tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37431669.post8483326997165484432..comments2023-11-26T15:57:32.848-05:00Comments on Patti Ewald with the story behind the story: Harvey saw it comingPatti Ewaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11118539617989280234noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37431669.post-57499023747952004622007-04-03T09:10:00.000-04:002007-04-03T09:10:00.000-04:00I remember the Midway Mall expansion in the early ...I remember the Midway Mall expansion in the early '90s, and at the time, it filled a need. The addition brought in stores that normally we would have had to drive to Great Northern for. Before Wal*Mart and Target, it seemed Babbage's really was the only place to buy computer games, for example. And Aladdin's Castle still had fun arcade games that couldn't be reproduced on the old Nintendo system. And these days, who's ever heard of a mall without a food court?<BR/><BR/>But 17 years later, those needs are largely filled elsewhere. I buy my clothes at Target instead of JCPenney, and while I'm there I might stock up on Tylenol, greeting cards, and mac & cheese too instead of hopping over to Kroger -- er, I mean Fazio's -- er, Rini-Rego -- er, Giant Eagle.<BR/><BR/>I don't know what the answer is for Midway Mall, but I truly believe the "lifestyle centers" like Crocker Park and Legacy Village are merely a fad. Just look at the faces of frustrated shoppers in the bitter December wind and you'll see that all the outdoor latte vendors and 47-foot Christmas trees in the world won't change the realities of Cleveland weather. The novelty wears off quickly, especially after 30 minutes of trying to remember which of the four massive parking garages your car might be in. That's what brings me back to Midway Mall at Christmastime.<BR/><BR/>It also seems that folks are more willing to drive for their shopping these days. They have no problem driving 20+ minutes to Avon Commons, South Park, or Great Northern. Why? Again, because those places offer retail and restaurants we can't find here in Elyria. Panera? World Market? Olive Garden? Some say we're not middle class enough for those places, but whenever someone says that, I point to the stream of Elyria residents bypassing Cobblestone Square to head east on I-90.Bryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066985074226588754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37431669.post-47447465408416307372007-04-02T00:59:00.000-04:002007-04-02T00:59:00.000-04:00I remember Midway mall back in 1968 or so. My dad...I remember Midway mall back in 1968 or so. My dad had taken a second job selling suits at Higbees (which later became Dillards). I recall my mom dropping him off (minus a driver's license for herself, lol) and... ( this next point just busts me up laughing)...and I remember the cheesy "guards" standing watch in the guard stations mounted on the roof over Higbees. Uh huh, am <I>too</I> serious. Even at 4 years old, I realized they were plastic manequins. HA!!! Gotta wonder who came up with that plan. Was it supposed to be the equivalent of those plastic owls that scare away pigeons?<BR/><BR/>I worked at Camelot Music in the 80's, when the mall was still thriving. And I too watched as it decline to its current sad state. I must admit, I now prefer the "city-like" Metropolis Mall I live close to in Plainfield, IN. But I'll always remember the "glory days" of Midway Mall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com