Malls in America: Everything's coming up roses

 

The Penney's side of West Towne Mall in Madison WI has a forlorn look with its multiple empty storefronts. And it's considered a healthy shopping mall.

Photos by Retiring Guy

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Malls have had a rough couple of years during the pandemic, but if you’ve been to one lately you’d never know it. Stores are open and busy, cinnamon buns and pretzels are back, and the food courts are packed with old, familiar sounds and smells. However, it was touch-and-go for a while, not only for the brands that leased space in malls, but also for mall operators and owners. 

A 21-page white paper from Placer.ai covers specific ways some malls have found to thrive in the new normal. According to the report, “After 2 years of isolation and a new, pandemic-induced wave of suburban relocation, malls’ potential to bring people together is more prized than ever.”

And this large space is temporarily occupied by a Halloween store.

Maybe Von Maur's fall 2022 opening will help to revitalize this section of the mall.

Please welcome back Ethel Merman to the Retiring Guy's Digest stage!

Related West Towne area posts:

2022

Von Maur construction.  (8/15)

Business is booming at Urban Air Adventure Park.  (8/14)

2021

Hobby Lobby is ready for its close-up.  (11/23)

Portillo's.  (11/23)

Scrubs now occupies long-vacant Apple Store location.  (10/17)

JC Penney side of West Towne Mall appears to be emptying out.  (10/17)

Train D1fferent takes over former locations of Payless and Name of the Game.  (10/17)

Transformation of south end of West Towne Mall.  (10/17)

Room for a couple more at the south end of West Towne Mall.  (9/20)

Room for one more at the entrance to West Towne Mall.  (9/20)

Name of the Game fills in for Justice.  (4/25)

2020

West Towne Mall shuttered Shopko UPDATE: Storefront looks less abaondoned in bright winter sunlight.  (12/21)

Ragstock goes to West Towne Mall.  (11/21)

UPDATE. What does Seritage have planned for the remaining portion of Sears at West Towne Mall?  (7/1)

2019

Not so Forever 21.   (10/4)
Boston Store UPDATE. While management wonders what to do with 140,000 square feet of empty space, they invite young white women to hang out.  (8/19)
Can't hide the emptiness at the former Payless Shoe Source store.  (8/12)
UPDATE. Space formerly occupied by Sears remains vacant.  (7/9)
Wind-driven signage.   (5/1)
Then and Now: North and south of the Beltline and east of West Towne Mall.  (4/30)
Then and Now: North and south of the Beltline in the West Towne Mall area.  (4/2)

2018
Food court directory.  (9/24)
UPDATE. West Towne Mall Management now prefers traffic cones to pothole repair.  (4/30)
Total Wine UPDATE:  Now open for business.  (4/22)