Dillard's is closing (Memphis, Knoxville, Johnson City: jobs, homes, business)

[JMT]

Well the secret's out. Dillard's at East Town, I mean Knoxville Center is closing. I can't say I'm surprised. On the other hand, the store is going to stay open, sort of, and become a Dillard's clearance center.

But what gets on my nerves is the reaction of those who are posting comments at the News Sentinel web site (knoxnews.com : Knoxville, Tennessee, News, Business, Homes, Jobs, Cars & Information). People are saying things like Knoxville Center is nothing but thugs and hooligans, and the mall is surrounded by projects.

Am I missing something? Granted, Knoxville Center isn't as swank as West Town, but holy cow some people need to get out of town a little more if they think Knoxville Center is so dangerous. First of all, there are NO "projects" anywhere near the mall. Secondly, compared to malls in Memphis, Nashville and Atlanta, Knoxville Center is pristine!

OK I just had to gripe. I never thought Dillard's belonged in this part of town anyway, so I'm not shedding any tears that it's leaving.

[tancee]

Thats a good idea a clearence center. We have a Nordstrom department store and they have a clearence center. It seems to be a great success and a good way to buy high end items cheaper. Unless its someone who likes to buy whats new every season.

[jabogitlu]

I never was a huge fan of Dillard's, but, hmm, I might have to venture down to check out a clearance center!

I agree that it doesn't seem like East Town material. And one store closing really isn't indicative of a mall's decline or its "bad" surroundings. Heck, even Goody's closed here in Johnson City.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by tancee

Thats a good idea a clearence center. We have a Nordstrom department store and they have a clearence center. It seems to be a great success and a good way to buy high end items cheaper. Unless its someone who likes to buy whats new every season.

I agree, I think having a clearance center is a great idea! I'd be willing to bet that even well-heeled shoppers from West Knox will venture to East Town to shop at a Dillard's clearance center.

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I never was a huge fan of Dillard's, but, hmm, I might have to venture down to check out a clearance center!

I agree that it doesn't seem like East Town material. And one store closing really isn't indicative of a mall's decline or its "bad" surroundings. Heck, even Goody's closed here in Johnson City.

Seriously! What drives me crazy is that the News Sentinel is really hyping this up as if the entire East Knox County area is nothing but poor country bumpkins that can't support high-end stores. They also mention that Circuit City left East Town. Well, not exactly. Circuit City just moved to a brand new location right around the corner next to the brand new (and huge) Target.

Speaking of which, I think I'll head over to that Target and buy something extravagant just for the heck of it. In fact, I think I'll just stick to shopping at East Town from now on. grrrrrr

[jabogitlu]

Lol, it's okay JMT, calm down...

[tancee]

Lol, well you know their bias. One section of area has a bad rep than its the entire community.

[hiknapster]

I like Dillards. I think it's the best department store in the area and they have fantastic sales. I end up paying less than Walmart but getting excellent quality.

Since I discovered Dillard's at East Town, it's the only one we shop at. I'll shop at the clearance center, but I wonder if they will have the selection.

Anyway, those comments are the same everytime that mall is mentioned at knoxnews. Obviously, they are ridiculous. I consider that mall to be safer and unfortunately for the mall, there are almost no customers so there are no crowds and waiting. I really worry for that mall, and shop at it every chance I get.

Get this, I've also found that same crew calling Fountain City schools "inner city."

[JMT]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I like Dillards. I think it's the best department store in the area and they have fantastic sales. I end up paying less than Walmart but getting excellent quality.

Since I discovered Dillard's at East Town, it's the only one we shop at. I'll shop at the clearance center, but I wonder if they will have the selection.

Anyway, those comments are the same everytime that mall is mentioned at knoxnews. Obviously, they are ridiculous. I consider that mall to be safer and unfortunately for the mall, there are almost no customers so there are no crowds and waiting. I really worry for that mall, and shop at it every chance I get.

Get this, I've also found that same crew calling Fountain City schools "inner city."

Fountain City is "inner city"???? That is just so absurd I don't know whether I should laugh hysterically or be angry.

When people come to this forum and wonder why some of us have a problem with folks in West Knox, well there you go. It's like some West Knox snobs assume that anyone who makes less than $40k is "inner city."

OK I'm going to go to Target and buy something I don't need. I might even go to Dillard's! (Tomorrow is pay day, after all...)

[Pam& Bill]

JMT,
I agree with you, I never have understood people putting down East town. I lived just around the corner on Washington Pike and I didn't think it was a bad area at all.
I never really shopped at Dillards much, I had never heard of them, but I did get great deals right after Christmas two years ago. A clearence center would be great, I love bargains. Knoxville Center as a mall has any of the malls where I come from beat by miles.
When my 16 year old son came to visit, he was in heaven with the mall so close.I think the mall saw more of him then I did. I also felt he was safe there. There are areas in NY that I wouldn't drop him off alone in but Knoxville Center has never given me bad vibes as an area or a mall. If this area is being hyped as "bad", it is probably those who don't let the past become the past and stay there.
Pam
Hik,
I just saw your post about Fountain City schools as inner city. JMT, I laughed hysterically for you. It must be a slow news period if this is what that crew is publishing.

[RamblinRoseRanch]

I don't shop Dilliards, so their closing doesn't affect me. I'm not a west Knoxville snob- I live on a farm for pete's sake! but I can tell you given the choice, I don't go to East Town Mall. Period. I worked there about ten years ago, left then came back two years ago, left again for good. The change in that timeframe is staggering. It used to be a family mall, now it IS a haven for punks and dropped off to roam the mall teenagers.

I can't blame the mall stores for pulling out, I know my husband's cellular company NEVER made money in that mall and has ALWAYS had a good revenue outside the mall. In retail, you have to go where the money is.