Goodbye Metro Center Mall? (Phoenix, Mesa: school, landlord, airport)

[adriver]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

So why not build a Super Target instead, are there not enough around? Walmart could use more competition and Target is known for being more urban.

Not only with a new Walmart going in does that seem like it wouldn't happen, but there is already a Target at 19th ave & Bethany home which is about 4 miles away, but even closer is 44th ave and Peoria, only about 2 miles away.

Originally Posted by Ztonyg

Trader Joe's used to be in one of the out parcels at Metrocenter.

The Metrocenter store closed when they opened up their Arrowhead store.

If Trader Joe's expands, I'd expect it to go to the Norterra area. Maybe in either the recently vacated Sport Chalet or Roomstore location at Norterra.

Did not know that thanks. I would personally love to have that their, and maybe that would fit if theres a new vibe the area is going for. With the snowbirds coming, so do the bums, and they flood that area.

Originally Posted by Slater

It's probably been 10 years since I was there, but is the theatre still operating?

Originally Posted by YAZ

Yep, probably a big part of why the food court is still in bizniss.

yep, I was thinking the entire mall in general.

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

So why not build a Super Target instead, are there not enough around? Walmart could use more competition and Target is known for being more urban.

Actually, we do have Walmart super on Cactus Rd & Tatum Blvd, but I don't think Target have it. Sorry!

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Slater

It's probably been 10 years since I was there, but is the theatre still operating?

Yes, Harkins Theatres will be there. I think AMC will no longer. it's gonna to change.

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

As stated, the Sbarro at Scottsdale Fashion Square is gone. The only two remaining are at Superstition Springs Center and Arrowhead Towne Center.

You're right. I didn't even know that. I have no idea. We didn't go to Scottsdale Fashion Square. We don't go there very much. Because it was too far from there.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by TempeAZnative

I've said this before with castles n coasters there that site would be perfect for an amusement park. Centrally located with freeway access.

I used to work there. Back when I was working at CnC we had heard from the superiors that they were considering purchasing Metro Mall (this was about 2012) but had been outbid by a foreign investment company. So they did try to get Metro Mall, and I know because I heard it from my own bosses.

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by Colt Cassidy

Target tends to have a better "reputation" than Walmart, yet their products also come from third worlSd countries, and their employees aren't paid much better. It's more of a shopper mindset.

So very true. They're no better than Walmart, IMO. I know, as I worked there once during a x-mas season. Minimum wage. Their prices are way too high for the junk they have.

[Bondurant]

Originally Posted by New Horizons

I'm just a recent Phoenix transplant, but I'm also sad to hear that the mall will be destroyed. Those 60's and 70's era malls have character to them. They also mark a significant period in American consumer culture. I've heard people say that Phoenix is lacking historic buildings, I can see why now. It's as if post WW2 construction doesn't count. But when I drive down a big boulevard and see late 50s and 1960s era stripmalls, it makes me feel like I'm in a big city, a city that was well booming before I was even born! Just take a drive down Van Nuys or Ventura Boulevard in LA and you'll see what I'm talking about, that's big city flavor.

Another reason I like these old malls is that they actually have unique stores in them. Oh, and the best thing is these indoor malls are air conditioned. Because as far as I know, the earth isn't going through a cooling phase at present.

Phoenix has not done the best with historical buildings but there's nothing special about Metrocenter other than it was an amazing mall decades ago. There's nothing special about the structure. It's just a building.

I drove to Arrowhead yesterday for Sbarro. This thread was making me hungry.

[TServo100]

It used to be such a fun, safe vibrant place....

[Renegade007]

Metrocenter is going the way of Christown, Desert Sky and Park Central. All dead malls with a lot of boring specialty shops all selling the same expensive garbage (or inexpensive garbage). It's only a matter of time. Walmart will not save Metrocenter. Maybe Victoria's Secret will. ROFL!!

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by Renegade007

Metrocenter is going the way of Christown, Desert Sky and Park Central. All dead malls with a lot of boring specialty shops all selling the same expensive garbage (or inexpensive garbage). It's only a matter of time. Walmart will not save Metrocenter. Maybe Victoria's Secret will. ROFL!!

Desert Sky is still around, it's just a Mexico mall now

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by New Horizons

I'm just a recent Phoenix transplant, but I'm also sad to hear that the mall will be destroyed. Those 60's and 70's era malls have character to them. They also mark a significant period in American consumer culture. I've heard people say that Phoenix is lacking historic buildings, I can see why now. It's as if post WW2 construction doesn't count. But when I drive down a big boulevard and see late 50s and 1960s era stripmalls, it makes me feel like I'm in a big city, a city that was well booming before I was even born! Just take a drive down Van Nuys or Ventura Boulevard in LA and you'll see what I'm talking about, that's big city flavor.

I know what you mean, but a lot of the post WWII structures are suburban styled, including many of the ones in L.A. At the same time, it's a shame how Metrocenter has been allowed to go to the dogs like it has. I remember back in the 1970s it was a mall that was the envy of the nation. Now it's a dump (except for some of the businesses along Metro Parkway).

Originally Posted by New Horizons

Another reason I like these old malls is that they actually have unique stores in them. Oh, and the best thing is these indoor malls are air conditioned. Because as far as I know, the earth isn't going through a cooling phase at present.

I agree 100%. These newer outdoor based mega shopping areas obviously don't have Phoenix's summer heat in mind, whereas the older indoor malls do. I'd rather park in a covered garage, go inside a mall from store to store in air conditioned comfort than park outside in the hot sun and go from store to store out in the damn heat.

Originally Posted by Renegade007

Metrocenter is going the way of Christown, Desert Sky and Park Central. All dead malls with a lot of boring specialty shops all selling the same expensive garbage (or inexpensive garbage). It's only a matter of time. Walmart will not save Metrocenter. Maybe Victoria's Secret will. ROFL!!

WalMart will make the area into another ChrisTown, which isn't anything to brag about. I had to laugh when I read about the plans to turn Metrocenter into an "urban village", and then it mentioned a super WalMart being constructed, which is only going to make the place more of a suburban slum if anything. Obviously when it comes to planning & development, Phoenix has a lot to learn about what's "urban" and what will be a good long term investment. I still think a large theme park would be a better investment for the site instead of more of the same.