Southridge Management Reacts to Old Navy Closing

Patricia June 21, 2012 at 10:50 pm

Nothing new, another store leaving, and no-name replacement stores take their place. Clean up the mall 1st, then maybe area greendale, franklin, oak creek, muskego people may decide to come back. TOO MANY TRASHY KIDS running off suburban people who actually spend money. Is that too direct for you? Its the truth. Mall owners, take your head out of the sand, look around . My wife and kids WILL not shop there at nite, or on a Sat. We like southridge, but, not with the hoods that are allowed to stroll freely without any intention on buying anything.

J H RDH June 22, 2012 at 02:14 am

The renovations look good. I guess I haven't seen the trashy kids when I shop there. I see lots of families. I live in Greendale and I think it is ridiculous to be afraid to shop at Southridge. I think some people only want to shop where they only see other white people.

Lisa417 June 22, 2012 at 10:35 am

I agree with J H RDH, the mall looks the best it's ever looked in the fifteen years I've lived in Greendale. And I've never seen any trashy kids when I shop there.

Nicki June 22, 2012 at 12:11 pm

I agree, as well. I've been shopping at Southridge since it opened and worked at Gimbels and Marshall Fields. I've lived in Greendale for 25 years and have watched the mall change from the best in the state to a shell of it's former self. This is a renaissamce for Southridge. The renovations are giving it a fresh new look and I'm looking forward to the end results.

Bren June 22, 2012 at 01:30 pm

I would agree there is a loitering problem at Southridge, particularly in winter. I disagree with J H RDH that it is about race, rather it is about boredom and having nowhere to congregate and socialize. Many countries, such as France, have promenade rituals where people stroll to see and be seen (check out the Champs Elysees on weekend evenings!). We really have nothing to compare except for malls, where the entire family can enjoy themselves without having to spend money in restaurants, etc. Our winters, in particular, are too brutal for outdoor strolling. I would suggest that the morning/evening walking club fits under the same banner. Last time I went to the Pettit Center it cost $4 just to use the jogging track.
The downside of this alternate usage for retailers and serious shoppers is that this counters the entire purpose of the mall, to bring people together to spend money. There is also a crime issue at Southridge, but this is everywhere. My great concern is the Walmart opening across the street. Police reports indicate that purse snatchers, etc. often travel to the nearest Walmart because triple digit purchases are normal and signatures aren't checked. Soon there will be a Walmart right across the street.

Renee' M. Metternich June 22, 2012 at 07:25 pm

I live in Greendale. My two teenage sons spend alot of time at Southridge. They're not trash. They have been raised to respect people and things. Now if people think that all kids are trash then get a life and see what's really out in this world because alot of the kids that do go to Southridge live right in the area. Not all. I know when my 17year old goes,he meets his buds they walk around and get maybe a drink and sit and talk. I don't see any harm in socializing with his friends on a weekend. It sure beats them doing drugs or drinking.

JustMe June 23, 2012 at 02:25 am

The ghetto trash from Milwaukee

Daisy Jane June 23, 2012 at 03:24 am

Perhaps stores are closing because of people boycotting the mall due to paranoia and over analyzing! If your at the mall to shop, then shop and stop worrying about what others are doing. I was once a teen that frequented the mall, not always with the intention to purchase something. It was sometimes to catch a glimpse of a boy I had a crush on and would giggle with friends. Harmless fun that kids these days still take part of. Quit with the race card and don't give up on our youth with negative comments and thoughts!

Bill Mack June 23, 2012 at 04:43 pm

It would help to get a top flight restaurant like Mayfair such as I.e. Maggianos, or a Cheese Cake Factory, not Panda Express. We need to be classier, Macy's is a good step toward that direction.

Karen June 23, 2012 at 05:07 pm

I agree with Bill Mack. More middle of the road chain restaurants will not bring any upgrades to Southridge. Panda Express and Longhorn Steakhouse, not so much in the classy venue. It still amazes me that any of the young people--from any part of town--- have so much time and money at their disposal that all they want to do is "hang out with their buds, walk around, and have a drink, and sit and talk". For hours? More than once a week? I must admit that I like the look of the new Macys...and hopefully when it is finished Boston Store will be easier to navigate and hire some friendly personnel.

Bill Mack June 23, 2012 at 05:16 pm

I agree with Karen and I neglected to add Bartolottas Restaurant as great addition to the village, I know they will do well.

Criba August 17, 2012 at 12:58 pm

If your at the mall to shop, then shop and stop worrying about what others are doing<------I think this is probably the thinking that was going on at Northridge and that didn't bode very well for Northridge did it?
I think the renovations at Southridge are a nice change for Southridge that should bring a good increase in revenue but if the mall manager/owner does not adopt a youth policy soon, we will see some of the same things at Southridge as we did at Northridge. They should not wait for gun shots to happen in order to do this. And yes, I think Southridge is very much in the realms of the possibility of this happening And while I don't feel unsafe shopping here, even at night, I don't appreciate VERY loud obnoxious teens, with their pants hanging of their a**** !

Former Old Navy Employer February 2, 2013 at 07:15 pm

I have worked at this mall, At Old navy for 3 years and left a month before closing. Us employees were not allowed to talk about the closing, which came to a surprise to the public, since we only gave customers 3 week notice of closing. We were not allowed to put up "we are closing" signs. The Mall Managers said it would put an eyesore to our mall and storefront. The picture you see above, was taken down 3 times by mall officials. As an employee, we were let in on many details about the malls renovation before they started what stores were to come, and how the mall wanted to move Old Navy to a smaller location and area of the mall where there was not much foot traffic. Gap inc is all about location in the mall. They want the best of the best. They were not going to settle down and be put into the end strip of the mall where no one goes too. The spot where Old Navy was located, was bought out years ago. We knew our time was up. A lot of our employees were with no jobs after the closing. We were informed that we were officially closing, 1 month before the store actually closed. Which is why I left. NOTE: Souhtridge did not want to get rid of Old Navy, Gap Inc was not happy about the situation and moving of the store so they shut there doors because they could not reach an agreement. But only 2 weeks later of closing, They came to agreement, and now Old Navy is coming back. But the store will be much smaller. 20,000 sqf to 13,000.

JustMe February 2, 2013 at 07:20 pm

Hope the quality of the clothes gets better.