Comments on: North DeKalb Mall Tenant Updates

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:43:42 +0000

To be clear, though, North DeKalb Mall is not “coming back,” in that it will never again thrive as the kind of mall we all remember. With the exception of a limited number of choice properties that continue to feed off surrounding affluence and lifestyle, the enclosed mall model is on life support. It ain’t gonna rise again. Even the up-scale mall mainstays know this and all their projections and plans incorporate it.

More than likely, it’ll go one of two ways. Either it will redevelop along a new model (which could theoretically range from a slow demo and conversion to a power center type environment up to a wholesale scraping of the site for something entirely new); or it will reinvent itself for something downmarket seeking lower rents in exchange for bringing a new angle (a la Plaza Fiesta). When they had a line on Costco, I thought maybe it’d be the former but, now that they’ve landed a few second and third tier tenants, and are trying some groovy things like the community garden, it’s looking more like the latter.

By: poplar

poplar — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 14:51:34 +0000

It is a nice Macy’s. It’s so convenient to run in if I need something like a wedding or shower gift. It doesn’t have everything under the sun, but it does have a pretty decent selection in most departments.

By: Deanne

Deanne — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:53:59 +0000

I still have 6 Turtles mini crates of cassettes! Priceless memories from those “back in the day” years!

By: Deanne

Deanne — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:47:49 +0000

Retail’s a fascinating and always changing thing, and a whole lotta factors enter into the mix. In the case of North DeKalb Mall– and really, most aging malls in the metro area, they’re having to reinvent themselves for the very reasons you’ve given. Many of the chains from malls’ heydays have either disappeared, drastically downsized their number of stores, or, if in expansion mode, opt for shiny new power center type locations. In Suburban Plaza’s case– and let me be clear I’m very enthused about the named prospective anchors and having Walmart and LA Fitness as the two signed ones– with its total overhaul and locationlocationlocation, there was immediate interest from several chains at the regional level, but adding another location may not have fit plans at a national level. There were also a couple of categories of businesses that the neighborhoods had on the wish list that, for now, wouldn’t be ones to pursue because they’re either undergoing mergers or are have uncertain futures (due to the Amazon factor of folks’ window shopping big ticket items, then going home to order). It’s also really interesting to look at all the detailed demographics stuff. (Now y’all don’t be crashing Selig’s systems, but their site’s a really good one for seeing how developers/owners market their properties and for getting the detailed stuff that retailers want to know, including the population and income levels.)

* I forgot to add to last night’s comment: If the North DeKalb Mall folks hadn’t already won me over with their enthusiasm, they sure sewed it up Sunday when I met the friendly segway scootering senior citizen security guard! I still haven’t stopped smiling over that! :0)

By: RGB

RGB — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:33:39 +0000

There’s a nice little history here:
http://skycity2.blogspot.com/2006/07/north-dekalb-mall-updated_01.html

I still miss that Rich’s.