East Mall area questions (Knoxville: lease, crime, buying a house)

[MetropolitanTN]

I dont know what could be done to help the mall really. I read the article and I think signage would be good to possibly pull some travelers off the interstate.

The mall seems to offer the standard stores found in malls across the country, including: JCP, Belk and Sears. Part of me wonders if people in East Knoxville/Knox Co. are driving to West Town to shop given West Knoxville's "premier shopping destination" status, even though there's a closer mall. Obviously not everyone does, like danielj72 said, but I wonder if a good portion do.

[Richard Cycholl]

Originally Posted by ETSUAccountingGuy

I dont know what could be done to help the mall really. I read the article and I think signage would be good to possibly pull some travelers off the interstate.

The mall seems to offer the standard stores found in malls across the country, including: JCP, Belk and Sears. Part of me wonders if people in East Knoxville/Knox Co. are driving to West Town to shop given West Knoxville's "premier shopping destination" status, even though there's a closer mall. Obviously not everyone does, like danielj72 said, but I wonder if a good portion do.

I wonder if and when they build that shopping mall or plaza by exit 407 on route 40 Pigeon Forge/Sevierville exit how that will affect the mall. I hear different rumors from a Walmart, Target and some other big chain stores........

[hiknapster]

I know that I'm not necessarily a fan of the East Town Mall - Knoxville Center Mall, really - due to so many stores pulling out of there but I do like shopping in that area. I'm especially fond of shopping over where the Kohl's, Marshall's, etc is located. Come Christmas, the crowds are much less. This year, though, I bought all of my gifts at the Target at Northshore. No crowds, either. There are a lot of uncrowded stores in Knoxville due to the plethora of shopping choices!

I do worry for that mall, though, and as Richard says, once they expand the shopping center at the Sevierville exit, it may be toast. As the article states, "open air" shopping centers are very popular. Only two indoor malls were created since 2006. That's nationally. So that poor mall suffers from less population surrounding it, I think, and the death of malls in general. The population statement is just a guess. I'm assuming that West Knoxville is the most populous of the area.

[MetropolitanTN]

This mall seems similar to the old Hickory Hollow Mall in Antioch, outside of Nashville. It's been rebranded and has suffered a slow decline, much like Knoxville Center. Is anyone familiar with this and what similarities, and differences, can be drawn?

[Richard Cycholl]

Originally Posted by ETSUAccountingGuy

This mall seems similar to the old Hickory Hollow Mall in Antioch, outside of Nashville. It's been rebranded and has suffered a slow decline, much like Knoxville Center. Is anyone familiar with this and what similarities, and differences, can be drawn?

There is a web site called dead malls and they have quite a few malls in the U.S. they tell a story about. The following is a link. They do not have everyone, but enough to state malls are not what they used to be. DeadMalls.com: Stories

[tntim]

Originally Posted by Richard Cycholl

There is a web site called dead malls and they have quite a few malls in the U.S. they tell a story about. The following is a link. They do not have everyone, but enough to state malls are not what they used to be. DeadMalls.com: Stories

Hay, East Town is not listed! Maybe there is hope.

[MrsMopar]

I hope East Town (or Knoxville Center Mall) stays! We like it! It's close for us and we can get to Target, WalMart and Sam's as well. Sam's remodel seems to be coming along nicely as well. Not sure if I think the new car wash is a good idea but whatever floats your boat...lol.

As far as the development at 407, what I've heard is that they are petitioning for an exit 408, to have direct access to the area. In addition, Mount Rd or Bryan Rd, will connect and help alleviate traffic for a 'back entrance'. Guess this will be us locals way in and out.

I drive by here (exit 407) everyday on my way to work and I don't see much going on yet. Of course the widening project on 66 seems to be taking up most of my attention. I wish they'd hurry up already!!! LOL.

[MetropolitanTN]

Councilman aims to revive East Towne's popularity | wbir.com

News story from last night about the possible changes to the area that will help the mall.

[hiknapster]

So signs will let people passing through the area know there is a mall there. That's great but I don't think it will help the issue that locals avoid the place, so I don't see how much of a difference that will make. I read the comments after that last newspaper article and some locals perceive the place as not safe, thuggish and lacking stores. Signs won't help that.

And I'll get the jump on this. I'm not saying this is MY perception but after reading the comments it seems to be the conclusion of the people commenting.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

So signs will let people passing through the area know there is a mall there. That's great but I don't think it will help the issue that locals avoid the place, so I don't see how much of a difference that will make. I read the comments after that last newspaper article and some locals perceive the place as not safe, thuggish and lacking stores. Signs won't help that.

And I'll get the jump on this. I'm not saying this is MY perception but after reading the comments it seems to be the conclusion of the people commenting.

I agree. While I wish the solution were as easy as putting a couple of signs up on I-640, it's not that simple. East Towne/Knoxville Center's problems began a long time before all that underbrush started blocking the view of the mall from the interstate.