According to all news accounts and the closing/"still open" list on their web site, Steve & Barry's at Crossroads will remain open.

http://www.steveandbarrys.com/Steve_&_Barry's_store_list_9.29.08.pdf

Steve & Berry's could be calling it quits soon | The San Diego Union-Tribune (http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081119/news_1b19steve.html)

Steve & Barry's could be calling it quits soon

NEWSDAY

November 19, 2008

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Retailer Steve & Barry's is expected to file for bankruptcy protection and announce that it is going out of business this week, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.



Advertisement The company, which was bought out of bankruptcy in August, laid off many of its corporate staff Monday, including its newly appointed chief executive, Harold Kahn, sources said.
The layoffs came as a surprise, and no reasons were given, the source said. The chain has locations at Horton Plaza in San Diego and Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad.

Investment firms Bay Harbour Management and York Capital Management bought the ailing clothing retailer out of bankruptcy at the end of August as the economy and the retail sector continued to slide.

Since then, the company has not generated enough sales, according to a source. Vendors were demanding upfront payment for spring inventory, and the cash infusion the company needed grew far beyond original expectations, the source said.

Calls to Bay Harbour Management and York Capital Management were not immediately returned yesterday.

I stand corrected.


"Our economy, I think, still the fundamentals of our economy are strong."

John McCain
September 15, 2008

I wonder what Crossroads management has to say about this? I don't see how they are going to stay open now.

I wonder what Crossroads management has to say about this? I don't see how they are going to stay open now.

Spin spin spin.

"There are many successful malls that do not have a single anchor. We have over 100 quality stores."

The same denial we have been hearing for four years.

they could convert the old macys store and the old dillars store to more smaller shops to make the inside of the mall look bigger and olny leave th mall with two large anchor stores the one on the west (old jcpennies) and the east steve and barrys.. its a thought, i bet you can get about 20 smaller shops in the mall that way..

Spin spin spin.

"There are many successful malls that do not have a single anchor. We have over 100 quality stores."

The same denial we have been hearing for four years.

100 stores maybe I don't know if you would call them quality stores. But thats thier management for you.

If Steve & Barry's leave the mall. What are they going to do? Raise rent rates on the mom and pop stores. I will be really suprised if the mall is still open for business this time next year.

IMO, the closure of S&B's puts Crossroads in a situation similar to that of Shepard Mall back in the 70s/80s - a slow, painful, humiliating, public funeral.

In this economic environment, their best bet is probably to close and donate the whole thing to OKC Communtiy College. I doubt they can secure financing for a major renovation, and I don't think investors will be interested in buying this property right now. Whatever is done, it must be done by someone with ready cash in hand. If Crossroads is sold, they'll be lucky to get half its value.

Donating it to a college (or even OKC Public Schools) could help us create another tremendous asset to our educational facilities, and it would create a steady stream of traffic to the area. It could be a self-contained campus. Perhaps some of it could be converted to dorms, and some to business incubator space.

I also don't think this property is right for a T.O.D. It is in a perfect physical location, but the demographics of the area are not right, there is too much heavy (and unsightly) industrial development nearby, and the city dump is practically next door.

IMO, the closure of S&B's puts Crossroads in a situation similar to that of Shepard Mall back in the 70s/80s - a slow, painful, humiliating, public funeral.

In this economic environment, their best bet is probably to close and donate the whole thing to OKC Communtiy College. I doubt they can secure financing for a major renovation, and I don't think investors will be interested in buying this property right now. Whatever is done, it must be done by someone with ready cash in hand. If Crossroads is sold, they'll be lucky to get half its value.

Donating it to a college (or even OKC Public Schools) could help us create another tremendous asset to our educational facilities, and it would create a steady stream of traffic to the area. It could be a self-contained campus. Perhaps some of it could be converted to dorms, and some to business incubator space.

I also don't think this property is right for a T.O.D. It is in a perfect physical location, but the demographics of the area are not right, there is too much heavy (and unsightly) industrial development nearby, and the city dump is practically next door.

I agree the best use of that area would be a community college. I also think a hospital would perfect for that location.

Crossroads will most likey see the wrecking ball before it sees redevelpoment.

At least this means the I-240/I-35 interchange project could get more of that SW corner and make more room for the flyovers and the like.

Not really. Just because Crossroads might close, doesn't mean the Texas Roadhouse and Residence Inn have any intention of going anywhere.

I cannot see any of the perimiter businesses leave Crossroads.

Then again if the owner of Crossroads drags thier feet and let it die a slow painful death they just might.

I know if owned the place I would:

1. Renovate
2.Stop the signing of permanent leases and shut down and rebuild a new development after allowing the existing tenants ample time to find new space.
3. Sell it to a non-profit healthcare provider at a discounted rate for a tax right off.

You could significantly redevelop the site without touching Residence Inn, AMC, Texas Roadhouse, Best Buy, etc. None are really relying on Crossroads to drive business, especially the hotel.

I grew up in Sulphur too but before your time as Crossroads was non existent. As a child we shopped downtown OKC ala John A Brown's, Kerr's, and what was the name of that nice jewelry store? and ate at Anna Maude's.

BC Clark. How could you forget?

Well it's official now. Steve & Barrys is going out of business

Steve & Barry?s to close all stores - New Philadelphia, OH - The Times-Reporter (http://www.timesreporter.com/news/x466664451/Steve-Barry-s-to-close-all-stores)

Steve & Barry’s to close all stores
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Lee Morrison
The Times-Reporter
Posted Nov 20, 2008 @ 09:45 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve & Barry’s has filed for bankruptcy protection and the clothing chain will go out of business, according to media reports on a court filing released Thursday.

The move will affect about 25 people who work in the store in New Towne Mall at New Philadelphia.

The Port Washington, N.Y.-based chain, which has more than 5,000 employees, will liquidate its stores by early 2009, according to a report by Newsday at New York.

“Steve & Barry’s has been a strong and valued performer in our market since opening in June 2007, despite any difficulties they have experienced on a national scale,” said Greg Fleser, general manager of New Towne Mall. “We have not received any official notification today from Steve & Barry’s regarding their status.

“Bearing in mind that the retail industry is always evolving, malls view every vacancy or potential vacancy as an opportunity to fulfill our customers’ requests by adding to our strong mix of tenants.”

Affiliates of the company’s new owners, who bought the ailing clothing retailer out of bankruptcy in August, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at Manhattan on Wednesday.

Disappointing sales, amid the retail slump and greater economic slowdown, have made it difficult for the owners to get financing to continue operations, according to the filing as reported by Newsday.

“The appropriate course of action to maximize value for the benefit of all their stakeholders is an orderly liquidation,” the filing said. The liquidation is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year or early next year.

With the holiday shopping season around the corner, the company is requesting to begin store closing sales immediately, the documents state.

Steve & Barry’s started in 1985, selling college-licensed apparel. It also sells celebrity-endorsed clothing lines.

Steve & Barry's is the final nail in the coffin. I don't know of any mall with three anchor stores closed let alone four.

Montomgery Ward
JC Penney
Foley's
Macy's
Dillard's
Steve & Barry's

Any others to add to the list? I believe that is more than 4. Surprise! Crossroads is still alive and kickin! I think we'll have a new anchor or two next year.

does anyone know if steve & barrys is still open here?

As of right now yes it is.

There are many great ideas being past around for redoing Crossroads. It is in a great location and will be an ideal spot for it.....

Anyone want to start guessing the closing date for Crossroads?

I just want to point out that you know the mall is going down if there is a "No Credit Check Auto" place in there.

Any others to add to the list? I believe that is more than 4. Surprise! Crossroads is still alive and kickin! I think we'll have a new anchor or two next year.

If they had anchor tenants interested, don't you think they would have filled the empty spaces a long time ago? It's not happening.

Crossroads can attract them. First year free. At the end of the term, pay 5% of total sales or profits for that entire time.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

I just want to point out that you know the mall is going down if there is a "No Credit Check Auto" place in there.

There are other locations for that place, right? I don't think I can live without that guy that is in their commercials.

I almost died when Four-Day Furniture got ran out of business by the "Monopoly Brothers..."

"You got-ta got-ta"

Anyone want to start guessing the closing date for Crossroads?


I expect one of the following things happen after the holiday season.

1. A major announcement that will redevelop the mall into something new.

2. A closing date announced that will allow enough time for existing retailers to move/close up.

3. A mass exodus of the national tenants still left in the mall. (IE: Victoria Secrets,American Eagle,Bath and Body Works)

If I were a property manager/owner for these new retail locations at 240 Penn Park, Town Center in MWC, The Shops at Moore and the other new developments. I would be heavily recruiting the remaining national tenants at Crossroads.

Yeah. Many of those national tenants are unlikely to go to any of those outdoor shopping centers, though.

It would take a more upscale lifestyle center. You just don't see PacSun or Victoria's Secret going in next to Cato and Payless Shoes in a basic strip mall.

The loss of the large department stores in South OKC has left a void. This seems to be a significant opportunity for new retail development in South OKC. Where might a new Macy's or Dillards be built? The new Penny's at 19th & I-35 serves its area well, but it is not well located for SW OKC.

Do you think we may see an announcement for something farther to the west? Perhaps a town center-style development near the the intersection of I-44 & SW 134th? SW OKC is growing and its demographics should be attractive. It will also draw from the rapidly growing Newcastle, Blanchard, Tuttle area. And someday, the Kilpatrick will make its way down there as well.

If Crossroads closes, it may open the door for two retail hubs in the South OKC area - one at 19th & I-35 (Moore), and the other somewhere in South I-44.

I think the mall would be ideal for a college/community college to locate or start up.

.oO(large crib, min. landscaping hassles, ample parking. Must sell. Inquire at Crossroads)Oo.

I think the mall would be ideal for a college/community college to locate or start up.

There's already OCCC's campus a few miles down I-240...plus I wouldn't think that a college (or any other type of educational institution) would fill the *entire* mall complex. Of course there are probably other educational systems that could make use of the space...possibly OKC Public Schools or MetroTech? I used to go to Francis Tuttle at 150th/Portland and I know that building was used for another use (owned by Wall Street Journal I think) before the facility closed and FT purchased it for cheap.

I think Crossroads would be best positioned as a "multi-use" sort of development...sort of like Eastgate Metroplex (http://www.eastgatemetroplex.com/) (before known as "Eastland Mall") in Tulsa, or Shepard Mall here in Oklahoma City. Eastgate seems to orient itself primarily towards office and government/community uses, but other uses could probably be integrated into such a development as well. I don't think it would be best to say "TEAR DOWN CROSSROADS" so fast... the existing structures could likely be put to use very effectively. And if the property owner chooses to re-develop the site, I'd imagine that one or more of the anchor store buildings could probably be kept and used in accord with the nature of the development (i.e. office building or something else?) While Crossroads (due to management/location) may not be ideal for retail, it has plenty of other potential uses.

It could become a large indoor amusement park. I wonder how much open space there would be if it was stripped back to just the structural stuff. Take out the second floor and throw in some water slides, a wave pool, mini-golf, go-carts, laser tag, and a few other rides and it would be nice attraction.

You could even have a roller coaster that exits the building into the parking lot and then comes back into the building to let the riders off. During the summer it would have to compete with White Water/Frontied City but for 7 months out of the year it would be the only show in town. Plus, with an in-door water park there are no sunburns.

http://www.indoor-water-parks-guide.com/

The interesting skylight feature would sure go well with an indoor amusement park of some sort.

Well I went to crossroads this weekend for the first time in 10 years, wow what a SHOCK. There is a freaking convienance store by dillards...blew me away! It was really sad to see the mall in that condition but there was a bunch of shoppers milling around. When did a small orange julius sell for 3 bucks? OMG highway robbery i tell you, maybe I am just old lol

Glad to see the mall getting better for you. :)

When did a small orange julius sell for 3 bucks? OMG highway robbery i tell you, maybe I am just old lol

Don't EVER go to Starbucks.

I went to Crossroads this weekend and couldn't believe the convenience store, too! I walked around and found a bunch of dead space. It was really sad. It seems like it could easily turn into a big Mom and Pop mall, with zero chain stores. Orange Julius is what took me in there, and I didn't go into any other store. It was sad--so sad--to see a huge carousel and lots of people in the middle, to near nothing in terms of stores in the wings. Sad, but almost inevitable at this point.

Well I went to crossroads this weekend for the first time in 10 years, wow what a SHOCK. There is a freaking convienance store by dillards...blew me away! It was really sad to see the mall in that condition but there was a bunch of shoppers milling around. When did a small orange julius sell for 3 bucks? OMG highway robbery i tell you, maybe I am just old lol

I believe they raised the price to $3 shortly after TG&Y and the Five and Dime moved out.:LolLolLol

There is a buzz around that when the commuter rail from Edmond to Norman is built that Crossroads will be a stop that could be a future mixed use development. It has a lot of potential with its great location.

I would love it if our office could relocate to Crossroads. The lease expires on our downtown office space in 2011, but it takes GSA a couple of years to move a federal agency.

Free parking, easier access, more customer-friendly - what's not to like?

After being followed (by a homeless person) to my car today in Galleria garage, I dare say it'd be a bit safer at Crossroads - at least line of sight would be more open.

After being followed (by a homeless person) to my car today in Galleria garage, I dare say it'd be a bit safer at Crossroads - at least line of sight would be more open.

From what I have seen on this message board I don't think Crossroads would be a safe alternative.

I believe they raised the price to $3 shortly after TG&Y and the Five and Dime moved out.:LolLolLol


Well that makes sense -I could not find TG&Y there anywhere now...sheesh!
:whiteflag

Steve and Barry's will now be closing. They changed their signs from "Not Going Out Of Business" to "Going Out Of Business"

i was at steve and barrys at crossroads (first time in over a year at crossroads) the lady at the register told me after i asked them when they where closing the crossroads one down, she told me that the store plans there last day open will be the last day in jan 09..

Oh lord!

When I walked in i noticed that they are thinning out, and when my niece asked if they had this style shoe in her size, they told her thats all we have left and they are not reordering anything, so that lead me to ask the question, its sad there is offically (End of jan)no more anchor stores at crossroads

Could OKCTalk rent a space in one of the anchor building? LOL Could be nice for a OKCTalk headquarter and OKCTalk retail shop and more! OKCTalk could actually set up their own broadcasting network! The list goes on and on and on and on!

Tonight's little police incident won't help, either.

Mobile Breaking Oklahoma News | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/3-apprehended-at-crossroads-mall-2-arrested/article/3325442?custom_click=lead_story_title)

Unfortunately, you cannot blame this incident on Crossroads.

This was two people acting stupid on the roadway. Crossroads just happened to be the closest place to run from the law.

This could happened at Quail, Penn Square or any shopping area or public place in the metro.

If these clowns behaved like adults today, Oklahoma City may been where they needed to be today to prevent crimes and traffic accidents.

Crossroads always used to have the best pretzels.. that little pretzel shop next to that old tobacco and pipe store with the big wooden indian chief. I spent so much money buyin my dad tobacco in that place.. great pretzels. I remember when the movie theatre out there was like the biggest and best around.. crazy

Unfortunately, you cannot blame this incident on Crossroads.

This was two people acting stupid on the roadway. Crossroads just happened to be the closest place to run from the law.

This could happened at Quail, Penn Square or any shopping area or public place in the metro.

True, but the fact is, they DID run to Crossroads.

This could happened at Quail

No, it couldn't have.

Getting off the Kilpatrick, they'd hit the red light at Penn and Memorial and be stuck there until police arrived.

Plus they wouldn't really "fit in" at Quail Springs, making it harder to escape.

Plus they wouldn't really "fit in" at Quail Springs, making it harder to escape.

The best place to hide a needle is not in a haystack, but with other needles.

Dillards dropped clearance sales again, only certain colognes are 40% off. Others things have dropped another 10%.

Hello, new to these forums...

Anyhow, I have super fond memories of Crossroads Mall, and it kills me everytime I enter it, only to see a dying mall.

One can only hope they get to doing something with it.

I dwell on my past a lot, that is because my life currently, isn't as good as it was then.

I remember dating this super nice girl, we got engaged, but my arrogance tore it apart. Anyhow, almost everyday, Chic-Fil-A was our number one eatery, and we sit on the old stage, eat, talk, then go to Frontier City. FC being during the summertimes that is. I always liked going to Babbages (now Gamestop,) for the latest games, and system launches like the Dreamcast at 5 am on 9/9/99 (I love that year.)

I also remember going to General Cinemas to see many many movies. Everything from Super Mario Bros. and Jurrassic Park, to films like Titanic, and Scream 2 (where my rougish butt blurted out who the killers were after leaving the theatre; hey I was ignorant back then.)

Another thing to remember was always shopping at the old Best Buy, for the latest games and movies, and going to the sneak preview of Regal Cinemas before the official opening, where I got to see 8MM before it officially opened, and for free.

So many memories of the place, and that nice girl, and her smile, and now that is all that will be left should that mall go anywhere, but up, is memories.

I keep checking the net, trying to find lots of pictures of Crossroads Mall during the nineties, but can barely find any. I also keep checking in hopes these new owners make up their minds and try and get people back with their talks of renovations.

Well, I will start posting here more often, as I love this city. It is just sad to see things go out like this. I wish this mall would flourish with life again, and I had hoped that having the NBA here, would help the owners understand that OKC is about to boom bigtime.

Mobile Breaking Oklahoma News | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/crossroads-malls-future-remains-anchored-in-mystery/article/3328204?custom_click=lead_story_title)


Good article, Steve.



Crossroads Mall’s future remains anchored in mystery
after losing major retailers, some ask whether Crossroads can stay open
Comments Comment on this article0
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: December 7, 2008

The eye of the storm is calm enough at Crossroads Mall that 3-year-old Amari Trice is able to enjoy a carousel ride without any worries. But outside a slew of closing sale signs indicate the mall may never be the same again after its main anchors leave.

Dec 5 Several stores have recently closed at Crossroads Mall, but customers still enjoy the shopping experience.

A year after the 1.3-million-square-foot mall lost J.C. Penney Co. Inc. as one of its four anchors, the last two standing, Dillards and Steve and Barry’s University Sportswear, are set to close in a few weeks.

"There’s still plenty to do here,” said Bruce Denton, who spent his Friday morning enjoying a ride on the mall’s carousel with Trice, his step-granddaughter. "It wears me that they’re leaving. I love it here. But the young crowd is fading out and going to the strip malls.”

Standing in the heart of the mall, where the carousel and children’s play area were added five years ago, it looks as vibrant as any other shopping center. The aisles are filled with the likes of American Eagle, Christopher and Banks, Pacific Sunwear, Footlocker, Orange Julius, Zales and Kay Jewelers.

But stroll down the aisle toward the J.C. Penney store, the first anchor that went dark, and the storefronts are empty.

The parking lot outside the former Macy’s, which closed in March, was empty at mid-day Friday.

Retailers are afraid
Olga Castillo, manager at the Laughing Fish clothing store, is fearful of what’s next. She still recalls when she started at the store five years ago — the aisles were filled with people who hopped store to store after visiting the large department stores.

"The mall is slowing down,” Castillo said. "Now that Steve and Barry’s and Dillards are leaving, I think the mall is going down. I’m worried I’m going to be out of a job.”

Jim Swenson, the mall’s manager, is aware of the obituaries being written for Crossroads. The mall has even made an appearance on deadmalls DOT com (http://www.deadmalls.com), a Web site that tracks dead and dying malls.

When Midwest City’s Heritage Park Mall and Oklahoma City’s Shepherd Mall made similar appearances on the site, a majority of the non-anchor storefronts had gone dark and death notices followed the departure of major anchors. Obituaries like the one at deadmalls.com bewilder Swenson.

"I don’t pay a lot of attention to it — I know it’s not so,” he said. "We have 120 stores here, we’ve got the line-up. It’s not a vacant mall by any stretch of the imagination.”

Clientele lured away
The mall is losing customers like Judy Dennis, who once shopped at Crossroads’ stores while visiting J.C. Penney, but since has started shopping in Moore since the department store’s 2007 relocation there.

"I grew up going to Crossroads,” Dennis said. "But this is just easier — I’m in and I’m out. And it’s easier on my budget if I’m not passing by those other stores.”

Alison Oshel, a retail analyst with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, isn’t convinced the lifestyle centers popping up along Interstate 35 in Moore provide the concentration of retail needed by Moore and south Oklahoma City. But she’s not so sure Crossroads can bounce back from the loss of its anchors, either.

"One mall was built in 2007 nationally,” Oshel said. "We’re seeing a change in real estate where people are choosing lifestyle centers instead of malls.”

Oshel said the chamber and city had talks with mall owners two years ago about possibly reinventing the property, but nothing followed.

"It’s a tougher climate now to reinvent,” Oshel said. "Eighteen months ago it would have been easier to get financing. And they’ve gone from having three anchors to four empty anchor spaces.”

Commercial real estate broker Mary Grace is more blunt in her assessment.

"These small inline stores need anchors,” Grace said. "There is a reason for having anchors at shopping centers — they draw people in who will then go to the small shops. Quite frankly, a shopping mall without anchors is doomed. And who do they get? It’s an awful time to get someone in.”

Some pledge loyalty
Denton insists he will remain a loyal shopper at Crossroads — the mall where he bought his first jacket 25 years ago.

And Swenson thinks the mall cannot just survive, but thrive as a community center where people don’t just go to shop, but also to visit Santa, ride the carousel and see church choir performances.

He said the mall is working with Dillard’s and Macy’s to lease out their buildings (Midwest Malls owns the Penney’s and Steve and Barry’s spaces). He doesn’t rule out the possibility of adaptive re-use for the anchor stores.

"It’s difficult to make bad real estate good,” Swenson said.

"But good real estate can be made better. And Crossroads has a great location at the intersection of two major highways. The future is bright for this property, and in the near future we will continue to operate as a retail establishment,” he said.

"I’m excited to see what’s ahead — will it be retail or will it be mixed use? It is a great location.”