Dillard's is closing (Memphis, Knoxville, Morristown: credit, jobs, homes)

[tntornadox]

I have worked at one of the anchor stores at Knoxville Center for over three years now. It came as no surprise to find out Dillard's was closing, the place was almost always empty, and had been for years. I wondered what took them so long...

Knoxville Center is safer today than at almost any other point in its history. Security are consistently patrolling the interior and the parking lots during all points of the day. There is nothing 'inner-city' about that mall- for pete's sake, just head over the ridge and you are in the middle of FARM LAND as far as the eye can see.

And last but not least, anyone who has problems with unarmed TEENAGERS walking around a mall need to rethink their priorities. What's the difference between West Town and Knoxville Center in this regard? Malls ARE MEANT for teenagers anymore, and both have their fair share. Considering Knoxville Center is the LARGER mall by gross square feet, maybe it just seems like there are more?

In the end, which mall sees the most crime? West Town. Which mall has seen the largest amount of robberies over time? West Town. If Turkey Creek was located in East Knoxville, it would be 'unsafe' as well...

[RamblinRoseRanch]

Okay...
So because I prefer to get in, get out and NOT be treated to the freakshow that Knoxville Center has become I need to rethink my priorities? Dodging people, not just teens that are *expressing themselves* with their goth and gangsta clothing, blocking entrances and playing around, making it difficult for the average person to get where they're going?

Where was mall security when the snatch and dash happened at my husband's store? And during the hold up in the parking lot? And the theft BY A MALL SERVICE EMPLOYEE during the night?

Life in an anchor store and one of the smaller shops is a totally different thing. I've done both and in an anchor, the majority of your traffic IS your customer, and anchors are not usually what draws the people I mentioned.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanch

Okay...
So because I prefer to get in, get out and NOT be treated to the freakshow that Knoxville Center has become I need to rethink my priorities? Dodging people, not just teens that are *expressing themselves* with their goth and gangsta clothing, blocking entrances and playing around, making it difficult for the average person to get where they're going?

Where was mall security when the snatch and dash happened at my husband's store? And during the hold up in the parking lot? And the theft BY A MALL SERVICE EMPLOYEE during the night?

Life in an anchor store and one of the smaller shops is a totally different thing. I've done both and in an anchor, the majority of your traffic IS your customer, and anchors are not usually what draws the people I mentioned.

I don't believe that anyone has denied that those things happen at Knoxville Center Mall. What we're saying is that those things happen at EVERY mall, including West Town. People from West Knox point their fingers at East Town, I mean Knoxville Center and pretend that everything is bliss and crime-free over on Kingston Pike. Just because West Town has Abercrombie and the Disney Store doesn't mean West Town has less crime and fewer emo and goth teenagers.

[gemkeeper]

This phenomenon is seen everywhere across the country right now, I'm sure. It doesn't seem to make too much difference whether it is in the wealthiest part of town or the poorest. Teens are going to hang out, particularly when jobs are hard to come by to give them something else to do. It is summer vacation for youngsters now and they're going to cruise.

I hate to see any anchor stores in a mall close because it usually spells the demise of the entire mall. If a new major anchor doesn't settle in when Dillard's jumps ship, it probably will mean that more stores will quickly follow.

As far as crime at one end of town being a problem much more than the other end. We should never be deluded into thinking that only low wage earners or the unemployed are thieves and shady characters. The nicest person you know from the best of well-bred families may be leading a double life for all you know.

It always surprises me to read of a local crime and see that it is the son of the local sheriff or the minister's daughter who has been picked up by the police. There is no rhyme or reason behind senseless, victimless crime - particularly when you consider that even victimless crime leaves a trail of hurt people in its wake. There can be no crime if someone isn't injured financially, emotionally or physically.

I hope that all 3 malls manage to survive and eventually thrive again. A city the size of Knoxville can well support 3 malls IF the economy and people's ability to spend recover soon enough.

Let's hope for the best.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by gemkeeper

This phenomenon is seen everywhere across the country right now, I'm sure. It doesn't seem to make too much difference whether it is in the wealthiest part of town or the poorest. Teens are going to hang out, particularly when jobs are hard to come by to give them something else to do. It is summer vacation for youngsters now and they're going to cruise.

I hate to see any anchor stores in a mall close because it usually spells the demise of the entire mall. If a new major anchor doesn't settle in when Dillard's jumps ship, it probably will mean that more stores will quickly follow.

As far as crime at one end of town being a problem much more than the other end. We should never be deluded into thinking that only low wage earners or the unemployed are thieves and shady characters. The nicest person you know from the best of well-bred families may be leading a double life for all you know.

It always surprises me to read of a local crime and see that it is the son of the local sheriff or the minister's daughter who has been picked up by the police. There is no rhyme or reason behind senseless, victimless crime - particularly when you consider that even victimless crime leaves a trail of hurt people in its wake. There can be no crime if someone isn't injured financially, emotionally or physically.

I hope that all 3 malls manage to survive and eventually thrive again. A city the size of Knoxville can well support 3 malls IF the economy and people's ability to spend recover soon enough.

Let's hope for the best.

Another post that I can't rep. Gem, you just keep on coming with them!

Here's some recent facts to back your post.

TULSA, Okla. — School is out, and Aaron Stallings, his junior year of high school behind him, wanders the air-conditioned cocoon of the Woodland Hills Mall in search of a job.

Mr. Stallings, 18, says he has been looking for three months, burning gasoline to get to the mall, then filling out applications at stores selling skateboard T-shirts, beach sandals and baseball caps. He likes the idea of working amid the goods he covets. But so far, no offers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/bu...nyt&oref=login

[jabogitlu]

Agreed, gem, your post is bang on as usual. The other two malls are in no way on risky ground but East Town has a lingering shadow over it, mostly undeserved. (Yes, I used to shop there. I prefer West Town, but ET was easier to get to, for me.)

Another sort of alarming thing I notice in this thread is the hatred shown towards teens who choose to dress differently than your "average" preppy high school cheerleader or soccer star. Yeah, some people who affiliate with certain subcultures (emo, goth) can be shady. But many are not. Would that people use the mitigating term "some"...

I know that was very off topic, but I've seen it in nearly every post in this thread! And disclaimer, I dress like your "average" twenty year old, so I'm not getting all defensive.

[k350]

Originally Posted by mjb62676

Oh darn...Dillard's and their overpriced clothes are leaving. I'm bummed.

I've never been to West Town Mall. Pulled through the parking lot once. It reminded me of Johnson County, KS. No thank you.

I don't get the bias against East Town Mall. It's decent, and safe, and not overrun by people.

You been/from Johnson County? I use to live right south of there and work there, that place is the biggest joke of the midwest, talk about the stereotypical suburbia, yuppytopia (that is not even a word) fantasy land, I was glad to get the heck out of that place.

An aquaintance I still keep in contact from HS loves it, got married, kid, SUV, little yappy dog, credit cards, on and on, the poster family for Johnson County.

[charz]

Your posts about East Town mall or whatever it is called now saddens me. When I attended Carson-Newman College 20 years ago, that mall was our favorite place to go. it was only 30 minutes from college and West Town was an hour away. It was always crowded and seemed safe. Some of my best memories are of that mall. I haven't been there in years since I now live in Kentucky, but when we move to Knoxville this summer, I'm going to East Town to see how it's changed.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by charz

Your posts about East Town mall or whatever it is called now saddens me. When I attended Carson-Newman College 20 years ago, that mall was our favorite place to go. it was only 30 minutes from college and West Town was an hour away. It was always crowded and seemed safe. Some of my best memories are of that mall. I haven't been there in years since I now live in Kentucky, but when we move to Knoxville this summer, I'm going to East Town to see how it's changed.

You might be sad to see what's happened to East Town. It's got many wonderful qualities, but it's definitely not the same place it was 20 years ago. There's a lot more stuff around the mall that wasn't there 20 years ago, however, like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe's, Kohl's, Food City, and more restaurants. The inside of the mall, however, is worn and dated, most of the national stores have closed and been replaced by local stuff (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). But unlike what some people here and in West Knox have said, East Town is NOT a dangerous mall.

And welcome back to Knoxville!

[tntim]

This is just a matter of taste, but I wonder if anybody else has the same opinion? I think that the decor of the original East Towne Mall had a classer “feel” to it. It just seemed shinier and had more greenery and the waterfall fountains. To me the remodeling that was done at the time of the name change made the mall look cartoonish or just plain tacky IMO.

As far as the crime rates between the two malls, some of my KPD friends confirm that there is more property crime at West Town. They told me that car thefts/break-ins and purse snatchings are much higher out west, but things like that just don’t make the news.