Madison Square's Future (Birmingham, Huntsville, Auburn: real estate, Home Depot, buy)

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by Bamachic80

I'm originally from Tuscaloosa and IMO I agree that Madison Square is starting to downward spiral like McFarland Mall did. Dillard's closed at McFarland last summer and Goody's naturally followed suit recently. According to my friends and family whatever life was in it, is definitely headed for the pits. It's been doing that for years and with the addition of Midtown there and new stores opening in University Mall...it's only a matter of time before it closes.

Some large anchor stores in Madison Square would help it so much, are people really wanting it to close and have Parkway Place be the only mall? Sure seems that way!!

The comparisons with McFarland Mall are ridiculous.. McFarland.. McFarland mall in my opinion never had much of anything, once the economy recovers I think its more likely that Huntsville can support two malls and a lifestyle center. It may take some reinvented but Madison Square is the largest mall in North Alabama it will never die completely the way McFarland has unless another shopping center like the mega one propsed in Madison near county line is actually built in the near future.

[mako01]

Originally Posted by Sarges Dad

Shop there.

lol

From what information I've gleaned from store owners, when MS decided to go forth with their renovation/remodeling project, it caused rent prices to skyrocket.

And I know I'm probably just repeating what's been said about the economy and such, but lack of customers+online (and offline) competition+high rent=dead mall.

It's kinda sad, really. I spent the better part of my college years roaming about that place inbetween classes.

[Sarges Dad]

The last few times I shopped her they were running sales everywhere.

[financelife]

Whenever I hear about Bridgestreet it is usually just about the movie theater there. That is the only thing people go on and on about that place. "You can drink wine, and they have a 'VIP' area (which anyone can access)....."

Only once have we shopped there. It was at Swarovski, and the purchases we made there were on impulse. Spent $700 on jewelry. Never been back since except to just walk around on two other occasions. We park, walk in, then after reaching the other end, we turn back around and go back to the car telling ouselves 'never again.' Hopefully there won't be a 3rd time. Absolutely no point.

[jkratze1]

I hope Madison Square Mall does not go the way of the Mall Of Memphis. The Mall of Memphis used to be the premiere mall in Memphis, but in its later years became known as the "Mall Of Murder".

The Mall Of Memphis : Remembering the Marketplace of the Midsouth | Main / HomePage

[John Williams]

Bridge Street really took the wind out of Madison Square's sails when it first opened. Even though it mainly consists of higher-end shops, I expect a few mainstream merchants to pull up stakes and stake a claim. Barnes and Noble recently moved there from the old University Drive location and I think Old Navy did the same. I think the location also plays a factor (located right off of Research Park Blvd/AL 255 and Old Madison Pike, with quicker access to the Arsenal and I-565). And I won't even go into the Monaco and how it's left MS's movie theatre nearly abandoned. The whole teenager chaperone thing was mentioned -- that was due to a number of fights and other events I assume happened amongst teens roaming the malls by themselves. Now they see Bridge Street as the place to be anyways, leaving MS with considerably less traffic.

I wouldn't want it to go the route of Western Hills in Fairfield (enclave of largely ethnic non-name brand shops) or Century Plaza (sadly dead), but unless the owners start giving incentives for new shops, that just might happen.

[skinem]

Don't forget that Bridge Street opening was a second blow in a couple of short years to Madison Square.
I think Parkway City mall opening hit it harder than Bridge Street did; it's stores are in more direct competition with Madison Square's than Bridge Street's are. Couple those new malls with the (continued) development of Jones Valley/Hampton Cove areas and yeah, that's a lot of business being siphoned off.

[BKOTH97]

Originally Posted by financelife

Only once have we shopped there. It was at Swarovski, and the purchases we made there were on impulse. Spent $700 on jewelry. Never been back since except to just walk around on two other occasions. We park, walk in, then after reaching the other end, we turn back around and go back to the car telling ouselves 'never again.' Hopefully there won't be a 3rd time. Absolutely no point.

Wow, Interesting. Definitely not how it is viewed in my household. I haven't stepped foot in either Madison Square or Parkway Place since Bridgestreet opened. I eat there about once a week or so usually at either Connor's, Cantina Laredo, PF Changs, Melting Pot. We have been to Dolce twice and Ketchup twice...they were ok, but the other 4 are much better. The theater is outstanding and the Rave is the only other place in town we would even consider going for a movie. The kids love Maggie Moos and that is about a once a month treat. The wife loves Gymboree, Coldwater Creek, Brighton, Strasbourg and I really like Mountain High and B&N. We walk through the Apple store, but "I am a PC". It surprises me that you would say that there is "Absolutely no point."

[Charles]

Originally Posted by BKOTH97

Wow, Interesting. Definitely not how it is viewed in my household. I haven't stepped foot in either Madison Square or Parkway Place since Bridgestreet opened. I eat there about once a week or so usually at either Connor's, Cantina Laredo, PF Changs, Melting Pot. We have been to Dolce twice and Ketchup twice...they were ok, but the other 4 are much better. The theater is outstanding and the Rave is the only other place in town we would even consider going for a movie. The kids love Maggie Moos and that is about a once a month treat. The wife loves Gymboree, Coldwater Creek, Brighton, Strasbourg and I really like Mountain High and B&N. We walk through the Apple store, but "I am a PC". It surprises me that you would say that there is "Absolutely no point."

Plus the people watching, the merry go round, the free inflatable bouncers, the water shooter things, and the free musical performers.

[Jai27]

Originally Posted by BKOTH97

I eat there about once a week or so usually at either Connor's, Cantina Laredo, PF Changs, Melting Pot. We have been to Dolce twice and Ketchup twice...they were ok, but the other 4 are much better. The theater is outstanding and the Rave is the only other place in town we would even consider going for a movie."

I completely agree!