Crossroads Mall

[BaconCheeseburgerDeluxe]

I think it is fine for teenagers to go to the movies and hang out at the mall.. I have one myself.

What's not fine is the kids whose parents don't care and who get in trouble because they have no consequences. These are the kids who shoplift, run through the mall yelling.. act crazy and give all the others a bad name.

They ruin it for the rest of the teens who go to watch a movie and have fun.

That is because you have taught your kids kids how to behave in public. Your kids are well aware that trouble will be waiting at home if they cause problems.

I had to return a shirt over the weekend that I purchased at a store in Penn Square to Crossroads (I live in Moore, work in Capitol area). I didn't want to drive all the way to Penn or Quail, so I went into Crossroads. It was the first time I'd been in there since 2005 (I lived in NYC for awhile). It was HORRIBLE how much it had declined. I was shocked--at noon on a Saturday! So I was talking to the clerk at the store, and I mentioned that the store was larger and I'd take a look around since I'm rarely in Crossroads.

I quote:

Clerk: "Well, I don't blame you for not coming to Crossroads! I wouldn't come here if I didn't have to..if I didn't work here."
Me: "Really? That bad?"
Clerk: "Yeah, it's ok as long as you don't have to be here after 4:00 p.m."

Wow. That says more than anything.

I have mixed feelings about Moore booming. I guess I always liked the smaller-suburb appeal.

If it is bad after 4pm, just wait a couple of weeks when school is out. The it will be bad all day,

[Patrick]

Man, you guys weren't kidding. The ship is sinking.

[Karried]

That is because you have taught your kids kids how to behave in public. Your kids are well aware that trouble will be waiting at home if they cause problems.

That is so true. But it's also true that my son who just turned 14 last week has never been to the mall alone... recently he met up with friends and I informed him I would be in the same mall shopping... ( not spying, thank you very much) but close enough to ensure that he wouldn't get into trouble.

I hate 11 and 12 year olds running around the mall at 10:00 pm - alone, unsupervised ... what kind of parent would allow that?

[Patrick]

I hate 11 and 12 year olds running around the mall at 10:00 pm - alone, unsupervised ... what kind of parent would allow that?

More than you know.

[CMSturgeon]

I feel like there is something, some detail, all of you have left out about the people that hang out at Crossroads mall and are ruining it..... but I just can't figure out what it is.

[Millie]

I feel like there is something, some detail, all of you have left out about the people that hang out at Crossroads mall and are ruining it..... but I just can't figure out what it is.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

I feel like there is something, some detail, all of you have left out about the people that hang out at Crossroads mall and are ruining it..... but I just can't figure out what it is.

Yes, but nobody wants to call out people that sell cell phone accessories.

[bdub02]

Anybody know if the new owners of the mall plan on any kind of renovations? With all the growth in south OKC, I have a hard time believing that they cannot support a better mall thats on the level of Quail Springs. I don't remember a time when crossroads was the best mall in town, but I remember a time when it was much busier than it is today and provided a decent and safe shopping environment. Its sad to see how it is slowly rotting away. From what I heard about Penn Square's history, if they can turn it around and become what they have, why can't crossroads?

[soonerliberal]

My guess for the reasons why is:

- Poor leadership of the managing companies.
- Poor close surrounding demographics.
- Poor investments and lousy investments in the mall.
- Poor use of excuses for lackluster performance (I-35).
- Poor development of immediate surrounding areas.
- Allowing competing areas to dominate without being even close to being competitive (Moore, MWC, Norman).

[SWOKC 4 me]

I definately agree that south OKC can support a mall even one the size of Crossroads. I have heard all of the arguments that they lost many of their customers from norman and beyond (south) because Sooner Mall has become a decent mall now. But you cannot tell me that there is not enough of a customer base in South OKC alone.

I for one of late have been driving to Penn Square because of the higher quality stores. However if Crossroads would just recruit some decent retailers then I wouldn't think of driving across the city to go to the mall. I believe with a complete overhaul that Crossroads can recruit the same type of stores seen in Penn or Quail. Crossroads is still in an outstanding location with the interstates crossing right in front of it. Maybe I am biased being a lifetime southsider but I see absolutely no reason why it cannot be one of the city's crown jewels as far as malls go. I do realize however that it needs a *LOT* of $$$ put into it!

I think if they would do a complete rennovation of the mall it would also give a much needed boost to the immediate area around the mall.

By the way I do remember going to Crossroads when I was a kid at Christmastime (yes it was still called Christmas back then ) and my parents having to park way out in areas of the parking lot that have now not been in use for years! I can definately see this happening again with some investment. I just hope it happens! I would hate to see it go the way of Heritage Park Mall.

[john60]

I would be willing to bet that as UNP grows in north Norman, and stores begin popping up in between 240 and Norman (like the new JC Penney, the new theatre, etc...), Crossroads will begin to die even more. I think people will be drawn to UNP over Crossroads, even if it means driving a little further.

[BG918]

Unless it's someday turned into a mixed-use center with adjacent retail and residential components, I don't see any other way of saving Crossroads. I personally like my idea of adding a commuter rail stop there (the tracks run right by it on the east) and making it a TOD, hopefully the transit planners see that potential as well...

[SuperScooper]

I was driving by Crossroads on I-35 the other day. I could have misread the Crossraods Marquee but, I could of sworn it read Crossroads Mini-Mart now open.

Has anyone else seen this?

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

I still go there on occasion during the day...Where there's a different kind of danger than there is in the evenings.

During the day, you better look left, right, and back left before exiting B. Dalton's...Else you get T-boned by the mall-walkers. They're everywhere!And don't kid yourself, they're every bit as inconsiderate and rude with an overdeveloped sense of entitlement as the evening crowd is. The only difference is they don't pack heat. Seriously...I've always respected my elders (everybody else too for that matter)...But some of those folks take the cake. Sorry Mildred, you don't have the right-of-way just because you're old and have your "go-fasters" on, you need to look out for me just as much as I look out for you.

/rant

[SuperScooper]

I still go there on occasion during the day...Where there's a different kind of danger than there is in the evenings.

During the day, you better look left, right, and back left before exiting B. Dalton's...Else you get T-boned by the mall-walkers. They're everywhere!And don't kid yourself, they're every bit as inconsiderate and rude with an overdeveloped sense of entitlement as the evening crowd is. The only difference is they don't pack heat. Seriously...I've always respected my elders (everybody else too for that matter)...But some of those folks take the cake. Sorry Mildred, you don't have the right-of-way just because you're old and have your "go-fasters" on, you need to look out for me just as much as I look out for you.

/rant

It could be worse they could be racing around the mall on hoverounds. I think that would be kind of funny.

Remember that episods of Seinfeld where all the old farts are chasing George on his Rascal? I think of that every time I see that stupid hoveround commerical.

[rugbybrado]

I live in the Westmoore area and drive to Norman for work every morning, I think the development(new JCP's and other stores along i-35) are going to be the nail in the coffin for the cross roads mall.

I do agree that with alot of money invested it could easily rival the other malls. Its not even that bad now, but after the shooting people have a negitive idea about the mall and the area and its going to take alot to loose it.

I just hate seeing empty malls and shopping areas, but with JCP moving out of the store i think the rest of the mall will begin to follow.

[SoonerDave]

The question is whether the new owners are too late to rehab the mall.

Malls, at least those like Crossroads, are not very "hot" properties right now. I agree completely that earlier management just ruined Crossroads. I had heard that during the relative "boom" years for Crossroads there were competing factions that owned equal shares of Crossroads, and for spite took turns opposing each other's efforts to keep the mall current. As a result, nothing got done and the mall has fallen down a bit of a pit.

Penny's departure will only worsen the situation; however, I have to believe that the new owners will try to get Sears @ SW 44th and Western to move into that space. Supposedly, Sears tried to move into the former Ward's space, but couldn't due to legal entanglements with the lease (which, I believe, was actually owned by Ward's and tied up in bankruptcy litigation).

It's pretty bad when you have to look to Sears as a possible new anchor (because frankly I don't think Sears will be around in ten more years), but that's where Crossroads is right now. Things outside of Crossroads' control, such as the deterioration of the region surrounding the mall, really hurt their chances to bring the place back to life. It's really sad, because I remember when it was new and incredibly cool.

Do I think its hopeless? I may be foolish, but no, I still think there's hope. It's gonna take some work; the new owners need to figure out how to buy that abandoned Burger King on the northwest corner of the area and have it torn down; it's an increasing site of filth if not outright residence for vagrants. The movie theater, hotels, and BestBuy along the southern perimeter seem to do very well, so you still have the ability to draw traffic into the area. Rehab the interior, polish up that northern corridor, and solidify the tenant base would at least be a start to getting the mall breathing again...

Sorry for going on so long...

-soonerdave

[soonerliberal]

I have to agree with SoonerDave on this one. An investment not only in the mall itself, but in the perimeter surrounding the mall would be necessary to ensure its continued survival. Best Buy, the hotels, and the AMC theatre are fine for now, but the shopping center directly to the north of Best Buy looks ran down along with the Ramada Inn? and the various fast food eateries in the area. The newer areas around Toys R Us are a little better, but aren't they fairly vacant? There are still countless empty areas in the area around the mall.

Sadly, I think they need some big box stores to come to the perimeter area to help revitalize it. The problem naturally is that the demographics of the area make it difficult to recruit any national chain. Additionally with the buildup of Moore and I-240 as a Big Box haven, what is left? I suppose we always can hope for a Barnes and Noble... wishful thinking.

[SoonerDave]

lib,

Take heart on the Barnes and Noble. I've heard they are at least looking at far SW OKC for a new location. Don't know any more than that, but at least we're a blip on the radar

-sd

[flintysooner]

Might be better to hope for some retail concept that is more likely to survive than B&N.

[rugbybrado]

Might be better to hope for some retail concept that is more likely to survive than B&N.

I dont see some peoples obsession with BN, its the walmart of bookstores.

Its not the epi-center of cultural awareness that alot of oklahomans make it out to be.

[bombermwc]

I actually prefer Books-A-Million myself. B&N is always more expensive than it's worth...plus you always have to order your stuff.

[soonerliberal]

Frankly, I would take a Barnes and Noble, Borders, or Books-a-Million.. just a bookstore that is not Walden's.

[redland]

Compared to the halcyon days after it first opened, Crossroads today is a sad sight indeed. Sooner Mall in Norman and the Mall in Shawnee have choked off the mall's trade area to the south and east, and the boom in retail along I-35 in Moore is only exacerbating the situation.
My biggest concern now is that Macy's will soon pull out. The few times I've been there recently it has resembled a tomb, a stark contrast to the bustling stores at Penn Square and Quail Springs. If they should call it quits, that, along with the departure of Penny's, would seal the fate of Crossroads.
Unfortunately the demographics of southeast OKC are just not what you look for when opening any kind of quality retail. In the early days this was overcome by the now absent trade area to the south and east. In hindsight, it is too bad Crossroads was not built in southwest OKC, an area ripe for new retail. I'm hoping for some kind of revival of Crossroads, but I am not optimistic.

[SoonerDave]

I went to Books-a-Million and found it to be a disorganized mess. The few books we bought for the kids on our one visit there were apparently publisher rejects, with chunks of pages missing - and not just for one or two books, either.

I would liken Books a Million to WalMart moreso Barnes and Noble. And I don't recall anyone here saying it was a "epicenter of cultural awareness." As far as a "more enduring" retail concept, sure seems to me B&N is going to be around a while. Even though they posted a loss for their most recent quarter, they beat their own estimates by at least a nickel, on $1.15B in revenue, with same-store sales to be slightly up over the coming months. Excepting for a one-time charge related to the cost of shutttering their Internet distribution, they'd have actually reported earnings of 10 cents a share.

Doesn't sound like an "unenduring" retail model to me, but what do I know

The point is that B&N would be a more than welcome presence in our neck of the woods, in far SW OKC.

-soonerdave