Quail Springs Mall

[Plutonic Panda]

That's what I was alluding to. I talk to people a lot more on the internet about the suburbs than I do people in person.

Oh, my bad. I also didn't mean to sound like I've never heard ANYTHING bad about suburbs in person, it just happens A LOT more on this board as well as citydata lol.

[Plutonic Panda]

I wish Von Maur would come during December of 2013. A lot can happen from now to spring 2014, from what I've heard JCP is closing a lot of stores this year

Was it holiday 2014 they were shooting for? I agree that's a little odd for it to take that long and I won't be satisfied and secure about it until it is 90% done. Also, have they started renovations and if so, does anyone have any insight on to why it is going to take as long as it is????? TOO MANY QUESTIONS lol

[bchris02]

I've only heard negative things about suburbs on the internet, but I agree with everything else you've said.

Internet forum posters tend to be young, single, intellectually-minded people who are more likely to be anti-suburbia than the population at large. I've noticed heavy anti-suburb bias here and even moreso on City-Data, but part of being a great city is being well-balanced. That means having a great inner-core as well as attractive suburbs. I do however agree with the poster above in that I wish suburbia would grow with more dignity than has been the norm in OKC.

As for Quail Springs, it is definitely showing early signs of decline but nothing that can't be reversed at this time. Quail Springs now is similar to mid-1990s Crossroads.

[Rom]

QSM has quickly turned into a trashy mall. My wife and kids do not feel safe there at night especially on weekends.
It has turned into a low rent mall and hate to think what this mall will look like in 5 years. Best thing tha mall could do is raise the rent and get rid of the crummy stores that have populated that mall.

[SomeGuy]

QSM has quickly turned into a trashy mall. My wife and kids do not feel safe there at night especially on weekends.
It has turned into a low rent mall and hate to think what this mall will look like in 5 years. Best thing tha mall could do is raise the rent and get rid of the crummy stores that have populated that mall.

Honestly I feel more safe there than PS IMO. PS is always on the news for car break ins and attackers in parking lots

[bchris02]

QSM has quickly turned into a trashy mall. My wife and kids do not feel safe there at night especially on weekends.
It has turned into a low rent mall and hate to think what this mall will look like in 5 years. Best thing tha mall could do is raise the rent and get rid of the crummy stores that have populated that mall.

The problem is mid-level tenants like Abercrombie & Fitch have left the mall and have been replaced by low-class mom & pop stores like Image. It also doesn't help that the mall is only a mile from the apartment complexes at 122nd and Penn, which are among the worst in the entire metro area. If I was GGP I would look at a possible remodel and rebranding of the mall to coincide with the opening of Von Maur in late 2014. With that, recruit some higher quality tenants and give the trash ones the boot. There is still time to make it happen but it something isn't done within the next five years, we could be looking at another Crossroads.

[Teo9969]

Quail Springs looks nothing like Crossroads ever has, if for nothing else than because of what surrounds QS that is sure to keep it afloat. Crossroads would be in much better shape today if it had been located on NW Expressway/MacArthur rather than 35/240.

Memorial has its issues, but it's "business district" suburbia done pretty well. Memorial definitely continues to be a burgeoning area of OKC. It would just be great if somehow as Memorial continues to grow, that that money can be invested back into the residential areas immediately surrounding the area, rather than pushing even further north before the area can reasonably maintain it.

[SomeGuy]

The problem is mid-level tenants like Abercrombie & Fitch have left the mall and have been replaced by low-class mom & pop stores like Image. It also doesn't help that the mall is only a mile from the apartment complexes at 122nd and Penn, which are among the worst in the entire metro area. If I was GGP I would look at a possible remodel and rebranding of the mall to coincide with the opening of Von Maur in late 2014. With that, recruit some higher quality tenants and give the trash ones the boot. There is still time to make it happen but it something isn't done within the next five years, we could be looking at another Crossroads.

GGP should just sell the mall to Simon to help turn QSM around. Some stores could use a fresh makeover, (I'm looking directly at you Dillards,) while 40% of the stores in the mall need to go and be replaced with high end stores ( get rid of IMAGE, that massage place in the old Gamestop, the sport place next to sears and whatever other low class stores I forgot)

[bchris02]

I also wonder what effect the new Outlet mall is having on Quail Springs. I remember reading here years ago that OKC has never been able to support three successful super-regional centers all at once. Quail Springs has struggled before...in Crossroads' heyday.

[soonerguru]

Quail Springs looks nothing like Crossroads ever has, if for nothing else than because of what surrounds QS that is sure to keep it afloat. Crossroads would be in much better shape today if it had been located on NW Expressway/MacArthur rather than 35/240.

Memorial has its issues, but it's "business district" suburbia done pretty well. Memorial definitely continues to be a burgeoning area of OKC. It would just be great if somehow as Memorial continues to grow, that that money can be invested back into the residential areas immediately surrounding the area, rather than pushing even further north before the area can reasonably maintain it.

How is it "burgeoning?" I see it as largely the same as its been for several years with a few more vacancies.

[Teo9969]

Paycom, Farmer's Insurance, general growth in offices in and around the area, hotels, sundry shops opening along the road (many in new buildings), medical facilities, etc.

I mean, most of this is the past 5 years. Not necessarily brand spankin' new, but definitely still moving forward. Certain areas of it are not doing as well as they once were...But the Deep Deuce apartments are outdated as well...Not everything is always going to operate at an optimal level. Overall, Memorial isn't struggling nor does it seem likely to struggle over the next 10 years. They just need to make sure that rather than strive entirely for profit, that these companies reinvest in their infrastructure. The growth may or may not slow, but I bet that depends largely on how fast Mercy, the medical field in general, and the small businesses in the area continue to grow.

[Plutonic Panda]

Internet forum posters tend to be young, single, intellectually-minded people who are more likely to be anti-suburbia than the population at large. I've noticed heavy anti-suburb bias here and even moreso on City-Data, but part of being a great city is being well-balanced. That means having a great inner-core as well as attractive suburbs. I do however agree with the poster above in that I wish suburbia would grow with more dignity than has been the norm in OKC.

As for Quail Springs, it is definitely showing early signs of decline but nothing that can't be reversed at this time. Quail Springs now is similar to mid-1990s Crossroads.

Couldn't agree more!

[Mississippi Blues]

Oh, my bad. I also didn't mean to sound like I've never heard ANYTHING bad about suburbs in person, it just happens A LOT more on this board as well as citydata lol.

No worries my main man. Was just clarifying. but you are correct, a lot more negativity is said about suburbs on OKCTalk & City-Data.

[MadMonk]

I like QSM. I guess because I've been going there so long and I'm comfortable with it - especially since the theater was put in and the remodel.

I'd rank it as
1. QSM - Big, roomy, comfortable and safe. Decent selection of shops. I've never had any problems finding parking. Avoid the Penn-Memorial intersection though.

2. The new outlet mall on I-40 - Nice place to shop on good-weather days. May eventually have a problem with the transients that travel along 1-40. I've already had someone come up and ask for money "for gas to get home".

3. Penn Square mall - Meh. Overly crowded, not enough parking, nothing special in the mall that would encourage me to brave the traffic hassles around that entire area.

[MonkeesFan]

I like QSM. I guess because I've been going there so long and I'm comfortable with it - especially since the theater was put in and the remodel.

I'd rank it as
1. QSM - Big, roomy, comfortable and safe. Decent selection of shops. I've never had any problems finding parking. Avoid the Penn-Memorial intersection though.

2. The new outlet mall on I-40 - Nice place to shop on good-weather days. May eventually have a problem with the transients that travel along 1-40. I've already had someone come up and ask for money "for gas to get home".

3. Penn Square mall - Meh. Overly crowded, not enough parking, nothing special in the mall that would encourage me to brave the traffic hassles around that entire area.

I agree

[adaniel]

Sorry, but there is a reason that Penn Square has a waiting list and can jack its rent while Quail cannot. Penn has far more potential given its location and nearby demographics. You also have semi upscale options close by like 50 Penn, Classen Curve, Nichols Hills Plaza (whatever's left of it) and more "mid range" options like Belle Isle and all the big box stuff at roughly Northwest Expressway and May. I think that whole area could be something really nice in the next few years.

Quail? Hmmmm, I'm not sure what to think about it. It's not a bad mall, just seems very "low rent" especially given the rather favorable demographics. Memorial Road is okay, but it does not have the same level of shops and eateries that the Penn area does. I doubt it will ever go into a Crossroads-like slide, but should Edmond ever develop a lifestyle center or something similar (those have just about run their course, but it could happen), I could see Quail Springs really start hurting.

FWIW I don't find Penn to be any more crowded than any other mall I've been to in much larger cities. There is always plenty of parking in the back and parking garage.

[jn1780]

Sorry, but there is a reason that Penn Square has a waiting list and can jack its rent while Quail cannot. Penn has far more potential given its location and nearby demographics. You also have semi upscale options close by like 50 Penn, Classen Curve, Nichols Hills Plaza (whatever's left of it) and more "mid range" options like Belle Isle and all the big box stuff at roughly Northwest Expressway and May. I think that whole area could be something really nice in the next few years.

Quail? Hmmmm, I'm not sure what to think about it. It's not a bad mall, just seems very "low rent" especially given the rather favorable demographics. Memorial Road is okay, but it does not have the same level of shops and eateries that the Penn area does. I doubt it will ever go into a Crossroads-like slide, but should Edmond ever develop a lifestyle center or something similar (those have just about run their course, but it could happen), I could see Quail Springs really start hurting.

FWIW I don't find Penn to be any more crowded than any other mall I've been to in much larger cities. There is always plenty of parking in the back and parking garage.

I was about to respond with something similar. Not every mall in the city can be a high class mall. But, Quail Springs needs to stabilize at some point at a healthy medium.

[boscorama]

Due to various constraints, QSM is my mall. As someone mentioned, avoid Penn/Memorial intersection, which I do. One thing I like is the many ways to approach the mall, and parking has never been an issue with me (I go during daytime). In contrast, Penn Square parking sux!

About once a year I make it to Penn Square, most recently just a few weeks ago. I was amazed at what a superior place it is once you get inside. It is so bright, clean looking (not that QS ever looked dirty to me). Man, there are so many stores I've been missing out on! I don't care about Pottery Barn but was startled to learn QS doesn't have one. There is no Coldwater Springs, Chico's, or even a (kitchen store), either.

Hallmark is gone? What? When?

Dillards and Foleys (I mean Macy's) are the only reason I go to the mall, anyway, certainly not for a fast food court. I miss Garfields. Wilson's Leather is gone, too (waaahhhh).

I'm neither a mall rat nor "upscale" shopper, so I'll just continue on ...

[MadMonk]

FWIW I don't find Penn to be any more crowded than any other mall I've been to in much larger cities. There is always plenty of parking in the back and parking garage.

Well, I've never had to park across the street from a mall until I went to Penn Square one year during the holidays a few years ago. I haven't been back since. That and the traffic hassle of that area isn't worth it to me. Of course of the three, it's the farthest away from my home as well, so that plays a big factor as well.

[bchris02]

I was about to respond with something similar. Not every mall in the city can be a high class mall. But, Quail Springs needs to stabilize at some point at a healthy medium.

Today, its difficult for a mall to survive unless they go upscale. The stores that used to fill "family" oriented malls like Quail Springs have gone the way of the dodo. They have either been replaced by big box stores, online shopping, or changing trends (A&F and the ilk). Oklahoma City is an underserved retail market. Developers don't realize this but I think anything Tulsa can support OKC can also support and then some. Penn Square isn't large enough for everything so Quail Springs should go upmarket and try to recruit retailers that aren't able to get into Penn. People also need to remember that Penn is pretty much the mall for Edmond and the fast-growing Deer Creek area, a perfect demographic for upscale retail.

[Stew]

I like QSM. I guess because I've been going there so long and I'm comfortable with it - especially since the theater was put in and the remodel.

I'd rank it as
1. QSM - Big, roomy, comfortable and safe. Decent selection of shops. I've never had any problems finding parking. Avoid the Penn-Memorial intersection though.

2. The new outlet mall on I-40 - Nice place to shop on good-weather days. May eventually have a problem with the transients that travel along 1-40. I've already had someone come up and ask for money "for gas to get home".

3. Penn Square mall - Meh. Overly crowded, not enough parking, nothing special in the mall that would encourage me to brave the traffic hassles around that entire area.

Spot-on.

[Teo9969]

QSM has very favorable demographics to go upscale and the probably ought to. Wouldn't be surprised if they could support some of the higher end stores up there like Neiman Marcus. And I hate to say this, but honestly, the type of people who would chase the really high-end (clothing) retailers seem more likely to live in that area of town as opposed to Nichols Hills/Crown Heights and the other neighborhoods. A lot more "new" money in the Memorial area.

[bchris02]

QSM has very favorable demographics to go upscale and the probably ought to. Wouldn't be surprised if they could support some of the higher end stores up there like Neiman Marcus. And I hate to say this, but honestly, the type of people who would chase the really high-end (clothing) retailers seem more likely to live in that area of town as opposed to Nichols Hills/Crown Heights and the other neighborhoods. A lot more "new" money in the Memorial area.

Completely agree. Quail Springs needs to go upscale or it will become irrelevant. Such is the trend not just in OKC but all across the country. The middle and lower-middle class aren't shopping the malls like they did in the '80s and '90s.

[onthestrip]

This thread is pretty interesting, and by that I mean funny. Its funny that people have rated Penn Square as the citys 3rd best mall. I know personal preferences and opinions are different but to say Quail is better than Penn is laughable. And maybe Im going to Penn at off peak times but Ive never had an issue with parking (try the north side). As for the crowds at Penn..? Again, never really seemed overly crowded when I go, but it is a shopping mall so Im not surprised when there is a crowd. And wouldnt that be the sign that it is the more popular mall, if there are crowds there?

But there is really no comparison in the quality of shopping between the two. Hell, Id say the outlet mall has a higher quality of shops than Quail.

[jbrown84]

This thread is pretty interesting, and by that I mean funny. Its funny that people have rated Penn Square as the citys 3rd best mall. I know personal preferences and opinions are different but to say Quail is better than Penn is laughable. And maybe Im going to Penn at off peak times but Ive never had an issue with parking (try the north side). As for the crowds at Penn..? Again, never really seemed overly crowded when I go, but it is a shopping mall so Im not surprised when there is a crowd. And wouldnt that be the sign that it is the more popular mall, if there are crowds there?

But there is really no comparison in the quality of shopping between the two. Hell, Id say the outlet mall has a higher quality of shops than Quail.

Everything he said!