The Avenues Mall

[reednavy]

I know that it is all SJTC, but that section is not the part I call the Town Center.

[Jaxson]

What's new soon becomes old in our local retail scene.  The novelty eventually wore off for the first wave of shopping malls - Roosevelt, Normandy, Philips and Gateway.  This, of course, is not unique to our area.  There are web sites that are dedicated to 'dead' shopping centers and malls.
As for Regency, I believe that it has been hurting because of two competitors.  Regency siphoned customers away from Gateway.  Now that River City Marketplace offers shopping choices to the Northside, Regency is losing out.  And, of course, many Southside residents are closer to St. Johns Town Center and can now avoid the traffic hassle of getting to Regency. 
As for the Avenues, I can understand how it is in dire straits.  We would like to believe that everyone on the Southside has a money tree in their backyard but we overestimate this area's buying power.  Remember the defunct shopping center that is now the FSCJ Deerwood Campus? 
Of the older regional shopping malls, the Orange Park Mall seems to be holding its own.  Going on 35 years old, this mall still has quite a niche in and around Westside Jacksonville, Orange Park, Middleburg and those who still fear the Buckman Bridge.

[reednavy]

The Avenues is far from being in dire straits. A few stores closing are typical of a recession of this magnitude, even the Town Center hasn't been spared.

[copperfiend]

Just to clarify, the Target and associated stores by it are not part of the "true" SJTC. Hmm, 10-20 years, that seems very bold, and IMO, stupid.

thanks

actually it is part of the SJTC... check the map... one side is called the Community Center (dollar tree to petsmart etc) and the rest are in the Lifestyle Center.

There isn't a Dollar Tree.

[riverside planner]

actually it is part of the SJTC... check the map... one side is called the Community Center (dollar tree to petsmart etc) and the rest are in the Lifestyle Center.

There isn't a Dollar Tree.

Oh yes there is! 

[Doctor_K]

Did it take the place of that wicker store on the end closest to the AT&T store?  That's the only place it could be.

[copperfiend]

Interesting. I guess I hadn't been there in a while.

[Bativac]

Doctor K, that's exactly where the Dollar Tree is.

[nicktooch]

abercrombie is closed for good at the avenues, per a now former employee... SJTC location makes way more $ than it costs to even run avenues location apparently

[reednavy]

abercrombie is closed for good at the avenues, per a now former employee... SJTC location makes way more $ than it costs to even run avenues location apparently

Really not suprising.

[fsujax]

Jacksonville can't even support more than one A&F location??? we are no better than Gainesville and Tallahassee. Sad!

[reednavy]

Jacksonville can't even support more than one A&F location??? we are no better than Gainesville and Tallahassee. Sad!

They're prices keep going up, and the SJTC is a better destination with more stores on par with it and the restaurants.

Plus, A&F isn't doing as well as it used to and other stores elsewhere have closed.

[kellypope]

Plus, Abercrombie & Fitch makes ugly, overpriced clothes.

Thought game: What do you think would happen to the building if all stores abandoned it? If it was just a very complicated box? Would the community be able to step in and feel ownership of the space (akin to the mall that is now a community college campus), or would it be abandoned?

[copperfiend]

Jacksonville can't even support more than one A&F location??? we are no better than Gainesville and Tallahassee. Sad!

Sarcasm I hope.

[kellypope]

Jacksonville can't even support more than one A&F location??? we are no better than Gainesville and Tallahassee. Sad!

Sarcasm I hope.

You and me both.