Crossroads Mall

[okyeah]

Crossroads Mall official is optimistic about its future


BY JENNIFER PALMER
Published: October 1, 2009
Amid the empty storefronts, there is optimism at Crossroads Mall.

Optimism, because two new stores recently opened at the mall, a third will open soon and mall management has secured lease renewals with seven retailers, including Bath and Body Works.

MultimediaPhotoview all photos Crossroads, at the intersection of Interstates 240 and 35, has been plagued by vacancies, including all of its anchor stores, and faces an uncertain future with the property up for sale — either as a whole or in pieces.

Mall manager Jim Swenson prefers not to address those issues, instead deferring questions to Price Edwards & Co., which managed the property through foreclosure.

What Swenson does want to talk about are the positive happenings there, including those new stores: L’Patricia, a junior’s apparel store in the old PacSun space on the upper level, and J&D Asian gifts, on the lower level near the carousel.

Another newcomer, Dubz Dezignz, a screen printing and embroidery business, is scheduled to open Oct. 9.

Swenson, who has held his position since 1994, acknowledges these aren’t traditional mall retailers.

"We don’t have the typical lineup you’d see in an enclosed mall. We’re unique,” he said.

Attracting national chains has been tough for any mall in recent months, but especially Crossroads, where fleeing tenants seemed to create a snowball effect. Major retailers Dillard’s and Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear left in January.

Swenson said management has been focusing on snagging entrepreneurs with fresh concepts by offering attractive rates and short-term leases.

"We’re open to as short as a day or two on our short-term leases,” he said.

Battling the perception that the mall is dead or dying, or even closed, is another challenge, Swenson said. A year ago, he was touting the mall’s 120 tenants; now, it’s down to about 75.

Jeany Brown, owner of J&D Asian gifts, has been telling her customers at Old Paris Flea Market to visit her new store since it opened two weeks ago.

"I say I’m at Crossroads Mall. They say, ‘Oh, that mall is closed.’ I say ‘No, it’s not,’” she said.

Brown’s store is filled with colorful trinkets, from bonsai trees to Asian-style dresses and President Barack Obama T-shirts. She had a store in Midwest City’s Heritage Park Mall until 2003. Business was slow there, but it’s even slower at Crossroads, she said.

"I haven’t really seen much progress here,” said Brown.

But then the optimism creeps in.

"Maybe we opened at the wrong time, with the state fair (going on.) I guess we will have to be patient,” she said.

[z28james]

"Were Unique" LMFAO. Mall is dead, bulldoze it please!

[Thunder]

z28, it is people like you that needs to be ejected out of the state (or at least this city). The mall is not dead. When I go there, the doors is open and the lights is on. I see people coming in and out. Don't believe me? Go see it for yourself.

[progressiveboy]

z28, it is people like you that needs to be ejected out of the state (or at least this city). The mall is not dead. When I go there, the doors is open and the lights is on. I see people coming in and out. Don't believe me? Go see it for yourself.

Why make such an extreme statement regarding someone else's opinion about CM? I agree, the mall should be closed down and bulldozed. It is a ratty, nasty mall that has served it's purpose. Maybe you should be ejected out of state because you come across as not a very modern, forward thinking individual, but respectfully, you are entitled to your opinion, just as I am.

[SoonerDave]

Why make such an extreme statement regarding someone else's opinion about CM? I agree, the mall should be closed down and bulldozed. It is a ratty, nasty mall that has served it's purpose. Maybe you should be ejected out of state because you come across as not a very modern, forward thinking individual, but respectfully, you are entitled to your opinion, just as I am.

It may be void of tenants, but "ratty and nasty" is over the top.

Yes, the mall is dated and reeks of its 1970's heritage despite its half-hearted late-eighties makeover, but "bulldoze" it is hardly practical.

I'm as realistic about Crossroads' prospects - they're not very good. That said, the mall is still open and functioning; yeah, its a little sad to see it so empty, because I remember when it was built, and was a huge deal; now, those days are behind. But there are still viable merchants there - just bought two new pairs of glasses for my wife and myself at EyeMasters on the first floor, and we weren't mugged or accosted.

I have no delusion that Crossroads can regain its former "glory" from the days of its opening, but I have to believe it has a better future than "bulldoze" it.

[megax11]

I'm telling you guys, I have a feeling my two dreams about the mall will come true.

With america SUPPOSEDLY pulling out of this recession slowly but surely, I don't see why this mall won't eventually get that upgrade.

It is odd to have two dreams seeing the same mall in two different areas with the same rennovations, and then hear about this newfound optimism.

It is a huge mall, and if it was fixed up outside and in, it could awesome as all day.

If my dreams were real, the mall would still have a brown color to it on the inside, but really nice tiling on the ground and pillars seperating each store. The whole middle of the mall would feel more open, and have more carpet filling in the middle of the mall.

I hope this optimism leads to that. I guess only time will tell.

[z28james]

z28, it is people like you that needs to be ejected out of the state (or at least this city). The mall is not dead. When I go there, the doors is open and the lights is on. I see people coming in and out. Don't believe me? Go see it for yourself.

Dude I wont flame you but come on let go of crossroads. I used to work at a big box retailer right next to that mall for the last couple years until a few months ago, I grew up going to that mall all the time I know 2 people who work in that mall. I am very familiar with it. I also know for a fact that I would see OCPD all the time not to work overtime, but to stop fights, shoplifting, and cars getting broken into. There are robberies around that whole area all the time. Yes the mall is open and the lights are on, but in my humble opinion its an embarrassing eyesore to see for current residents and visitors driving down 35. Why not bulldoze it down. I hate to have seen crossroads turn into a dump like anyone else, but no one is going to make it into a great mall again.

[Patrick]

Just exactly who do you plan on filling those anchor spaces?

[oneforone]

You are not going to see anything significant happening at Crossroads in the the near future. The banks are not lending. The developers with money are taking on low to moderate risk projects. Crossroads falls into the high risk project category.

A remodel is going to cost millions of dollars. This mall needs more than a clean up and a coat of paint.

Demolition is going to cost millions of dollars. It would probably take a couple of months to remove all the rubble. Not to mention after the demolition is over there will be need to be a significant amount of earthwork to make the land useful again.

New construction could also be costly depending on the state of the economy at that time.

[Jesseda]

to bad its a perfect location for a theme park to be relocated or added to okc, how abouta great wolf lodge even

[bwana_bob]

The business model for Crossroad at present is to generate as much case flow as possible to cover expenses and debt payments until the next chapter can be written. Little points to a redevelopment of the existing structure - certainly not the state of the economy nor "wished for" interest from the retail and entertainment/hospitality industries that have been shredded by the downturn. Look at Shepherd Mall - remade into an office park but vulnerable to a speculative real estate purchase gone bad and then to losing one large anchor who can take it from 90%+ occupancy to 40% overnight. While the operators of Crossroads can generate enough cash, there will be stores that serve customers. It will not be a destination place for most in the metro but it serves a sizable segment for the south metro. This is less about a modern point of view or about defending the south side: it is a business reality. The economy of scale for Crossroads is tremendous. The breakeven is out of reach for almost any retail operation in this state. The new retail in Moore, Midwest City and Norman has killed any reasonable thought of Crossroads - as-is or reinvented - being THE hub of southside retailing. That being said, if you like Crossroads, continue to enjoy it. Progressives and urban planner wannabes will speculate about the future because it is entertaining but why be threatened by it? Carpe diem and shop to your heart's delight!

[Jesseda]

DO I HEAR A MAPS 4!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tax payers buy the old crossroads and tear it down to build a new park and entertainment complex with a new train station depot, that will take passengers into the heart of bricktown and back.... they already have the tracks....

[bwana_bob]

DO I HEAR A MAPS 4!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tax payers buy the old crossroads and tear it down to build a new park and entertainment complex with a new train station depot, that will take passengers into the heart of bricktown and back.... they already have the tracks....

I don't think Crossroads Mall would make the cut of MAPS 44, let alone MAPS 4. The highlighted portion of your post spells out one solution: tribal gaming. Planet Hollywood OKC anyone?

[Patrick]

I don't think Crossroads Mall would make the cut of MAPS 44, let alone MAPS 4. The highlighted portion of your post spells out one solution: tribal gaming. Planet Hollywood OKC anyone?

You might be on to something. One possible use for Crossroads would be for a tribe with lots of money to buy the place and turn it into a massive casino and mixed use complex, complete with hotel space, entertainment options, some retail, and a casino taking up the majority of space, all under one roof. Each anchor of the mall could be turned into a casino with a different theme. Food court could be retained. Some retail in between. A hotel somewhere in between.

I know this idea might not be likeable by some, but it would be a more reasonable option than some of the others mentioned. Tribes have a lot of money even in the sour economy.

I think saying to tear down or bulldoze Crossroads doesn't make a lot of sense. Structurally the building is fine and could definitely be adapted to another use.

Concerning Shepherd Mall, well, office space is much easier to lease than retail space, so I don't see Shepherd having a hard time releasing the Farmer's space. It might have to be divided though. Leasing that space will be similar to leasing the old Devon tower wen Devon completes their new complex.

[BricktownGuy]

New owner of Crossroads will be the Chickasaw Nation or one of their many subsidiary companies.

[oneforone]

The mall could very easily be converted over to a convention and event center. Groups of all sizes could be accomodated. Each of the four anchors could suit a specific purpose. Ex: Wedding Chapel, Confrence Rooms, a perfoming arts theater, or a party center for wedding receptions, birthdays, school dances and after prom parties.

You have closed restaurants on site already so you could have on site catering. The mall security could take care of event security. Not to mention you have plenty of parking.

[megax11]

to bad its a perfect location for a theme park to be relocated or added to okc, how abouta great wolf lodge even

Dude, that'd be sweet.

If a Six Flags could move there that would be cool. Or even relocate FC, and make it bigger, I could see that bringing in lots of business.

If the mall ever did get bulldozed, that is what I would love to see happen.

[metro]

Yeah, if a PUD doesn't get built, which it probably isn't realistic at this point in time, then a Tribal Resort/Casino probably makes the most sense. They'd even have room for a Par 3 golf course.

[mheaton76]

This is kind of hard to believe, but because of the Collapse of Bear Sterns last year, the Federal Reserve is actually Crossroads' Mall reluctant landlord. Wow!

Bear Stearns Takeover Turns The Fed Into A Lawsuit Magnet

[mugofbeer]

And people still don't believe the government is trying to nationalize everything!

LOL!

[metro]

And people still don't believe the government is trying to nationalize everything!

LOL!

[mheaton76]

Hey, as the article says, it might be a selling point for Crossroads' Mall - The "Real" Mall of America, lol.

[EBAH]

HAHAHAHA, Suckers!!, oh wait, I guess we bought that didn't we......woops

[Jesseda]

Im so happy the feds got it, now its time to turn it into the crossroads national health care corp. office...

[gmwise]

And people still don't believe the government is trying to nationalize everything!

LOL!

Mugs,
When a creditor takes over the assets of a debtor.
Its not nationalizing.