_4xc0tKsl7qnKTetRf1-y6Ip0cSmdN6ySD0_FZ1t7kV0yYFhtPBALPfux015TJVopKYTD/s1600/westgate_37_082612_weis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbGyS3I8gP2BBqKyjQuHXKZhR3Kwy48G8-XkR_5TTSqTvQIOEbZDYmA9lbqcxbnN3RrMRFJX_4xc0tKsl7qnKTetRf1-y6Ip0cSmdN6ySD0_FZ1t7kV0yYFhtPBALPfux015TJVopKYTD/s320/westgate_37_082612_weis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Weis, originally Harold's IGA Foodline. To all appearances it was an A&P, and it may have very well been one originally. Photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd71prTBdCKS9-4igtX_dttYnxwdOo1bWJe2Sa5MnRgI8IP8OGVo2BC2L_BnmQc7BaCM0jcF_qyJZbKUpJmbCcHPeLTjC-VVmC-NohP_bFTN13fJFaZ2xqNNPWOWvZvA57rzcj3jMxezV1/s1600/IMG_4003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd71prTBdCKS9-4igtX_dttYnxwdOo1bWJe2Sa5MnRgI8IP8OGVo2BC2L_BnmQc7BaCM0jcF_qyJZbKUpJmbCcHPeLTjC-VVmC-NohP_bFTN13fJFaZ2xqNNPWOWvZvA57rzcj3jMxezV1/s320/IMG_4003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGhYovJgHi-t8yxp1iS43XpnGXlEJc72A_OnU2CfEDg37vcltilTAqqIxhlZYhHRKjBPnahmF95ktAD73miPQgR4dWHViTdbuy8L3vhyphenhyphenYLOLfuTccP1kTA9yMzQASX9N_uuqPwf5ZKKct/s1600/westgate_49_082612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGhYovJgHi-t8yxp1iS43XpnGXlEJc72A_OnU2CfEDg37vcltilTAqqIxhlZYhHRKjBPnahmF95ktAD73miPQgR4dWHViTdbuy8L3vhyphenhyphenYLOLfuTccP1kTA9yMzQASX9N_uuqPwf5ZKKct/s320/westgate_49_082612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Describing the mall corridor is difficult, so hopefully these directories shed some light. What is not shown is the walled off upper level area at the bottom of the L next to the old Newberry's mall entrance. Second photo by Digital Sky taken August 26, 2012.</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-59717643802787133632017-03-13T12:31:00.004-07:002017-03-13T12:31:42.619-07:00Granite Run Mall: Media (Middletown Township), PAThe Philadelphia market has to be the most overmalled market in the entire country. The preponderance of the area's endless suburbs stretching from Wilmington to New York City, its position in a competitive tri-state area and a very dense, high population made the area far too attractive to mall developers who likewise built far too many malls in the area. In the area of Granite Run Mall, competing malls include Concord Mall in Wilmington (10 miles to the southwest), Springfield Mall (4 miles to the east), Exton Square Mall (16 miles to the northwest) and of course the mammoth King of Prussia Mall (20 miles north). The last may be the furthest away, but it is such a huge draw that it threatens a large number of malls within a 25 mile radius: all hanging on because Macy's has not yet closed at any of these malls. This is likely to change as Macy's is beginning to become troubled financially with the dead weight of so many redundant stores and <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/11/investing/macys-closes-100-stores/">just announced the closure of 100 stores by 2017</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyO3s-vxeyxa94cpul1jh9OWCkno-AxYWWMmlyAxrRXKjPzjKi0VmDqvZZINVOclMhomAdIOODwineH2kKqJ0jRBim7KtnscU6-ODTuWL0lYbk7uli4YMt8sZiW-ggP1tf4LRqwXmsW9BO/s1600/graniterunmall_20_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyO3s-vxeyxa94cpul1jh9OWCkno-AxYWWMmlyAxrRXKjPzjKi0VmDqvZZINVOclMhomAdIOODwineH2kKqJ0jRBim7KtnscU6-ODTuWL0lYbk7uli4YMt8sZiW-ggP1tf4LRqwXmsW9BO/s320/graniterunmall_20_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Granite Run was not so lucky to have a Macy's that draws in customers. Because of that, it became one of the weakest malls in the market while too large to support a healthy mix of stores. Its failure was sudden, but not entirely unprecedented, and it stands as one of the unusual examples of malls that began to fail with a full deck of department stores. Today, Sears and Boscov's still remain at the mall, but until 2015 the anchor offerings also included a JCPenney that closed partly in anticipation of the mall's redevelopment and partly due to a round of closings that included many malls that also had a competing Boscov's. Demolition of the mall including the former JCPenney began in 2016, and today the interior mall in these photos is but a memory. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5JLKl_Sa0no0vk1fNG-RyXVy3L9uLU9dseO334Vzfgo7Dl4-vBXkgQs43PvqU91LdcpxdCEp___dhQitVeGLJRUC4fFKiUnr9B7w4PN2oX_b_TP31PHlRHmIzwBghSKV9D945JcxG29E/s1600/graniterunmall_10_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5JLKl_Sa0no0vk1fNG-RyXVy3L9uLU9dseO334Vzfgo7Dl4-vBXkgQs43PvqU91LdcpxdCEp___dhQitVeGLJRUC4fFKiUnr9B7w4PN2oX_b_TP31PHlRHmIzwBghSKV9D945JcxG29E/s320/graniterunmall_10_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While not particularly impressive, Granite Run Mall did retain a fountain in its center court up until the end. Most likely a much larger fountain once graced the center court prior to its last renovation. The first photo shows the center court escalators with JCPenney in the background. The escalators are likely not original. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking from center court to Boscov's, originally Gimbel's</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A picture of the directory shows a three-pronged mall with Sears and Boscov's facing US 1 while JCPenney sat in the rear.</span></div>
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So much of why the Philadelphia market has so many malls is the power that the local department stores once had. Classy and very popular department stores Strawbridge & Clothier (Strawbridge's) and John Wanamaker (Wanamaker's) opened many locations around eastern PA to showcase their wildly popular stores. Other New York and New Jersey-area stores opened many stores in the market as well including Bamberger's (an R.H. Macy division absorbed in 1986) and Gimbel's. Local favorite Boscov's also helped shore up many of these malls in modern times. Like the department stores of old, Boscov's is more of a draw than the mall itself. Nonetheless, the decline of these once prominent regional stores such as Strawbridge's and Wanamaker's led to Macy's and Boscov's inheriting a ton of locations that are now very old in equally old malls. The future of these stores keeping many of these outmoded malls alive is short. In fact, Boscov's anchors quite a few dead malls and lives on at malls that have long been demolished across Pennsylvania. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9zLFIKAxgRnC4XsU7cAEs-yXcIl_V_fZOr7fecVc36ULR0nzxDdqjRZKYeDH-tIPaJiTk8_jCYoA5WwEf9HTIQFl4d-zdqrJvMFHgyxmFrJeEUn3tVBKGVqkxK5-2hMXWBHpKwjt3P3H/s1600/graniterunmall_8_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9zLFIKAxgRnC4XsU7cAEs-yXcIl_V_fZOr7fecVc36ULR0nzxDdqjRZKYeDH-tIPaJiTk8_jCYoA5WwEf9HTIQFl4d-zdqrJvMFHgyxmFrJeEUn3tVBKGVqkxK5-2hMXWBHpKwjt3P3H/s320/graniterunmall_8_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One of three spiral staircases in the anchor courts, this one in front of JCPenney. Note that permanent planters were still used in the mall up to the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the upper level from center court looking to Boscov's</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View looking away from Boscov's to center court</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lower level entrance to US 1 next to Boscov's. This wing was very vacant and had the stench of sewage on my visit. It is unclear what the issue was, but it may be related to the closed restaurant on the left.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimYV3WiB5jACMpSohaktG9yOkBYSKxMK5PlHSWefQVR-jPahyphenhyphennntHyPd13hX2-DjTPhAuaZIdJAhGli7HhskzY-ThMtQxW2biG8paS9wP3iRYOHXcMcG7wYGU-II-kzX9GxI3YbCN8j8t/s1600/graniterunmall_2_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimYV3WiB5jACMpSohaktG9yOkBYSKxMK5PlHSWefQVR-jPahyphenhyphennntHyPd13hX2-DjTPhAuaZIdJAhGli7HhskzY-ThMtQxW2biG8paS9wP3iRYOHXcMcG7wYGU-II-kzX9GxI3YbCN8j8t/s320/graniterunmall_2_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Planters and stairs on the lower level outside of Sears</span></div>
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For those in most of the USA, a "run" refers to a stream, not a 10K thus the mall was named for a nearby creek. Like the creek, the mall has had a good run. Nonetheless, Granite Run was a mall that was late to the party meaning the market was already saturated when it was built. Constructed in 1974 by Goodman Company, it maintained two out of three of its original anchors, but the Boscov's started as New York-based Gimbel's. In 1986, Gimbel's closed and was replaced with Stern's as part of the closure and sale of Gimbel's to numerous competitors. Stern's itself would close at the mall in 1989 with Boscov's taking over in 1993. From 1993-2015, the mall's anchors otherwise proved to be stable with no changes up until the closure of JCPenney. Acme Supermaket and Clover (Strawbridge's discount division) opened on the outlot of the mall with Clover later replaced by Kohl's. Acme still operates adjacent to the mall. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Two views of the JCPenney mall entrance. It was a pretty standard look for malls built in the 1973-1976 time period with the dark brown ribbed material and dark glass.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDFqeA1QRKw6RDJ2pSt_Cfgt5W-dJeCW1lmPr9IGt5me0LrQUi7zrhvQefDFRwCww_R2-i8Vi8SKhWSo4cxAD89ksy6e-VyXcbKEQV8GVmT2G2MPrUF6tRHYG0DDGDNIU-oa0pFfIuL_v/s1600/graniterunmall_13_011715_gimbels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDFqeA1QRKw6RDJ2pSt_Cfgt5W-dJeCW1lmPr9IGt5me0LrQUi7zrhvQefDFRwCww_R2-i8Vi8SKhWSo4cxAD89ksy6e-VyXcbKEQV8GVmT2G2MPrUF6tRHYG0DDGDNIU-oa0pFfIuL_v/s320/graniterunmall_13_011715_gimbels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Three separate angles of the Boscov's mall entrance including a Macy's-like side store that takes up some of the mall's space. Considering that original tenant Gimbel's was once a primary competitor of Macy's and Bamberger's (same company) in the region, it would make sense that they would try a similar tactic. The exterior design as you will see also resembles Macy's-owned stores of the period.</span></div>
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Granite Run also was built with a nearby competitor that proved to be a complementary mall. Springfield Mall also opened in 1974, but it did not have any anchor overlap at any point in either mall's history. However, the presence of both malls so close did not help Granite Run in the fact that differentiated anchors did not result in long-term duplication of inline stores. Granite Run began to be riddled with vacancies and infill tenants all through the 2000's and 2010's with redevelopment becoming the only accepted option. Competition from not only King of Prussia, but also nearby upscale centers including The Shops at Brinton Lake and Concordville Town Center made it more difficult for the mall to market the inline space to potential tenants. Times changed and Granite Run was not able to keep up. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A peculiar feature of 70's malls were the single escalators found in the side wings with none found in center court. Usually these escalators only went up. This one is found in the Sears wing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Three views of the Sears mall entrance, which is not only an original anchor, but remains open at the now-demolished mall today. Sears, much like its former competitor Montgomery Ward 20 years ago, continues to operate many stores like this one despite a continued lack of business at the majority of their stores.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Next to Sears on the left is an upper level entrance wing (outside entrance shown also) that included a nail salon and Chinese restaurant at the end: two tenants that obviously do not keep the doors open on a medium-size two-level enclosed mall.</span></div>
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From 1998-2015, the mall saw significant change in management. 1998 saw the purchase of the mall as a joint venture between Macerich and Simon Property Group with Simon managing the mall. In 2011, Simon defaulted on the mall's loan beginning the failure of the mall. In 2013, BET investments then purchased the mall with the intent to redevelop the mall. By 2015, Granite Run Mall finally closed the interior mall with demolition beginning in 2016 to rebuild the mall into an open-air center maintaining Sears and Boscov's meaning that despite the loss of the mall that a significant portion of the mall would remain. With Sears troubles, it is unclear what will ultimately happen to Sears when it ultimately closes, but the owners must have faith that they can reposition the store when that happens.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This older style of Master Cuts was also noted in other dead malls built in the 70's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3O3ejG90CIPp0FWhZ3xKbCizcNWC17SNEeKYYhZvdQ9pJPGF9c4hmuL30UAy6UorD35HOK4MErEdoc34iYitB6sSI-GcouVLcedd9Z_A3Rjq1_OPGrrBgEtXbmaCZMP0n_xYSh189ZtO/s1600/graniterunmall_27_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3O3ejG90CIPp0FWhZ3xKbCizcNWC17SNEeKYYhZvdQ9pJPGF9c4hmuL30UAy6UorD35HOK4MErEdoc34iYitB6sSI-GcouVLcedd9Z_A3Rjq1_OPGrrBgEtXbmaCZMP0n_xYSh189ZtO/s320/graniterunmall_27_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QFAz_mbC8me-zsIECfBMbbW6j9OVKdaJ3kJn7kPFspHyRaaepF8ZLSB6nCqq0XnnHiqS_LAi4ZW48TT5iAZDeheHgT9ZTM171pxZ5Sjt8fcFUVD5rw-umPd6Kc8MEKVr7WmczXZTIq8C/s1600/graniterunmall_28_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QFAz_mbC8me-zsIECfBMbbW6j9OVKdaJ3kJn7kPFspHyRaaepF8ZLSB6nCqq0XnnHiqS_LAi4ZW48TT5iAZDeheHgT9ZTM171pxZ5Sjt8fcFUVD5rw-umPd6Kc8MEKVr7WmczXZTIq8C/s320/graniterunmall_28_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Two views of the front of the mall. It was a very unattractive and brutalist mall on the outside.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjGokBsh8nvEzrpxoPzC6PQ7NIzlmZwoZWJ5tKwrg_wbWl0nw6iSqyyBpzvrq0Tcb3qEdw3DT6Jlbn0jhVo2P6Wrh_YC-T_gWE38DJAczf3Xb25MxneQHQq8boiLhVV5JJf6VgW1X-pd3/s1600/graniterunmall_29_011715_gimbels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjGokBsh8nvEzrpxoPzC6PQ7NIzlmZwoZWJ5tKwrg_wbWl0nw6iSqyyBpzvrq0Tcb3qEdw3DT6Jlbn0jhVo2P6Wrh_YC-T_gWE38DJAczf3Xb25MxneQHQq8boiLhVV5JJf6VgW1X-pd3/s320/graniterunmall_29_011715_gimbels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwD6NYHV981tOO88qhMbPl5iSsYAL4l6tWju2EpMBsMkcbo3CnQ2ryUQqb5t4BMMLfBhelgAAZil9bTZP-cdDFu7GZEZ5NXw-hR54wwFuyUl_vi5anLuOToDoqM920Z1sTdYboc9k8hlB/s1600/graniterunmall_30_011715_gimbels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwD6NYHV981tOO88qhMbPl5iSsYAL4l6tWju2EpMBsMkcbo3CnQ2ryUQqb5t4BMMLfBhelgAAZil9bTZP-cdDFu7GZEZ5NXw-hR54wwFuyUl_vi5anLuOToDoqM920Z1sTdYboc9k8hlB/s320/graniterunmall_30_011715_gimbels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Boscov's, originally Gimbel's and later Stern's, really was not modified much on the outside from its original look. Notice how it resembles many Bamberger's and Macy's stores of the era.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuG7MRyUfM8_hfBLZ5-YpxZV5tsYfxyY2Lgqvh5d0U3_CSw_TOXi6PArFJRfKZs9pghpKHypjzsJOvkQa9fmuE4onxi4YECDIHjkAch77Nl5ad5EBXNYqjhcbkh-cHZ3RwXEqUPcLIvXF/s1600/graniterunmall_32_011715_gimbels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuG7MRyUfM8_hfBLZ5-YpxZV5tsYfxyY2Lgqvh5d0U3_CSw_TOXi6PArFJRfKZs9pghpKHypjzsJOvkQa9fmuE4onxi4YECDIHjkAch77Nl5ad5EBXNYqjhcbkh-cHZ3RwXEqUPcLIvXF/s320/graniterunmall_32_011715_gimbels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A curious component of this particular Boscov's is the garden center. Department stores have occassionally experimented with them.</span></div>
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Granite Run Mall today is not just symptomatic of the state of malls in the country where too many malls were competing for an ever dwindling share of the market. It is also the canary in the coal mine signaling the eventual failure of a large number of malls in the Philadelphia market. The market has a few very dominant malls that are only increasing in that dominance. This means that these older, smaller malls are set to join Granite Run in their descent into oblivion as they prove unable to effectively compete in a perfect storm of internet sales, department store downsizing, expansion of dominant malls and changing shopping habits. This will, of course, be unfortunate as some of these malls were very uniquely designed and beautiful in their day beyond what was common elsewhere in the country. Even Granite Run's redevelopment is risky relying on a scrappy regional department store and failing national department store as the center of its redevelopment. Nonetheless, in an era of failing malls in a city that is far too reliant on them it remains remarkable that Granite Run matured to survive 40 years and has avoided the fate of many malls of its time: sitting vacant for years while the political leaders scramble to figure out what to do with it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9iqmgDcG0CYY17voDfSLZENzlTlhPaaMnXoBGgggLLtDa8fED1oEc0BPetqILcEU-JOz2LYF4c_89UeagfAe7Y8TjgMaesDdT49U9dHHpITHfa4ehBaEEGscL4J9wNHnLE2H2W_mY_Zf/s1600/graniterunmall_37_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9iqmgDcG0CYY17voDfSLZENzlTlhPaaMnXoBGgggLLtDa8fED1oEc0BPetqILcEU-JOz2LYF4c_89UeagfAe7Y8TjgMaesDdT49U9dHHpITHfa4ehBaEEGscL4J9wNHnLE2H2W_mY_Zf/s320/graniterunmall_37_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The upper level rear entrance next to Sears retained its original 1974 look!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeCXWgQUx8Ghi1Zfw-gvJfxIF7gH7xGUeAK9AWfu9Es15AGwLer-NNuLmpiGRju5OG2frFca9D9nR5Ul5cbTgqLAUtxISXfZ08ECDGTA5Dwy5olZROVrKRXyN4pWX6mzZbGuvF60lfLpA/s1600/graniterunmall_1_011715_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeCXWgQUx8Ghi1Zfw-gvJfxIF7gH7xGUeAK9AWfu9Es15AGwLer-NNuLmpiGRju5OG2frFca9D9nR5Ul5cbTgqLAUtxISXfZ08ECDGTA5Dwy5olZROVrKRXyN4pWX6mzZbGuvF60lfLpA/s320/graniterunmall_1_011715_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The front of Sears, although bland, features this fascinating granite mosaic apparently paying tribute to the mall's name.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigR5JOJgybn08eu60bQscghMDppzahj50829RkjJx2EZCwD2XobRIitnWMUdDgokis7_EtnV8-Rte3-1-5h7AZ1_jVQ6r0V62dIs_NmtMEbHucjhaGw-U0IAdW8MHB53ubyEGV1WNw71cj/s1600/graniterunmall_39_011715_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigR5JOJgybn08eu60bQscghMDppzahj50829RkjJx2EZCwD2XobRIitnWMUdDgokis7_EtnV8-Rte3-1-5h7AZ1_jVQ6r0V62dIs_NmtMEbHucjhaGw-U0IAdW8MHB53ubyEGV1WNw71cj/s320/graniterunmall_39_011715_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YadKBoMsCnnHKOd_ByRYR9_RYEEK7zRLuo1m-XOa60KijQkfyMmSQKMzFBfif21QVISFPyvgKImFYGJZEWfd6mv6rgBz_9Ng7b71L7oye9qHKAhuVhtl1ltbET3bLHb9RtT_Ug2dCmsJ/s1600/graniterunmall_40_011715_sears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YadKBoMsCnnHKOd_ByRYR9_RYEEK7zRLuo1m-XOa60KijQkfyMmSQKMzFBfif21QVISFPyvgKImFYGJZEWfd6mv6rgBz_9Ng7b71L7oye9qHKAhuVhtl1ltbET3bLHb9RtT_Ug2dCmsJ/s320/graniterunmall_40_011715_sears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos of the Sears auto center.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnHt_HFsjc47IsnPYV_AoEqYNQV8Q-TRqJa0ulZmPJo7nHFbyaR_WJoAEP9ZS3xt-fAdT_CofIXIWI4Eg5Ugx1KCDKecSV9weiSdwjGzbcvOU73ax-CJH-OV0JydQq-QulXWkauNqlAbA/s1600/graniterunmall_34_011715_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnHt_HFsjc47IsnPYV_AoEqYNQV8Q-TRqJa0ulZmPJo7nHFbyaR_WJoAEP9ZS3xt-fAdT_CofIXIWI4Eg5Ugx1KCDKecSV9weiSdwjGzbcvOU73ax-CJH-OV0JydQq-QulXWkauNqlAbA/s320/graniterunmall_34_011715_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aPb_8iGTbwS2D9B8qT7q3JoYXEzso9EXWoUoU8ZCxzmmL0vLXuQ5eBLRjK4Q3yP5KViEjhhq78yaRZxbZMZWPw8aNMll3Rh6BlIM4rhvGTd5US1LbFIaXKVrJJ82O6w2mWzBbY3161dU/s1600/graniterunmall_35_011715_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aPb_8iGTbwS2D9B8qT7q3JoYXEzso9EXWoUoU8ZCxzmmL0vLXuQ5eBLRjK4Q3yP5KViEjhhq78yaRZxbZMZWPw8aNMll3Rh6BlIM4rhvGTd5US1LbFIaXKVrJJ82O6w2mWzBbY3161dU/s320/graniterunmall_35_011715_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Bs4EFXAYVESu9K21kqw3dEjR0nKIY3-ywJWnlX6KwYtKz-_Qae7hEVF7GDZVYfkAIJ2XHzAN6qeIQmRfOVX18KaELn99LE64TI0lV3w_Gbhr0L7ebCpmI5bi3p72JKgarARzWGIB9G5X/s1600/graniterunmall_36_011715_jcpenney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Bs4EFXAYVESu9K21kqw3dEjR0nKIY3-ywJWnlX6KwYtKz-_Qae7hEVF7GDZVYfkAIJ2XHzAN6qeIQmRfOVX18KaELn99LE64TI0lV3w_Gbhr0L7ebCpmI5bi3p72JKgarARzWGIB9G5X/s320/graniterunmall_36_011715_jcpenney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos of the exterior of the now-demolished JCPenney looking at the west and north side of the store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOikmn0MimXqTPSUMwJiJYmc-FbZd_U2rFLJkHJaJqKOE5C8D6W9jIJ8MN5umV_K5ZRKTj1lc_g0u4Nrn4X5pliY68jBZsfYWDfDO04uNBMohc85sLxzHBkS3y4Jt259uic1bkM72WwWl/s1600/graniterunmall_41_011715_acme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOikmn0MimXqTPSUMwJiJYmc-FbZd_U2rFLJkHJaJqKOE5C8D6W9jIJ8MN5umV_K5ZRKTj1lc_g0u4Nrn4X5pliY68jBZsfYWDfDO04uNBMohc85sLxzHBkS3y4Jt259uic1bkM72WwWl/s320/graniterunmall_41_011715_acme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While clearly expanded, Acme was an original anchor tenant on the outlot. Kohl's also opened as Clover, but was heavily modified to the point its former anchor tenant is not recognizable.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">BONUS</span>: Demolition photos taken July 23, 2016</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBhOYJLON9Uy9fg4N9fYB6Qi_lgq3fbPkKF3j9Y6NlkETaFPIWeu4jXxbZOMV5v-lhL8l6KPWIsINP8StaFO2PRtByxTLW9t3YDq1hOkNYdzVbJdYr-GNHfJjYeZ9qVRxEPP28p_BkZp6/s1600/graniterunmall_46_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBhOYJLON9Uy9fg4N9fYB6Qi_lgq3fbPkKF3j9Y6NlkETaFPIWeu4jXxbZOMV5v-lhL8l6KPWIsINP8StaFO2PRtByxTLW9t3YDq1hOkNYdzVbJdYr-GNHfJjYeZ9qVRxEPP28p_BkZp6/s320/graniterunmall_46_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlrxIGksTDcy59iBoHURiG6nw_SXHi3O1kkc8AxLsr2M3sh90X3NXSj6_7-5UBqPBeRy2rDtkWOVl4TEemlFmfgf-9lSrBvi_Z5yvP_GCgH5neP_3Hk9MfYTtZ9fqgp2XEiXRen-hsQ63/s1600/graniterunmall_45_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlrxIGksTDcy59iBoHURiG6nw_SXHi3O1kkc8AxLsr2M3sh90X3NXSj6_7-5UBqPBeRy2rDtkWOVl4TEemlFmfgf-9lSrBvi_Z5yvP_GCgH5neP_3Hk9MfYTtZ9fqgp2XEiXRen-hsQ63/s320/graniterunmall_45_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Demolition underway, but not yet completed on the Sears wing</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cwlJeriy-FDEHP0cTrFypV5u4R503Po10WTtGo7VKdAd6NIrMzgfNfH4tEd5y5340aKvptq_Qi9cHYnf0cGSBX6BwbhszwlTE8JKkuzJ0ejHptAK_sV7K498bQo4CFlAeDt0Np7HH4t8/s1600/graniterunmall_44_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cwlJeriy-FDEHP0cTrFypV5u4R503Po10WTtGo7VKdAd6NIrMzgfNfH4tEd5y5340aKvptq_Qi9cHYnf0cGSBX6BwbhszwlTE8JKkuzJ0ejHptAK_sV7K498bQo4CFlAeDt0Np7HH4t8/s320/graniterunmall_44_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Side of Sears entrance wing where Peking restaurant was.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlRN-O4qYyOGr0CrxjlXqC2JLcCOPmnZIKiRvf9zAaNgv4eDx8wt1Pfgpxb7jh8z6rR5ZlLxUb519AtQ3Yfvs94numSIVzq2FaidlVVKyNqSfNQO9WNESIjzo4IXr3791hDAwDW4qQLVp/s1600/graniterunmall_43_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlRN-O4qYyOGr0CrxjlXqC2JLcCOPmnZIKiRvf9zAaNgv4eDx8wt1Pfgpxb7jh8z6rR5ZlLxUb519AtQ3Yfvs94numSIVzq2FaidlVVKyNqSfNQO9WNESIjzo4IXr3791hDAwDW4qQLVp/s320/graniterunmall_43_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Boscov's mall entrance now covered up with demolition completed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_KyOaJFU-yPT4GH_QZkyj7I3QRht5MYHpToDPwP3AtZQKUETzxjayCesyfwMDtqAwK4R65WWoBriZdIntW0N0RCoVvoitc1Nhi6tJ78G-XYjTtuet1Pnxnj2mxiatY4uq9xovdAfTm70/s1600/graniterunmall_42_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_KyOaJFU-yPT4GH_QZkyj7I3QRht5MYHpToDPwP3AtZQKUETzxjayCesyfwMDtqAwK4R65WWoBriZdIntW0N0RCoVvoitc1Nhi6tJ78G-XYjTtuet1Pnxnj2mxiatY4uq9xovdAfTm70/s320/graniterunmall_42_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">There has to be some irony here that this older entrance in the back is one of the last parts still standing.</span></div>
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</script></div>J.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04208881715255029485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047095566316955789.post-49967642904828068182016-08-23T13:50:00.000-07:002017-03-20T11:10:45.630-07:00Macy's Has Lost Its Magic: Speculation on Macy's Plan to Close 100 Stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic<b><span style="color: red;">NOTE:</span> Macy's has only closed 68 out of 100 stores. Many stores on this list may yet close in the future.</b><br />
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Macy's red star has been falling in much of the country as the department store industry continues to contract. For years, Macy's seemed immune as they enjoyed a glut of paid off owned stores that were cash cows for the company, but the neglect of the buildings drawing away customers coupled with the weight of so many acquisitions has caught up with them. Thus, Macy's willy-nilly efforts to close underperforming stores has been ramped up to begin getting rid of these tired, dumpy (although still far more architecturally appealing) stores. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Former Macy's (Bamberger's) at Owings Mills Mall in Baltimore. The Macy's at the mall consolidated into Hecht's location at the mall in 2006 only to close a decade later with the mall.</span></div>
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This round of closings includes largely owned vs. leased stores that have no external motivation (such as lease expiration) to drive their closure. In other words, this is unfortunately the climax of years of fears and threats about the health of the nation's malls driving a spike into many more malls that have been on the brink for years. In fact, many of these malls have been surviving due to Macy's alone with no other suitable anchor in the mall able to draw traffic and no other anchors available to fill the void that a Macy's closure will leave behind. <br />
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The reality of this is not a surprise as Macy's has a large collection of run down, unrenovated, marginal stores that long since outlived their use as a superregional store. A walk into these stores will reveal that little has been done since Macy's consolidated the nameplates of these stores over the past 30 years. Most of these stores were built in smaller, older malls that were not so much superregional malls, but were more larger neighborhood malls that had the population and income large enough to sustain them until recently. Others were larger malls that have since fallen on hard times and likely already have lost other major anchors such as Sears, JCPenney, Bon-Ton, Boscov's or Belk. The days of having so many malls competing in one major market are over, and this list speculates on the potential store closings in the states that Sky City covers with an explanation of each and why. Keep in mind that just because a prediction is made does <i>not</i> mean it is a closing store, but that any store on this list is very likely to close in coming years. This list will be compared to the official list after the list is announced soon.<br />
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States covered here are Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. Even though Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, West Virginia and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic are within the scope of the blog, the author does not have adequate knowledge of those markets to make an assessment here. In addition, Mississippi does not have any Macy's locations. However, categories will be added if further information becomes available.<br />
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This post divides stores into three categories:<br />
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1. <i><span style="color: magenta;">Definitely Closing</span></i> - This means the store is in a dying or dead mall that has little chance of recovering or is in a market that is too poor to adequately support the store. If it does not close this year, it will most likely close next year. Usually the store is old and in disrepair. This also almost certainly refers to off-mall locations, especially downtown stores with exception to the New York City flagship.<br />
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2. <i><span style="color: orange;">Likely Closing</span></i> - This means the store is in a struggling mall, is not well positioned in the market or too close to a competing store. Store does not necessarily have to be in a dead mall, but most likely it is in a B-level mall. This category also describes Macy's stores that duplicate in the same mall and may be downsized into a single store, which usually only occurs in B-level malls.<br />
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3. <i><span style="color: lime;">Possibly Closing</span></i> - This means that it is in a weak market for the store typically unrelated to the mall itself, but the store may be marginally profitable. This might also a mean it is a store in an A-level mall with too many competing anchors who tend to be the preferred option in that market (e.g. Dillard's, Belk, Bon-Ton).<br />
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<b><u>ALABAMA</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Brookwood Mall - Mountain Brook (Opened 1975)<br />
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The Macy's at Brookwood Mall is a legacy Rich's. Brookwood Mall today is a struggling regional mall that is too close to more popular "The Summit" and has a store that likewise is cannibalized in sales with its other store at Riverchase Galleria. It is one of only two remaining Macy's stores in Alabama that all arrived due to the purchase of Rich's by its parent company in the late 1970's. Macy's also operated a location pre-merger with Federated Department Stores until 2003 in Riverchase Galleria<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Survived the first 68 closings (3/13/17)</i><br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Riverchase Galleria - Hoover (Opened 1986)<br />
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Reason says that Macy's will not be interested in operating only one store in the entire state of Alabama. Also a legacy Rich's, the mall has always had a glut of anchors and it competes for business with similarly positioned Belk (who entered via the legacy Parisian stores) and Von Maur (which opened in the former Macy's). <br />
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<b>FUTURE PROSPECTS</b>: Belk has been sold to a private equity firm who may ultimately spin off assets in weaker markets for the chain. Belk has not done particularly well in Alabama, and Macy's may return to the state by cherry picking the best locations that Belk has currently such as Bridge Street Town Center in Huntsville, Belair Mall in Mobile and The Summit in Mountain Brook.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Survived the first 68 closings (3/13/17)</i><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">GEORGIA</span></u></b><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">NOTE:</span></b> Only one Georgia stores were included in the original 68 stores closing: Georgia Square Mall in Athens, GA (on the list below). Most of these stores are owned stores and likely are on hold looking for a buyer, so none on this list actually closed.</i><br />
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Georgia is likely going to be nasty in terms of closing in this round. Macy's inherited a ton of stores due to prior ownership of prominent department stores Rich's and Davison's. Unfortunately, large parts of the state's economy continue to flounder and much of these locations are in weak urban malls whose sole survival depends on Macy's continued commitment to those malls. Macy's already closed a store this year at North DeKalb Mall in Atlanta effectively finishing off a 50 year old mall as part of the mall's redevelopment plan. The list below is long.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Gwinnett Place Mall - Duluth (Opened 1984)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-UC83BrRHfv1QWfuhLwot0x17jK-ZWdDeSLFjptzCuCHoVmijUDXejDViYBja6VkglUnDJNLIZe4N9PkxJMrE3zYXpIxkiR1LbJNP-87y1OOxtVeAASXb_uK0Jss-bTBdbRo9aqv62Mh/s1600/richs_gwinnett_4_022505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-UC83BrRHfv1QWfuhLwot0x17jK-ZWdDeSLFjptzCuCHoVmijUDXejDViYBja6VkglUnDJNLIZe4N9PkxJMrE3zYXpIxkiR1LbJNP-87y1OOxtVeAASXb_uK0Jss-bTBdbRo9aqv62Mh/s320/richs_gwinnett_4_022505.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gwinnett Place Mall has been slowly dying since the late 1990's due to competition from both superregional Mall of Georgia and outlet mall Sugarloaf Mills. Business began to trail a decade ago, and today the mall is largely vacant. Two of its major anchors, Belk (former Parisian) and JCPenney have already left the mall. The former Macy's (Davison's) was vacant for years and is currently occupied by struggling Mega Mart. In fact, the only department stores left are Macy's (former Rich's) and Sears. Local leaders are also looking to redevelop the mall soon. As one of the retail stars in the 70's, 80's and 90's it is past its prime and nearing the end.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Southlake Mall - Morrow (Opened 1976)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWhcXMY-9CZECHWwF68IOReX1XTVGjO5DsYE3F5OssNIgGBeTt1AWKjCcEocXysJkjrWot1Gat0IDAQ5iQ1Js5ogiuCSx08ADa7kif9Xx5W-MOkZauS2jrbp31CfYfvRqe8NKBtqf7j5a/s1600/southlake_9_071109_macys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWhcXMY-9CZECHWwF68IOReX1XTVGjO5DsYE3F5OssNIgGBeTt1AWKjCcEocXysJkjrWot1Gat0IDAQ5iQ1Js5ogiuCSx08ADa7kif9Xx5W-MOkZauS2jrbp31CfYfvRqe8NKBtqf7j5a/s320/southlake_9_071109_macys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Southlake Mall has been dying for many years and like Gwinnett Place only has Macy's (former Rich's) and Sears left. It lost Macy's (Davison's) in 2003 and JCPenney closed at the mall in 2011. The area around the mall is in sharp decline, and a redevelopment on an outlot of the mall failed during the 2008 downturn. Macy's also has not been renovated at the mall since the 1980's. The auto center at the mall also closed awhile back. <br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Macon Mall - Macon (Opened 1975)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_weZDF1iwsgRM6aIdz2u1mdR1qbEjR8Sznj-WrEqo1Yywy6U8O5hBmJ8tHXt6hshvnps9QG1ib84V4z1rFJIYoanzWpwmapT1EghxFV9zcoHkpNFCoRrxTQXoqynAHHBeN7Cy2htP0vjS/s1600/maconmall_28_050710_davisons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_weZDF1iwsgRM6aIdz2u1mdR1qbEjR8Sznj-WrEqo1Yywy6U8O5hBmJ8tHXt6hshvnps9QG1ib84V4z1rFJIYoanzWpwmapT1EghxFV9zcoHkpNFCoRrxTQXoqynAHHBeN7Cy2htP0vjS/s320/maconmall_28_050710_davisons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Macy's at Macon Mall opened as a legacy Davison's store and operated previously under the Macy's and Rich's banners before reverting back to Macy's in 2005. The mall has had a high profile struggle to survive since a new outdoor shopping center opened on the opposite side of Macon in 2005. Economic decline and high crime plague the area, and the vacancy rates in the area are skyrocketing. The mall also faces competition from a smaller enclosed mall in Warner Robins to the south. Since 2005, the mall has lost four of its six anchors with today only Macy's and JCPenney continuing to operate stores in the mall. In addition, a large portion of the mall built as an addition was demolished restoring the mall to its original footprint. The chance of survival is very low.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: South DeKalb Mall - Decatur (Opened 1969)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57ovYPPhq2vmnMAHE_dSylmMTun5it7CW5MyjIHxBD9HBFIbqcNn_5g4Wsmwcoq9PId85-MO7d2B9SkCSaOHRLaAhAgV3WrhoiGYNAuXU9ZgGs82lwZZteM5s8hSMveigEeoXsvhB2KSU/s1600/sdekalb_14_012410_richs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57ovYPPhq2vmnMAHE_dSylmMTun5it7CW5MyjIHxBD9HBFIbqcNn_5g4Wsmwcoq9PId85-MO7d2B9SkCSaOHRLaAhAgV3WrhoiGYNAuXU9ZgGs82lwZZteM5s8hSMveigEeoXsvhB2KSU/s320/sdekalb_14_012410_richs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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South DeKalb Mall is a survivor in many ways. White flight, a new mall to the east and even the 2008 crash could not kill the store off, but the mall lost much of its luster when JCPenney fled its ancient, brutalist anchorcap on the opposite end for Stonecrest Mall in 2001. While the interior was significantly updated over a decade ago, its parent company is struggling to keep its portfolio of malls afloat. In addition, no legitimate anchor has ever filled the former JCPenney. The area around the mall has also been losing stores for the past decade and Macy's itself is in disrepair. Maintenance is poor and the interior has seen little in the way of updates since the 1970's. A three story store in a struggling mall with demographics Macy's is no longer aiming for is not likely to survive this round of closings.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Greenbriar Mall - Atlanta (Opened 1965)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEE9X0XGsh_-511tEADa64CTRJsvRaUH7PFq7D0L9vpx7UFhJFgyQ3GWbybSasn2dW6eSvgZhSXeBWUwmE2PFjmSLRIqCwOP6pAwu5HEwnGXt2AEdS6qXDLww4ZhOKS8rzIDDmFdUXHvK/s1600/richs_greenbriar_11_011105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEE9X0XGsh_-511tEADa64CTRJsvRaUH7PFq7D0L9vpx7UFhJFgyQ3GWbybSasn2dW6eSvgZhSXeBWUwmE2PFjmSLRIqCwOP6pAwu5HEwnGXt2AEdS6qXDLww4ZhOKS8rzIDDmFdUXHvK/s320/richs_greenbriar_11_011105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Greenbriar Mall has a similar story to South DeKalb, except it has stronger community support. Nonetheless, that did not stop JCPenney from leaving the mall in 1985 with today Burlington Coat Factory operating in the former anchor. Other attempts to shore up the mall with quality anchor stores such as Circuit City and Cub Foods were replaced with non-retail. The mall is also in bad need of an update with its last interior renovation completed in 1987. While the mall survived much, including looting in 1995, the store was effectively replaced in 2004 with a new location in Douglasville to the west at Arbor Place. The store was once one of the most profitable due to a dearth of Rich's locations in the area, but today Arbor Place Mall provides far more to choose from than the collection of B-level tenants in this 50 year old mall.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Town Center at Cobb [<i>Consolidation to Single Location</i>] (Opened 1986; reopened 2003)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In 2005, the former Macy's was largely vacant with only part of the second floor used for a furniture gallery. Today it has the men's store on the lower floor and clearance on third floor.</span></div>
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In 2005, Federated Department Stores found themselves pretty well stuck with two locations in the same mall when they merged Macy's and Rich's. Now the mall has a women's/furniture store in the old Rich's and a men's/home/clearance store in the old Macy's. The old Macy's has unused space on the second floor and the combined stores share way too much square footage than the typical Macy's. Likely one of the two stores will close with the two stores consolidating back into one of the original anchors.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Peachtree Mall - Columbus (Opened 2002)<br />
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Macy's opened in Peachtree Mall in 2004 in what was previously a Montgomery Ward that operated in the mall from 1976-2001. Peachtree Mall today is struggling with crime and low incomes and has never filled the former Parisian space that closed in 2007 after Belk passed it over for a store. While the mall remains the only enclosed mall in the entire region, this may not be enough to prevent the store from leaving the market. The store also competes with similarly-positioned Dillard's (former Gayfer's) in the same mall.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Georgia Square Mall - Athens (1981)<br />
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Georgia Square Mall has been treated as a stepchild of malls in the state despite being the only enclosed mall in the city. Much of that is that is that a much better mall is found further west along GA 316 with Mall of Georgia 40 miles to the west. That may be a long distance, but not when there is such a huge difference in stores and the roadway to it is posted at 65 MPH! While still holding onto all of its anchors, Georgia Square is full of vacancies and is threatened with replacement with an outdoor center anchored by Belk and JCPenney (leaving Sears and Macy's high and dry). Macy's at the mall has also seen few updates since it opened as Davison's in 1981. The store also operated as Rich's from 1998-2005. <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Oglethorpe Mall - Savannah (Opened 1992)<br />
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Macy's is a newcomer to Savannah after inheriting a store from Rich's that opened after former anchor Maas Brothers closed as part of a Federated Department Stores buyout. While built as a new two-level store, the anchor has an ancillary position in the mall and has never gained market share over competitor Belk who has been in the market for nearly 80 years. With Dillard's likely looking for an opening in the mall, Macy's may be eager to leave a store that was recently reported as unprofitable. In addition, this Macy's store is the only one in the entire market area for quite a distance in any direction, so it would make sense for them to leave the market.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Cumberland Mall - Smyrna (Opened 1973)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1oPrJuLnEMFOtZlrlZmprHZyc72Ygb8i0OXAWhlZU1ChzQARdpdqHvVWqTQs3AWHHSvj89MwPmVhyphenhyphen4qbyWZm5-NlGB-4i9pwRhxfp3UIhY9z_xdDluoCrpbhKomvhq8ZDOwe1VbGHL-s/s1600/richs_cumberland15_011105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1oPrJuLnEMFOtZlrlZmprHZyc72Ygb8i0OXAWhlZU1ChzQARdpdqHvVWqTQs3AWHHSvj89MwPmVhyphenhyphen4qbyWZm5-NlGB-4i9pwRhxfp3UIhY9z_xdDluoCrpbhKomvhq8ZDOwe1VbGHL-s/s320/richs_cumberland15_011105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cumberland Mall has struggled to survive a changing market and demographics. As a once dominant mall in the 1970's and early 80's, the mall has continued to lose market share to other area malls and has lost two prominent anchors including Macy's (Davison's) in 2003 and JCPenney in 2005. While the mall was successfully redeveloped a decade ago, the Macy's is the only remaining department store in the mall other than Sears and is one of the weakest in the market. It is also far too large for the company's needs. With traffic from the new Braves stadium threatening to further keep shoppers from the mall and a largely urban apartment-dwelling clientele near the mall, it is not terribly promising. Nonetheless, the 2005 renovation of the mall was followed by an overhaul of the store itself a year later. However, Perimeter Mall, Town Center and Arbor Place probably draw from a larger part of that shopping base that would normally shop at this store. In addition, Sears is courting tenants in their attempt to depart the mall.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Stonecrest Mall - Lithonia (Opened 2001)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW01eHzc7BvsTOWSEs0sxQx3gZc_ZXSVVInxeka-uIgTWmSuZ3XqV9hOeZzHYYAawVHhtHHf5irpmPwX9YCMv9SlwR-deTAEodK6ehhFUxv8z2w0RKYOt5SyEiYdPafMbD9opsEJzk6R86/s1600/richs_mallatstonecrest1_010905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW01eHzc7BvsTOWSEs0sxQx3gZc_ZXSVVInxeka-uIgTWmSuZ3XqV9hOeZzHYYAawVHhtHHf5irpmPwX9YCMv9SlwR-deTAEodK6ehhFUxv8z2w0RKYOt5SyEiYdPafMbD9opsEJzk6R86/s320/richs_mallatstonecrest1_010905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Macy's opened as Rich's at Stonecrest Mall as part of a long-heralded plan to bring a decent superregional mall to the middle class, but largely non-white southeastern Atlanta suburbs. The mall was supposed to bring jobs and prosperity to the region, but much of this failed to materialize. The mall has long suffered from vacancies, and Kohl's recently closed their location in the mall in the former Parisian that Belk passed over in 2007. While the store did replace South DeKalb technically and robbed shoppers/business from Southlake, the mall is not holding its own. People in the region with money are driving past the mall to shop at Lenox and Perimeter instead. <br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Northlake Mall - Tucker (Opened 1971)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh85dSo-bOFMTgsRBVWOUu7CmwRpvOBo587rx39h0skxMNDTqqPM3ZhqDAfrxFX63mEjs15O6BRrXUxtSJ4krKxXYn3led63e7AtmKDjZIS6D-kRsyw-bPpEGJxU90J6b61uwFj8UE75Lh/s1600/richs_northlake2_010904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh85dSo-bOFMTgsRBVWOUu7CmwRpvOBo587rx39h0skxMNDTqqPM3ZhqDAfrxFX63mEjs15O6BRrXUxtSJ4krKxXYn3led63e7AtmKDjZIS6D-kRsyw-bPpEGJxU90J6b61uwFj8UE75Lh/s320/richs_northlake2_010904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Northlake Mall is a struggling mall slated for redevelopment. However, the mall has a major difference from others in that it has not lost its three original anchors. Kohl's did leave the mall this year, but it was in an odd location in a former Parisian that was carved out of mall space in the early 1990's. Sears, JCPenney and Macy's (former Davison's) all still maintain locations at the mall, but with Sears a wild card and JCPenney uncertain on their commitment, it is unclear what Macy's plans to do with the stores. It was in serious disrepair, but recently the interior was updated. However, the third level of the store remains closed to the public. Considering its proximity to Perimeter Mall, the store has a good chance of closing even with the uptick in business due to the closing of the nearby North DeKalb Mall store.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Arbor Place Mall - Douglasville (Opened 2004)<br />
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Even though Macy's opened late to Douglasville's mall due to popular demand, many feel that the mall (and especially the Macy's) is not doing well. If the store closed, it would leave no Macy's locations on the western side of the Atlanta market if the other stores on this list closed. If Macy's aim is to consolidate all of its stores only into the "Golden Triangle" (northern quadrant of Atlanta between I-75 and I-85) then this store is probably toast. Otherwise, Macy's will probably stay due to an increase of business that will likely come with the closure of other approximate stores in the Atlanta region.<br />
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<b>FUTURE PROSPECTS</b>: Macy's may return to some of these markets, but probably not organically. Most likely they will take over anchor spaces in existing newer centers in better areas than these stores are located. In Atlanta, stores north of I-20 that close are unlikely to be replaced, but new stores as buyouts may pop up in places like McDonough, Newnan or Peachtree City where incomes are higher. Macy's might also take over Belk or Dillard's stores if either decide to leave the market. In Macon, this would involve a takeover of the existing Belk or Dillard's at the Shoppes at River Crossing.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">SOUTH CAROLINA</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Columbia Place Mall - Dentsville (Opened 1977)<br />
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Macy's has been lukewarm in their commitment to the Columbia market for years as Rich's only opened one store in the market and the downtown Davison's store was not replaced with the planned, but never built store at Dutch Square Mall. The one remaining location at Columbia Place Mall anchors a mostly dead mall that is anchored with a barely-open Sears (a large part of the store is closed off) and a Burlington Coat Factory in one level of the former JCPenney. The fourth anchor, Dillard's (former Belk) remains vacant and in disrepair. The store itself has seen few, if any, updates and was never a strong performer when it was part of Rich's. The closing of this store will only leave one Macy's in the state in Haywood Mall in Greenville.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnG7p-XxNlxB5RAt7mgRL8mODQQQJYzMarJt_cTybvwXywr_WKHEtS8G_1Ohla83e2K_HiQIB4BokIUafjXIJEX1bjT4ZOGS6gYvtZJYxzU97WB6rlrSlGOcyJtbUlpCm6nIGkSAoYEAX/s1600/columbiaplace_17_123009_richs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnG7p-XxNlxB5RAt7mgRL8mODQQQJYzMarJt_cTybvwXywr_WKHEtS8G_1Ohla83e2K_HiQIB4BokIUafjXIJEX1bjT4ZOGS6gYvtZJYxzU97WB6rlrSlGOcyJtbUlpCm6nIGkSAoYEAX/s320/columbiaplace_17_123009_richs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>FUTURE PROSPECTS</b>: Macy's may return to the market if Belk or Dillard's ever leaves Columbiana Mall, but they clearly have no plans to build any new stores from the ground up.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> It was not known at the time this was written that Macy's had given a promise that they would not exit any markets, so this store was safe. Most likely Macy's is looking to relocate their store elsewhere in the market.</i><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">NORTH CAROLINA</span></u></b><br />
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North Carolina saw the bulk of weaker Macy's stores close recently, but Macy's has always struggled in the state due to the prominence of Belk vs. other states where Belk is less popular or unknown. Belk started in North Carolina and has brand loyalty over other mid-market department stores unlike most states similar to how Boscov's dominates in its sector in Eastern Pennsylvania. As long as Belk continues to dominate, Macy's presence in the state will be weak, but the future of Belk as a company will determine the final outcome. Regardless, three stores appear to be weak in the market.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Northgate Mall - Durham (Opened 1995)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oKMsWzTNXODwtL4cCqDMX1jp1Ma8i1cCKekimerBFxlifI8pfhXLN6eic8AHt6Ry1t0EzU7-FXi45rvK6lXg-q_MgIRFU5ZmFaqyOauenss5eF3KOP25tYb3k5Q9mTbiiSEtRACNTQrD/s1600/northgate_1_070411_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oKMsWzTNXODwtL4cCqDMX1jp1Ma8i1cCKekimerBFxlifI8pfhXLN6eic8AHt6Ry1t0EzU7-FXi45rvK6lXg-q_MgIRFU5ZmFaqyOauenss5eF3KOP25tYb3k5Q9mTbiiSEtRACNTQrD/s320/northgate_1_070411_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Macy's opened at the mall as Hecht's at a time at Northgate Mall at a time before a major competitor opened in the market. Streets at Southpoint became such a dominant mall after it opened in 2006 that it remains one of the top Macy's. Of course, the Macy's at Southpoint has also taken lots of business from this store making it today a secondary store in an urban mall. This means the store is likely use for returns and is not adequately profitable. Add to this that the mall today is only a two anchor mall without a major draw with Sears as the only other anchor. While once a stronger mall with Hudson Belk, today the mall is hanging on because of Macy's alone. That is not enough to save it from closure in a market where Macy's is already competing poorly.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Store is closing (prediction was correct)</i><br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: SouthPark Mall - Charlotte (Opened 1986)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8733RBuWyCVlGVkDTMvmdxKdiomowoFpmE-WVkgn0QqvgSpgHgUaMwCQXh0YWR2x59T3y13-CmFzHuxySdZ0h6xcnHSAlYsGpCcd8DjcMFsloQIoUnU6-L_Ehzv_xEWd9874p4rcMLbmE/s1600/southpark_27_061510_thalhimers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8733RBuWyCVlGVkDTMvmdxKdiomowoFpmE-WVkgn0QqvgSpgHgUaMwCQXh0YWR2x59T3y13-CmFzHuxySdZ0h6xcnHSAlYsGpCcd8DjcMFsloQIoUnU6-L_Ehzv_xEWd9874p4rcMLbmE/s320/southpark_27_061510_thalhimers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Macy's at SouthPark Mall has been the weakest performer in the mall compared to Dillard's legacy Ivey's store and especially Belk's flagship store in the mall. In addition, the store faces few options for merchandising when grouped with Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. With weak offerings, the only reason the store is in the mall was because it inherited the store through the May Company merger. It opened as Thalhimer's and was later Hecht's. The store is likely to close to sell to a competitor better suited for the mall's merchandise mix or for redevelopment.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Prediction was wrong. Store closing in the market was actually the Carolina Place Mall location, so apparently this store was chosen as the one they wanted to put their efforts into. Dick's will be replacing the Macy's at Carolina Place Mall.</i><br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Friendly Center - Greensboro (Opened 1957)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeChiOHa0LKZEQZ66OwXH_PEJsCfXQaKhHEvUtXvdVUoMeO0yQ3OsZKzBZX3QnN-90NX_wbRA4EmiArQWZ5oHE4LfFpv3y5pMYZGoJhPs8eeZM7DtVtsiM05iO-pLydEF4jKNLRoixGln/s1600/thalhimers_friendlycenter_042812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeChiOHa0LKZEQZ66OwXH_PEJsCfXQaKhHEvUtXvdVUoMeO0yQ3OsZKzBZX3QnN-90NX_wbRA4EmiArQWZ5oHE4LfFpv3y5pMYZGoJhPs8eeZM7DtVtsiM05iO-pLydEF4jKNLRoixGln/s320/thalhimers_friendlycenter_042812.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Friendly Center is one of the most successful shopping centers in the Triad surviving as a large open-air shopping center with upscale stores. However, despite its layout it tends to have many stores like malls with Belk, Sears and Macy's as major anchors. Unfortunately, Greensboro has had trouble keeping Macy's as it recently closed another free-standing store in the city. The remaining store, which opened in a former Hecht's that originally began as Richmond-based Thalhimer's, is apparently not adequately competitive with Belk. <br />
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<b>FUTURE PROSPECTS</b>: Macy's will not return to any of these markets unless Belk decides to sell their own (better located) stores to Macy's in the future. This all rests on the future of Belk as a company since it is now owned by an equity firm and no longer managed by the Belk family.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;"><b>OUTCOME:</b></span> Prediction was wrong. Store appears to be safe for now.</i><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">TENNESSEE</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Neither store closed in the first 68, so both are safe for now.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Old Hickory Mall - Jackson (1978)<br />
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The Macy's at Old Hickory Mall is an anomaly that came directly as a result of it originally opening as Memphis-based Goldsmith's. A higher than average poverty rate in a more urban-oriented mall position the mall similar to failed Macy's locations in other former Goldsmith's in Memphis such as at Raleigh Springs Mall or Southland Mall. While not a dead mall nor in an area with any other immediate competition from other Macy's, it is a small mall that probably does not provide the sales-per-square-feet or image that Macy's desires. The store also competes with Belk in the same mall. <br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Rivergate Mall - Goodlettsville (1971)<br />
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Call this one a hunch, but in the previous visit to Rivergate Mall in 2012 it was obvious that the inline stores were showing signs of weakness. Stores in the mall appear to cater to a more urban clientele and at the very least suggest this is a B-level mall. The fact that two vacant anchor spaces were filled with an indoor trampoline park and a <a href="http://www.smartbuysforthehome.com/">cut-rate furniture store</a> appear to be warning signs. It should also be noted that Rivergate is an old mall with a very large Macy's location that was inherited from the various changing of hands. Starting as regional Castner-Knott, the store slogged through three nameplates before Macy's including Proffitt's and Hecht's. While this tends to be a typical story in the Nashville market, it is unclear if this location has lasting power despite being the only mall on the northeast side of Nashville.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">PENNSYLVANIA (EASTERN)</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Missed it again on the first 68 except for two: Plymouth Meeting and Montgomery Mall. I also missed the closing of the Neshaminy Mall store in the same market. However, any of these listed are likely to be closed when the final 34 stores are announced.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Roosevelt Mall - Philadelphia (1964)<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"></span></div>
Another former Strawbridge's that originally opened as Wanamaker's (reopening in 1995), the better question to ask is why the store is still there. The store is ridiculously close to the Neshaminy Mall store, and Roosevelt Mall itself is an open-air mall that was mostly demalled years ago with no other anchor department stores. A nearby JCPenney also recently left the market. Inside, the store has not been updated at all. This would be an easy picking for Macy's as it would not have any measurable effect on the shopping options in the area and would likely open up redevelopment opportunities.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Center City Philadelphia (1911)<br />
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The closing of the Center City store is very likely considering the glut of Macy's stores in the market and the closing of the former Kauffman's flagship in Pittsburgh last year. This store is the very grand former Wanamaker's flagship, but it has suffered under the decline of downtown department stores in general and the fact that the store itself changed many hands after the Wanamaker family shut down the business. This is one "likely" on the list that we wish was not.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Plymouth Meeting Mall - Plymouth Meeting (1966)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI4lAq8cFetHhtJA9Tiurp4a_f4O1yI-CzDeEujPOs4NOF2TZ8TiZakRX70oqO4COlVjAxoGa6oZKZOAIt5IvwylsA50yXyX9gxO4IKOX2CHZQXxQHNpegRt4VGHKofCswDVQ__OUypL8/s1600/macys_plymouthmeetingmall_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI4lAq8cFetHhtJA9Tiurp4a_f4O1yI-CzDeEujPOs4NOF2TZ8TiZakRX70oqO4COlVjAxoGa6oZKZOAIt5IvwylsA50yXyX9gxO4IKOX2CHZQXxQHNpegRt4VGHKofCswDVQ__OUypL8/s320/macys_plymouthmeetingmall_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The only reason that "definitely closing" is not used is that Plymouth Meeting is NOT a dead mall. However, it is very close to King of Prussia Mall in a very, very old former Strawbridge's department store. The real clue here is that the store has barely been touched in decades and did not seem that busy. In addition, the third level of the store is also closed off. Those clues are pretty convincing that this store will not last this round of closings.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Springfield Mall - Springfield (1974)<br />
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Springfield Mall is a small ancillary mall too close to many other dominant malls in the market including Concord Mall in Delaware and King Of Prussia. While conveniently located, the mall only has one other anchor (Target) and does not appear to be a significant draw. Originally opening as Bamberger's, the store remains as a legacy of the once dominant regional department store owned by R.H. Macy.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Oxford Valley Mall - Langhorne (1973)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNrluFUw-WclksR1N61tdFcaQcABML_HRap7DYfHy3vROUHE9eFnzKrGEXPiMzFZHTpm43U-G9xZQKrgUwUIGxxnm6J9palUP5gBkU4Z7aQbe4WQCdNV8Mnez_B82R4qDpSGrprajwv2n/s1600/macys_oxfordvalleymall_072316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNrluFUw-WclksR1N61tdFcaQcABML_HRap7DYfHy3vROUHE9eFnzKrGEXPiMzFZHTpm43U-G9xZQKrgUwUIGxxnm6J9palUP5gBkU4Z7aQbe4WQCdNV8Mnez_B82R4qDpSGrprajwv2n/s320/macys_oxfordvalleymall_072316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once a dominant mall in the region, Oxford Valley Mall appears to be dying. With a number of B-tenants, an empty anchor that last operated as Boscov's, the prospects of the mall do not look promising. Since that is the case, Macy's (which originally opened as Bamberger's) may be looking to exit. Much of Oxford Valley Mall's business today seems to have been taken by the far more popular Neshaminy Mall to the west as well as Willow Grove Park Mall further to the west..<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING:</span> Montgomery Mall - Montgomeryville (1977)<br />
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Montgomery Mall is one of those candidates for eventual demalling as one of its major department store anchors proved impossible to keep filled after Boscov's exited a former Wanamaker's in 2008. Today that store is Wegman's. While Wegman's is indeed a huge draw, it is a draw itself not so much a draw to the mall. The rumor is that the Macy's at the mall is not doing well, and that obviously makes sense considering that the mall is too close in proximity to wildly successful Willow Grove Park Mall and King of Prussia Mall, both far more of a draw than this lackluster mall. Considering that the average mall needs a 25 mile radius between malls, having both malls 10 and 14 miles away, respectively, is not likely to keep the store open for long.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Viewmont Mall - Scranton (1968)<br />
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As Scranton's only mall, Viewmont Mall is a second-tier mall to the more dominant Wyoming Valley Mall, which also contains Macy's. Considering that Sears already closed at the mall, the mall only has 70 stores and the only other anchors are Dick's and JCPenney, Macy's may be looking at an exit strategy. <br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Exton Square Mall - Exton (1973)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qBLxKhZNCmhPKT_0rMMhi2d25D5Xpz-jATgQOGG65KX2Uv-JfnuDhF0UeseJ9yCblCyo4ecnTrobdrpVVifyVmdERmI2YvdYtBNhyphenhyphen7whAACwyM9AKTo0ifrST1vRMN5j3Ee7wlgQShVG/s1600/macys_exton_011715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qBLxKhZNCmhPKT_0rMMhi2d25D5Xpz-jATgQOGG65KX2Uv-JfnuDhF0UeseJ9yCblCyo4ecnTrobdrpVVifyVmdERmI2YvdYtBNhyphenhyphen7whAACwyM9AKTo0ifrST1vRMN5j3Ee7wlgQShVG/s320/macys_exton_011715.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Exton Square Mall is in an unfortunate position as Macy's is the absolute centerpiece of the mall. As a square shaped mall that literally surrounds Macy's on four sides, the closure of Macy's would create a very difficult situation for the mall. Nonetheless, it is worth considering that Macy's at the mall, a former Strawbridge's, is very close to King of Prussia Mall. A mere 16 miles separates the two malls, and what's worse is that it is all freeway inbetween! Exton Square is not in a bad area, but the mall proves that it has trouble keeping anchors after JCPenney closed in 2014 without another department store to replace it. Remaining anchors besides Macy's are Sears and Boscov's, so this already places the more than 40 year mall at risk. <br />
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<b><u>DELAWARE:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Dover Mall - Dover (1982)<br />
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The Macy's at Dover Mall's troubles have been a bit mysterious, but the likely scenario is that people drive the 40 mile trip to Christiana Mall for better merchandise. The Macy's at the mall is a low performer, and it was a latecomer as it was taking over the spot of a former Leggett department store that previously had been the only location in the state. The store became Macy's as a result of Leggett divesting the store in 1997 with Strawbridge's taking over. <br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">VIRGINIA</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Two out of three on the "definitely closing". The others not so much (thankfully). However, any of these are candidates for the final 34.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: River Ridge Mall - Lynchburg (Opened 1978)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn234IswKt9VFN6v-G_oQe-0GzCyT_d1kkCQBByiRmhSIHJTDhsKQGQxUXJNAON1DmGLRfoy7VB2CqzzPXWEexeDwjbKY_ppQZVgh5bI_VO3hknOWsvmruvM2CZhx47LsPZthMpHk4BD5/s1600/riverridgemall_1_121512_thalhimers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn234IswKt9VFN6v-G_oQe-0GzCyT_d1kkCQBByiRmhSIHJTDhsKQGQxUXJNAON1DmGLRfoy7VB2CqzzPXWEexeDwjbKY_ppQZVgh5bI_VO3hknOWsvmruvM2CZhx47LsPZthMpHk4BD5/s320/riverridgemall_1_121512_thalhimers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A legacy Thalhimer's and later Hecht's, this store anchors an otherwise dying mall and is clearly a weaker player from the total lack of investment in the store. It has seen little updates since the 1970's, and has seen no updates since the merger with May Company in 2006. The mall itself saw the loss of Sears a few years ago, and the mall is today owned by Liberty University. The mall is still anchored by Belk and JCPenney, but that is probably not enough to save the store. Most shoppers make the journey west to Roanoke or east to Richmond for serious shopping as evidenced by the troubled state of the mall.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;"><b>OUTCOME:</b></span> Nailed it. Store is closing.</i><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Manassas Mall - Manassas (Opened 1997)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9Emso7LegxKX2yDZAMlg25bh0crBced7h2V3efVov16ZER5INGO43BAM7uKO4zJzuAOLaPhBVJLxth-xW4pzQHBBdzl7nTbh2Td1a4gNXExYiVYGWqOpk_l-0awVJZqSRhsh8IIkVgCr/s1600/manassas_1_090512_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9Emso7LegxKX2yDZAMlg25bh0crBced7h2V3efVov16ZER5INGO43BAM7uKO4zJzuAOLaPhBVJLxth-xW4pzQHBBdzl7nTbh2Td1a4gNXExYiVYGWqOpk_l-0awVJZqSRhsh8IIkVgCr/s320/manassas_1_090512_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Opening in 1997 as Hecht's, Macy's presence at the mall is a direct result of Hecht's early interest in the mall. Opening as an ancillary mall in 1974, Hecht's rescued the mall from that fate opening in the former Grant's space later moving to its current location when Target took the former spot. However, the mall has seen a loss of two major anchor tenants in the past few years. Target left in 2012 and JCPenney closed in 2014. The mall has been aggressively redeveloping expanding mall space into the former Target and bringing At Home into the former JCPenney, but with the only other anchors being beleaguered Sears and Wal-Mart in a market whose clientele does not make up the typical Macy's shopper, the store is likely losing money and will close as its 20 years of business in its current location commence.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Store did not make the cut for the first 68 stores.</i><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Landmark Mall - Alexandria (Opened 1965)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrtXyE7bMaXSdAUvBMSz4ZzK949-_Wgn61ZqIHo7172VyDWGRWine0R7vCr2s6P8b58XqNlZAxAxeQVWkg5iMi17B7R1DhrZ5Yw8h2x_PyaYFsL0ZATQD8_ZWVq-x_mpNbHnr0KTM-pYl/s1600/landmark_3_092212_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrtXyE7bMaXSdAUvBMSz4ZzK949-_Wgn61ZqIHo7172VyDWGRWine0R7vCr2s6P8b58XqNlZAxAxeQVWkg5iMi17B7R1DhrZ5Yw8h2x_PyaYFsL0ZATQD8_ZWVq-x_mpNbHnr0KTM-pYl/s320/landmark_3_092212_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Landmark Mall is already in the process of clearing out for redevelopment. Struggling for years since it was enclosed in the late 1980's, the mall only presently has Sears as its other anchor with tons of vacancies inbetween. While the store gets business, its close proximity to star locations at Springfield Mall and Pentagon City pretty much doom this store. It is likely the owners would welcome the store's departure as well to make redevelopment into something less retail-oriented possible.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Store is closed, although the closing was pretty easy to predict on this otherwise dead mall prepping for redevelopment.</i><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Fair Oaks Mall - Fairfax [<i>Consolidation to Single Location</i>] (Opened 2000)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOj3s2jRvYn7w4qUEJkKTKTgfz_bD6JwDpzedMQeVn_Jp3jdNqL_5cuxe6g6Y8v8RPTbPaHhyqchYXXvrPRGmqw6mDcHxrMRfAhaz2a54pdEqQQ2iKS5Coo_F67vWetN3crAyu9xB3Tzj/s1600/fairoaks_23_102512_macys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOj3s2jRvYn7w4qUEJkKTKTgfz_bD6JwDpzedMQeVn_Jp3jdNqL_5cuxe6g6Y8v8RPTbPaHhyqchYXXvrPRGmqw6mDcHxrMRfAhaz2a54pdEqQQ2iKS5Coo_F67vWetN3crAyu9xB3Tzj/s320/fairoaks_23_102512_macys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The real retail mystery is how Macy's has continued to operate two full-line stores at this mall. As a high-level B mall, Fair Oaks is beginning to show signs of its age with Tysons Corner continuing to suck life out of the mall. Macy's operates two stores in the mall because the original Macy's was owned by Federated Department Stores and the second by May Department Stores (as Hecht's) and since the 2006 merger has apparently been unable to exit either store. The most likely store to close is the Macy's that opened in the mid-1990's on what had originally been the Lord & Taylor anchor site leaving the former Hecht's. This is likely a strategic move as plans are already under consideration to redevelop the adjacent Sears site meaning that the west end of the mall will be redeveloped.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Ballston Common Mall - Arlington (Opened 1959)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqY5NDdU0jgq5ehV0M0or-iaUikCI80O3BdJGoZIwTbBi-ZO1NhEF8AQ_9HaZRwpz7D-bQHmf2QWEO7EK3TRoLAoaTvrexsVqATKsWm2KvaNIlxmSW35BHfr8Ln0wPd_zEr2GeQatDgBr/s1600/ballstoncommon_1_060816_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqY5NDdU0jgq5ehV0M0or-iaUikCI80O3BdJGoZIwTbBi-ZO1NhEF8AQ_9HaZRwpz7D-bQHmf2QWEO7EK3TRoLAoaTvrexsVqATKsWm2KvaNIlxmSW35BHfr8Ln0wPd_zEr2GeQatDgBr/s320/ballstoncommon_1_060816_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Macy's at Ballston Common Mall is the former flagship store for Hecht's, which means that the closing of this store will be very sad considering that it has operated for more than 60 years. However, the difficulty in accessing the mall and extreme competition from more popular Pentagon City and Tysons Corner Macy's locations pretty much doom this store. The mall is beginning the process of redevelopment, and a second Macy's in the mall already closed recently. This gives the marginal store an easy exit strategy, but the loss will mean another once storied department store will lose its original downtown flagship.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Tysons Galleria - Tysons Corner (Opened 1988)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUjoekOmMkYJD7WtftjtlPsqzlvmiK8xsuJzQKqq3nji4s_fJ9sbQS1lr4s5yskT2jjW-yVpiKw7tHMHXYIPWF2LQCEkbYtIa525THrG4xxQqc3Eyp8Bcw4abC14LjBWweHzMsVSR3z1Q/s1600/tysonsgalleria_1_092612_macys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUjoekOmMkYJD7WtftjtlPsqzlvmiK8xsuJzQKqq3nji4s_fJ9sbQS1lr4s5yskT2jjW-yVpiKw7tHMHXYIPWF2LQCEkbYtIa525THrG4xxQqc3Eyp8Bcw4abC14LjBWweHzMsVSR3z1Q/s320/tysonsgalleria_1_092612_macys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Macy's at Tysons Galleria is an absurd duplication of Macy's with another Macy's in Tysons Corner Center with far more business literally across the street! The Tysons Galleria store anchors a mall that is far too upscale for the store sharing space with Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue while Macy's is an oversized and run down store that has never been touched since the day it opened. As an original Macy's, the duplication is once again a result of consolidation with the approximate Tysons Corner Center store a former Hecht's. It is unclear how the mall will handle this vacancy, but it is a store that has long outlived its profitability and usefulness in such a competitive market. <br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">MARYLAND</span></u></b><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Pretty much missed it on Maryland for the first 68. Any of these might make the second 34, but Maryland is a stronger market for Macy's, especially due to the lack of any significant competitor in major Maryland markets such as Belk, Dillard's or Bon-Ton.</i><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><span style="color: magenta;">
DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Marlow Heights Shopping Center - Marlow Heights (1960)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPivXJtp5jlDrUgmidOohkKFje_3eyr-4fgpdIMOX7Wz48M2q6YtSxgrUKhdOnd9V6ftEq_3u00ryIQFnNo03SJ8EkYS-9xqoQS3bWmiwowxbi4n4cKeUlC8sw0vt1iyELVZAC9F2TGaZ8/s1600/macys_marlowheights_1_102312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPivXJtp5jlDrUgmidOohkKFje_3eyr-4fgpdIMOX7Wz48M2q6YtSxgrUKhdOnd9V6ftEq_3u00ryIQFnNo03SJ8EkYS-9xqoQS3bWmiwowxbi4n4cKeUlC8sw0vt1iyELVZAC9F2TGaZ8/s320/macys_marlowheights_1_102312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Macy's in Marlow Heights is not even part of a mall. It is a former Hecht's in a strip center. Although near a mall, the mall it is nearest too is a pathetic specimen of a mall (Iverson) with no real department store anchors (unless Burlington Coat Factory and Forman Mills count). Overall it is in a lower income area that cannot adequately support it, and the store has never been updated since at least the 1980's. A big factor in why the store has not already closed has much to do with the lack of any nearby Macy's store. The closest store is at Springfield Mall or The Mall at Prince Georges, both 18 miles away. Nonetheless, this store does not appear to be the type of store in the long-term goals for Macy's<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Security Square Mall - Woodlawn (1982)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHkLGRQQZDdlu3VGCFtMgEwzkLyET6uo8TklFYPzzSPyTmA2xGw_g_WGdEF3kUtHmAwCG08vdfNuDUJxvCSvY0ZM3cDX69O-VIBUpB3kEd2qnMIjlzN0W7qjTsX8Of3cTKPPeGX9PchiX/s1600/securitysquare_1_052713_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHkLGRQQZDdlu3VGCFtMgEwzkLyET6uo8TklFYPzzSPyTmA2xGw_g_WGdEF3kUtHmAwCG08vdfNuDUJxvCSvY0ZM3cDX69O-VIBUpB3kEd2qnMIjlzN0W7qjTsX8Of3cTKPPeGX9PchiX/s320/securitysquare_1_052713_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Security Square is another one of those "how can this still be open" stores considering the horrible condition of the mall it anchors. Mostly untouched in decades inside and full of mom and pop stores, Security Square got seedy to the point to where a former JCPenney was divided up into a very uninspiring (and partially failed) Asian mini-mall that has no rhyme or reason. The only other department store still operating in the mall is Sears while the mall's two other anchors are by no means what you would find in a healthy mall. The former Hochschild-Kohn is today USA Discounters while Burlington Coat Factory fills a former Woolworth. While the mall held on providing a marginal (and unrenovated) Macy's (former Hecht's) to the urban market, it is likely marginally successful. Unfortunately, the loss of this store would leave no Macy's on the west side of Baltimore since the nearest location at Owings Mills Mall closed last year.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">LIKELY CLOSING</span>: Lakeforest Mall - Gaithersburg (1978)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEb3SSuXBWkOi1AFJKodhIpwWUr8Ywi2IwpbEiaPVvv5mBfHBv5SQZJkNv94gs8LoZvf2eAaO9lUo3Iy8i79Toglx2oru6NPk9PuBNu93pyCgjld7Otq3ytYAa1iSWQ_gEufk4ruTbkrS/s1600/lakeforest_1_100612_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEb3SSuXBWkOi1AFJKodhIpwWUr8Ywi2IwpbEiaPVvv5mBfHBv5SQZJkNv94gs8LoZvf2eAaO9lUo3Iy8i79Toglx2oru6NPk9PuBNu93pyCgjld7Otq3ytYAa1iSWQ_gEufk4ruTbkrS/s320/lakeforest_1_100612_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A struggling mall originally built by Taubman, this mall has failed to capture the bulk of shoppers in the region who choose instead to shop at Montgomery Mall, Wheaton Plaza or Tysons Corner across the river in Virginia. While the mall has held onto its anchors thus far, the mall caters to an increasingly urban demographic with major chain stores fleeing the mall. In its place are B-level tenants who are likely to lead to an exodus of the anchors soon, most likely starting with Macy's. <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME: </span></b>Should have removed it from the list when it was announced that Macy's Backstage was moving in. Perhaps if that flops the store may yet be closed.</i><br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Mall at Prince Georges - Hyattsville (1958)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou_fweevShKnhDMDF3piacuG7nuLH_N2H6h2i7477aFvJKoniJdBQ4vktQ3fwT-OM76V3urfug4mCfgX2xOxG5ZbMdQ58-9g4UPFh1it4TbqOnEJ5lRClHW-29QKEa5w_K5tv9MS1_5KB/s1600/princegeorgesplaza_1_103012_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou_fweevShKnhDMDF3piacuG7nuLH_N2H6h2i7477aFvJKoniJdBQ4vktQ3fwT-OM76V3urfug4mCfgX2xOxG5ZbMdQ58-9g4UPFh1it4TbqOnEJ5lRClHW-29QKEa5w_K5tv9MS1_5KB/s320/princegeorgesplaza_1_103012_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall, Mall of Prince Georges is a highly successful urban mall, but it is questionable if this store fits into the future strategy of Macy's. The store is old and mostly unrenovated inside, and the classic Hecht's location is not going to be able to survive based on history alone. <br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Bowie Town Center (2001)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF5R6lDETvqv2MVZTlEtxhYyZBC74zAydZfOQ8AenfD-j1zcsrbKvYsIDIeFmCP_8k0VpQAW-4HotKEkaxLtKMPqAJPv3VFEM5bffcucRvO594o4R7Pr5n22UYLMEO2bQCZQinMwBTrrn/s1600/bowietowncenter_1_111112_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF5R6lDETvqv2MVZTlEtxhYyZBC74zAydZfOQ8AenfD-j1zcsrbKvYsIDIeFmCP_8k0VpQAW-4HotKEkaxLtKMPqAJPv3VFEM5bffcucRvO594o4R7Pr5n22UYLMEO2bQCZQinMwBTrrn/s320/bowietowncenter_1_111112_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one might come as a surprise to many, because the store is not that old and the area around it is middle class, but the fact remains that Macy's is only at this lifestyle center as a replacement for the former Hecht's location that was at nearby Free State Mall. Today, shoppers are more likely to drive a bit further to Annapolis to shop at the Macy's at Annapolis Mall while those closer to DC are more likely to shop at the store at The Mall at Prince Georges or Wheaton Plaza. It is really a wild card, but as a store in an open-air center approximately 15 miles either way from two popular malls, it is debatable whether this store or the store at Mall of Prince Georges is more at risk or if this newer store is more in danger.<br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: Marley Station Mall - Glen Burnie (1987)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7tDomB0Sycpf9RMmrw4Hvw3HU5GV49pxCCmozOD9CxbB1-d9bZMfZMkCNEv58ItSMAxd0WHkxaWWetp8o8Gl9rBtkhVjcSn0oxqrdu1zL31DhlUdwp0StHIzsuThpYddUUhaNvWaga22/s1600/marleystation_1_070216_hechts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7tDomB0Sycpf9RMmrw4Hvw3HU5GV49pxCCmozOD9CxbB1-d9bZMfZMkCNEv58ItSMAxd0WHkxaWWetp8o8Gl9rBtkhVjcSn0oxqrdu1zL31DhlUdwp0StHIzsuThpYddUUhaNvWaga22/s320/marleystation_1_070216_hechts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marley Station Mall is not a dead mall, but there is a very obvious sign of decline with the mall in that the former Bamberger's/Macy's is still vacant and has not redeveloped since closing a decade ago. In addition, the variety of stores is less than many other malls in the region. Macy's continues to operate a store today in a former Hecht's, a store that to say the least looks to be in need of a pressure washing. To say the least, the mall is a B-mall, and it suffers from its proximity of 15 miles via interstates and MD 2 to reach more popular Annapolis Mall while other parts of the trade area likely prefer going to The Mall in Columbia 20 miles to the west. Nonetheless, the store has likely seen an increase in business due to the closing of Macy's at Owings Mills Mall. <br />
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<span style="color: lime;">POSSIBLY CLOSING</span>: The Centre At Salisbury - Salisbury (1991)<br />
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The Macy's at Salisbury is another legacy Hecht's store that relocated to the mall 26 years ago from the now-demolished Salisbury Mall. As one of the malls that recently lost a JCPenney in a market that is weaker economically than much of the state, is this store soon to be on the chopping block? If so, this would leave only Boscov's and Sears as anchors meaning that the anchor is pretty important to the success of a mall that also the only major mall within a 60 mile radius. If this one closed, it would be a surprise seeing that it is otherwise a very healthy mall, but it cannot be ruled out as sometimes the mall itself is stronger than its anchors and Boscov's appears to be the biggest draw to mall shoppers.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">NEW JERSEY (SOUTHERN)</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">DEFINITELY CLOSING</span>: Voorhees Town Center (Echelon Mall) - Voorhees (Opened 1973)<br />
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This one shouldn't be a surprise to anyone considering that half the mall was already redeveloped with the other half dead today. The remaining anchors at the former Echelon Mall today include an unrenovated and partially closed (fourth floor) Strawbridge's with Boscov's as the other anchor. The interior of the mall is full of vacancies and empty of customers. Macy's hung on to try the redevelopment (as Strawbridge's), but their commitment to a poorly located mall so close to Cherry Hill Mall (8 miles) and Deptford Mall (6 miles!), the need for this store is just not there. <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: red;">OUTCOME:</span></b> Nailed it, but missed the nearby closing of the Moorestown Mall store.</i></div>
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<i>The above should be viewed as speculative and not factual. None of these stores listed are actually known in regards to their status until the official list comes out. </i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript">
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