I don't shop at the LV Mall too often, mostly because I hate the traffic and crowds, the poor design of the roads, trying to park, and the whole experience gives me a headache. The Promenade is outta my price range, too far away, and I don't like the idea of patronizing a faux downtown. I am surprised that the Stop signs are not spelled "Stoppe." Well, anyway you wanna spell it, some very important people don't like to stoppe, but they sure like to shoppe, so get outta their way and the way of their huge luxury vehicle! It's best for me to avoid the stress.
I was talking to my friendly neighbor Gordy about crime. Gordy always has time to talk, and I like that about him. He said that a lot of crime that goes on at the mall does not get reported in the police report because the paper needs the mall for mega advertising revenues. If that is true, then it's a disservice to the public. I remember a recent news story about a woman abducted at JC Penney, was raped, and she managed to jump out of the car half naked while the car was moving pretty fast on the highway. It's a miracle this brave woman survived. This happened during the day. And I remember about 5 or 6 yrs. ago an art teacher/mother was killed in the parking lot at the mall after trying to defend herself from her attackers. That's when I decided never to go to the mall by myself. These were serious crimes.
I actually enjoy shopping out at K-Mart or Target. But Target can get kinda crowded, unless you go at 8 or 9 am on a weekday, that's pure joy. I think at Target you are paying for the style more than the quality. Ever notice how paper thin the women's clothing is? And it does not last. But at least you'll look stylish, even with shabby-chic holes in your sweater.
I guess it's not that I am anti-mall. I'm just anti-crowds and anti-jerks. I actually like the vintage malls and the visual appeal of a huge indoor space, and how it is divided, with weird sculptures, lights, and fountains. The picture above is of Moorestown Mall in NJ. See my link to "Malls of America" at the sidebar. Do you like the mall? Do you feel safe? I would like to see new retail downtown on "Hamilton Mall."
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19 comments:
Greg,
We do have plenty of parking decks in Allentown. I think if we had some retail these decks could be utilized during the day. The mayor seems more focused on nightlife and restaurants right now. I don't understand city planning, but there sure are enough people working on all the city's various development committees that you would think someone could figure this out.
The mall has never been a safe place, not for as long as I've been living here at least. As it pertains to retail, I liked it better the old way, but I didn't even like it that much then.
I'm not at all a big fan of all these upscale stores coming to the Valley. What's wrong with just a regular store? Why does a candle have to cost $50? Why does a purse have to cost $400? A cup of coffee $4? A pair of jeans $80? And the list goes on...
I dunno... I guess I'm just cheap. I'd usually rather spend my money on experiences than materialized crap.
Also, the mall is barely a place that kids can hang out anymore. There is no arcade and the stores that are there are too expensive to shop at. What's the fun of walking around and looking at snobs buy stuff that most people have no interest in?
I'll take the Outlets any day!
It seems WE are becoming like Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown on these blogs. Each of us is trying th solve the case of THE MALL'S FAUX DOWNTOWN AND ITS' FAUX LACK OF CRIME. I have to agree with Dotti and Unspoken Word when it comes to the bias between the mall and downtown Allentown. I believe the mall is about as safe as downtown A-town except their security rides on Segway scooters and our police use bikes. They get the anchor stores and retail shops and we get entrepeneurs who attempt to sell items that the community seems to want. The mall has the perception of safety so money and shoppers flood the place daily, while A-town has the reputation of blight, crack addicts, and daily shootings so we get the local neighborhood and business worker dollars and not much else.
I think it is kind of unfair to compare the two because the mall has a wider spectrum of shoppers, while downtown A-town businesses are REALLY dependent, as a whole, on downtown residents. As I see it, it is NOT that downtown A-town has no businesses, they're just not the type of businesses that cater to everyone. I would love to see a Barnes and Nobles and Mac Computer Store on Hamilton also, but WHO would shop there? I know at Monday's Vision meeting we were told that per the data received and tallied, the average income from 0-3 miles of the downtown Allentown residence is $46,000.00 and the average family drives a Nissan. I was unsure WHERE these people live (and I do know there are pockets of downtown neighborhoods and apartments, like the FARR Lofts, where people may make money like this), but MANY residents are on public assistance, work jobs where the average income is $8.50 - $10.00/hr, work 2 jobs (often temporary and blue collar) and books and computer updates would be in competition with rent, food, and car insurance. Now this is NOT to say these same families wouldn't like to upgrade and have a BOSCOVS to shop in, but until DRASTIC changes happen socially and economically, the check cashing stores and pawn shops will just have to do.
"I would love to see a Barnes and Nobles and Mac Computer Store on Hamilton also, but WHO would shop there?"
I think it would draw people, all kinds. The Brew Works draws people from the west end. They are building the upscale Cosmopolitian to draw rich people downtown, why can't retail draw middle class people?
Aj, you are not cheap, you are a smart shopper. It's not too smart to shop beyond your means. But you are right, there should be more just regular stores.
I believe in what you are saying Ms Dottie, I was just at Martinis and Manicures last night at Brew Works and it was a huge success, but I feel we still need to look at both sides of the prism. I would love to see downtown become a huge retail mecca also, but how do we do that with such a difference in the economic scale ? It's good that the West side comes to downtown A-town, but what about the people who actually LIVE in downtown A-town ? I think if we could find an equillibrium and INCLUDE everyone in the plan, we could actually move forward to get the retail plan started. We say we want UPSCALE but many can barely afford retail, so where does that leave them ?
Alfonso
sorry to rain on this parade with facts, but there are some hugh errors thus far. Mall rentals are ten times more, as they should be, based on foot traffic and wallet power. the allentown parking authority precludes any success on hamilton mall. who would want to pay a 10 dollar fine if their 10 seconds late? the vision meetings are because the bureaucrats have the vision to make sure it appears that they are doing something. it's just another dog and pony show
There have been some horrific crimes at the LV Mall, and luckily, no horrific crimes on Hamilton Mall. At least not in my memory. I think a lot of LV Mall crime is not reported because there is just too much of it and it becomes uninteresting after a while to read about fights or retail theft. The security at the mall does not strike me as being very top notch.
I agree about these Promenade "shoppes." I find it repulsive. I was at Main Street Exton (Chester Co, I think?) a couple years ago to get together with relatives for a family function. The entire monstrosity was laid out to look and feel like a real town, which made me wonder what happened to the actual town. My husband was creeped out to think that everywhere we walked in this fake neighborhood was private property, which means you have ZERO rights. Scary.
MM,
Rain is good.
Sarina,
I never thought about the faux downtown in that way. It's kinda like the town of Stepford.
I enjoy the level of concern
about the people of the area in A town,especially the Downtown resident or low income people
I am no expert, but if we had say a Barnes and Nobel, or other Franchise retail store, it would employ the people in the area, who would walk to work , rather than drive .
and that in itself could help cut the cost of living.
this blog could go on forever.~
now i have a Question?
what is being constructed off Rt 22 and Airport Road.?
i will ask Ms Dottie if i dont get a reply
Greg,
I don't know what is going on there
at Airport Rd.
the mall is safe from me (except for macy's a few days before christmas)
A Target and associated stores are going in at 22 & Airport Road. I recall they actually had to condemn a tiny slit of land from some old trailer park to make this happen. The park owner wouldn't sell. Talk about a rights violation.
I do shop at Target for their paper-thin women's clothes (as Mrs. Dottie says, and she's right) but I think two stores in such a close area is overkill.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Another Target! I agree, the two stores are not very far apart. And there is another one near P-burg in NJ I believe. Is there one in Easton too?
Sorry, I had to delete my last comment.
Target.. ahh
I had asked the Question on another Blog,
Who is in charge of the Downtown Improvement.?
I have sincere feelings that if those retail stores would remove the "Riot Gate" steel gates and replace them with a more window shopper friendly gate,
Then dress up there windows with Merchandise,
and allow the light of the stores to grace Hamilton Street.
it would help change the image of Downtown,being a Crime zone after closing hours
Maybe the City would bite the cost,
of exchanging the Gates,
recycle the old gates .
hey,, its just a idea.
Who is in charge of downtown improvement?
I believe it is the Allentown Downtown Improvement District Authority.
You can check out the city website http://www.allentownpa.gov/
where you will see pictures of pretty buildings and statues and flowers. but no people. Except the mayor.
i have always assumed that the mall was safe. i know my parents did when they dropped me off there alone when i was 13. the only crime i ever thought happened was shoplifting, of which i was painfully aware that i fit the profile exactly.
i worked at the gap last summer and everyone made sure that employees knew to park together so that they weren't walking to their cars alone at the end of the night. i think it's like any place, you just have to keep your wits about you when you walk to your car. it makes sense that you could get taken advantage of when your arms are full of all those shopping bags and can't defend yourself.
the "shoppes" are definitely there to attempt to keep people at the LV mall instead of losing them to the promenade. both cater to suburbanites who don't know what an actual downtown looks like and are excited to shop in such a "quaint" place without having to see homeless people. it makes them feel safe.
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