View Full Version : Penn Square Mall
Plutonic Panda 01-12-2014, 04:21 PM Well with that line of thinking, you shouldn't mind when your neighbor throws a party and several party-goers decide to park in your yard, since curbs don't mean anything and other people are doing it too. A quite jerk-ish line of thinking on your part if you ask me.I don't think comparing a private residence to a shopping mall is a good comparison. Not trying to come off as a jerk, but if it bothers you so much, report it or stand out here with a sign telling people not to do it.
Rover 01-12-2014, 04:38 PM I don't think comparing a private residence to a shopping mall is a good comparison. Not trying to come off as a jerk, but if it bothers you so much, report it or stand out here with a sign telling people not to do it.
Seriously? You think people should have to protest or become activists just to get people to do the right and civilized things? This is what we have become? You think the responsibility is on the observers and not on the offenders?
Mississippi Blues 01-12-2014, 04:55 PM Seriously? You think people should have to protest or become activists just to get people to do the right and civilized things? This is what we have become? You think the responsibility is on the observers and not on the offenders?
:yeahthat:
Lafferty Daniel 01-12-2014, 05:07 PM eh, you'll get over it. Don't really care what the curbs are there for and neither do the other hundreds of people that park there.
http://data1.whicdn.com/images/18363458/watch-out-we-got-a-badass-over-here-meme_large.png
David 01-12-2014, 07:55 PM I have never, ever, EVER been to Penn Square, even in the heights of the Christmas season and not seen available spaces in the parking garage. The people parking on the grass are lazy and uncivilized, and I wish the mall would arrange to have someone start ticketing them.
stlokc 01-12-2014, 08:25 PM Seems to me the problem could be fixed if the mall would plant some hedges or other kinds of landscaping along the edge of the lots.
Plutonic Panda 01-12-2014, 11:03 PM Seriously? You think people should have to protest or become activists just to get people to do the right and civilized things? This is what we have become? You think the responsibility is on the observers and not on the offenders?Get over it man. That simple :)
Plutonic Panda 01-12-2014, 11:05 PM http://data1.whicdn.com/images/18363458/watch-out-we-got-a-badass-over-here-meme_large.pngHey thank you, I appreciate it!
Well, if it wasn't for the fact there is literally nothing you can or will do about it and the other hundreds of people that park there; and you understand this and it obviously irritates you, so you have nothing else to do but try and troll me to get me mad, but it's all good amigo! :)
Snowman 01-12-2014, 11:34 PM I have never, ever, EVER been to Penn Square, even in the heights of the Christmas season and not seen available spaces in the parking garage. ...
I second this; I have gone to Penn Square a few times at the height of the Christmas rush, even with all the surface parking taken along NW Expressway and people parked all throughout the grass from that entrance to the side, there are still a ton of parking spaces left in the garage on the middle and top layers.
The only time I have even seen the middle and bottom even close to full is when a large hail storm is coming in.
jn1780 01-13-2014, 08:02 AM I second this; I have gone to Penn Square a few times at the height of the Christmas rush, even with all the surface parking taken along NW Expressway and people parked all throughout the grass from that entrance to the side, there are still a ton of parking spaces left in the garage on the middle and top layers.
The only time I have even seen the middle and bottom even close to full is when a large hail storm is coming in.
This is one of the reasons why they are not that interested in building more parking garages. People will avoid them and park in either a surface parking lot or the grass.
warreng88 01-13-2014, 08:23 AM I have seen several trucks ticketed and others towed for parking on the grass. And it always made me smile. It has always been when there is a lot of parking available, not like the weekend after Thanksgiving or anything. Whenever we go to PSM, we usually come north on Penn, turn right just before Cheesecake Factory and try to park in front of Pottery Barn. If nothing over there is open, we immediately go to the sea of parking north of Macy's. Nine times out of ten, we will see trucks parked on the grass facing Penn and about 30 cars parked north of Macy's. It's just pure laziness and I tell the customer service people at PSM every time I go in there and people are parked there.
I looked at an old article about the remodel and it said it was going to be a remodel of all the mall entrances (not the store direct entrances) and the common areas. So the food court has been remodeled, most of the bathrooms, the west entrance by Forever 21, the two south entrances (Mr. Ooley's and the Mexican restaurant) and I think that is about it. Was there a remodel of the NE entrance by the movie theatre, the one by Pottery Barn or the other one just south of Macy's? Are those not considered main entrances? Maybe the ones that are most visible to the public?
metro 01-13-2014, 11:08 AM I can confirm the entrance by JC Penneys and AMC Theater are not remodeled. I held a private event at the theater just a few days ago, although I can say the new remodel of the theater is first class.
David 01-13-2014, 12:22 PM Especially those chairs...
jn1780 01-13-2014, 12:23 PM I can confirm the entrance by JC Penneys and AMC Theater are not remodeled. I held a private event at the theater just a few days ago, although I can say the new remodel of the theater is first class.
Are you talking about the one near the parking garage? It was remodeled, they didn't add the awning like the original renders presented though. Adding a vestibule and replasturing the wall directly adjacent to it was pretty much the extent of their work.
Plutonic Panda 01-13-2014, 12:48 PM I can confirm the entrance by JC Penneys and AMC Theater are not remodeled. I held a private event at the theater just a few days ago, although I can say the new remodel of the theater is first class.That movie theatre is easily the best theatre in the metro other than Warren, just depending on what you want.
shawnw 01-13-2014, 12:49 PM That movie theatre is easily the best theatre in the metro other than Warren, just depending on what you want.
It beats Warren due to the Warren losing points for being outside the core.
I kid, of course. Warren wins with an awesome overall experience.
warreng88 01-13-2014, 12:53 PM I haven't been to the new AMC at PSM. What makes it so great?
Plutonic Panda 01-13-2014, 12:57 PM It beats Warren due to the Warren losing points for being outside the core.
I kid, of course. Warren wins with an awesome overall experience.Yeah, Warren is better for is Imax and has a really cool set-up inside.
Plutonic Panda 01-13-2014, 01:00 PM I haven't been to the new AMC at PSM. What makes it so great?They just really did a nice job with the remodel and used really good materials. The seats recline back, the soda machines are pretty cool, the isles are very wide(more comfort), the bathrooms are top notch etc.
My only beef(and I mean that literally) is they are almost always out of hot dogs when I go there. I've been there around 15 times now and I always ask for a hot dog and I've only been able to get them about 5 times.
Plutonic Panda 01-13-2014, 01:02 PM Some of these have been posted, but I'll post them again.
http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-059dcec33a48298dd1de650f8afe0de4.jpg
http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-0198e0930348a26d1798147a8f14d623.jpg
Plutonic Panda 01-13-2014, 01:03 PM Next time I go, I'll take a bunch of pics
warreng88 01-13-2014, 01:08 PM They just really did a nice job with the remodel and used really good materials. The seats recline back, the soda machines are pretty cool, the isles are very wide(more comfort), the bathrooms are top notch etc.
My only beef(and I mean that literally) is they are almost always out of hot dogs when I go there. I've been there around 15 times now and I always ask for a hot dog and I've only been able to get them about 5 times.
Good to hear. We always go to the Warren since the people that go with us live in Norman and that is easier for them to get to. Next time, we will check out the AMC @ PSM.
sgt. pepper 01-13-2014, 01:08 PM A bigger parking garage would help solve that problem. During peak times parking becomes pretty scarce but they block off half of the front and back lots for valet parking during December as well, making finding parking spots really difficult. I've been guilty of parking on the grass a few times after driving around looking for a spot for 20 minutes during the holidays.
The current parking garage is designed to add more levels, how many I am not sure.
MWCGuy 01-15-2014, 02:50 AM Those seats are freaking awesome. I took the toddler and the wife to see Despicable Me 2. Most comfy movie experience ever. I love how seats fully recline and you get to pick your seats when you get your ticket. There is so much space between the rows you hardly notice the other people around you. Warren is still my favorite, AMC Penn Square is gnats hair behind Warren.
After some research, I updated the article at the top of this thread to reflect the exact dates the mall opened and the various phases of expansion.
Found this really great map/directory from opening day, March 3, 1960:
http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6294d1390417226-penn-square-mall-ps032060b.jpg
metro 01-22-2014, 01:07 PM That movie theatre is easily the best theatre in the metro other than Warren, just depending on what you want.
agreed
John Knight 01-22-2014, 01:37 PM Will alcohol be sold as a part of the remodel or do I still have to go to the Warren in order to drink beer during the movie?
traxx 01-22-2014, 02:13 PM The current parking garage is designed to add more levels, how many I am not sure.
They certainly don't need to add to it. I took the kids to the chocolate shop at PSM a couple of days before Christmas this year and easily found parking in the garage. Now getting out was slow going, but there was plenty of parking available.
Pete, thank you much for the #624 posting, the map and directory of the origiinal Penn Square. I can remember going into most all of the stores, even specific instances. I had forgotten that my brother worked at Sir's London Shop while he was going to OU.
By chance, is there a connectioin with the Penn Square Brown's Pasty Shop and the current Brown's Bakery in Midtown? Surely.
Urbanized 01-23-2014, 04:45 PM Aw man, I was disappointed to see that you typoed "pasty" for "pastry." I was hoping there really had been a pasty shop there once upon a time, because that would have been cool. Would have been a great fit if it were next door to "British Import Shoppe."
By the way, if it has an e on the end (towne, shoppe), you KNOW it's fancy.
metro 01-23-2014, 04:46 PM Haha, yeah I too was hoping we had more pasty shops, and not the lingerie kind.....LOL. There is a pasty shop that frequents the Edmond's Farmer's Market, and makes some other mean PASTRIES too.
Urbanized 01-23-2014, 04:57 PM Seriously? Holy moly I'm glad I bothered to make the joke! Will have to check that out.
metro 01-24-2014, 12:28 AM Yep, the name escapes me, it's an English lassie, and she drives a mini cooper with the english flag on it. Pasty's are good but a few bucks a little overpriced, but I guess she can demand it since one it's in Edmond, and two there is no competition.
Pasty aside, was that Penn Square Browns Bakery a forerunner to the current Brown's Bakery? The current Browns was at 13th and Robinson before the current site, right? Curious about Browns history and my memory - and typing too I guess. Anyone know?
Snowman 01-24-2014, 02:47 PM The current parking garage is designed to add more levels, how many I am not sure.
It might have been, but as it gets older the worse an investment those additional layers are since the structure they are building on is nearing a quarter it's usable lifetime.
ljbab728 01-25-2014, 12:56 AM Pasty aside, was that Penn Square Browns Bakery a forerunner to the current Brown's Bakery? The current Browns was at 13th and Robinson before the current site, right? Curious about Browns history and my memory - and typing too I guess. Anyone know?
According to this, Brown's Bakery was established in 1946. That is long before Penn Square was built.
Brown's Bakery Oklahoma City OK, ? Manta.com (http://www.manta.com/c/mmc78p6/brown-s-bakery)
MWCGuy 01-25-2014, 01:16 AM I noticed the new Marquee at the corner of NW Expressway and Penn has two blank anchor signs underneath Macys, Dillards, AMC and JCPenney. Could this mean two more stores have committed to anchor status or two more stores are in the works?
As far as the parking garage is concerned, I would love to see them level it and build it just a little larger than it is now. Keep it the same height, just take it out to the perimeter road to the North and leave a larger road between the mall and the garage or cover the road with garage. They could easily demolish it and build it in a year. OSU OKC built their garage in very short period of time. PSM's garage needs to be pedestrian friendly. The lighting is terrible, the traffic pattern is dangerous and it's just plain dirty looking for a mall that is trying to pull off an upscale environment. I believe if that garage was improved, the crime issues would probably drop down to less than a few per year.
ljbab728 01-25-2014, 01:25 AM As far as the parking garage is concerned, I would love to see them level it and build it just a little larger than it is now. Keep it the same height, just take it out to the perimeter road to the North and leave a larger road between the mall and the garage or cover the road with garage. They could easily demolish it and build it in a year. OSU OKC built their garage in very short period of time. PSM's garage needs to be pedestrian friendly. The lighting is terrible, the traffic pattern is dangerous and it's just plain dirty looking for a mall that is trying to pull off an upscale environment. I believe if that garage was improved, the crime issues would probably drop down to less than a few per year.
That parking garage isn't perfect, but "Dirty"? I've been there numerous times and it never looked dirtier than any parking garage or area.
ljbab728 02-07-2014, 12:14 AM New store openings.
4 new stores coming to Penn Square Mall | News OK (http://newsok.com/4-new-stores-coming-to-penn-square-mall/article/3931277)
Four new retailers will open at Penn Square Mall this spring, including PINK, a spin-off from the popular Victoria’s Secret brand.
PINK will open on Penn Square’s upper level Dillard’s west wing this spring. The PINK brand is geared toward a younger audience than Victoria’s Secret, with an emphasis on sleepwear, swim and sportswear.
Additional new tenants announced Wednesday include Soma Intimates, Freshens and Tilly’s.
Mall Marketing Director Jill Merritt said she thinks the Penn Square Mall store will be Victoria’s Secret first dedicated PINK store in Oklahoma. The new PINK store will be about 3,700 square feet, Merritt said.
Penn Square Mall expects to announce additional new tenants in the coming months, Merritt said.
It's just not possible that OKC is getting the first PINK in Oklahoma. Everyone know that Tulsa gets everything first. :wink:
Of course, I've never heard of PINK, but that's besides the point. LOL
Just saw that Utica Square is getting a West Elm store.
NWOKCGuy 02-07-2014, 01:06 PM UGH. West Elm. Want.
betts 02-07-2014, 03:47 PM We would likely need an open air mall for a west elm. I'm trying to remember if I've ever seen one in a regular mall and don't think so.
SomeGuy 02-07-2014, 07:08 PM Tillys would a be a pretty nice and ( possibly cheaper) alternative to Pacsun and Zumiez. Wasn't there a freshen's in Penn Square a few years ago where the gelatto place is now?
soonerliberal 02-07-2014, 08:20 PM New store openings.
4 new stores coming to Penn Square Mall | News OK (http://newsok.com/4-new-stores-coming-to-penn-square-mall/article/3931277)
It's just not possible that OKC is getting the first PINK in Oklahoma. Everyone know that Tulsa gets everything first. :wink:
Of course, I've never heard of PINK, but that's besides the point. LOL
When it said Pink would open, I got reallllllly excited because I thought it was Thomas Pink ties, but alas... it was Victorias Secret.
betts 02-07-2014, 11:18 PM When it said Pink would open, I got reallllllly excited because I thought it was Thomas Pink ties, but alas... it was Victorias Secret.
Me too!
Chadanth 02-08-2014, 12:06 AM When it said Pink would open, I got reallllllly excited because I thought it was Thomas Pink ties, but alas... it was Victorias Secret.
You're a LONG way off from a Thomas Pink.
Urbanized 02-08-2014, 06:44 AM Tulsa gets West Elm, OKC gets PINK. Perfectly sums up the national retail disparity between the two cities.
bchris02 02-08-2014, 07:39 AM Tulsa gets West Elm, OKC gets PINK. Perfectly sums up the national retail disparity between the two cities.
I agree. Nobody cares about Fallas or P!NK. People care about West Elm, Costco, Restoration Hardware, Urban Outfitters, Saks, etc, etc, etc.
OkieNate 02-08-2014, 08:21 AM I agree. Nobody cares about Fallas or P!NK. People care about West Elm, Costco, Restoration Hardware, Urban Outfitters, Saks, etc, etc, etc.
You're such a little drama queen. Nobody cares? Are you freaking kidding me? I don't think they'd be spending the capital to put in the store if people much smarter and more informed than you thought "nobody cares". Oh and etc. etc. etc., great examples...
bchris02 02-08-2014, 09:09 AM You're such a little drama queen. Nobody cares? Are you freaking kidding me? I don't think they'd be spending the capital to put in the store if people much smarter and more informed than you thought "nobody cares". Oh and etc. etc. etc., great examples...
You have to concede that in terms of attracting national retailers, Tulsa >>>> OKC. You are not able to prove that incorrect so you are resorting to personal attacks. And if you want me to start naming "etc, etc, etc" I can.
OkieNate 02-08-2014, 09:20 AM You have to concede that in terms of attracting national retailers, Tulsa >>>> OKC. You are not able to prove that incorrect so you are resorting to personal attacks. And if you want me to start naming "etc, etc, etc" I can.
It's not a personal attack it's an opinion based on 90% of your post here, you provide the ammo. Yes, please do name the etc. etc. etc. I'll concede that heavily in the past yes, Tulsa has been more successful in attracting national retailers, yet that trend is changing, albeit changes take time. Have we passed them? Probably not yet. Will we? I believe absolutely yes.
betts 02-08-2014, 09:25 AM We just have to face the fact that as far as our market is concerned, we can easily compete with Tulsa, but retailers don't use the kind of detailed data that would show that or they have an innate prejudice against OKC for reasons valid 15 - 20 years ago. Or Utica Square is appealing enough to make the difference. We don't have a Utica Square, although Nichols Hills Plaza and Classen Curve should be able to attract similar stores. But they've both been in limbo because of their impending sale, which has been impending for quite awhile. If I were the new owners, I would aggressively pursue a couple of those chains, probably RH and WE since they will now both have Tulsa stores. Aside from them, our local shops are better than anything I've seen in Tulsa, IMO. And a few other cities. I really don't care that much. I've got a few pieces of furniture from RH, but have never found anything at West Elm that I was dying for.
bchris02 02-08-2014, 09:41 AM I'll concede that heavily in the past yes, Tulsa has been more successful in attracting national retailers, yet that trend is changing, albeit changes take time. Have we passed them? Probably not yet. Will we? I believe absolutely yes.
I agree with this as long as the economic growth metric remains in OKC's favor. Eventually national retailers, who live and die by the spreadsheet, will start to recognize OKC as the go-to place in Oklahoma rather than Tulsa. We aren't quite there yet as it stands in 2014 but things could look very different in 2020.
Trader Joe's coming to OKC first is a huge deal in my opinion. That is a national retailer that not long ago would have probably chosen Tulsa over OKC.
bchris02 02-08-2014, 09:44 AM We just have to face the fact that as far as our market is concerned, we can easily compete with Tulsa, but retailers don't use the kind of detailed data that would show that or they have an innate prejudice against OKC for reasons valid 15 - 20 years ago. Or Utica Square is appealing enough to make the difference. We don't have a Utica Square, although Nichols Hills Plaza and Classen Curve should be able to attract similar stores. But they've both been in limbo because of their impending sale, which has been impending for quite awhile. If I were the new owners, I would aggressively pursue a couple of those chains, probably RH and WE since they will now both have Tulsa stores. Aside from them, our local shops are better than anything I've seen in Tulsa, IMO. And a few other cities. I really don't care that much. I've got a few pieces of furniture from RH, but have never found anything at West Elm that I was dying for.
Will be interesting to see what happens after the sale goes through. Classen Curve originally wanted to keep out national chains which I think was a mistake. I don't think that's the case anymore.
Urbanized 02-08-2014, 01:41 PM Rule of thumb on message boards: anytime you call someone a name (i.e. "drama queen") it's a personal attack, whether you admit it is or not. Telling someone they "are being overly dramatic here" is not quite as personal as name calling, and usually more acceptable. Admittedly splitting hairs, but anything that helps keep things more civil is worth doing.
Urbanized 02-08-2014, 02:23 PM Regarding Classen Curve/Triangle/NHP, I always figured Aubrey's long-term plan was to bridge the gap between them with more retail on the area that held among other things the old Varsity. The Triangle had already started in that direction. There is also the cleared string of properties on the west side of Grand that nobody ever talks about. I was guessing the finished product might even be along the lines of a lifestyle center, based on his expressed desire to improve live/work/play prospects around CHK campus.
I also figured it would precede implementation of his long-term plan for NHP, whatever that was. I guess we'll never know. But I still think the area between CC and NHP would be the best candidate for an upscale shopping area that would knit the two areas together and create a very formidable bloc of retail.
Just not sure if letting go of that land will fit the rest of CHK's real estate exit strategy, since it is contiguous to the main campus, not that it's likely to expand any more soon.
zookeeper 02-08-2014, 05:07 PM Regarding Classen Curve/Triangle/NHP, I always figured Aubrey's long-term plan was to bridge the gap between them with more retail on the area that held among other things the old Varsity. The Triangle had already started in that direction. There is also the cleared string of properties on the west side of Grand that nobody ever talks about. I was guessing the finished product might even be along the lines of a lifestyle center, based on his expressed desire to improve live/work/play prospects around CHK campus.
I also figured it would precede implementation of his long-term plan for NHP, whatever that was. I guess we'll never know. But I still think the area between CC and NHP would be the best candidate for an upscale shopping area that would knit the two areas together and create a very formidable bloc of retail.
Just not sure if letting go of that land will fit the rest of CHK's real estate exit strategy, since it is contiguous to the main campus, not that it's likely to expand any more soon.
Classen Curve is laid out in a way that will keep many a national retailer away. I love most of Rand's work, but to me, Classen Curve is atrocious and foreboding in a way, like it should have housed the headquarters for the FBI or something. It just looks so un-retail (is that a word?) with everything facing inside the parking lot. I have a feeling I might be the only one on this board with that opinion, but I think it's wasted land with that design.
betts 02-08-2014, 06:31 PM I agree with Urbanized. I'd been told Trader Joe's wanted the cleared land on 63rd just off Grand but perhaps that is incorrect. There's so much land on the Triangle that could be developed that I hope it's potential is realized. If/When the Curve is full and NH Plaza is again, there's plenty of land in the Triangle to knit the two. Then, with Penn Square Mall not so far away, there could be a lot of shopping within a short distance. Perhaps a slightly less upscale Highland Park.
bchris02 02-08-2014, 08:12 PM Went to Penn Square this afternoon for the first time since the holidays and could not believe how bad the grounds look. It looks like dudes in their giant pickup trucks were parking and peeling out on the grass. Now the grass and landscaping is completely tore up with massive tire tracks and mud everywhere. FYI this is after a multimillion dollar renovation. Is the premier mall in the state or the state fair? I guarantee you other marquee malls in the region do not look so shabby.
I typically wouldn't care that much but considering this is supposed to be the nicest mall around and a gateway to the city's second most significant commercial district, it really just looks bad. I noticed that despite the back parking lot being half empty today there were still people parked on the grass. I am tempted to be "that guy" and send an email to Simon Property.
I was at Penn Square today and saw this with my own eyes. It really looks trashy and redneck. Simon should do something, anything, to put an end to it.
ljbab728 02-09-2014, 12:38 AM I was at Penn Square today and saw this with my own eyes. It really looks trashy and redneck. Simon should do something, anything, to put an end to it.
I don't know what you're seeing, but I go to Penn Square occasionally and never get that impression at all. I think you are just trying too hard to find reasons to complain.
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