How did the Oxford Valley Mall almost go backwards? (Philadelphia: new house, shoppers)

[tommy92l]

I was looking up "Dead Malls", and as much as I find them fascinating, I certainly don't think that Oxford Valley even comes CLOSE to being dead.

It's my mall of choice and I was researching how long it'd be around for, what it used to look like, and then I came across this article.

While the mall is spotless and full of stores, HOW did it become so bland?

No fountains? No bright lights? They turned it from a high class joint to what looks like a prison yard.

I was born in 92', but I don't remember it EVER looking as incredible it did in the pictures of it in the 70's.

TL;DR - I understand changing your style to match the times, by why such a downgrade in appearance?

Oxford Valley Mall Days of Old | Levittown Comfort

[jazzy jeff]

I was born in 55, and don't remember Oxford Valley Mall looking like that back in the 70's. Being born and raised in South Philly, a trip to Oxford Valley Mall was a big night out, LOL.

Maybe Simon will someday renovate as they are currently doing at Phila Mills. They are putting a ton of money into that place.

[NYtoNJtoPA]

You are not kidding. Though this mall is hardly alone. I moved here from NJ where there are more malls per square mile than any other state. A lot of them now are not as fancy or lavishly decorated as in the past. They give them these renovations and they are much blander and more boring looking than they used to be.

Woodbridge Center is one in NJ that hasn't been updated for a long time and the inside of it still looks rather fancy like the older malls, but they did remove the fountain in the center of the mall a few years ago. But many people call the interior of this mall too passe or old looking. I guess it's just a sign of the times. Most new houses built today are also much blander and more soulless and characterless than previous generations, and they do not appeal to me whatsoever. It could also be the fact that they are trying to bring back more outdoor shopping with gentrification in city environments too. I will not argue with the idea that climate controlled shopping centers are not the big fad they used to be. In this Metro, I remember Echelon Mall in Voorhees just before it became the Town Center was a real dark horse.

[kidphilly]

I actually remember the mall looking a lot like that in the late 70s and early 80s as a child. I once ran down that ramp and jumped right into the fountain. needless to say my mother never let me run donw the ramp again


Interesting the tress and water features helped disapate the smoke there was ton back then


Does anyone remember the Choo-Choo?

[NYtoNJtoPA]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

I actually remember the mall looking a lot like that in the late 70s and early 80s as a child. I once ran down that ramp and jumped right into the fountain. needless to say my mother never let me run donw the ramp again


Interesting the tress and water features helped disapate the smoke there was ton back then


Does anyone remember the Choo-Choo?

There is a fountain outside that is now empty.

[LoriNJ]

Originally Posted by jazzy jeff

I was born in 55, and don't remember Oxford Valley Mall looking like that back in the 70's. Being born and raised in South Philly, a trip to Oxford Valley Mall was a big night out, LOL.

Maybe Simon will someday renovate as they are currently doing at Phila Mills. They are putting a ton of money into that place.

?? Is Phila Mills the same as Franklin Mills? I haven't been to Franklin Mills Mall in years. Last time I went, it had gone so far downhill that it was actually a scary place to be in. Not to mention the vacancy rate.

[HappyRider]

Some malls are always struggling. Plymouth Meeting Mall is one of them. It's been renovated many times and but it hasn't made any difference. The food court is basically shuttered and if it wasn't for Boscov's it would not survive. Granite Run Mall is another. I don't think it is doing well.

[NYtoNJtoPA]

Originally Posted by HappyRider

Some malls are always struggling. Plymouth Meeting Mall is one of them. It's been renovated many times and but it hasn't made any difference. The food court is basically shuttered and if it wasn't for Boscov's it would not survive. Granite Run Mall is another. I don't think it is doing well.

I think Plymouth Meeting is overshadowed by King of Prussia which is right near it. And wasn't Plymouth Meeting the first mall that opened north of the city? I know it is a very old mall. Granite Run Mall is closed.

[NYtoNJtoPA]

Originally Posted by LoriNJ

?? Is Phila Mills the same as Franklin Mills? I haven't been to Franklin Mills Mall in years. Last time I went, it had gone so far downhill that it was actually a scary place to be in. Not to mention the vacancy rate.

Yeah Franklin Mills is now Philadelphia Mills. That place was always a dump. It is an outlet mall but it's set up like a big warehouse. It is not really vacant now. That is the Bed, Bath & Beyond I go to. You have Dave & Busters there for one. They are trying to make it nicer, but the clientele, forget it. It is located within the city limits, not Bensalem like some people think. Every time I go in there it is always an adventure.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLJI...&feature=share

[jazzy jeff]

Originally Posted by NYtoNJtoPA

Yeah Franklin Mills is now Philadelphia Mills. That place was always a dump. It is an outlet mall but it's set up like a big warehouse. It is not really vacant now. That is the Bed, Bath & Beyond I go to. You have Dave & Busters there for one. They are trying to make it nicer, but the clientele, forget it. It is located within the city limits, not Bensalem like some people think. Every time I go in there it is always an adventure.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLJI...&feature=share

The clientele Monday through Friday during the day is much different then nights and weekends. Weekends forget it. Since I visit and watch my grand kids up in Bensalem two or three days a week, I stop at the Mills early mornings and have coffee with a few friends in the food court. I must say the mall at that time is in pristine condition. It is also a great mall for seniors that like to fitness walk. One complete lap equals 1.5 miles. Doors open 8AM for them. McDonalds serves coffee at 8:30, stores open at 10.
Simon is investing a ton of money in a massive re-model. I have been told the Walmart is the only one in the country that is attached to a mall. Some shoppers seem to have a problem ignoring the signs ( no carts beyond this point) coming out of Walmart and insisting on pushing a shopping cart through the mall. Have witnessed a few unpleasant verbal altercations with security over it.