The State Of The S.I. Mall

Went to the mall yesterday. The parking lot was as full as you'd expect it to be mid-friday. But once inside, it was essentially a ghost town. Now I haven't been to the mall in a few months, but even during Christmas, it wasn't as jammed as it was when I was a teenager.

In fact, when I was a teenager, i'd often play a game with my buddy when we went, "Who are we gonna run into this time?" Now the appropriate game should be, "will I see another human?"

The lower level of the Penny's wing alone had about 9 empty storefronts.

I like the Barnes and Noble, the Shake Shack, the LEGO store and the theater, but that alone can't prop up the whole property. How is it still surviving? I know(sadly)that brick and mortar retail is dying, but I miss the idea of going out to a store as a means of social interaction. Even if you're not planning on getting much except a snack or some groceries.

I fear the mall is truly on its last legs and won't be around this time next year unless a major shift in the public concusses occurs. I hope i'm wrong, I really do, because as much as I hated working retail, I understand the value of its social benefit. Something other than building a parking garage needs to be done.

Hopefully Fresh Kills park, when finished, will be a help, but by the time its scheduled to be finished, it might be far to late to help.