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What Would Do To Enliven a Dying Indoor Toledo Mall?

I just finished Maggie Thurber's post, http://www.toledofreepress.com/?id=6626, in the Toledo Free Press. Everytime I walk in the Southwyck Mall (which isn't often now; I walk with a friend in the Woodville Mall because the carpeting is kinder to his feet) I see other people like me. We get a "free" ride. If I owned the mall I would charge admission, and try to get as many fitness related businesses as I could into my mall. Woodville, Southwyck, and Northtown Sqaure look like they'd make perfect "lifestyle" centers (if by that you mean anything with having to enhance your life like exercise/nutrition shops).

Since people are "walking the malls" you'd think the owners would be trying to capitalize on this. Instead, we go in, do our thing, maybe buy something, but there is no effort to market to us as we trudge in endless circles around the mall.

created by oldsendbrdy on Oct 28, 2007 at 10:41:37 pm
updated by oldsendbrdy on Oct 28, 2007 at 10:42:28 pm     Comments: 20

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Comments ... #

How about combining a mall and a nursing home? Is Toledo's population aging? If so then that is the "future" market. Instead of the "golden arches" have a giant walker with some statue of a giant geezer from mid-thigh up striding out of the top of Southwykc's front. Maybe get the old Uncle Sam statue out of retirement, and put a giant walker in his hand(s).

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 28, 2007 at 10:51:53 pm     #



Any other ideas out there. Brainstorm. Some ideas may be wacky but they might spark a few neurons in someone else. Maybe we can save some of these malls from the wrecking ball yet.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 28, 2007 at 10:56:06 pm     #



As you get older you have to consider the indignity of doing a Charlie Chaplinesque pratfall in the park, breaking your hip, and being hauled out by the Lucas County EMS. Muddy, slippery paths makes the malls inviting. The last two days I walked at Woodville, and today I went to Pearson Park. Yesterday I careened around hob-goblins as I trudged my way toward the 40 minute mark. The day before that I preambulated the halls trudging the calories ingested at the Budapest with some old friends. The malls might be considered America's indoor parks, but they can be rather dreary at times.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 28, 2007 at 11:06:16 pm     #



There are too many malls. Toledo can't support that many nice malls. So either A) attract a lot a new businesses, jobs, people and investment or B) wait 25 years for our new malls to deteriorate and reinvest in Southwyck.

posted by thetoledowire_com on Oct 29, 2007 at 06:37:38 am     #



OSEB - thanks...this was the type of conversation I was hoping to encourage with my column.

Health centers or nursing facilities ... interesting. One of the things I learned from ProMedica when they decided to do their new facilities at Toledo Hospital is that much of the new testing equipment was too tall for many of the old rooms making retrofitting very costly. Malls have high ceilings and can accommodate such equipment.

Wonder what other businesses might have such a need???

posted by MaggieThurber on Oct 29, 2007 at 07:02:06 am     #



tear them all down and build more wall marts! haha kidding....but seriously...since they tore those ugly horse stables down that part by north town looks a lot nicer.....just now what to do with the "lake side center"

posted by stooks on Oct 29, 2007 at 08:38:48 am     #



how about tear them down, donate the land to the metro parks, plant some trees and regains some valuable green space?

posted by upso on Oct 29, 2007 at 10:42:30 am     #



Turn Southwyck into an Aquarium. There are no 1st class aquariums in this part of the country unless you consider the Shedd in Chicago. Southwyck offers easy access to travlers and there is plenty of room to support other business which would sprout like hotels and restaruants.

posted by KraZyKat on Oct 29, 2007 at 11:18:59 am     #



We could tear down the mall, and leave the rubble as a kind of "Stalingrad" for paint-ball enthusiasts. Maybe have them sign a document to play "at their own risk", and let them go at it. When I went through my paint-ball phase I remember paying $30 for a day's fun at the woods over on the east side of the river. Something that looked more "real" might catch their fancy.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 29, 2007 at 01:18:24 pm     #



I like the Aquarium idea KraZyKat. But would the Toledo Zoo run it?

posted by ToledoLatina on Oct 29, 2007 at 01:20:18 pm     #



Zoo's already an established organization. Sounds like a good idea, but it might have to be suported with future levies, just like the Zoo and COSI.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 29, 2007 at 01:28:13 pm     #



Over in the Woodville Mall someone has put in a 1:12 scale (or smaller) racing course for battery-powered remote-controlled cars. You see guys at the benches working on their miniature cars, and racing them on the course. I don't know if they rent the venue, or if it is good public relations by the mall. You'd think someone would open "support" businesses right in the mall (to sell cars, batteries, tired, etc).

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 29, 2007 at 01:36:39 pm     #



Maggie, the Main Post Office may some day join the malls on the auction block. When I first went to work there we had a lot of tall equipment, and the monorail rode high above the floor moving mail sacks from one end of the building to the other.

Most mail-sorting equipment now has a bigger "footprint" (but not as tall). We could double the working space at that office if we modified the space with an added floor maybe 15 feet above the concrete floor. Instead, when room has been needed we increase the "footprint" of the building.

But someday it might not be needed. We may build a newer facility that is closer to the airport, or the Expressway. And then this cavernous structure will be on the market.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 29, 2007 at 01:47:00 pm     #



There is a beautiful aquarium down in newport kentucky right across the river from cincinnati.

It sits right next to newport on the levee which is just like levis commons. We spent the weekend of the 4th a few years ago and had a blast.

Even got to take the wife to jeff ruby's tropicana resturant. The steak I had there doesn't compare to anything I've had here in toledo.

But if someone could pull it off a aquarium would be a good idea.

posted by camaroman2125 on Oct 30, 2007 at 06:42:19 pm     #



paying $30 for a day's fun at the woods over on the east side

You played paintball? I don't believe it. Did you play at the TAG field? Jerry and Steve were the owners, I think.

If you want to revitalize the mall, put in strip clubs, gambling, bars and restaurants. Add a massage parlor or two.

Failing that, the solution is easy. Cut the rent, be selective about the tenants and add lots of security guards. Hire a maintenance staff that can keep the place clean, including the rest rooms.

Low rent attracts tenants. The shops, security and maintenance attract the shoppers.

See?

posted by madjack on Oct 30, 2007 at 06:53:43 pm     #



Another thing you can do is offer express Holiday shopping. Sell tickets to the mall on a limited admission basis. Offer valet parking, gift wrapping, and speedy service. Include lunch reservations.

If I knew I wouldn't have to fight the Christmas crowds, I'd pay for the privilege.

posted by madjack on Oct 30, 2007 at 06:57:54 pm     #



Yeah, I did the TAG field, but I've gotten too slow. I'd be a "mushroom" from some young kid. Express shopping sounds interesting.

From what some comments in other threads have said about how Southwyck went downhill on Fridays, maybe we ought to arm the oldsters with paintball, and let them "tag" the teen-agers. Kids get free entry, and masks. Oldsters get the paintball guns, and 500 balls for $20.00 rent. A little "vengeance" on the a-hole younger generation.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 30, 2007 at 08:25:38 pm     #



Oldsters get the paintball guns, and 500 balls

So, RP Shearer super shell at about 325 fps?

posted by madjack on Oct 31, 2007 at 09:38:16 pm     #



I don't know. Just want to swat 'em, right? Would $20 even be a good figure for rental of a gun and balls. But then you'd pay that for a movie and dinner. Dillard's is looking kind of desolate now. Maybe do it with dim lighting. I seem to remember the equipment works better in warmer weather. Might work real good inside a heated mall.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Oct 31, 2007 at 10:16:14 pm     #



You know, I'm pleasantly surprised.

All that talk of an eminent domain threat upon Southwyck has gone away. Could it be that people finally wised up and realized that Carty would have to come up with $15M for the site? E.D. doesn't make retail property free, you know! You still have to PAY FOR IT.

posted by GuestZero on Nov 04, 2007 at 07:30:46 pm     #