Life Olathe’s Great Mall closing this fall - Page 3

stanleychief · 02-16-2015, 02:56 PM

Looks like another mall bites the dust..

http://www.kansascity.com/news/busin...e10464437.html

Olathe’s Great Mall of the Great Plains will close in mid-to-late fall. The 786,000-square-foot mall, at Interstate 35 and 151st Street, opened to great fanfare in 1997.

In a statement, mall officials said: “The decision to close was difficult, but one that was guided by very compelling economic realities. "The development began to face struggles soon after it opened in 1997, and has been unable to recover in the intervening years due to a variety of factors, including the economic downturn and changes in customers’ shopping habits.”

VanTrust, the asset manager for the property, said it has “worked diligently to identify potential uses for the existing development.” But the structure, maintenance costs and layout do not support preservation of the current building. The developer is working with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council to determine the best use for the property, one that is in the interests of both the city and the community.

cosmo20002 · 02-16-2015, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

The Great Mall failed because it was an outlet mall, for one. It never brought in anything for name brand stores save Famous Footwear. If they ever got a Penney's or Sears in that place it would have done more business. People all around Olathe drive to Oak Park Mall because that's where all the stores are. The Great Mall never offered much in that way and so it sank.

I'm not sure if adding a shitty store no one has cared about in 25 years would have helped.
Maybe a Montgomery Wards?

Deberg_1990 · 02-16-2015, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

It's a trend actually. Enclosed malls have been failing everywhere. I don't quite get it myself. The strip mall thing seems to be much more successful. People's tastes are strange.

This one feels a little different because it sounds like this Mall never really took off. Most of the old enclosed malls fail because they turn into thug/youth hangouts.

This one sounds like it failed because nobody much liked it from the beginning.

**TimeForWasp** · 02-16-2015, 08:53 PM

When I think of malls, I think of expensive. Usually the only reason I go to malls is because that is where the theater usually is.

**petegz28** · 02-16-2015, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

I'm not sure if adding a shitty store no one has cared about in 25 years would have helped.
Maybe a Montgomery Wards?

Meanwhile every time I go to Penny's at OPM it has a lot of shoppers.

Dumbass

**petegz28** · 02-16-2015, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

This one feels a little different because it sounds like this Mall never really took off. Most of the old enclosed malls fail because they turn into thug/youth hangouts.

This one sounds like it failed because nobody much liked it from the beginning.

It was an outlet mall. That just didn't sell much in south Johnson County. It was packed at first but there really just wasn't a draw after the initial hype.

BWillie · 02-16-2015, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

People would rather go straight to the one store they need to buy from than walk through a crowded mall past 100 stores just to get to the one they want.

Its ****ing cold 5 months of the year. Usually when I go shopping, Im gonna hit at least a few places to get what I need done. Im not quite sure why Target isnt in more malla. Ppl would go get groceries, necessities and go wander around to buy shit

Jiu Jitsu Jon · 02-16-2015, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Its ****ing cold 5 months of the year. Usually when I go shopping, Im gonna hit at least a few places to get what I need done. Im not quite sure why Target isnt in more malla. Ppl would go get groceries, necessities and go wander around to buy shit

I agree with you in theory. In practice it often ends poorly for the smaller stores surrounding the big box retailer.

**DaneMcCloud** · 02-17-2015, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

The Great Mall failed because it was an outlet mall, for one. It never brought in anything for name brand stores save Famous Footwear. If they ever got a Penney's or Sears

Are you in your 70's, Pete? That would actually explain a lot.

**Baby Lee** · 02-17-2015, 01:04 AM

Did get great deals there for a while, but too many closures and wide swathes of empty space.

St. Louis Mills is a similar concept, but more successful

ChiliConCarnage · 02-17-2015, 05:08 AM

That carpet was definitely something else. I'm surprised it's hung on this long

Chiefshrink · 02-17-2015, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

It's a trend actually. Enclosed malls have been failing everywhere. I don't quite get it myself. The strip mall thing seems to be much more successful. People's tastes are strange.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

I agree. Strip malls like Zona Rosa are fine for the three months or so of perfect weather we have, but the rest of the year it's either too hot, too cold, too windy, or too dark too early to enjoy them.

Buying online is where it's at. Why get out if you don't have to? Avoid the parking, crowds and especially the higher prices. Technology has forced a lot of this

BWillie · 02-17-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Buying online is where it's at. Why get out if you don't have to? Avoid the parking, crowds and especially the higher prices. Technology has forced a lot of this

It is, but strip malls are not really failing. So I don't know if it is totally technology driven. American's don't like to walk. Especially fat ones. Therefore malls are not a good attraction for them. They don't want to walk more than 50 feet from their car.

JD10367 · 02-17-2015, 09:37 AM

Malls have changed greatly over the years. 15 or 20 years ago, I loved to go to the mall because there were so many interesting stories you could check out at once. Bookstores, specialty coffee shops, educational toy stores, Disney stores (when they actually still sold things like books and watches and adult clothes), Discovery channel stores, Brookstone's, sharper image, etc.,. Now? Most malls are nothing but collections of 20 different women's shoe stores and 20 different teenage girl clothing stores. As soon as I quit my job, which happens to be in the mall, I will probably almost never set foot in a mall again.

Strongside · 02-17-2015, 09:43 AM

SHOCKER.

BigBeauford · 02-17-2015, 09:48 AM

The mall has had a pretty creepy vibe lately. I feel like someone could probably be murdered in there and no one would notice.

02-16-2015, 02:56 PM
stanleychief Veteran Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $5266254	Olathe’s Great Mall closing this fall Looks like another mall bites the dust.. http://www.kansascity.com/news/busin...e10464437.html Olathe’s Great Mall of the Great Plains will close in mid-to-late fall. The 786,000-square-foot mall, at Interstate 35 and 151st Street, opened to great fanfare in 1997. In a statement, mall officials said: “The decision to close was difficult, but one that was guided by very compelling economic realities. "The development began to face struggles soon after it opened in 1997, and has been unable to recover in the intervening years due to a variety of factors, including the economic downturn and changes in customers’ shopping habits.” VanTrust, the asset manager for the property, said it has “worked diligently to identify potential uses for the existing development.” But the structure, maintenance costs and layout do not support preservation of the current building. The developer is working with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council to determine the best use for the property, one that is in the interests of both the city and the community.
Posts: 1,193

02-16-2015, 08:53 PM	#33
TimeForWasp Sprinkle in some Mahomes Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Butte Montana Casino cash: $7678507	When I think of malls, I think of expensive. Usually the only reason I go to malls is because that is where the theater usually is. __________________ Posted via Slingshot using Rocks eBay sniper
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02-17-2015, 01:04 AM	#39
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	Did get great deals there for a while, but too many closures and wide swathes of empty space. St. Louis Mills is a similar concept, but more successful __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
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02-17-2015, 05:08 AM	#40
ChiliConCarnage TACO SALAD Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: yes Casino cash: $1828468	That carpet was definitely something else. I'm surprised it's hung on this long
Posts: 5,851

02-17-2015, 09:37 AM	#43
JD10367 Cheaterlover* Join Date: May 2009 Location: RI Casino cash: $10010716	Malls have changed greatly over the years. 15 or 20 years ago, I loved to go to the mall because there were so many interesting stories you could check out at once. Bookstores, specialty coffee shops, educational toy stores, Disney stores (when they actually still sold things like books and watches and adult clothes), Discovery channel stores, Brookstone's, sharper image, etc.,. Now? Most malls are nothing but collections of 20 different women's shoe stores and 20 different teenage girl clothing stores. As soon as I quit my job, which happens to be in the mall, I will probably almost never set foot in a mall again.
Posts: 12,916

02-17-2015, 09:43 AM	#44
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $6144282	SHOCKER.
Posts: 13,193

02-17-2015, 09:48 AM	#45
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $2276717	The mall has had a pretty creepy vibe lately. I feel like someone could probably be murdered in there and no one would notice.
Posts: 14,126