What happened? (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton: crime, buy, tenant)

[7citiesVA]

Originally Posted by Hinton Bound

What I mean is look at who the stores are marketing to... Those are the type of people who you will find in there. I specifically mean street level drug dealers, hookers, and wannabe gangsta's.

I wouldn't go so far as to say all that. You're stereotyping with that statement. Lets be real. You know Military and Janaf cater more to the blacks/african americans more so than anyone. And I dont think all blacks are what you just mentioned above.....Aye, but maybe you really do.

But I just think the mall is more "Urban". I mean come on, there has to be something for everyone. Dont you Agree? Every mall in the area can't be the same. Even NYC has different shopping areas that cater to different people/race/incomes.

The shopping/malls in Hampton Roads seem just fine to me for this region and the incomes. They actually reach out to a diverse group of people. If I want the "Urban" shopping and clothing, I'll go to Military or Janaf. If I want the more suburban, skateboard, punk rock, soccer mom feel or shopping, I'll go to Lynnhaven. For the family shopping experience, I'll go to Greenbrier. I'm joking around but I think you can get the idea.

Plus the mall is not the only place you can shop in this area. There are plenty "High End" stores through out the cities. They're just not in the malls.

To me it seems that some of you want every shopping mall or center to be this upper class elite shopping center for the bourgiese when really more than half of the people in this area cant even afford the shops you all suggest/want and probably wouldnt even shop at them. Thats why there not here.

Thats tidewater/hampton roads for you.

[bbguy05]

Originally Posted by Hinton Bound

What I mean is look at who the stores are marketing to... Those are the type of people who you will find in there. I specifically mean street level drug dealers, hookers, and wannabe gangsta's.

That is a little extreme. What you wear doesn't define who you are. Just because they wear "gangsta" clothes, or "hootchie mama" clothes doesn't make them gangsters or hookers. It's what they see and how they were brought up.

You also have to think about the area the mall is in. The majority of the people in that area WANT clothes like that, that is why the stores are there. I'm pretty sure if for some reason or another the area was overtaken by Upscale Suburbanites, you will see the mall go through a complete makeover. There would be Coach, Gucci, Tiffany Jewelry stores, etc. It's all about the area, and catering too it.

Originally Posted by 7citiesVA

I wouldn't go so far as to say all that. You're stereotyping with that statement. Lets be real. You know Military and Janaf cater more to the blacks/african americans more so than anyone. And I dont think all blacks are what you just mentioned above.....Aye, but maybe you really do.

But I just think the mall is more "Urban". I mean come on, there has to be something for everyone. Dont you Agree? Every mall in the area can't be the same. Even NYC has different shopping areas that cater to different people/race/incomes.

The shopping/malls in Hampton Roads seem just fine to me for this region and the incomes. They actually reach out to a diverse group of people. If I want the "Urban" shopping and clothing, I'll go to Military or Janaf. If I want the more suburban, skateboard, punk rock, soccer mom feel or shopping, I'll go to Lynnhaven. For the family shopping experience, I'll go to Greenbrier. I'm joking around but I think you can get the idea.

Plus the mall is not the only place you can shop in this area. There are plenty "High End" stores through out the cities. They're just not in the malls.

To me it seems that some of you want every shopping mall or center to be this upper class elite shopping center for the bourgiese when really more than half of the people in this area cant even afford the shops you all suggest/want and probably wouldnt even shop at them. Thats why there not here.

Thats tidewater/hampton roads for you.

It is also about people feeling comfortable in their element. To some people, that "urban" feel isn't their element, so they shy away from it. To other people, that "upscale" "rich people" feel isn't their element, so they shy away from it.

[WhenIgoUgo]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

I lived close to the Coliseum Mall when i lived in Hampton and i thought there was nothing really wrong with the mall (compared with a couple of malls in the DC area) but i think the Peninsula Town Center is a step in the right direction for Hampton. I'm surprised to hear what has gone on at MacAruthur.

When I was talking about the mall only has urban clothing, jewelry clothing and foreigners selling a bunch of crap...I was refering to Military Circle and not MacArthur. MacArthur hasn't gone that far yet but it does have 3-4 urban clothing stores and those annoying kiosks that always asks you to buy some sea salt scrub and lotions. MacArthur used to seem more like an upscale mall but now is more like Lynnhaven. I am just hoping that MacArthur don't get like Military Circle because I was very disappointed how Military Circle has gone down. I been to Pembroke today and I have mixed feelings about it. In some ways it has gotten better with adding on the food court and getting Jason's Deli but it lost some stores like fye and Chick-fil-A. Military Circle has gotten horrible because it used to be better back in the day. It doesn't have much variety unless you like urban clothes. It used to have Hallmark, Sam Goody, Chick-fil-A, Body Central, Wilson's Leather, Suncoast, etc. Now it only caters to young people who wear urban clothes. This isn't just a black and white thing. I actually know some black people who do not like Military Circle and they tell me that they go to Lynnhaven and MacArthur. As far as Coliseum, somebody told me that it was getting similiar to Military Circle so thats why the owner wanted to redevelop it.

[WhenIgoUgo]

Originally Posted by 7citiesVA

I wouldn't go so far as to say all that. You're stereotyping with that statement. Lets be real. You know Military and Janaf cater more to the blacks/african americans more so than anyone. And I dont think all blacks are what you just mentioned above.....Aye, but maybe you really do.

But I just think the mall is more "Urban". I mean come on, there has to be something for everyone. Dont you Agree? Every mall in the area can't be the same. Even NYC has different shopping areas that cater to different people/race/incomes.

The shopping/malls in Hampton Roads seem just fine to me for this region and the incomes. They actually reach out to a diverse group of people. If I want the "Urban" shopping and clothing, I'll go to Military or Janaf. If I want the more suburban, skateboard, punk rock, soccer mom feel or shopping, I'll go to Lynnhaven. For the family shopping experience, I'll go to Greenbrier. I'm joking around but I think you can get the idea.

Plus the mall is not the only place you can shop in this area. There are plenty "High End" stores through out the cities. They're just not in the malls.

To me it seems that some of you want every shopping mall or center to be this upper class elite shopping center for the bourgiese when really more than half of the people in this area cant even afford the shops you all suggest/want and probably wouldnt even shop at them. Thats why there not here.

Thats tidewater/hampton roads for you.

Hinton Bound, I agree but you can't just make this a race issue. I know some blacks that do not like Military Circle and alot of them are professional. But it does seem like the mall is only looking to attract thuggish clientel.

7 cities, even though you say that Military Circle and Janaf mostly caters to blacks...well they shouldn't JUST cater to them. Norfolk is a military city and there are a mix of races here, with blacks, whites, hispanics, asians, etc. If the mall only catered to urban blacks, then that would be unfair to other races and blacks who like other types of clothing instead of hip hop merchandise like RockAWear and Black Label. Janaf has an Old Navy and it seems to be doing well and I think the shopping center should have more stores like that. I know alot of blacks who likes stores like Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. I noticed that Marshalls left Janaf and they replaced it with a store called Conway and that store have a lot of cheap, low quality merchandise, plus the atmosphere isn't good. But I have seen improvements with Janaf with the Panera Bread, Qdoba, Circuit City relocation and the redevelopment with the old Montgomery Ward building. I just think that only catering to one clientel and race causes some people and alot of retailers (and this includes some blacks as well even if you don't realize) to stay away from the area and that hurts sales and potential to grow. In my opinion, Military Circle may turn out like Tower Mall in Portsmouth and redeveloped into a shopping center or some sort. Also, I know this isn't the only mall in this area but its the most convenient to most Norfolk residents plus you don't have to pay for parking unlike MacArthur. I know alot of Norfolk residents who say they have to shop in other cities because of the lack of certain stores that are in Chesapeake and Va Beach like Kohl's for example. And there aren't that many high end stores in this region, well some in Va Beach but if you ask me, Norfolk is saturated with low end retail. I can't even believe that people complain that there isn't much affordable retail when Norfolk has so many thrift stores, low end stores and flea markets.

[vdogg]

MacArthur hasn't gone downhill, and the stores that have closed have been replaced quickly. MacArthur scored a real coup when the apple store opened (which btw that is one of apples busiest store). They also hit it big when EQ3, an upscale furniture store, opened up. I fail to see how Jeepers could be considered upscale (where EQ3 is now), and while rainforest had a nice gimmick, everthing else was horrid. I heard constant complaints about their quality before they closed, and I knew it was only a matter of time before they would.

[the4pits]

I have lived here my entire life and I dont think any of the malls have gone "downhill". First of all, Military Circle has always been the least desirable mall in the area. Several years ago, they remodeled the mall but kept the same "urban" stores, and even Chick-fil-a pulled out. Sears and JC Pennys have pretty much kept it in business. There have always been issues there, and might even be better than it used to be in the 80's. MacArthur is OK, and probally has more variety than the other malls. Pembroke is boring, and always has been. With the new Towne Center, you would think that it is instore for a major overhall. Lynnhaven Mall has always been the largest in the area, and it is pretty much the same as it was 20+ years ago. Ithink the only shopping area that has really gone downhill is Mid-city in Portsmouth. It used to be a decent area. From what I hear, with the recent closing of many nearby housing projects, the area is ready for a rebirth.

[tvpirate05]

Originally Posted by the4pits

Ithink the only shopping area that has really gone downhill is Mid-city in Portsmouth. It used to be a decent area. From what I hear, with the recent closing of many nearby housing projects, the area is ready for a rebirth.

That's already started. They opened a new Wal-Mart in that section, and a new senior apartment complex on the old Norcom H.S. site. I'm sure there's more to come, including shutting down the projects in that area.

[j-elzic]

Originally Posted by Hinton Bound

What I mean is look at who the stores are marketing to... Those are the type of people who you will find in there. I specifically mean street level drug dealers, hookers, and wannabe gangsta's.

Pretty much. But the number of rich suburban kids that qualify as "wannabe gangstas" are keeping those places in business. Seems to be the part of current fashion. This is why we very rarely go to the mall. But then...that was why we wanted to go when we were kids.

[j-elzic]

Originally Posted by 7citiesVA

If I want the "Urban" shopping and clothing, I'll go to Military or Janaf. If I want the more suburban, skateboard, punk rock, soccer mom feel or shopping, I'll go to Lynnhaven. For the family shopping experience, I'll go to Greenbrier. I'm joking around but I think you can get the idea.

That is no less stereotyping than the previous comment. Mind you, stereotyping tends to get a bad rap. I completely agree with what you are saying. Different shopping locations for different people and products are not new or insulting. Of course just about everybody at any mall annoys the crap out of me...so I'll just do all my shopping online

[7citiesVA]

Originally Posted by WhenIgoUgo

7 cities, even though you say that Military Circle and Janaf mostly caters to blacks...well they shouldn't JUST cater to them. Norfolk is a military city and there are a mix of races here, with blacks, whites, hispanics, asians, etc. If the mall only catered to urban blacks, then that would be unfair to other races and blacks who like other types of clothing instead of hip hop merchandise like RockAWear and Black Label. Janaf has an Old Navy and it seems to be doing well and I think the shopping center should have more stores like that. I know alot of blacks who likes stores like Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. I noticed that Marshalls left Janaf and they replaced it with a store called Conway and that store have a lot of cheap, low quality merchandise, plus the atmosphere isn't good. But I have seen improvements with Janaf with the Panera Bread, Qdoba, Circuit City relocation and the redevelopment with the old Montgomery Ward building. I just think that only catering to one clientel and race causes some people and alot of retailers (and this includes some blacks as well even if you don't realize) to stay away from the area and that hurts sales and potential to grow. In my opinion, Military Circle may turn out like Tower Mall in Portsmouth and redeveloped into a shopping center or some sort. Also, I know this isn't the only mall in this area but its the most convenient to most Norfolk residents plus you don't have to pay for parking unlike MacArthur.

I think military caters to that certain demographic because the people who buy the urban hip fashion is their niche' or biggest market. There is really no other mall or shopping center that offers the same selection/quantity of urban clothing/street wear as military circle/janaf. I do not think Military would be any better off if it were to offer the same stores as Lynnhaven or MacArthur. There would be nothing about that mall that would differentiate it from the other two. The Urban selection is what makes it stand out to those in the african american community and makes it one of the number one location for shopping in that community. Now that doesn't mean that every black person will want to shop there, but the majority will. And the majority of blacks will also shop at the other malls in the area. Even if the majority of the stores in the other malls are not targeted to them and their tastes specifically.

As a younger male who frequents military/janaf often, It is really the only place in all of hampton roads that really offers the newer urban clothing that you can find in New York City's Five boroughs that blacks/hispanics wear. Lynnhaven doesn't offer that. Neither does MacArthur. They may have one store here and there, but for a metro with a large minority population, that is very slim. There are only a few other places I can go to find the clothes that are in style ( yes in style) and that is at some flea markets, and a few other shopping strips throughout hampton roads.

There can be problems with the teens at the military with fighting or cursing, but that can also be found at any of the malls.

I can understand those that disagree with me when they say the area should be more diverse and appeal to all, but I look at this area and other areas across the country and feel like when there is something that is majority black or minority, people always want to change it or tear it down to better suit them and their views or how they think or want things to be for their people (e.g. gentrification). And it reminds me of this site when most of you say something supposedly caters to all and is a fun, wonderful, place whether it be a restaurant, mall, or neighborhood, its majority white or caters/markets/or is appealling to white people.