What happened? (Williamsburg, Pembroke: sale, how much, purchaser)

[carolynpt]

Military is just plain nasty...wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

MacAruther is reallly nice, and Greenbriar in Chesapeake is OK too.

[hurley89]

Pembroke Mall still sucks. I try to avoid Lynnhaven because of all the high school kids that invade that mall like cockroaches on the weekend. Military Circle isnt anything special. Greenbrier is too small for me, but Mac Arthur is still pretty nice.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by hurley89

Pembroke Mall still sucks. I try to avoid Lynnhaven because of all the high school kids that invade that mall like cockroaches on the weekend. Military Circle isnt anything special. Greenbrier is too small for me, but Mac Arthur is still pretty nice.

It does not suck! LOL Although I miss Dillards, Kohls & Sears have some good stuff. I'm not hip on the food court though, especially with all the other restaurants nearby, they could have put a JC Penney in there and I would have been happier.

[goofy328]

I can't speak on Pembroke, I think it's largely a matter of personal preference. It is an extremely small mall, and quite honestly, I've seen larger malls than in towns of 50,000, in fact I think the malls in Staunton and Harrisonburg are bigger than Pembroke. It's a matter of what you're used to and what you want, it's probably safe to say if you're spoiled on larger malls like Lynnhaven or are moving into the area from somewhere where all of the malls are like Lynnhaven or larger you won't like Pembroke.

Military is what it is, it could be better, a lot of people don't like who is in there, that in and of itself is what it is as well, and people have their right to that, this is why there is more than one mall. But I would agree with a lot of the posters that MacArthur about as well rounded as it gets; there is something for everyone at that mall all socioeconomic and racial background, not that Lynnhaven and Greenbrier do not have that, but they're not necessarily as "hip" as a 20 something would like them to be, particularly Greenbrier.

In general though the mall age is over; now it's all "lifestyle centers" and shopping plazas.

[Dragon Roll]

The Bush Administration happened. And Republicans, like me, will no longer stand for it. I would rather vote for Obama/Biden than know there will be an almost certain guarantee of more of the same stale economy and stagnant wages.

[amanda757]

Originally Posted by WhenIgoUgo

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.

pembroke use to be much worse, use to have a bunch of empty stores.....its actually seen a growth.

[Erma]

I like "small." I'm not one to hang out when I have time off. I go to the grocery with a list, get what is on the list and I'm outta there. Same with general shopping, I get what I need and I'm gone. I call MacArthur Center the "YUPPEE" mall. I think their stuff is over priced and frankly, the "new york" products don't excite me.

[supergirlsurferchick]

My vehicle was vandalized at Pembroke, Military Circle has a 'hostile' feel to it, Greenbrier seems to have a really cool mix of ethnicities, Lynnhaven is great, never been to Chesapeake Square, never been to McArthur, although with just now finding out about the Apple Store at Mac, may want to check that out.

[Shoobie]

Being from a small town, I prefer Greenbrier. *That and I'm usually close to it during the day when I get a moment to wast time. * As great as the Apple Store sounds, I'd ether: A. Go broke buying computers or B. Get lost in the mall and end up living there.

[FuedLvr24]

Originally Posted by WhenIgoUgo

I been away from this area over 7 years. There have been some changes to the area. I visited 2 years ago but didn't get a chance to go out shopping. I went into Military Circle the other day and I noticed that the mall really went downhill. What happened? I noticed they tore down Coliseum Mall in Hampton and they rebuilding an outside mall. What happened with that mall? I even noticed that MacArthur changed and it isn't as upscale as it was 7 years ago. What happened to Rainforest Cafe, Jeepers, United Colors of Benetton, Enzo Agalioni (sp?) and a lot of other stores? I hope it doesn't turn into another Military Circle Mall. That mall is awful now. Alot of the national tenants left and it only has urban clothes, jewelry stores, and a lot of foreigners selling a bunch of junk. Its sad because I grew up in that mall. I haven't been to Greenbrier Mall or Lynnhaven yet so I don't know how they changed.

Military Circle has been in decline since the 90's at least. I think alot has to do with competition with Lynnhaven and Greenbrier (then MacArthur opened up), demographics changing to an extent (not alot but somewhat), and poor management has caused that mall to become horrible. I like a variety of clothes (urban, preppy, casual) but Military Circle just has a ghetto feel to it and it doesn't have much variety. They need to renovate that mall badly and bring in some new tenants. They have alot of vacancies so they could use those spots to bring in some variety. Also its dismal selection of shops and the fact that it attracts an unsavory element are the factors that deters the middle class to upscale clientel from patronizing the mall. It has a reputation for catering to minorities but I even know alot of minorities who don't shop there, so that says something. It seems like it is in decline and could be torn down in the future, especially if it loses any of its anchor stores. Finally, the food court is horrible IMO, and the departure of Chick-fil-A has alot to do with that. There is no ice cream retailers, and the restaurants that the mall has are nasty.

Greenbrier is a family friendly mall. Unlike Military Circle, it has something for everyone...urban, preppy, teen, casual, kids, decent food court, and decent anchor stores. Just compare the Macys at Greenbrier and Lynnhaven with the one at Military Circle and you will see the difference. It is starting to feel old but it is doing very well considering the economy and competition with Lynnhaven, Ches. Sq and MacArthur.

Ches. Sq. is still hanging in there but somewhat going in decline...but still a viable option to some extent. It has a decent food court but lost McDonald's. The areas towards the ends of the mall are low volume but it is still hanging in there. It isn't exciting at all IMO.

Lynnhaven is one of the best malls around here but it is starting to feel old. It does have an eclectic array of vendors in its food court. There is something for everybody at this mall, both stores and food vendors. They even have a soul food/country vendor that is near Johnny Rockets and Lotus Express...so everybody should be happy with Lynnhaven's food court. The mall has urban, preppy, surferwear, casual, etc. There are alot of kids that hang out at this mall so be prepared. The management is also trying to upgrade Lynnhaven and make it more upscale. They got cache, hollister, sephora, that crystal store that I can't spell..lol, flagship Bath and Body Works/Victoria's Secret, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Nine West, etc. They will be getting a Coach store next year. MacArthur should be careful because Lynnhaven is obtaining alot of their stores and they may become the most upscale mall in the area. They still haven't done anything with the old Lord and Taylor building...but they may have plans with that.

I have mixed feelings about MacArthur. So far it is the most upscale in the area but it has gone into decline. They may have put the mall in a bad area where there is public housing who can't afford Nordstrom or would they even want to shop there. Alot of stores left since the mall opened but alot are still there. It appears that they have a hard time finding retailers to open up. They had a dollar store in the mall a couple of years ago, which wasn't their original intention. They also have alot of "filler" stores...the cell phone stores and the non chain imitation "bootleg" stores. I guess some of the rationale consists of the mall charging exorbitant rents and our market. There are alot of vacant spaces in the mall now and hopefully it won't get much worst...but both Lynnhaven and MacArthur are the best malls in the area. The food court at MacArthur is fair...and doesn't have much variety. They changed the ice cream vendor to Hershey's which is generic ice cream IMO. Lynnhaven has Cold Stone and Haagen Daaz but MacArthur has Hershey's...what a way to compete lol. As for clothing...this mall has something for everyone...preppy, urban, upscale, dresses, suits, casual, etc. Another factor that makes it weak is that it only has 2 department stores...and other malls around here have 3-4 department stores. Even Military Circle and Pembroke has 3. If MacArthur loses Nordstrom or Dillard's, then it would be in MAJOR trouble.

Pembroke is very boring. Lynnhaven caused alot of problems for it but it is doing better due to the Va Beach Town Center. I would've thought that they would do a 360 on the mall but that didn't happen. Their food court is not appealing IMO...similiar to Military Circle. It is very small but I like Kohl's and Stein Mart and they have good quality merchandise that is affordable so I will give them that. It can be very quiet here during the week so it is easy to just come and get what you want and then depart.

The malls around this area are not that great but I suppose they serve the market well. It depends on your tastes.