How will Tyson's Construction Affect Shopping at Tyson's Mall? (Lynchburg: how much, buying)

[normie]

Holy Canoli!

I was just at Tyson's Mall and was amazed that:
1) I easily found a parking space! That never happens at this time of year. Never before, anyway.
2) I saw many more people at Dulles Town Center earlier today. Now that's a first.

To be fair, it wasn't a ghost town. There were a good number of people there--but not the usual crowd. Tyson's was always the place to go if you wanted to enjoy the hustle and bustle of holiday crowds. Today? Not so much.

What do you think? Did I just hit it at a weird time or are the crowds hitting the other malls due to fear of driving to Tyson's?

[LynchburgLover]

Normie! If only we knew what each other looked like, we could have had coffee! I also was at Tysons Corner then Dulles Town Center today! LOL!

We also had luck with parking and finding some good deals.

[normie]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

Normie! If only we knew what each other looked like, we could have had coffee! I also was at Tysons Corner then Dulles Town Center today! LOL!

We also had luck with parking and finding some good deals.

Oh, that would have been fun! We hit DTC first, then went to Tysons. Did you see the brand new hat store at DTC? We found a really well made fedora for my husband for only $38. I couldn't believe it! The owner of the store was there today, so I had to say "my hat is off to you" for opening an independent business like that in the middle of a recession. He appreciated my enthusiasm (but maybe not the pun... )

We also found some interesting artwork at the Albuquerque Shop. This was the first time I had actually wandered into it. When it first opened I thought it would close in a month or two. I mean, who buys SW art in Virginia? Apparently a lot of people, since it's still in business. Anyway, I popped in there today and liked what I saw so I bought some myself.

I didn't end up buying anything at Tyson's. My favorite store there, the puzzle store, closed last year. Other than that, I find I like to window shop there but they dont seem to have things I want to buy. And some of those vendors in the middle of the walking area are a little too aggressive for me.

[NYmama2dallas]

I HATE the annoying cart-people at Tysons. There is nothing worse than dragging two small children through the mall and getting accosted every 5 minutes. "Excuse me, can I just ask you one question?" "Excuse me, do you want nicer hair?" "Excuse me, you really need this lotion." UGH!

[normie]

Originally Posted by NYmama2dallas

I HATE the annoying cart-people at Tysons. There is nothing worse than dragging two small children through the mall and getting accosted every 5 minutes. "Excuse me, can I just ask you one question?" "Excuse me, do you want nicer hair?" "Excuse me, you really need this lotion." UGH!

I wonder if the mall regulates how much they're allowed to accost people. Because the ones at Tyson's do seem much more aggressive than the cart-people at other malls.

[LynchburgLover]

I'll agree about the cart people -- they are rather annoying -- but it is the American entrepenurial spirit at work so I'll cut them some slack!

We did Tyson's first, then briefly stopped at Dulles Town Center on the way home. Daughter is approaching college graduation so we were in search of "business suits". Found a couple great deals at Lord & Taylor!

[JD984]

I read that many stores at Tysons opened at midnight on Black Friday, whereas a smaller number of Dulles Town Center stores opened at 4:00 and 5:00 AM, with most opening at 6:00 AM. Perhaps a lot of the hard-core shoppers had already made their way to Tysons by the time you arrived this weekend. Personally, I think December 23rd is a good date to start Christmas shopping.

But I think it's great if people in Loudoun and Western Fairfax save the gas money and shop at DTC instead. I've never been there, except to go to Benihana's. The latter was OK to try once, but we probably won't return. For the amount we spent, we could have had a better meal in a quieter atmosphere at Neisha Thai at Tysons, or the Lebanese Taverna or Maggiano's at the Tysons Galleria.

[rvasonicbloom]

still too early, the crowd will show up, don't worry.

[perries]

We were at DTC yesterday too and were taken aback by the crowds. Most crowded we have seen it. DTC is our destination for the carousel, the train and kid haircuts.

Where is the hat store & does it have a good selection for women?

[normie]

Originally Posted by perries

Where is the hat store & does it have a good selection for women?

To the best of my recollection, it's near the toy store and Kinkade paintings. About halfway down the hall that leads to Macy's.

We were focusing on the independent stores Saturday because it was Small Business Saturday. That turned out to be an interesting way to look at a mall. I was surprised to see how many independent businesses there were at DTC. When you go to a mall you think everything there will be a chain (and a lot are). But we found quite a few local businesses, too.

We were looking for men's hats but as I recall they had quite a few hats for women, too.