Tampa Malls

[MAniacTHW]

Originally Posted by tamparesident26

I think that one of the important differences between those areas is that before they opened the Brandon Mall in 1995 there was really nothing to go out there for. So the infrastructure that has come since was kind of built around that. Whereas Citrus Park is more an established area with infrastructure/roads in place already, and they just happened to put a shopping mall there, if that makes sense...

I lived in Citrus Park before the mall... If a cowfield and a LOT of trees is an "established area" then I'd REALLY hate to see what the boonies look like.

[algia]

hahahahahahahahahahaha


Isn't that what Florida is! a cow pasture with lots of identical establishments?

Originally Posted by MAniacTHW

I lived in Citrus Park before the mall... If a cowfield and a LOT of trees is an "established area" then I'd REALLY hate to see what the boonies look like.

[Kevin from Tampa]

While Intl Plaza is probably the best overall mall in the area, I have to say that the Wiregrass Mall is the only fully outdoor mall in the area, and at Christmas is probably the best place to go. They put out a HUGE display with Christmas trees that are several stories high, with synchronized music and light shows and all sorts of fun things to watch and do, and is possibly only because of the outdoor setting.

When it's summer, it can be a little tough to deal with walking outside, but right now it's a GREAT place to visit for your shopping and entertainment needs.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Kevin from Tampa

While Intl Plaza is probably the best overall mall in the area, I have to say that the Wiregrass Mall is the only fully outdoor mall in the area, and at Christmas is probably the best place to go. They put out a HUGE display with Christmas trees that are several stories high, with synchronized music and light shows and all sorts of fun things to watch and do, and is possibly only because of the outdoor setting.

When it's summer, it can be a little tough to deal with walking outside, but right now it's a GREAT place to visit for your shopping and entertainment needs.

Hopefully the trend of that style mall/shopping center (lifestyle centers) will continue.

It is much more pleasant being outside IMO than having to weave through indoor corridors of teenyboppers and gaggles of people. And don't get me started on food courts

[tjax1000]

INTL is definitely higher end, and I'm far from a high-end shopper, but I still enjoy it. There is something subtle they've got going here- there are some other shops that you won't find anywhere else in the area. I like to go to the Quicksilver and Quiet Flight stores, for example. I've also bought my wife some clothes at some of the ladies stores like Guess and gotten pretty good deals when things were on sale.

I say this just so normal shoppers won't be completely scared away. Some shopping complexes are so high end that there is never anything a normal person with an average job would buy there. INTL has a unique blend of shops that you won't find in most other FL malls.

Westshore isn't a bad place either- they've got an Old Navy and a really good frozen yogurt place, and a couple of good food court choices that INTL doesn't have. I really like the Cuban place and EVOS is good also.

The kids play area at INTL is good and for the most part has well supervised, well behaved kids.

[craigm1841]

Originally Posted by tjax1000

INTL is definitely higher end, and I'm far from a high-end shopper, but I still enjoy it. There is something subtle they've got going here- there are some other shops that you won't find anywhere else in the area. I like to go to the Quicksilver and Quiet Flight stores, for example. I've also bought my wife some clothes at some of the ladies stores like Guess and gotten pretty good deals when things were on sale.

I say this just so normal shoppers won't be completely scared away. Some shopping complexes are so high end that there is never anything a normal person with an average job would buy there. INTL has a unique blend of shops that you won't find in most other FL malls.

Westshore isn't a bad place either- they've got an Old Navy and a really good frozen yogurt place, and a couple of good food court choices that INTL doesn't have. I really like the Cuban place and EVOS is good also.

The kids play area at INTL is good and for the most part has well supervised, well behaved kids.

Guess is not a 'ladies' store.

[tjax1000]

Originally Posted by craigm1841

Guess is not a 'ladies' store.

Ha, I guess you're right. I usually have to make surgical strikes when I go in to by a gift for my wife, since I rarely sneak out for an undisclosed purpose, and when I do I usually have my son. So I have been conditioned to seek out focus on the women's sections and ignore the rest.

[craigm1841]

Originally Posted by tjax1000

Ha, I guess you're right. I usually have to make surgical strikes when I go in to by a gift for my wife, since I rarely sneak out for an undisclosed purpose, and when I do I usually have my son. So I have been conditioned to seek out focus on the women's sections and ignore the rest.

To be fair though... some of the mens clothes are questionable.

[BucFan]

Visited Citrus Mall yesterday. Very nice inside. Also there are several stores across the street (Best Buy, Sports Authority, Bed Bath Beyond, Kirklands) - so the location for all your shopping is very convenient.