For all of the talk about St. Johns Town Center, and the River City Marketplace, Jacksonville has to be about the worst place I have ever been for shopping malls. Most Cities have a host of new ENCLOSED, air-conditioned or heated shopping malls, urban or suburban. Sure the town center idea is cute and looks great in Oregon or Vermont where the weather is most likely cool even in the summertime.
Once again, our City seems to have all of it's eggs in one (or two) baskets. The Westside is booming, yet there is not a single decent mall in the whole of the region since Normandy, back in the 1960's. Gateway is nice, but REALLY showing it's age and needs to be replaced by new construction perhaps North of the Trout River or West of the current location. Regency Mall, OMG, that was "new" when I was a child, and THAT was millions and millions of years ago... Ditto for Orange Park, old and out of date. Roosevelt is gone, rolled over into a outdoor town center. The Avenues, is nice, but already dated and rather smallish for a City of our size.
The choice of retailers sucks too. The big name stores have avoided us like we all have a social disease. Sak's, Nordstroms or Ikea all have "reasons" why they are not in Jacksonville. Sorry reasons too. Doesn't the Chamber of Commerce go out and recruit anyone? Why are we not knocking on these doors? The people with the big bucks that could relocate here, jump right on by partly because we have Mayberry Shopping Centers with a modern urban population.
Just look at the holes in our shopping map, Beaches (Fernandina to Ponte Vedra), Northside (Busch?) , Westside (from Ortega/Riverside-to-Cecil Field), Northwest (from gateway to Callahan), Mandarin (all the way to Palatka), OP-Middleburg-Flemming Island, Southside-Nocatee-St. Augustine... Without a trolley line or some form of transit, without at least covered walks, St. Johns Town Center was more torture then shopping pleasure back in August. Walking out of a store was glaring and like getting smacked in the face with a hot wet bath towel.
I think we can do much better then this. When people ask me where we shop I have to confess it's Jacksonville, we have Winn Dixie, Publix, Walgreens, and Lowes... then theres Winn Dixie, and Lowes, and Publix, did I mention Walgreens? What about Winn Dixie?
Ocklawaha
Enclosed malls are going the way of the dinoseur from what I can tell. I wouldn't expect any new ones anywhere except mega-sprawling suburbs.
I'm starting a petition....BRING IKEA TO JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you. I have never stepped foot into one of these stores. I discovered them by researching retailers in an interior design magazine and have been hooked ever since, but the mail order prices are freaking outrageous and not everything you see in the catalog or online is available for shipping. It really sucks. I once priced a shipment for a table to be more than the cost of the table itself. It made more sense to drive to Atlanta to pick it up then it did to have it shipped.
And forget the Winn-Dixies and Publix, what ever happened to Harris Teeter? You remember when they were the next big thing....opened in Amelia Island and Ponte Vedra. Where are they now? No more new stores, just those. Where are the Whole Foods stores? I think I heard of one coming to town...in an area with a median income of over $80k per anum ::) Hey, average people want healthy food too, ya know? Where's our freakin culture??? ~sighs~
Harris Teeter could not compete against Publix. The Amelia Island location may be still open, but the others aren't. The Ponte Vedra store closed a few years back in is now a Fresh Market and San Jose location is now a Publix.
As for IKEA, they now have stores in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando with another under construction in Ybor City (Tampa).
Vic, I think it's too early to tell if enclosed malls will indeed be an extinct species. Outdoor town centers have the appeal of newness and cleanliness for shoppers, but they really have not adequately replaced indoor malls. Many people, myself and my wife included, prefer enclosed malls because they isolate shoppers from the elements. Take, for instance, the Southpark Mall in Charlotte. This is a shopping center I could see The Avenues becoming, if management did things properly. It has mostly upper-class stores and dining, has a parking garage for most of its parking, and has sidewalks while surrounded by churches, apartments, and office buildings. It is the suburban mall in the urban environment, allowing shoppers the conveniences without having to deal with snow, rain, or wind. More importantly, it is a greatly viable retail center of the southeast region of Charlotte, despite being a mall.
Outdoor centers can be better shopping centers for warmer areas like Florida, Arizona, and California. In those states, I can see malls becoming less relevant. However, Florida has its rainy seasons, and I'm sure the millions of people down there would prefer to shop or dine without having to brave storms with an umbrella and galoshes.
Ock, I think its a matter of mall management making the investments to renovate and revitalize their shopping centers. Some of these offices are just content to be the landlord, taking money from the businesses that sign their lease. I would pressure some of Jax's malls offices to improve their image...if a mall looks newer and cleaner, more people will be attracted to go to it.
Quote from: thelakelander on January 23, 2008, 10:56:58 AM
Harris Teeter could not compete against Publix. The Amelia Island location may be still open, but the others aren't. The Ponte Vedra store closed a few years back in is now a Fresh Market and San Jose location is now a Publix.
As for IKEA, they now have stores in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando with another under construction in Ybor City (Tampa).
Huh, I didn't even know there was ever one in San Jose. Go figure.
Ok, don't get my hopes up now...Orlando??? As in, 2 hours away, Orlando???
QuoteAs in, 2 hours away, Orlando???
Yes. I stopped in it last November.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=12&catalogId=11001&langId=-1&StoreName=orlando (http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=12&catalogId=11001&langId=-1&StoreName=orlando)
Quote from: Charleston native on January 23, 2008, 11:03:45 AM
Vic, I think it's too early to tell if enclosed malls will indeed be an extinct species. Outdoor town centers have the appeal of newness and cleanliness for shoppers, but they really have not adequately replaced indoor malls. Many people, myself and my wife included, prefer enclosed malls because they isolate shoppers from the elements. Take, for instance, the Southpark Mall in Charlotte. This is a shopping center I could see The Avenues becoming, if management did things properly. It has mostly upper-class stores and dining, has a parking garage for most of its parking, and has sidewalks while surrounded by churches, apartments, and office buildings. It is the suburban mall in the urban environment, allowing shoppers the conveniences without having to deal with snow, rain, or wind. More importantly, it is a greatly viable retail center of the southeast region of Charlotte, despite being a mall.
Jax has not yet reached the demographic makeup to snag a Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor like SouthPark. Besides St. John's Town center has already been positioned for upscale shopping, so they would go there instead of Avenues.
Quote from: thelakelander on January 23, 2008, 11:14:53 AM
QuoteAs in, 2 hours away, Orlando???
Yes. I stopped in it last November.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=12&catalogId=11001&langId=-1&StoreName=orlando (http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=12&catalogId=11001&langId=-1&StoreName=orlando)
I didn't realize it had opened yet. Last time I drove by the site, they had just started building. That went up quick. I have been to locations in Atlanta and N Virginia. There are impressive.
QuoteWithout a trolley line or some form of transit, without at least covered walks, St. Johns Town Center was more torture then shopping pleasure back in August. Walking out of a store was glaring and like getting smacked in the face with a hot wet bath towel.
I think this alone will spell a short life for the Town Centers, they will need to figure a way to:
1. Keep me comfortable while I explore
2. Keep me dry
3. Keep my cool
4. Keep me warm in the Winter
They'll need either the mothers of all awnings or Transit, or BOTH. Otherwise, a trip or two is about all it will take for me to Join Charleston Native and others down in the AC... As for enclosed malls, there are dozens of them underconstruction all over the country. Florida is just too Damned hot and humid not to enclose the malls.
The original ROOSEVELT design was semi-enclosed, the ceiling had large palms and other trees, and a sculpture that went right up through holes in the roof. the shade area was massive and a cooling breeze seemed to work pretty well. It wasn't fully enlosed until much later. Now the whole area of town is without real quality shopping. [/color][/b]
Ocklawaha
Maybe its Generational ;) but I dont have a problem with SJTC and I have been there in just about every weather condition, except rain. Who wants to get out in the rain anyway?
Quote from: vicupstate on January 23, 2008, 11:50:12 AM
Jax has not yet reached the demographic makeup to snag a Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Lord & Taylor like SouthPark. Besides St. John's Town center has already been positioned for upscale shopping, so they would go there instead of Avenues.
Actually, I was just going to say that SJTC has really positioned itself to be the upscale destination for Jax, unfortunately. I'm surprised that Jax does not have the demographic makeup, with such a high average salary.
Ock, that list you made pretty much sums up why lifestyle centers are going to be just a new urbanism fad. However, I think Jax has excellent quality shopping in comparison to my current city of residence and to many others in the Southeast.
I really don't care if another mall is built here or not. I wish more of this upscale retail focus was centered on Downtown. Until we get something like a major department store anchor Downtown, who cares about another mall. I do happen to like the SJTC, even if it's a glorified strip mall.
Jacksonville does have the demographics to support those high end stores. If Charleston, SC has the demographics to support a high end department store, then how can anyone say Jacksonville doesn't? There are so many upsclae neighborhoods here with incomes well over 80k a year. I think it has more to do with marketing and selling the city/region to these high end retailers than us not having the demographics.
I agree with Vic...the indoor mall is a dying breed....at least for now....recent research shows that there are fewer than 10 planned or under construction nationally right now
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 23, 2008, 01:27:19 PM
I agree with Vic...the indoor mall is a dying breed....at least for now....recent research shows that there are fewer than 10 planned or under construction nationally right now
Maybe the trend has slowed down in new construction of malls, but that can be attributed to the building fad of outdoor lifestyle centers that SJTC is. I'd be interested in seeing numbers on mall renovations, and I'd be willing to bet that there's a much higher number of those. When you have a large, established indoor facility, money can be saved on refurbishment rather than building more.
FSUJax, the
only reason Chas is able to have high-end stores like Saks and Gucci is the fact that Chas is a major tourist destination in SC. It is SC's equivalent of Orlando or Miami, albeit smaller. Therefore, shopping demographics are skewed, and while Jax does have some tourism, it pales in comparison. However, I do agree with you in that Jax should have the residential demographics to counter the offset in tourism dollars. The money and opportunity are there in the city; those are some of the reasons that I want to move there. I've said it before, mall management seems to be the culprit with lacking upscale stores.
Now, I don't know about The Avenues or Regency, but the Orange Park Mall just finish a renovation in 2007. The inside is completely different with a renovated food court and adding Dick's Sporting Goods in between Penny's and Belk.
Avenues was renovated in 2006 - similar look as the OP mall
Warm in Winter? Huh? It barely gets cold enough here to wear a sweater?
SJTC is great because you can put your items in your car right after you shop rather than having to hike in/out from the parking lot like at the Avenues. It is much nicer to get a breath of fresh air between stores - especially in the evening. Not everyone has to be contained in a concrete pod while they shop. You can park in front of your favorite store or eatery and then walk outside. If you want to go to a different part of the mall, then just move your car - it's much easier than at the enclosed mall - where you have to schlep your packages from end to end. Much more of a festival atmosphere too. And the screaming kids voices don't echo throughout the entire place. I'll never go to an enclosed mall again!
And what happened to Regency? The only decent store there is Belk. Dillard's is a zoo with clothes strewn everywhere and half the dressing rooms are closed. And the rest of the stores are all full of cheap urban hip bling and clothes only a handful of the city population would ever consider wearing. What happened?
Quote from: SanMarcoResident on August 29, 2008, 02:58:22 PM
Warm in Winter? Huh? It barely gets cold enough here to wear a sweater?
SJTC is great because you can put your items in your car right after you shop rather than having to hike in/out from the parking lot like at the Avenues. It is much nicer to get a breath of fresh air between stores - especially in the evening. Not everyone has to be contained in a concrete pod while they shop. You can park in front of your favorite store or eatery and then walk outside. If you want to go to a different part of the mall, then just move your car - it's much easier than at the enclosed mall - where you have to schlep your packages from end to end. Much more of a festival atmosphere too. And the screaming kids voices don't echo throughout the entire place. I'll never go to an enclosed mall again!
And what happened to Regency? The only decent store there is Belk. Dillard's is a zoo with clothes strewn everywhere and half the dressing rooms are closed. And the rest of the stores are all full of cheap urban hip bling and clothes only a handful of the city population would ever consider wearing. What happened?
I don't know when you go to the sjtc but whenever I go there I need to park nowhere near the stores, the place is a raging success and I think there will be serious traffic issues there. regency has little going for it, and it is in a downward spiral that it may never recover from, why go there for substandard stores and a less than secure area when better options exist?
Regency is outdated and needs a makeover. If that doesn't happen, its going to eventually follow the path of decline that killed Philips, Gateway, Normandy and Roosevelt Malls.
I'd absolutely love to see a vibrant downtown core as much as anyone, but I still really enjoy going to the Town Center and thinks it's great for Jacksonville. Opinions on how terrible the SJTC is are subjective, but the numbers are not. The place has been a huge success for Jacksonville and has done nothing but good for our local economy.
I absolutely hate SJTC. It is sooooo artificial. a mall is honest to be a collection of shoppes. What is a "town center" an artificial new "down town" without the history or a down town want to be without the soul.
if i need to buy something, i go to the specific store that is nearest to my house and that's it. I do all my window shopping on line :P
thats nice... I am not a mall person either but you are clearly in the minority regarding SJTC. The few times I have been there it has been packed. Stores full of people having a good time. Restaraunts full with waiting lines.
Quote from: second_pancake on January 23, 2008, 10:51:15 AM
I'm starting a petition....BRING IKEA TO JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll second that. I just went to the one in Orlando this past Sunday, and it was pretty spectacular.
My question is where to put it?
Quote from: Matt on September 20, 2008, 01:07:08 PM
Quote from: second_pancake on January 23, 2008, 10:51:15 AM
I'm starting a petition....BRING IKEA TO JACKSONVILLE!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll second that. I just went to the one in Orlando this past Sunday, and it was pretty spectacular.
My question is where to put it?
Sadly, Ikea will never come to Jacksonville (barring a radical change in store philosophy). We are already in the "market area" of their Orlando store, so they wouldn't even consider us for a store of our own. Ikea knows that people will drive a couple hours to get to their stores.
For example, Columbus and Indianapolis also won't get any IKEA's because they are both within the market area of Cincinnati's new IKEA.
Quote from: Charleston native on January 23, 2008, 01:13:09 PM
Actually, I was just going to say that SJTC has really positioned itself to be the upscale destination for Jax, unfortunately. I'm surprised that Jax does not have the demographic makeup, with such a high average salary.
Ock, that list you made pretty much sums up why lifestyle centers are going to be just a new urbanism fad. However, I think Jax has excellent quality shopping in comparison to my current city of residence and to many others in the Southeast.
I just want to point out that these "lifestyle centers" are in no way, shape or form new urbanism. New urbanism is essentially just about building traditional neighborhoods where people can live and conduct much of their routine activities without needing a car. These "lifestyle centers" obviously do not meet that criteria and are just a new version of sprawl.
Regency should be demolished and that would be a great area for a new huge IKEA and other venues that could flock herds of people....
Problem here is the locust strategy: cheaper to start a new strip mall than to rennovate existing ones.....
QuoteSadly, Ikea will never come to Jacksonville (barring a radical change in store philosophy). We are already in the "market area" of their Orlando store, so they wouldn't even consider us for a store of our own. Ikea knows that people will drive a couple hours to get to their stores.
For example, Columbus and Indianapolis also won't get any IKEA's because they are both within the market area of Cincinnati's new IKEA.
Tampa's not very far at all from Orlando...
^It really doesn't get any closer than those two. My guess is that if there is a market for them, they will come. If not, they won't.
^ Exactly. If they start seeing enough store/internet/catalog sales from Jacksonville, Savannah, Gainesville, Tallahassee then they will open one up.
IKEA usually needs a metro population of 1.9 mil and up to open a store. They have however made exceptions before. These exceptions are usually in areas with many colleges around them such as Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Then again, there is an IKEA in Salt Lake City (pop. 1.2-1.3 mil) yet no IKEA in Denver. Go figure.
Quote from: chipwich on June 22, 2009, 07:59:29 PM
IKEA usually needs a metro population of 1.9 mil and up to open a store. They have however made exceptions before. These exceptions are usually in areas with many colleges around them such as Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Then again, there is an IKEA in Salt Lake City (pop. 1.2-1.3 mil) yet no IKEA in Denver. Go figure.
Mormon bribery, shhhh.
It's either 110 degrees in the shade out at SJTC or pouring rain. I love the one who writes "what winter"... I won''t go into details for most of you kids are too young to remember.
I have seen the temp hover just above 0f in Jacksonville.
Snow like the devil in Jacksonville
Sleet like two devils in Jacksonville (should have seen the bumper cars on I-95!)
Hail? Well hell, it hailed today!
How about back in the 1980's when it was BELOW 30 degrees for over a week?
So while we often get away with little or no winter, that knife can/AND DOES cut both ways! The worst part of the weather here is that generally we have Summer and Winter (our winter is ever bit as fickle as it is in Oregon or Oklahoma).
OCKLAWAHA
I wonder how many people wanted to take a slow stroll through SJTC with the temps over 100?
As for Ikea, I'll sign that petition.
Quote from: CrysG on June 23, 2009, 09:15:25 AM
I wonder how many people wanted to take a slow stroll through SJTC with the temps over 100?
The parking lots were pretty packed.
^I had to make a business stop out there yesterday. The place is still packed but people typically drive to their destination and go inside.
QuoteSadly, Ikea will never come to Jacksonville (barring a radical change in store philosophy). We are already in the "market area" of their Orlando store, so they wouldn't even consider us for a store of our own. Ikea knows that people will drive a couple hours to get to their stores.
Tampa is even closer though. I think we'll eventually get an IKEA. We have a growing market for modern design with the recent additions of Bo Concept, West Elm, and lest I forget Nest Living and we have the population that spends it's money cheaply (see comment below).
QuoteJacksonville does have the demographics to support those high end stores. If Charleston, SC has the demographics to support a high end department store, then how can anyone say Jacksonville doesn't? There are so many upsclae neighborhoods here with incomes well over 80k a year. I think it has more to do with marketing and selling the city/region to these high end retailers than us not having the demographics.
What I've heard is that it's all the rich folks are cheap and go shopping at places like Wal-mart instead of the higher end alternatives. After living here for 4 years, I beginning to think there's some truth to that.
Quote from: Deuce on June 23, 2009, 11:03:12 AM
What I've heard is that it's all the rich folks are cheap and go shopping at places like Wal-mart instead of the higher end alternatives. After living here for 4 years, I beginning to think there's some truth to that.
Everything but the Goodwill store and flea markets are a higher end alternative to Wal-Mart.
was just in the orlando ikea the other day....i love ikea..i doubt we will be seeing one anytime soon....however, i will surely sign the petition.
as for any "town center" or "lifestyle center"......its too freakin hot!!!! i normally avoid malls but i will surely go to an enclosed mall in the lovely n florida summer humidity long before i go to a center exposed to our climate!
QuoteWhat I've heard is that it's all the rich folks are cheap and go shopping at places like Wal-mart instead of the higher end alternatives. After living here for 4 years, I beginning to think there's some truth to that.
Not to mention all the consumer's "buying down" in this economy. People who used to eat out all the time are now shopping for meal's at Publix and previous Publix shoppers are shopping at Winn Dixie. I had read that Walmart's average customer had a family income of $20K -$30K and spent around $30-$50 per visit. Now they're average customer's are in the $50K -$70K range with an average ring up of $80 -$100.
I buy my stuff at Salvation army thrift shop. Everything is 50% off on Wednesdays. ;D They only time I shop at non-thrift store is to use my discovercard rewards. ;D ;D This is the only way for a cat to get fat.
Quote from: fatcat on June 23, 2009, 04:13:23 PM
I buy my stuff at Salvation army thrift shop. Everything is 50% off on Wednesdays. ;D They only time I shop at non-thrift store is to use my discovercard rewards. ;D ;D This is the only way for a cat to get fat.
Seriously, everything??
Wow, I'm normally fine with Goodwills in my area, but I may have to take a long lunch break to check that out tomorrow!
Quote from: fatcat on June 23, 2009, 04:13:23 PM
I buy my stuff at Salvation army thrift shop. Everything is 50% off on Wednesdays.
Shhh! That was supposed to be an insider secret! Now they all know!
QuoteI would pressure some of Jax's malls offices to improve their image...if a mall looks newer and cleaner, more people will be attracted to go to it.
We have people who live in houses that cannot even keep their grass cut, or who park cars on their properties the likes of a junk lot, when will code enforcement get around to inspecting Jacksonville Malls? At least the Malls still have power and people go in them. Could be worse, as some strip malls and the old Phillips mall found out the hard way.
Rain at STJC, anyone here ever heard of an umbrella? Perhaps people will melt with some rain.
(http://turkish.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/w/weatherworks/2.jpg)
Welcome to Town Center, YES this is a FLORIDA photo
MTRAIN and OCKS ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER SURVIVAL GUIDE
Well MTrain, before our negative friend goes out and causes someone to get their butts fried at STJTC, let's go on record saying THINK! You are in Sub-Tropical Florida, LIGHTNING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! The LAST thing you want to do in an afternoon thunder storm is get out of the car and pop an aluminium umbrella handle straight up toward the sky. DUMB MOVE. If the wind doesn't rip it apart from the storms outflow, the lightning may just finish your shopping day forever...
So since I'm using your post for some constructive advice from a "Certified NWS Oklahoma Storm Chaser":
In a thunder storm:
DO NOT hide under a tree
DO NOT RUN
DO NOT stand by or touch a fence.
DO NOT stay in a pool, lake, river or stream
DO NOT rely on a convertable automobile for protection, get under cover.
Rule of thumb, lightning can strike as far as 20 miles from the storm itself, thus the saying ("A bolt out of the blue"). So use the rule that if you can hear it, it can probably strike you.
If you suspect a tornado, get indoors, lowest level, center of the building. Forget the old "open the windows myth" if that twister wants your windows open, it's completely able to do this all by itself, it doesn't need your help.
(http://icons-pe.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/s/Sunburnt/5.jpg)
Yes newbies, these too, in numbers you wouldn't frickin believe! How about right up with Oklahoma, and Texas? YEP! FACT!
OCKLAWAHA
Ock, make sure that Channel 12, 4, and 47 cover the next time you get hit by lightening at the SJTC, after using an umbrella.
How many people have been struck by lightening at the SJTC? Why is this an issue again?
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 25, 2009, 06:43:26 AM
How many people have been struck by lightening at the SJTC? Why is this an issue again?
Because your more likely to be struck taking a stroll at the SJTC than in an enclosed mall like OPM.
Just because it's hasn't happened doesn't mean it wont.
it will happen eventually, that is unfortunate. arent we notorious for the number of lightning strikes we get each year?
Quote from: CrysG on June 25, 2009, 07:54:41 AM
Because your more likely to be struck taking a stroll at the SJTC than in an enclosed mall like OPM.
Just because it's hasn't happened doesn't mean it wont.
You're also more likely to get struck by lightning while going down Bay Street than by walking in Bourbon Street Station but I prefer to former with the lightning risk.
Ock, I don’t think this is really the best argument against shopping at the TC. I mean sure it's a hassle, but a serious threat?
If there were a major lightening storm to hit there I think most people would just stay inside wherever they are and wait it out.
If you're looking for a more legitimate problem at the TC that you don't find at malls, I would say it's the mix of traffic and pedestrians.
I think the biggest hazard at the SJTC is me accidently walking into a light pole when I turn my head to look at a group of UNF hotties going into Hollister.
I suffer that very same fear at the Prime Outlet Mall in St. Augustine. Plus, the bollards out in front of Gucci just seem to just out and get me every time I turn to look at the nice "handbags" walking out of there... :)
Ock, that lightning picture isn't from Florida. You can see mountains in the far background if you look closely enough.
For the record, I'd rather be struck at SJTC than shop at OPM.
^ Those mountains you speak of are clouds :)
Didn't they close the SJTC with the water spout?
Quote from: Jason on June 25, 2009, 01:21:15 PM
^ Those mountains you speak of are clouds :)
Not so much, I've seen this picture before. It is from Arizona.
Quote from: CrysG on June 27, 2009, 06:02:50 PM
Didn't they close the SJTC with the water spout?
No, they recommened people take shelter though. Of course, pictures from there show otherwise.
Quote from: reednavy on June 27, 2009, 07:10:59 PM
Quote from: Jason on June 25, 2009, 01:21:15 PM
^ Those mountains you speak of are clouds :)
Not so much, I've seen this picture before. It is from Arizona.
(https://secured.com/~f2875/dnlightning/images/mostly_scattered_showers_250.jpg)
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1130/1380342203_a918186670.jpg)
(http://www.sky-chaser.com/image/stplog/p062396d.jpg)
(http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/73764/skyline-with-lightning-st-petersburg-florida-large.jpg)
Here are a few make-up shots... same jolt, different address. REED NAVY where do you stand on the "Ball Lightning" debate? I've seen it, but it almost seemed to float in slow motion, at least compaired with the normal stuff.
Yeah, my bad, guess this show was "Way Out West" but it was labeled FLORIDA and over riding better judgement I figured that the mountain's (if that's what they are) were wall clouds on the leading edge of a storm.
Even so, the location isn't so important as the message... The day before it happened "The Ancient One" warned of heavy lightning and tornado's... So class? Did we learn anything from this? LOLOCKLAWAHA
beautiful photos
I find it humorous that a board that seems to encourage downtown and urbanize would worry about the weather between stores. I guess you can't please everybody. Most of us get used to the weather or manage around it. For example, don't go strolling around during a thunderstorm. They normally happen in the afternoon after a hot day. Got winter, hang around a week or two it will go away. Our weather is mild compaired to other parts of the country.
Indoor malls may be a thing of the past for many practical reasons. Airconditioning and common area building cost are less in the Town Center. You don't have as many "mall rats" loitering getting in the way of the shoppers. You can open your store when you want and not during mall hours.
I don't miss them. I don't have the shopping gene any more. I don't have to shop. I go to a store to get a specific thing. Hit that store and leave. The rest is wasted on me.