Is it just me or does the Tri-Cities need another shopping mall? (Seattle: restaurants)

[Mopac1980]

I do notice that Columbia Center Mall seems to be a little crowded to where it's difficult to find a parking lot and I've always wonder how well Columbia Center Mall would do if we've had another shopping mall with lots of chain restaurants.

[atchn]

Maybe it just needs more parking. The parking lots (at least the parking lots on the Columbia Drive side) do seem crowded sometimes, but once inside the mall does not seem excessively crowded.

I don't really have data to back this up, but it also seems the retail sector is moving away from malls.

[pnwguy2]

Well, in general, malls are somewhat out of style. The new malls that are successful have outdoor access, and parking that takes you right to the store you need. These have become big in some major areas.

Check out: Algonquin Commons outside of Chicago.

Algonquin Commons

I could see something like this in West Pasco, or even Queensgate in Richland, depending on the land available. However, the TC could be coming up on being over-retailed, not sure. It still attacts shoppers from all over SE WA and NE OR, so not sure.

[Moon Waffle]

It doesn't need another mall. It's existing mall desperately needs help. The interior is straight out of 1980. And the store selection is horrible.

Further, most malls today are built with large outdoor areas. This mall has 5 or 6 uninteresting shops facing the parking lot.

The problem is that too many in the area (I am admittedly one) will gladly drive 3 hours to a real mall in Portland or Seattle to shop. When the dollars aren't being spent at home, the owners of the mall see little need to expand or renovate.