garrard201

Dudes: I went there last Sunday (6/1). By my count, there are about 12 stores open plus the anchors and theatre. Some of the final dozen: -a nail salon -a jewelry stores -a kiosk selling rims -a kiosk selling various gold items (might have been an outgrowth of the rim stand; I only saw signs and they looked closed for the day) -an electronics store (5th Avenue Electronics, I think) -a Subway -a “Nubian Jungle” clothing store -a school uniform place -The mall walker’s headquarters -Finish Line -Best Buy (just kidding) The mall is so quiet and clean, it looks like it was just built and is awaiting tenants! Circle of life, I suppose. I stopped into the security office to get friendly with the guards, and I think it helped since they saw me taking pics later and didn’t say anything. Or maybe they don’t care anymore. When they learned I used to come to this mall and was back (from Chicago) to say goodbye, they almost seemed flattered! Of course, with today's announcement, that was premature. The only trace of neglect was fading carpet, and one trash can I walked by which either hadn’t been emptied recently, or was the target of an unsavory “deposit” by one of those adorable rapscallions that gave the mall its nickname, Vandall Park. I also saw the blue steps to the movie theater peeking through a door in the former Diamond’s display window (it’s extended from the original storefront to cover the front of the movie theater). The fountains, escalators, muzak, and HVAC were all off. Usually, in summer, you walk into a mall or store and it’s FREEZING! The Sears was only lukewarm- comfortable, in fact- but they probably turned down the AC knowing there’ll be little traffic. It was still jumping enough that Sears is probably breaking even. The escalators in that store, though running, looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in a while, and probably are the original units installed in 1976! A huge window inside the mall overlooks the lobby of the newer movie theater (O Theater, formerly Magic Johnson). It looks amazing, and it’s sad that the theater is also struggling. I think I heard that their management was almost glad the mall was closing, since so many people cut through the theater to get to the mall. And the ushers get excited that someone is coming to see a movie, but it turns out they were just passing by. THAT is really sad, and sure enough the doors to the theater on the first floor of the mall are now locked. While walking, I saw one white couple, and walked up to them and said “lemme guess- you came here when you were little and have returned to take one last look around.” Not only was I right, but the woman had gone to high school with me! I just didn’t recognize her. We chatted for a bit and they left. I should point out that my family only came to the mall for about 16 months. My parents moved to Ohio from Maryland in 1979, and took a small apartment in Bedford (since it was near my Father’s office) while our house was being constructed in the ‘burbs. Little did they know what kind of area it was, and we moved to the house 2 months early (the family room wasn’t even done yet!) just to get out of there. There’s a couple pictures of me running around on the ramps at Randall Park. And by the way, while we lived in Bedford, sure enough, our car was stolen! Speaking of cars, I drove around the entire mall and the parking lot is pretty bad. But I live in Chicago now, and most of our roads and parking lots are in equally bad shape, even in the ‘burbs. So it didn’t faze me much. Back inside the mall, there was one shop open in the food court- a Subway. I’m sure many of you have seen the “$5 Footlong” commercials. The RPM Subway has ‘em for $3.99! That’ll bring in the customers! Now that the mall looks slated to become a Church, what of the burned-out hotel? It just screams out for a Mission Trip!