Oaks Mall facing foreclosure

The West Shore mall here in Tampa has recently sold and is expected to be demolished and turned into a mixed-use mini city. Retail, restaurants, condos/apts and office space. Possibly all that plus a giant all inclusive medical tower(think each floor is a specialty) There is even talk that it could become the new home of the Rays if the deal in St Pete finally falls through. That would be a traffic nightmare.

 

My closest “Mall” isn’t a mall but is an outdoor shopping area designed like a fake downtown. That is what they are building now. It’s always jammed and has no vacancy.

The popular mall in Charlotte is a super high end place where people will still drive to. It’s busy.

The dumpy malls seem to be a thing of the past. Mostly cuz they are dumpy.

 

Anyone remember the mall down 13th back in the 70s? It had a Morrisons or Piccadilly.

 

Wasn’t there a Pic-n-save across the street? I seem to recall buying Orbit beer there at $0.88 for a 6-pack.

 

There’s anomalies to the death of large retail. The behemoth Sawgrass Mall info Lauderdale(Sunrise) is always packed.

 

Barnes and Noble has had a bit of a revival too

 

Never went to Oaks Mall that much but I used to go to that plaza that had the Toys R Us in it a lot. There was a movie theater and a brewery pub with live music. Can't remember the name of it though.

 

Here in Jax they're going with the huge outdoor malls. Personally don't see the appeal. Always super crowded, usually can't find the store you're looking for and when you finally find it, park 2 blocks away and have to walk thru 100 degree heat or rain.

 

The outdoor malls don't seem to attract the riff raff.....yet.

 

They built one here out of old shipping containers and called it a "park," but its outdoors, has live entertainment and its new, so people like it. There are regular brick and mortar places too.

 

I worked at the Archer Rd Blockbuster and it was thriving. I hear they are still doing well. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and say "that will be due back Tuesday by Midnight".

 

Shit, that reminds me I'm still holding that VHS of Armageddon I never got around to watching. Hope the late fees arent too bad.

 

I remember when the Gainesville Mall was the Eighth Wonder of the World.

 

With Butler Plaza and Celebration Point it’s understandable why it’s losing business. But I believe online shopping has done the most damage.

 

Better rewind it

 

My wife and I used to walk around the Oaks Mall holding hands. A long time ago.

 

Larry Vettel used to have his Friday noon before a football game “live remote” at Heavenly Ham. That was before Steve Russell took over. Man those were the good ole days of Florida football.