MacArthur Center - Shop at your own risk!!!

Norfolk, VA. Built in 1999 the region’s only 3 story enclosed shopping mall started out with a lot of promise and is now a location of fleeing stores, increased violence with murder and suicide. Come take a walk and learn the history of this mall while you can still come in.

[@DyingRetail]

My apologies folks. I was informed by someone that the Rainforest Cafe was on the first floor. I’m looking for verification. Nothing in my research said where a store was. Only it was in the mall. Trying to find what was on third floor that I mistook for the rainforest cafe. And my apologies. What I thought was rainforest was Cheesecake Factory. It’s been so long since it was there I forgot about it.

[@mikeatkinson13]

Rain Forest was in the big empty area that surrounds Lids

[@DyingRetail]

@@mikeatkinson13 Thank you Mike. It’s been so long I had forgotten where it was.

[@dumpsterbucks]

Yeah. It was first floor. I worked there for a while. I also worked at Greenbrier Mall around the same time as you. I was a bartender/manager at Mozzarella's (which changed names to The American Cafe) for 9.5 years and at the Kay Jewelers when it was by the food court.

[@dumpsterbucks]

The area in the food court you were referring too was a Cheesecake Factory but an experimental smaller concept location. I don't think they still have any of those Cheesecake Factory express mall locations anywhere now.

[@edwardverlander7681]

I enjoyed this video but I recall that you said something and they said the same thing about the Norfolk Tide Light Rail. That that was going to be a boom for business at each one of the stops that it had. That neverv materialize either

[@UntilTheSilence]

I remember I was in town for business and saw Paranormal Activity at this mall in 2009. I'd never been there before, and the place was packed in the middle of a day on a weekday. Food court was also packed. Never been back -- amazing to see what a difference 15 years makes.

[@DyingRetail]

Yeah. It’s a shame.

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

It's really sad to see this mall come to this state. I was part of the first LensCrafters crew that opened the mall. It was so nice, upscale, lively and vibrant when it opened. I also worked at the Watch World, Sunglass Hut and Godiva Chocolate around the same time too. Trying to work my way through college with a bunch of jobs haha. Thanks for posting this vid also.

[@DyingRetail]

They’ve done a good job with maintaining it. Which is impressive. I wonder if they hadn’t gone with a mall but a redesign of those blocks into shops, entertainment, etc. if things would have worked out differently or if the violence would still have creeped in. City doesn’t usually make good operators.

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

@@DyingRetail Back when it opened we wondered if there was enough of a demand for the high end retail stores to stick around. I never thought back then that all malls would basically end up dying in a couple decades.

[@DyingRetail]

Know what you mean. Growing up with them you assumed it would always be. There’s a bunch of factors. One is too many malls. Especially malls that would compete and take traffic from older malls. Anchor stores that grew too big and then got into financial trouble.

[@fudude]

Gangs. No other reason. Pieces of human garbage closed this mall. Period.

[@DyingRetail]

I have noticed it’s been months since we have heard about any shootings. Probably helps city beefed up patrols in the downtown area.

[@brettmartin434]

MacArthur Center seems to have been one of the last multi-story enclosed malls developed. By the early 2000s, retail projects of this scale were mostly built with open-air pedestrian corridors, like Short Pump Town Center and the "me too" failed Stony Point project in neighboring Richmond championed by then Mayor, Tim Kaine. Several years later, the Coliseum Mall in Hampton was redeveloped similarly as the Peninsula Town Center. Like MacArthur Center, Stony Point was envisioned to have "upscale" establishments and still retains a Dillards and inexplicably, Tiffany's. Yet after the closure of numerous restaurants and stores (including replacement anchor, Dick's) even before 2020, the City of Richmond plans to demolish it and (have some corporate entity?) build multi-family housing with possible first-floor neighborhood retail space.

[@DyingRetail]

I love the short pump mall. Especially in the fall the mixture of enclosed and open spaces just feels right. MacArthur is the only 3 level mall in this area. I don’t hold much hope in city of Norfolk officials making good decisions with the property.

[@DyingRetail]

+Brett Martin Short Pump seems to have killed Stony Point. I was surprised how dead it was. Same Developer as MacArthur and LakeForest mall I filmed yesterday on its last day. Do have to give Taubman credit, their malls are not full looking.

[@jenniferburchill3658]

I am amazed at how nice this place looks and how well it has been kept up.

[@DyingRetail]

Compared to other facilities I was also surprised.

[@JohnLusher]

Good video, and interesting backstory on the mall. It’s a shame that crime has played such a large role in the demise of the mall.

[@DyingRetail]

Thanks for the support.

[@jenniferburchill3658]

Ironically, those most likely to commit crimes probably brought a lot of revenue to the malls!

[@DyingRetail]

@@jenniferburchill3658 well. Maybe shoftlifters. The ones shooting up the mall probably didn’t help.

[@decimated550]

@@DyingRetail lol understatement

[@CoolCatProductions-365]

Great video!

[@DyingRetail]

Thank you. I’ll have to go explore your content soon.

[@youcancallmeKIRK]

Great video! I worked at the Starbucks kiosk by the elevators in 2013-2014. PS-I enjoy how you cut the G’s off your ing works. ie-“fightin’, shootin’, enterin’

[@DyingRetail]

Cool, thanks!

[@africanfufu]

I came here today 03/06/2023 because I will be visiting Norfolk this weekend just to look since I’ve never been there. This video helps

[@DyingRetail]

+africanfufu8126 I’m glad it’s helpful. I’m sure you’ll enjoy exploring :)

[@jdh81192]

Nice job! Tons of great background info. Only miss was the mention of the most unique kids play area in a mall in VA. It was beside the food court. Waterside absolutely needs to be next. You will be shocked!

[@DyingRetail]

I was leery recording the play area with children playing. Didn’t want any parents to get worried for no reason.

[@ToneStallone]

Waterside was the best my mother worked at Snoopy's right by the chocolate factory

[@DyingRetail]

I hope to possibly work on a video about waterside sometime soon. I have to see what old video I can find before the remodel.

[@flouserschird]

Norfolk is a NO GO ZONE in my book. Way too much crime and strange fellows wandering around in downtown. City needs to be cleaned up, nobody wants to go there anymore.

[@DyingRetail]

Seems that way. At least at night.

[@nancydarling4918]

Interesting video. Too bad about the crime. Thanks for filming.

[@DyingRetail]

You’re welcome. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed watching.

[@lindaw2502]

Loved that mall when it opened. I was happy to pay for parking and be in the shade and out of the rain. Missed it when I moved to NoVa in 2001! Especially Dillards and they didn’t have any up there. I showed it at Christmas when I came home for the holidays. Moved back in 2013 and could see the slow decline but always enjoyed it. I worked at a friends store in Waterside in the early 80’s when I was in HS and on call for him for years. Loved working there in the hay day…. I have went to new waterside once, was surprised it was nothing but restaurants. We haven’t been back. We don’t eat chain places if we can avoid it.

[@DyingRetail]

Welcome back to the area. Glad you enjoyed the video. Yeah, the new Waterside is nothing but a tourist trap in my opinion.

[@tavius88]

Keep up the good work

[@DyingRetail]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.

[@SeaBassTian]

I just visited this mall for the first time in late 2021 but my impression was that the only good thing about it was having a Dillard store downtown! I didn't feel any danger in progress but the current roster of stores is pretty dismal. Can you blame fancy Nordstrom for cutting ties with the likes of Rainbow?

[@DyingRetail]

They definitely were high end retail that’s for sure. I don’t know if they would have stayed if not for all the violent incidents inside the mall or not. Don’t think I ever saw how they were doing financially there. Probably number we will never see.

[@tjsogmc]

An over bloated mall in a dumpy area built at the end of the mall era. It should never have been built because it was doomed to fail from the start. Nobody in their right mind would go to that mall alone, or anytime after dark. The city had a bizarre idea of building an upscale mall in the ghetto, and not surprisingly it didn't work.

[@DyingRetail]

I do miss the Apple Store being there. Was closer than Lynnhaven. Was really only reason I would go there.

[@mikeg8630]

Personally, I would summarize this as we're all in a lot of trouble. It's like seeing a hurricane on radar, you know it's coming. I will pray. Thank you and KZbin for providing this information that we most likely wouldn't get from the deceiving networks.

[@DyingRetail]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Trying to document all the changes that I am witnessing. Seeing a lot of things I never thought I would be seeing that’s for sure.

[@decimated550]

Thanks!

[@DyingRetail]

Thank you very much :)

[@Bobzilla206]

So the concept of 15 minute cities is planned for this mall. Interesting!

[@DyingRetail]

Last I have heard no definite plans are in place. I am wondering if there is a buyer. The listing agent no longer had it up.

[@ashextraordinaire]

Funny you mention Atlanta malls, because I had the same thought when MacArthur opened. Every time I visited my sister in Atlanta, we went to one of the malls there, and it was like Norfolk had taken one of those and plopped it right down here (on top of Smith & Welton... but I'm not bitter or anything). I've spent countless hours at MacArthur, even worked at one of the shops there. I'd love to see it blossom again!

[@DyingRetail]

Did you check out my latest video on Lakeforest Mall in Maryland? Same developer and interesting how MacArthur has similar features.

[@ashextraordinaire]

@@DyingRetail I haven't yet, but I will! Kind of like how Waterside and Inner Harbor look almost like clones?

[@DyingRetail]

Waterside was a copy of Baltimore. I believe same developer. I need to look. That would be a good one for video sometime.

[@justinlassiter7671]

I remember when this mall opened. Just the other week I walked through it and thought about it's lifespan. It is an absolutely beautiful structure with great layout and architecture. The mall and immediate area of downtown are set right on the water. There are nostalgic neighbourhoods densely packed with diverse, early-twentieth-century, architecture (many are pre-war) and fantastic eateries spread out like gems that have been cast out over the landscape. Such an awesome place. I spend entire days meandering through the old roads and boroughs from Ghent and Chelsea up to Algonquin just to admire the setting and old, residential architecture. HOWEVER, they dropped a diamond in the rough so to speak. The retail climate likely had the lowest impact on the demise of MacArthur compared to the affects caused by the actual community they set it in. Just the other side of St. Pauls are multiple section 8 projects and beyond those there are only very low-income neighbourhoods for miles which have always been crime-dense communities. Homelessness, theft, violence, and just general low-class behaviour make it very unpleasant to visit. Why risk harm just to buy an over-priced item? Keep in mind also the distance outsiders have to drive to shop there. Most people outside of Norfolk don't want the inconvenience to drive there with the added risk of driving through the areas surrounding it. In contrast, the community that is closest and most likely to patronise the mall doesn't have the income levels to support the stores that filled the mall. Without having cleaned up the area, that mall was doomed from day one. Now not only is the mall imploding, but the businesses, shops and restaurants on Granby and adjacent streets are closing too due to the same catalyst. With a casino slated to open in the very near future in Portsmouth, I hope they can draw from the mall's experience to stave off disaster again as Portsmouth is equally as rough socio-economically speaking.

[@DyingRetail]

Both Norfolk and Downtown Portsmouth has a lot of history in the old architecture I love exploring them as well. I think Norfolk was trying to put a square peg into a round hole with this mall. Sort of like they were going to force this mall to work when a lot of variables were against it. Maybe if COVID and the shut down mess hadn’t happened things might have panned out differently but when people start to not feel safe going to a venue… that really hurts. Now we wait and see what new owners will do. A lot of what I have been reading suggests these property groups bundled a lot of malls together for collateral for bigger projects with risky loans hoping to have them paid off before they came due. Then they got the bill at the worst possible time.

[@sbclaridge]

11:59 it's interesting that Chico's closed, but their sister brand White House Black Market (WHBM) is still there (see 15:54 and 21:07). These are fairly upscale brands that nicely complement a store like Nordstrom. There's a local mall in my area (North East Mall in Hurst, TX) that also lost its Nordstrom around the same time, but still has both Chico's and WHBM. I remember how the manager at the North East Mall WHBM told me that she didn't like the mall losing Nordstrom. I should add that much of the time, Chico's and WHBM tend to prefer outdoor "lifestyle centers" over mall-based locations. Here in Dallas-Fort Worth, I believe the only other indoor-mall-based WHBM, aside from North East, is at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco, TX, which I believe was their very first DFW location, which likely pre-dates Chico's acquisition of WHBM back in 2003. I just remember noticing this elegant-looking women's clothing store at Stonebriar as a child in the early-to-mid 2000s who could care less about women's clothing at the time... and didn't really care until over a decade later when I started to experiment with women's clothing upon questioning my gender identity (starting with fast-fashion brands like F21 and H&M). I actually didn't start wearing WHBM until 2017, once I "suddenly discovered" the brand at the aforementioned North East Mall location and fell in love with it after a positive first impression of the in-store experience. The store associates were just so kind and friendly, I felt pampered, and it didn't matter that I was transgender... for the first time in my life I truly felt like a woman shopping for clothes. (I actually identify as non-binary now, but with a strong tendency to wear feminine fashion, _especially_ WHBM) I suspect the timing of the leases have something to do with it, but MacArthur Center also seems to be WHBM's only Hampton Roads location, as I look through their Virginia locations (aside from Richmond, most of their non-outlet VA locations are in NoVA). They do have an WHBM outlet store in Williamsburg, but that's their only other location even remotely close to the Hampton Roads region. I've never been to a WHBM outlet nor do I plan on going to one... I'd prefer to shop sale items in their regular stores, as outlet purchases do not count towards the WHBM Rewards+ loyalty program.

[@DyingRetail]

It’s interesting. Unless you sit and research you don’t always know these stores are connected deeply.

[@retroguy1976]

what a nice mall. shame crime ruined it all

[@DyingRetail]

The crime didn’t help that’s for sure.

[@everettetoxey8554]

I was just there 2 weeks ago, was there the first weekend it opened

[@DyingRetail]

You would definitely notice the changes then for sure.

[@user-jv9ys6vn3f]

Loved military circle and macarther center mall years ago,then crime and online shopping made going to malls less desirable. I don't go to either anymore,just lynhaven Mall mostly.

[@DyingRetail]

What’s sad is it took the murder inside the mall and the murder of some unknown reporter for the city to step up the downtown police presense. You haven’t heard of any major incident in MacArther for close to two years now but the damage has been done.

[@nsconductor2007]

Being stationed in Norfolk from 2000-2004 my first visit to this Mall was in 2001. Beautiful interior. But I don't know what it was about it, I preferred Lynnhaven over this one and Military Circle. Not to say I visited Military Circle more than this because I did. I only visited this one twice, and in late 2001 it prompted me to buy a car due to an incident at a bus stop outside.

[@DyingRetail]

By that time it was starting to suffer. It was a fun place in the 80’s and 90’s.

[@keithboykins258]

I agree, it look like some mall in Atlanta to me 2

[@DyingRetail]

Sure does.

[@unknown-user]

Malls are reflective of the surrounding culture. To understand the future of a certain mall, all you have to do is look at who lives nearby.

[@DyingRetail]

Unfortunately, what grows up around a mall can change it.

[@unknown-user]

@@DyingRetail Do you think the new Norfolk Premium Outlets will survive?

[@DyingRetail]

Not sure. I think it may. It’s right along the border with Virginia Beach and IKEA is not far. Could be good draws.

[@himebaughchris4026]

My elevator shafts turned out good though. Worked for Miller and Long on it before Armada-Hoffler cheated them on payment. Mike Gordeau got that money back. S.B. Ballard took over.

[@DyingRetail]

I have heard that often about Armada-Hoffler.

[@beachbrovlogs]

🏖👍

[@DyingRetail]

Hope you are having a good holiday season.

[@kazeryu17]

Interesting video. It's a shame that this mall is struggling, as it has always been the nicest mall in the area. That being said, the area has huge potential for somthing better. I can imagine a large European style public square lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, and apartments; that is open to on the east, and west in such a way that it can serve as the main connector between SPQ, and Granby Street, and host large events in a similar fashion to town point park. Maby they can throw in that amusement park they have been promising for a long time. Whatever replaces it has some large shoes to fill though.

[@DyingRetail]

I agree. The building has been well maintained and still looks as good as when they opened. We can only hope that those in charge really try and come up with the best use for the area. I like the concept you mentioned here. Something that would add to the downtown area and pull everyone in.

[@LexDiamond270]

Whenever I visit Virginia Beach I would stop in this mall. It’s sad malls everywhere are struggling. Amazon and online retail are killing the malls. What’s going to happen to that beautiful space.

[@DyingRetail]

Not sure. With Norfolk owning it now I wouldn’t be surprised they ruin it further. The one thing that is not reported on is since the city got serious with policing downtown, there has been no reported serious crime at the mall but the damage has been done. People are afraid to go there.

[@masterwolfofthesea4817]

I love MacArthur it's still a good mall

[@DyingRetail]

Unfortunately, change is coming. What, we will have to see.

[@SuperShepard1]

All they need is to add a Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus as an upscale anchor store, and other retailers will follow!

[@masterwolfofthesea4817]

@@SuperShepard1 I think they should add a HUGE arcade

[@DyingRetail]

+SuperShepard1 You had Nordstroms and they finally gave up. Saks isn’t doing well from what I hear. Several locations they have actually closed off their second floors.

[@masterwolfofthesea4817]

@@DyingRetail wait who when

[@josepherhardt164]

TBF, I think some businesses used the murder as a convenient excuse to do what they had planned to do already: pull out of the mall. :(

[@DyingRetail]

Probably will never know.

[@StargazerLily82]

Coming here from Reddit - was commenting on the thread where you posted the vid. I just found out recently that the Nordstrom building, although attached to the rest of the mall, is owned by the city and the rest of the mall isn't. I moved here in 2018 and Nordstrom was still open then. It was always so quiet, though. Not a typical Nordie's at all. I go in there a couple of times a week, but usually just for B&N, Dillard's, Sephora, Lush, and B&BW. I usually have my parrot with me because she likes to see people. When you mention everywhere that has closed, it suddenly hit me how different it is now. There used to be some really good stores in there. Now it's just dead. It's a shame. The real problem is that people think it's a good idea to bring their crime into the mall. I remember the first time there was a shooting after I moved across the street. People were huddling under my window because they had run out of the mall in a hurry and didn't know where to go. I'm always VERY cautious when I go in there. I used to like to walk there during the winter when it's cold, but not anymore. For the mall to change, the city would have to change, and that's not going to happen.

[@DyingRetail]

It’s strange walking in now seeing all the empty store fronts.

[@StargazerLily82]

@@DyingRetail so much. I'm actually glad you went down on the side by Nordstrom. I haven't been down on that end of the mall in ages. There used to be a GNC next to the Nordstrom but they must have closed up around COVID. That's where one of the shootings happened and I was told that people were running into the GNC store to get out of the way. I guess I've just gotten so used to it being empty that I forgot what it was like when there were a ton of good stores in there. It's such a pretty Taubman mall. It's such a shame.

[@DyingRetail]

Yep. Taubman is the bomb.

[@shmabadu]

Same problem wherever you go.

[@IanTheBuizel]

It feels like this mall has been on the decline since late 2019. I went there in early 2020 a few months before COVID, and it was pretty empty/not a lot of people there and several closed stores. It was somewhat still alive though, but after going there in November 2021 I will probably not be going back. More closed stores, half empty and generally depressing. It's sad to see yet another childhood mall of mine is dying....

[@DyingRetail]

When people start to no longer feel safe it’s only a matter of time unfortunately.

[@eddstarr2185]

City officials around the country still believe that a mall can revitalize a downtown. Yet no one can show a single example where this has happened. Malls are a terrible idea to locate in any downtown. Retail management groups have a consistent record of poor decision making. Millions of dollars wasted because lessons from other failed projects are never learned.

[@DyingRetail]

It appears they were being advised against that, with suggestions using existing buildings and create a more inclusive area that would pull the community together. It’s a nice building. Just sits like a sore thumb in Downtown.

[@eddstarr2185]

@@DyingRetail When it comes to lively retail, Ward's Corner in the 1960's was amazing. A retail environment that encouraged shopping at every store front, just for the experience. Thank you reminding me of my hometown during it's Glory Days.

[@DyingRetail]

@@eddstarr2185 I remember Wards Corner from late 70’s to 80’s late 90’s I worked at HFC in the building outside of the mall. That’s one I wish was recorded before the destruction. Alas! Wasn’t a thought back then.

[@eddstarr2185]

@@DyingRetail I'm so lucky to meet you DR, it was just random that I found your channel. I was born in Norfolk in 1956 and went away to college in 1976. The Tidewater area I saw as a child no longer exists. I remember the VFC car ferry named the "SS Princess Anne" that predated the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, up to 1964.

[@DyingRetail]

You have seen a lot!!! I was born in 1970 so I missed the ferries and stuff.

[@stephengraves1285]

Forcing people to pay to park not too smart either.

[@DyingRetail]

In downtown Norfolk, you pay to park practically everywhere. So the majority are used to it. Usually $1 to $2 is the charge.

[@elizabeth-2213]

The city of Norfolk just bought McArthur Center today.

[@DyingRetail]

I saw. This will be interesting.

[@BeaufortRyan]

If you have seen the news, MacArthur Center Mall is up for sale because they struggled to keep tenants.

[@DyingRetail]

I know what’s going on. I believe there’s a pending buyer. All sale information is off the JLL site.

[@blairharris]

Thanks for the video. Two things, you need a HD microphone, and to have background music while you talk throughout the clips.

[@DyingRetail]

Now Blair (LOL!) I can’t seem to win with the music. I was going to use music but I was wanting to have the mall background in on this one. I have been using the iPad microphone as well as my AirPod Pro’s but… you’re probably right about the microphone 😅

[@Brendan-Black]

​@@DyingRetail Yeah, no music necessary in my opinion. It's nice to get the sounds of the mall IMO.

[@DyingRetail]

Sometimes I am finding I have to use music. It’s a fight trying not to get copyright strikes when the background music gets in the videos.

[@Rudy57]

Interesting video, must have taken you a lot of effort ! One thing though : the volume of the spoken text is rather low imho. I usually watch on a TV using a Chromecast and have to keep on adjusting the volume, because the music is quite loud in comparison..

[@DyingRetail]

Are you talking about the intro and the voices there? They were not supposed to be as loud as the into music. Or are you talking about the narration? There was no music on that part. Only thing I can do is look at codec setting but the levels were set to normal.

[@Rudy57]

@@DyingRetail sorry, i could have been more specific. The volume of the narration is a bit low in my opinion. Have to turn it up to maximum to hear it properly.. (usually it is at 75%)

[@DyingRetail]

@@Rudy57 ah. Gotcha. I did run into an issue with the headset I was using but I thought I compensated and got it fixed. This is a learning process at times. LOL!

[@DyingRetail]

The mall is up for sale. www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/macarthur-center-for-sale-norfolk/291-f1d13bac-dcc5-45ae-9c82-67b9a130d424

[@decimated550]

could you possibly do a steadicam-type edit when walking? not a big deal, just would be a bit more relaxing to watch

[@DyingRetail]

I was nervous when filming there. I was constantly watching out for mall cops expecting to bust me. So I think it showed there. I would like to do MacArthur again sometime. I want to give video time a little space.

[@mizFahrenheit]

OMG suicide?? I went here with my mom just a few months ago to Dillard's, I had no idea it's wasn't safe anymore. 😵

[@DyingRetail]

It’s been quiet lately. Police presence has been increased in the Granby area. So they might have put more resources into the mall itself.

[@DyingRetail]

Oh. The man who committed suicide was my former bosses spouse.

[@JohnDoe-ml8ru]

The Apple store is gone? Oh wow. That mall is doomed.

[@DyingRetail]

Over a year now.

[@azmax623]

Justice stores closed everywhere, so it wasn't just this mall that lost the store.

[@DyingRetail]

Thanks.

[@DyingRetail]

+azmax623 👍🏼

[@vickieharris9834]

I am going to miss Johnny Rockets

[@DyingRetail]

Yeah. They got good food.

[@vickieharris9834]

Yes they do

[@WhittyPics]

Johnny Rockets is cool. We don't have any around here

[@DyingRetail]

Food there is pretty good.

[@staceyglenn2171]

I still don’t understand why miles are dying went better place to go then indoors where everything is at your fingertips I just don’t understand the decline of the mole situation across America

[@DyingRetail]

A lot of factors. I think part of this is too many malls we’re built on top of each other. Then you have the anchor stores that have over extended and are dying. They leave and the mall loses a draw to come in.

[@troypol343]

That was a nice mall but the location was wrong. Now it is what I consider ghetto. After the 1st shooting in the mall we stopped going there. I remember the line to see Santa was long during the Christmas season. Last summer we did walk into the bottom if the mall to buy some waters from a small convenience type store as we had guests from out of town and took the ferry from Portsmouth to Norfolk. I remember the Rainforest cafe but it was down stairs, 1st floor. There was I believe a Cheesecake Factory in that larger empty section in the food court. I love indoor malls but they are really suffering. Location is very important and this mall is an example of where not to build one.

[@DyingRetail]

Barnes & Nobles to Leave MacArthur Center 12/21. Converting to a TCC campus location. www.pilotonline.com/inside-business/vp-ib-tcc-barnes-noble-20221219-252loj34o5gmdimfcpqujdagle-story.html

[@Desslok20]

What's the song at the end of the video?

[@DyingRetail]

I will have to look it up and get back to you. The editing package I use gives a lot of music and extra elements to add to projects.

[@Desslok20]

Thank you.

[@DyingRetail]

@@Desslok20all that story blocks in LumaFusion says is the song is Sad Piano Cello and Violin. You’ve got me curious as well. With story blocks I get royalty free content for use on my videos. I’ll send an email to the admins and see what I get.

[@thebeaz1]

The food court should be their biggest problem.

[@DyingRetail]

You’d think.

[@rubystaging237]

Well with Inflation, high cost of living, high rent/mortgage high food prices, expensive GAS most people aren't running to buy a thousand dollar iphone or a 500 hundred dollar purse.

[@DyingRetail]

This mall started declining before Covid. Norfolk had this grand dream that everyone wanted to be in the downtown area. That was until the surrounding criminals decided to move in.

[@yasminestrada3479]

Rainforest was on the first floor that space on the 3rd started a Cheesecake Factory cafe then Panera bread I worked there when it opened until 2016 17 years !

[@DyingRetail]

Thank you. I was corrected on where Cheesecake was but forgot Panera bread was there. Thanks for the info.

[@chriswaller6902]

It's sad that all the malls are closing across America, thanks to technology.

[@DyingRetail]

I don’t know if it all has to do with technology. That plays a part in it but I think this mall wasn’t what the downtown needed. It doesn’t help when several instances of gunfire and a murder happen inside as well. People no longer feel safe they won’t go.

[@chriswaller6902]

@@DyingRetail agreed

[@WhittyPics]

All malls aren't drying. I can think of a couple close to me that are thriving. We have an aging population that doesn't have the need for as much stuff and I don't think people have the money like they did 20 or 30 years ago

[@chriswaller6902]

@@WhittyPics I see what you're saying, and I agree, I also believe that a lot of people don't get out and actually go to the stores because they would rather order off line and have it brought to their houses.

[@jmjfanss]

time to redevelop the mall.

[@markbajek2541]

Maybe they could put a casino in the closed nordstrom to help bolster the in line tenents.

[@DyingRetail]

There was talk of city moving city offices there awhile back.

[@kathleenmanley9733]

And yet, never once was there a metal detector at the entrances was there?

[@DyingRetail]

No. Would they do any good or would you have people frustrated standing in line? Things calmed down when the city actually decided they needed more of a police presence in downtown. There hasn’t been a serious incident reported since.

[@tavius88]

The definition of my people can’t have nothing, damn shame

[@DyingRetail]

I think it’s more the mall shouldn’t have been built. As usual city folk wasn’t listening to other ideas for the development of the area. But…

[@vanderfina2544]

it's funny you talk about the food court being pretty quiet and not too busy, there was a time about a decade ago when that wasn't the case at all. I used to sit in that area that you lingered in for a moment, between where the Burger King was and that Looney Tunes play area, because it was often the least occupied part of food court. Which speaking of the Looney Tunes play area, strange it appeared to actually have kids in it playing, my memories are of that rarely actually being the case lol.

[@DyingRetail]

I remember when it first opened. You’re right. I was surprised hearing kids playing in the play area. I wanted to capture that part but I didn’t want any parents getting concerned about someone recording kids.

[@vanderfina2544]

@@DyingRetail am I wrong to assume that play area was originally the location of the "Jeepers" amusement area that you mentioned opened with the mall? Elements like that were long gone by the time I frequented the mall in the early 2010s. Actually rather curious about the licensing deal to use the WB characters, wonder if the mall’s owners had to go through Six Flags to obtain the rights, since they own the rights to use the characters in amusement parks.

[@DyingRetail]

@@vanderfina2544 I believe it was there but don’t hold me to it. Years ago I mainly came here to go to the Apple Store. Didn’t go to the 3rd floor often because I wasn’t eating there. I’ll see if I can find confirmation. I would believe they would have to through some kind of license agreement for the characters.

[@petegregory517]

If you watched this and didn't notice 95+% (close approximation) of the problem.....you're not to observant. Hint "shooting in LIDZ"....Bingo!, you got it!

[@DyingRetail]

Actually, a lack of a serious police presence downtown was probably the main issue. Since April 2022 when the city finally put enough resources into the downtown district, it’s been quiet. No reports of any major issues since. Unfortunately, the damage has been done in the belief it’s not safe to visit.

[@user-by2zl3vk5y]

Safety in this town doesn't seem to be a big concern,sad 😢

[@DyingRetail]

But it took some unknown local reporter getting killed for the city to increase policing in the downtown area. Things stabilized after that happened.

[@thebeaz1]

Sad, but this place is doomed to fail.

[@DyingRetail]

Seems more so with Norfolk announcing they were buying. Doesn’t instill confidence.

[@DyingRetail]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn6zgnyMp61laMU news report when Nordstrom closed.

[@thebeaz1]

Can you pronounce -ing?

[@DyingRetail]

No. I can’t. Sorry. It’s a shortcoming when dealing with allergies. Sorry to disappoint.

[@decimated550]

10:20 city of norfolk tried to pressure nordstroms to hire locally from nearby low-income ("black") communities. You can imagine what happened - didnt 'work!!

[@DyingRetail]

Nordstrom basically told city council to jump in a lake from what I recall.

[@Lavender_Cordle]

The demise of the mall started with ghetto street youth; this is why Nordstrom and Texas De Brazil pulled out. Online shopping is going to be its ultimate demise.

[@DyingRetail]

The violence did correct. Then having the murder inside…. The nail.

[@jhogan1960]

M. mall was a great destination in Downtown Norfolk. Then there is that certain demographic who seems to relish ruining it for everyone. Nordstrom being extorted to hire from the hood made me laugh. It's a shame, but when you have the demographics of a southern city such as Norfolk, this always happens. Like I said, they ruin it for everyone.

[@TheRedDevil_NC]

people sick of urban violence. Community meeting places will soon be segregated if they exist at all. Malls are a cesspool of where most people no longer wish to be and its those people who are spending most of the money so hence they are all closing.

[@DyingRetail]

MacArthur was the product of a city trying to get a leg up over the surrounding cities and to make downtown something it wasn’t. It was probably the wrong concept and should have gone a different route. Still, amazed that they have kept it in such good shape otherwise.

[@SuperShepard1]

​@@DyingRetail The idea was fine. They just should have torn down he housing projects before building this mall. They didn't start tearing them down until they decided to build a casino.

[@DyingRetail]

I see they are promising to give those people preferred option to move back. Let’s see how that works. I don’t believe the city on that.

[@user-by2zl3vk5y]

This is a result of no public safety 😢why not use the mall for talent competitions, lip syncing, Segway races, solitaire competitions hey maybe we can pickup a couple more un qualified clowns with guns,if you can dance,send Talbot a resume (if you can spell it's a big plus)

[@DyingRetail]

They could film an episode of Cops LOL! What’s funny is after an unknown reporter got killed downtown, the city got serious about policing downtown again. There has been no reported serious incidents since April 2022.

[@natalieyarborough5241]

I live in Norfolk, this mall was a waist of space

[@DyingRetail]

It sounds like they could have gone into a different direction, maybe used existing storefronts to create a community vibe. But with crime in surroundings areas flowing over I wonder how it would have worked.

[@brettmartin434]

@@DyingRetail I had a vague visitor's memory of there being surface parking lots in this area in the mid 1980's. Google Earth's 1994 imaging verified this. There was some type of office building(s) along Monticello Avenue taking about half the block with rear parking comprising the other half, probably built after the postwar "slum clearance" trend from the 1950'-70's. There were at least four city blocks (2x2) north of City Hall Avenue including the former Nordstroms space which must have existed for a long time as surface parking lots for commuters. They tried using the existing storefronts on a pedestrianized Granby Street to create an outdoor mall-type environment In the mid 1980's. I've heard that was less successful than the 6th Street Marketplace in Richmond, which hung on for almost 20 years before being demolished.

[@DyingRetail]

+brettmartin434 There were a lot of businesses in that area. One was a computer company that the owner had a fall from grace. It’s been so long now I would have to go into newspaper archives. Believe it was called SMA.

[@Roadglide911]

Same thing happened in Charleston. The thugs moved in and that was the end of that.

[@DyingRetail]

What was the name of the mall in Charleston?

[@user-by2zl3vk5y]

This town needs a police department instead of budding actors from a keystone cop movie keep up the good work Talbot and stay out of the streets in Ghent commons (for officer safety)