Experts say Atlanta, Las Vegas, and retail hubs in California and Florida are at real economic risk if thousands of more stores shutter in 2009. This will have a devastating impact on the nations malls.
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I am only adding this because of a statement in the article that I found interesting. And I can’t help it. I have to say something.
“For me, one of the biggest consequences [of store and mall closings] is the loss of a sense of community,” Birnbrey said. “I am a big believer that malls are an essential part of Americana. A mall is a place where people gather and socialize.”
I have a problem with this statement or maybe the truth of this statement is actually the problem in whole. What if the “mall” has become the CENTER of society. If this is the case, there are a few concerns and issues that this proves to me:
1 – We are truly consumeristic and surround ourselves with buying and selling.
2 – We have lost touch with all other segments of society that are healthier for us.
3 – We have lost true center.
4 – We have busied ourselves with too many things outside of what is the REAL key to having relationships.
5 – We rely too much on external pleasures to live.
6 – We lost our direction when we allowed stores and businesses to be open on a Sabbath day of the week whether Saturday or Sunday, (That is up to debate).
And with that said, should ALL of the malls close, I have to say that I wouldn’t be too sad to see families hanging out more at the following places rather than inside the mall:
1 – Church
2 – Parks
3 – Camp Grounds
4 – Social Helps Organizations
5 – Theater
6 – Fields and Ball Parks
7 – Back Yards and Cookouts
8 – Parties
9 – Schools & Libraries
10 – Hiking, Mtns, Nature and Beaches
11 – Home with family. (Something we never do anymore).
12 – You fill in the blank with anything else that makes a good “CENTER of society.”
Maybe we won’t hear, “MMMMOMMM, I’m too busy…” When in reality all that means is, I am going shopping and I don’t want to be around you because you aren’t cool and I am actually spoiled since I have never done chores in my life and you haven’t grounded me ever because the nanny reared me all my life and we spent all of our extra time at the mall or watching TV because that was easier than actually training me and I don’t even know you…”
I think we have our priorities messed up. The mall is DEFINITELY not the center of my social world! HAHAHAHA!
You can click below for the full article…