Crossroads Mall

[Plutonic Panda]

It's mostly stuff that few people would even want so I don't know how they would have ever made enough money to pay mall rent. There also used to be borderline-illegal merchandise in there like switch blades and brass knuckles. I haven't been in there in 12 years so maybe I should take a trip to Crossroads to see what they are selling these days.

Haha I was actually planning to stop by there on my way to college tomorrow lol :P

[jn1780]

Haha I was actually planning to stop by there on my way to college tomorrow lol :P

Make sure you say the codeword so that they hit you up with the good stuff. Lol

Really it doesn't seem like a good front when everyone starts wondering how its possible they stay in business.

[Plutonic Panda]

Make sure you say the codeword so that they hit you up with the good stuff. Lol

Really it doesn't seem like a good front when everyone starts wondering how its possible they stay in business.

Maybe just go up and lean against the counter and not look directly at the cashier and be like "you got the merch" lol .....

[SomeGuy]

I forgot to mention Toys R Us is still across the street from crossroads, when will they ever move?

[Plutonic Panda]

I don't know, but I went to Eastern Treasures and when I was in there the guy in there was watching me like a hawk. Could be they just have a problem with people stealing things. Their products weren't super high priced anyways.

[bchris02]

I don't know, but I went to Eastern Treasures and when I was in there the guy in there was watching me like a hawk. Could be they just have a problem with people stealing things. Their products weren't super high priced anyways.

Sounds typical for a cover business. They make their customers feel very uncomfortable so they won't stick around or buy anything. They don't want you to buy from them. Think about it, as little foot traffic as they probably get with the shape Crossroads is in these days, wouldn't a legitimate business try to make the most of every sales opportunity? Do a Google search for them. Despite having been in business for decades, there is very little information out there about them. Something is very fishy about that operation.

They were the same way even in the days when Crossroads was flourishing.

Did you see any unusual merchandise in there?

[catch22]

Eastern Treasures of the Silk Road........

[Plutonic Panda]

Sounds typical for a cover business. They make their customers feel very uncomfortable so they won't stick around or buy anything. They don't want you to buy from them. Think about it, as little foot traffic as they probably get with the shape Crossroads is in these days, wouldn't a legitimate business try to make the most of every sales opportunity? Do a Google search for them. Despite having been in business for decades, there is very little information out there about them. Something is very fishy about that operation.

They were the same way even in the days when Crossroads was flourishing.

Did you see any unusual merchandise in there?

Well they had a crapload of medieval weapons and some knives that I'm not sure whether or not they were, technically speaking legal. Also, now that I think about it, when I slowly migrated back to the area were they had sculptures of eagles and dinosaur eggs(pretty much in the back of the store), the guy got really nervous and "reminded" me not to touch any of the merchandise. So, maybe they had something going on.
Other than that, it was a lone Chinese guy that went to the back as soon as I walked in and went to the register shortly after and watched my every move. I actually had a brief conversation with him and said they have a nice inventory here and asked how they were able to stay operational with the current state of the mall and he smiled and said "we just do" and that's it. haha

On a side note, that mall is just depressing. I can't explain it, but it just sucks. I feel sorry for the people that have to work there. After walking and driving around the entire area, I don't understand how anyone would've thought that layout they had would be successful and I'm surprised it has lasted as long it has. It's a shame. Hopefully, the new announcement will be a significant one and not just some minor touch ups. The interior of the mall though wasn't all that bad as far as being run down. Just bleak and boring.

[MonkeesFan]

Well they had a crapload of medieval weapons and some knives that I'm not sure whether or not they were, technically speaking legal. Also, now that I think about it, when I slowly migrated back to the area were they had sculptures of eagles and dinosaur eggs(pretty much in the back of the store), the guy got really nervous and "reminded" me not to touch any of the merchandise. So, maybe they had something going on.
Other than that, it was a lone Chinese guy that went to the back as soon as I walked in and went to the register shortly after and watched my every move. I actually had a brief conversation with him and said they have a nice inventory here and asked how they were able to stay operational with the current state of the mall and he smiled and said "we just do" and that's it. haha

On a side note, that mall is just depressing. I can't explain it, but it just sucks. I feel sorry for the people that have to work there. After walking and driving around the entire area, I don't understand how anyone would've thought that layout they had would be successful and I'm surprised it has lasted as long it has. It's a shame. Hopefully, the new announcement will be a significant one and not just some minor touch ups. The interior of the mall though wasn't all that bad as far as being run down. Just bleak and boring.

I hope the new announcement is that the mall will be closed forever and change into a space that will be useful, it should have been closed 5 years ago

[Plutonic Panda]

Maybe they could build a new space for the Grand Prix they want here. haha.... Might make more sense though to build it over by the zoo. Maybe this

Indoor ski resort... it could fit there haha

I wonder how well something like that would do if built in OKC? It really could be regional attraction. If something like this were to be built it would probably be in Dallas though. Unless I come up with $80 million(or however much that thing cost)

[MonkeesFan]

Maybe they could build a new space for the Grand Prix they want here. haha.... Might make more sense though to build it over by the zoo. Maybe this

Indoor ski resort... it could fit there haha

I wonder how well something like that would do if built in OKC? It really could be regional attraction. If something like this were to be built it would probably be in Dallas though. Unless I come up with $80 million(or however much that thing cost)

That would be cool!

[bchris02]

Well they had a crapload of medieval weapons and some knives that I'm not sure whether or not they were, technically speaking legal. Also, now that I think about it, when I slowly migrated back to the area were they had sculptures of eagles and dinosaur eggs(pretty much in the back of the store), the guy got really nervous and "reminded" me not to touch any of the merchandise. So, maybe they had something going on.
Other than that, it was a lone Chinese guy that went to the back as soon as I walked in and went to the register shortly after and watched my every move. I actually had a brief conversation with him and said they have a nice inventory here and asked how they were able to stay operational with the current state of the mall and he smiled and said "we just do" and that's it. haha

On a side note, that mall is just depressing. I can't explain it, but it just sucks. I feel sorry for the people that have to work there. After walking and driving around the entire area, I don't understand how anyone would've thought that layout they had would be successful and I'm surprised it has lasted as long it has. It's a shame. Hopefully, the new announcement will be a significant one and not just some minor touch ups. The interior of the mall though wasn't all that bad as far as being run down. Just bleak and boring.

Your Eastern Treasures story pretty much confirmed my suspicions haha. I would LOVE to know what they have in the back area of that store.

I still haven't been to Crossroads since I've been back in OKC. I agree with the above poster in that they need to just demolish it and build something cool there. I hope they aren't announcing a remodel or anything like that because at this point it would be pretty much putting lipstick on a pig. I'm not sure if its been posted here yet, but I found this fairly recent video of the mall on Youtube.

Crossroads mall Oklahoma city, Oklahoma Dead Mall - YouTube

[BoulderSooner]

Maybe they could build a new space for the Grand Prix they want here. haha.... Might make more sense though to build it over by the zoo. Maybe this

Indoor ski resort... it could fit there haha

I wonder how well something like that would do if built in OKC? It really could be regional attraction. If something like this were to be built it would probably be in Dallas though. Unless I come up with $80 million(or however much that thing cost)

400 mil

[Plutonic Panda]

400 mil

Really!?!?! wow

[Rover]

Maybe they could build a new space for the Grand Prix they want here. haha.... Might make more sense though to build it over by the zoo. Maybe this

Indoor ski resort... it could fit there haha

I wonder how well something like that would do if built in OKC? It really could be regional attraction. If something like this were to be built it would probably be in Dallas though. Unless I come up with $80 million(or however much that thing cost)

I think the $400 million is closer. Operational costs are HUGE. Cost of tickets would be very high. I doubt any economic case could be made for it here, and maybe even doubtful in Dallas.

[G.Walker]

In the last issue of Moore Monthly called (240 Makeover) they stated that it has been proposed to have Crossroads Mall redeveloped into a Hispanic Heritage Museum or Hispanic Cultural Center, something along those lines.

[Bunty]

Eastland Mall in Tulsa had been Tulsa's version of Crossroads Mall. Now new owners changed its name to Eastgate Metroplex and are trying to reinvent it to include community and educational uses. Eastgate Metroplex - Reinventing a Tulsa Icon

[G.Walker]

Eastland Mall in Tulsa had been Tulsa's version of Crossroads Mall. Now new owners changed its name to Eastgate Metroplex and are trying to reinvent it to include community and educational uses. Eastgate Metroplex - Reinventing a Tulsa Icon

Crossroads Mall should be converted into offices, just like Shepard Mall. It worked out well for Shepard Mall, and I think is 100% leased, even ASTEC Charter School is located in Shepard Mall

[MonkeesFan]

In the last issue of Moore Monthly called (240 Makeover) they stated that it has been proposed to have Crossroads Mall redeveloped into a Hispanic Heritage Museum or Hispanic Cultural Center, something along those lines.

Does that mean that they are going to do it?

[ljbab728]

Does that mean that they are going to do it?

That just means that some local paper has said it's proposed. Don't count on anything until it's officially announced.

[Jesseda]

That just means that some local paper has said it's proposed. Don't count on anything until it's officially announced.

Wish they could turn it into a indoor and outdoor traders village, like the one in houston.

[Jesseda]

Traders Village Houston / A Texas-Size Marketplace

[SoonerDave]

In the last issue of Moore Monthly called (240 Makeover) they stated that it has been proposed to have Crossroads Mall redeveloped into a Hispanic Heritage Museum or Hispanic Cultural Center, something along those lines.

That proposal was discussed here (probably in this thread), and it was noted therein that this idea has since been abandoned.

[SoonerDave]

After walking and driving around the entire area, I don't understand how anyone would've thought that layout they had would be successful and I'm surprised it has lasted as long it has.

You likely wouldn't have asked that question if you'd been a regular when the mall opened back in the '72. I realize its next to impossible to believe with the mall in its current condition, but there was a time when Crossroads was thriving, with a unique mixture of national (JC Penny, Wards) and local (John A Brown, Emmer Bros, Napoleon Nash) tenants. In its day, it served as the only other core shopping district in the broader OKC area, as in that time Penn Square and Shepherd Mall were in the early stages of an ebb that would lead (eventually) to the former being rebuilt and reimagined, and the latter changing to business use (and, keep in mind, Quail Springs didn't exist yet). Crossroads was a monster presence at a naturally busy location there at the intersection of I-35 and I-240, and was every bit a destination shopping area.

Won't go into all the factors that led to Crossroads demise (as they've been hashed and rehashed here ad nauseam), but the younger crowd needs a sense of perspective on what it once was. I remember going to Crossroads as a kid and being awestruck at the size, the stores, just the physical presence of the place, let alone the fact that going there was an event. Going to LeMans and playing a few video games or pinball was A Big Deal. The place was normally packed. You could do McDonald's on the upper floor near Brown's, or go down the aisle just a bit to "The Orange Bowl" for a dog, or head to Chick-Fil-A on the lower floor, then just outside Wards. And then there was Orange Julius, Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors just next door, two huge bookstores (B. Dalton and Waldenbooks), Florsheim Shoes. Heck, a public research/survey place (Quick Test) opened up there because it was such a great foot-traffic area.

Not meaning to engage in a nostalgia trip (at least not too much ), but this notion of "how could it ever have been successful" ignores the fact that Crossroads was, indeed, very successful for every bit of its first two decades of existence, give or take. Lots of mistakes and neglect followed, and lots of circumstances changed over the years, but those of us who remember it for what it was do so with at least a bit of fondness. I hold no hope for miraculous revival, but will at least hope to keep a memory of what was around for those who weren't around to enjoy it back in the day.

[Plutonic Panda]

You likely wouldn't have asked that question if you'd been a regular when the mall opened back in the '72. I realize its next to impossible to believe with the mall in its current condition, but there was a time when Crossroads was thriving, with a unique mixture of national (JC Penny, Wards) and local (John A Brown, Emmer Bros, Napoleon Nash) tenants. In its day, it served as the only other core shopping district in the broader OKC area, as in that time Penn Square and Shepherd Mall were in the early stages of an ebb that would lead (eventually) to the former being rebuilt and reimagined, and the latter changing to business use (and, keep in mind, Quail Springs didn't exist yet). Crossroads was a monster presence at a naturally busy location there at the intersection of I-35 and I-240, and was every bit a destination shopping area.

Won't go into all the factors that led to Crossroads demise (as they've been hashed and rehashed here ad nauseam), but the younger crowd needs a sense of perspective on what it once was. I remember going to Crossroads as a kid and being awestruck at the size, the stores, just the physical presence of the place, let alone the fact that going there was an event. Going to LeMans and playing a few video games or pinball was A Big Deal. The place was normally packed. You could do McDonald's on the upper floor near Brown's, or go down the aisle just a bit to "The Orange Bowl" for a dog, or head to Chick-Fil-A on the lower floor, then just outside Wards. And then there was Orange Julius, Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors just next door, two huge bookstores (B. Dalton and Waldenbooks), Florsheim Shoes. Heck, a public research/survey place (Quick Test) opened up there because it was such a great foot-traffic area.

Not meaning to engage in a nostalgia trip (at least not too much ), but this notion of "how could it ever have been successful" ignores the fact that Crossroads was, indeed, very successful for every bit of its first two decades of existence, give or take. Lots of mistakes and neglect followed, and lots of circumstances changed over the years, but those of us who remember it for what it was do so with at least a bit of fondness. I hold no hope for miraculous revival, but will at least hope to keep a memory of what was around for those who weren't around to enjoy it back in the day.

I hear you. I guess really the same thing could happen to Qual in time. I do remember when I was 7-8 I would go there and I loved that pet store they had there. lol