urbanSTL

It looks like Cabelas has opened at the Mills (been open since April 13th), but it looks like they are going to have an official grand opening celebration from April 27th-May 6th. I am gonna go check it out. Hopefully, I can get some freebies, but I wonder if this store will help the struggling Mills become a better shopping destination.

^

For once we agree on something.

^I think thats the problem they are experiencing...

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Not that it matters to Mills or anyone else, but I honestly can't foresee any scenario that would ever involve me going there.

Not that I am at all offended or think The Mills is the best place ever, but isn't this the same type of ignorance as someone from the county saying they would never come to the city? You may not like the place, but saying that you'll never ever ever go there no matter the reason is kind of arrogant, I think. Oh well, when they decide to hand out money to people one day at The Mills, I'll be sure to take your share.

ricke002 wrote:

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Not that it matters to Mills or anyone else, but I honestly can't foresee any scenario that would ever involve me going there.

Not that I am at all offended or think The Mills is the best place ever, but isn't this the same type of ignorance as someone from the county saying they would never come to the city? You may not like the place, but saying that you'll never ever ever go there no matter the reason is kind of arrogant, I think. Oh well, when they decide to hand out money to people one day at The Mills, I'll be sure to take your share.

He's not saying it because of a perception of crime or anything like that. It's not ignorance. I'm sure there are plenty of places the CS would patronize in the county, which makes that whole argument moot. It's the Mills Mall itself that he's talking about.



I think you're overstating things a bit.

trent wrote:

ricke002 wrote:

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Not that it matters to Mills or anyone else, but I honestly can't foresee any scenario that would ever involve me going there.

Not that I am at all offended or think The Mills is the best place ever, but isn't this the same type of ignorance as someone from the county saying they would never come to the city? You may not like the place, but saying that you'll never ever ever go there no matter the reason is kind of arrogant, I think. Oh well, when they decide to hand out money to people one day at The Mills, I'll be sure to take your share.

He's not saying it because of a perception of crime or anything like that. It's not ignorance. I'm sure there are plenty of places the CS would patronize in the county, which makes that whole argument moot. It's the Mills Mall itself that he's talking about.



I think you're overstating things a bit.

But couldn't the same thing be applied to a suburban resident who says they would never patronize downtown? Maybe they'll hit various places in the city (Ted Drewes, the Hill, CWE etc) but they'll never ever go downtown.

If there isn't a reason to go downtown, I understand them not going. You have to have a reason to go anywhere. Unless you're just wanting to go for a drive.



But Mills is a mall. I understand CS, and really anyone else living in the city, mid/south county area saying they'll never go to Mills. Why would you if the Galleria/West County/South County Malls are all closer?

I've never been myself, but isn't Mills a factory outlet mall? That could be a draw for some people. Outlets often have cheaper prices and different merchandise that the regular stores.

I was at the Mills this past weekend to see some of the Grand Opening of Cabalas events – it was crowded both in Cabalas and in the mall proper. The teen curfew was being enforced by the Hazelwood PD and the Mall security (turkey bacon) which the kids hated. But because of this old people, and young people (with adult supervision), from every demographic you could imagine were present; people were shopping; it was as close to heaven as a materialist can get in Hazelwood.

As for my thoughts on the malls “potential” closing: One thing to remember is that the mall isn't your traditional mall... it has both unique and traditional mall stores - not to mention attractions like the Blues training facility and the only Cabalas in the state. I did see license plates from Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky (and of course Missouri). Just be glad this wasn’t built in Wentzville or Warrenton. If this development was “transit oriented” (which I wish it was) and/or built in North City – some of the very people who curse the Mills would be praising the investment in the city. The mindset of the people on this forum (including me to a degree) may prevent most of us from ever shopping there, but whether we like it or not, it is here and will be for a long time. To say its not perfect would be an understatement, but to say the mall is doing poor enough that it is going to close… I would have to say: "not in the foreseeable future."

I hit the factory stores when I'm travelling.

tbspqr wrote:I was at the Mills this past weekend to see some of the Grand Opening of Cabalas events – it was crowded both in Cabalas and in the mall proper. The teen curfew was being enforced by the Hazelwood PD and the Mall security (turkey bacon) which the kids hated. But because of this old people, and young people (with adult supervision), from every demographic you could imagine were present; people were shopping; it was as close to heaven as a materialist can get in Hazelwood.

As for my thoughts on the malls “potential” closing: One thing to remember is that the mall isn't your traditional mall... it has both unique and traditional mall stores - not to mention attractions like the Blues training facility and the only Cabalas in the state. I did see license plates from Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky (and of course Missouri). Just be glad this wasn’t built in Wentzville or Warrenton. If this development was “transit oriented” (which I wish it was) and/or built in North City – some of the very people who curse the Mills would be praising the investment in the city. The mindset of the people on this forum (including me to a degree) may prevent most of us from ever shopping there, but whether we like it or not, it is here and will be for a long time. To say its not perfect would be an understatement, but to say the mall is doing poor enough that it is going to close… I would have to say: "not in the foreseeable future."

You've made some good points. It's not a traditional mall, but since all the traditional malls in NoCo have gone down the crapper (Northwest Plaza, Jamestown Mall) and others have died altogether (River Roads and Northland), I'd still like to see anchors like Macy's, Dillard's, and Sears fill the vacancies at St. Louis Mills and let the dying malls meet the bulldozer for something more interesting. I think a mix of traditional anchors with big boxes, outlet stores, and specialty shops could go over well since North County is really underserved in retail these days.



I don't have a problem with the Mills per se, it just doesn't appeal to me since several malls (South County and West County centers, the Galleria, and St. Clair Square) are all much closer to home. Crestwood is close as well, and even though it sucks these days, it's okay in a pinch (especially if you're heading to one or more of the anchors).

tbspqr wrote:If this development was “transit oriented” (which I wish it was) and/or built in North City – some of the very people who curse the Mills would be praising the investment in the city. The mindset of the people on this forum (including me to a degree) may prevent most of us from ever shopping there, but whether we like it or not, it is here and will be for a long time. To say its not perfect would be an understatement, but to say the mall is doing poor enough that it is going to close… I would have to say: "not in the foreseeable future."

It would be great if it was a TOD, I agree. But even though North City is pretty desperate, I can't think of any reason to praise Mills if they had built a hoosier mall there. We all agree we make compromises in terms of holding off for the highest quality developments and taking whatever is given to the city, this in North City would be tragic. It belongs right where it is and if they built it on the fringe of where people are willing to drive, that is their fault. It may not close but it is not uncommon to see brand-new malls seriously struggle. One that comes to mind is Pointe Orlando.

tbspqr wrote:One thing to remember is that the mall isn't your traditional mall... it has both unique and traditional mall stores - not to mention attractions like the Blues training facility and the only Cabalas in the state. I did see license plates from Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky (and of course Missouri).

Further to this -

Apparently a waterpark is in the plans for the Mills area. From the sound of it, it will be similar to one (name escapes me) near Kansas City.

http://northwestcountyjournal.stltoday. ... il.ii1.txt



I agree with tbspqr that Mills is not really a "traditional" Mall necessarily geared toward residents of the immediate area (though I'm sure TPTB at the Mills would *love* more local support), but more aimed at a "day-trip" or "weekend getaway" for folks within a couple hours' drive.

Of course it's a concern, but it's been a concern for 100 years or more. First kids stopped reading books and played in the street, then they started watching TV, then computers and video games . . . Maybe it's a long slow decline, but there seems to be healthy support for many cultural institutions.



BTW - if you really want to get angry, look up the number of weddings that occurr at the Mall of America each year (more than 4,500 couples in 14 years).

The hotel broke ground.



http://www.cpnonline.com/cpn/property_t ... 1003610499

Chicago-based Dmyterko & Wright Partners is fashioning a $50 million hotel, entertainment and retail development around a clever strategy--giving customers of a new Cabela’s and the St. Louis Mills Mall reasons to extend their stay. Located in Hazelwood, Mo., just north of St. Louis, Crescent Pointe sits in between Cabela’s and the St. Louis Mills Mall.



“Cabela’s and the mall got us interested in the site,” Gene Wright, a partner with Dmyterko & Wright, told CPN today. “Cabela’s draws from 150 miles. So putting a hotel here makes sense.”





Likewise, outlet malls, such as the neighboring Mills Mall, draw customers from far away.



Anchored by a 130-room Splash Universe Hotel & Water Park, Crescent Pointe will offer 80,000 square feet of space for retail shops and restaurants and a number of out-lots for sale, lease or build-to-suit development.



The hotel has just broken ground and will open by summer or fall of next year.



...continued

Did anyone ever find out why the Lucky Strike Bowl opened and closed in under a year?

dweebe wrote:Did anyone ever find out why the Lucky Strike Bowl opened and closed in under a year?

Personally, I think price, location, and strict dress code ultimately doomed this place. The atmosphere was nice and it closed at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. However, I too would like to heard what made this place closed so quick too.



I wrote in this thread about my experience at Lucky Strike, read it.



How many floors will this hotel be and are there any renderings?

10-intuition wrote:

dweebe wrote:Did anyone ever find out why the Lucky Strike Bowl opened and closed in under a year?

Personally, I think price, location, and strict dress code ultimately doomed this place. The atmosphere was nice and it closed at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. However, I too would like to heard what made this place closed so quick too.

I think you're right. It seems like something that would've been better suited for downtown (especially given the dress code and late closing time).

Here is the link to a brochure for this development. The renderings look like a 2nd grader did them with their crayons.



http://j.b5z.net/i/u/2091444/i/DW_Broke ... ochure.pdf

^ Boy, you weren't kidding about those renderings.



What gives? I'm sure Cabela's gave the mall a boost, and I guess I'll head out there in the fall at least a couple of times to watch the Blues practice now that there's a good chance they'll finish somewhere besides the cellar next season.



Maybe I'm underestimating the potential of this thing, but I just don't see the demand for more retail space there, especially when there's so much already vacant in North County, and since Northwest Plaza appears to be headed for a new lease on life as Lindbergh Town Center anchored by Macy's, Sears, and other stores to be named later.

Doug wrote:Who would spend their vacation at this desolate, sterile, placeless location?



How is this good for children?



Really, we are turning them into consumers with no culture. Freaking robots who play X-Box, don't venture outside cause there are no sidewalks, and spend their vacation at a freaking mall! What does this indicate about our society and the future of cultural institutions like the SLSO, SLAM, etc.? Once the old folks pass away, who will support them? I try monthly yet my demographic is widely underrepresented.



Really, does anyone else find this rather disturbing? Will traditional culture be supplanted for blind consumerism?

Sorry Doug, can't hear you. I'm too busy sipping my starbucks mochacino latte while listening to my ipod while reading a Entertainment mag review about Al Gore's Inconvenient truth.