Archive for January, 2011
Jamestown Penney’s closing: sad ending or fresh start?
Open since 1999, the JC Penney Outlet Store at Jamestown Mall will likely be shuttered by 2012. Photo: flickr/DanH63
Faced with sagging profits in an uncertain retail landscape, JC Penney announced last week that it will be closing a handful of stores and ceasing catalog operations. On the chopping block locally: its catalog outlet store at Jamestown Mall in unincorporated North County.
Of course, some will use this as a “nail in the coffin” opportunity, citing the long string of changes and closures that have left Jamestown Mall a shadow of its former self. They’ll declare Jamestown dead…again. And you know what? A part of me is perfectly ok with that.
As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up right next door to Jamestown Mall, within walking distance. My first job was there. I spent countless weekends hanging out there. Literally, there is no stage of my grade school and high school years that did not involve this place in some way. But even then I wondered, why the hell is there a shopping mall in the middle of nowhere?
In 1973, when Jamestown Mall was built and North County was experiencing a population boom, I’m sure the developers thought it made perfect sense, especially after MoDOT started kicking around the idea of making 367 a legitimate highway. Back then, I suspect they noticed “executive homes” going up along Old Jamestown and saw new subdivisions and Catholic parishes blossoming with young families, and they figured a big modern shopping mall was a great fit. And for 25 years or so, I guess it was.
But today, malls nationwide are in decline. Big-box stores, online shopping, over-development and changing consumer tastes have led to the demise of many indoor shopping malls across the country, leaving some, like Jamestown, to limp along half vacant with lesser-known retailers, while others, like Northwest Plaza, simply run out of gas.
In many ways, Jamestown Mall was almost destined to fail at some point. Its remote location, in an area better known for natural wonders than great shopping, has always made it a tough sell. But now that Penney’s is closing (within the next year) and Macy’s will likely follow, perhaps the time has finally come to put some new ideas into action. Ideas like this…
Back in 2009, the St. Louis County Economic Council teamed with experts from the Urban Land Institute to start developing new possibilities for the Jamestown Mall site, and what emerged was the outline for a revitalized “town center.” Nine months later, in July 2010, a Florida-based urban design firm took the process one step further, coming up with a general plan that was presented to area residents during a “design charrette” in September. (Wish I could’ve been there, but I didn’t learn about it until afterward.)
You can download the firm’s presentation here.
Essentially, it explains that the market area surrounding Jamestown Mall is already over-saturated with retailers, and that its population simply cannot support a regional mall of that size. On a positive note, the presentation also topples a prevailing stereotype about North County, revealing that the median household income around Jamestown Mall is EQUIVALENT TO that in Chesterfield, Wildwood and St. Charles County. (Take that, naysayers!)
Considering this data, as well as input from citizens, the design firm proposed eventually demolishing most of the mall (save Macy’s and Penney’s) and replacing it with a mixed-use, village-style development featuring shops, restaurants, housing and offices. Think New Town St. Charles. Or Seaside, Florida, without the sea.
Rumor has it that Jamestown Mall is also being considered for a massive flea market. Not sure how I feel about that. Another possibility is senior housing, which I think is a dreadful, depressing idea. Some seniors, yes. But the whole property??
And speaking of the property, Jamestown Mall happens to have five different owners (including Macy’s and JC Penney), which makes redevelopment that much more of a challenge. Add in the sour economy and the remaining mall tenants and there’s no telling when any of these projects might actually get some traction. But with this latest news from JC Penney…well, who knows?
To stay up on the latest progress at Jamestown Mall, check out this page from the St. Louis County Economic Council or follow SLCEC on Facebook.
Open House Sunday @ NoCo Catholic Schools
These rockin' kids go to Catholic school? In North County? You betcha! Photo taken by Patrick Garrett @ St. Ann School in Normandy
The only children I have are four-legged with fur, so unlike a lot of people in North County, schools are not a big concern for me. However, I grew up in a local Catholic parish (the late Transfiguration), and I’ve seen first-hand how neighborhoods can wither when Catholic schools close. I also know dozens of local parents who are fighting to keep Catholic education here in NoCo, who are working to build proudly diverse school communities that welcome children of all colors, faiths and economic backgrounds.
And I tell you what….those good people deserve to succeed.
So to help promote their efforts, NOCO will soon be launching a series of articles about the 14 Catholic grade schools remaining in North County following the St. Louis Archdiocese’s most recent round of mergers and closures. In the mean time, I’m also pleased to report that nine of those schools will be hosting an Open House this weekend.
On Sunday afternoon, January 30, families from all over St. Louis are invited to see for themselves just how vibrant and successful North County schools can be. Even with smaller enrollments, even with financial challenges, these tireless underdogs still have an awful lot to offer.
Just show up at any of these schools and you’ll be treated to a full tour. Be sure to ask about the foreign language and music programs…
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta – 150 N. Elizabeth, Ferguson, 1-3pm
Christ Light of Nations – 1650 Redman, Spanish Lake, 1-3pm
Our Lady of Guadalupe – 1115 S. Florissant, Cool Valley, 1-3pm
Sacred Heart – 501 rue St. Louis, Florissant, 1-3pm
St. Angela Merici – 3860 N. Hwy 67, Florissant, 1-3pm
St. Ferdinand – 1735 Charbonier, Florissant, 1-3pm
St. Norbert – 16475 New Halls Ferry, Florissant, 1-3pm
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne – 3500 St. Catherine, Florissant, 1-3pm
St. Ann – 7532 Natural Bridge, Normandy, Noon-2pm
New North County magazine launching March 1
No, it’s not me launching a North County print magazine. Not yet anyway. But the publisher is someone who’s equally committed to spurring good things in the North County community.
You may remember Steve Erdelen – he organized the “Let’s Revitalize Northwest Plaza Now!” rally in January 2010. He also hosted the Fountainheads Rendezvous, a successful live concert event in St. Ann last summer that reunited countless people who used to hang out at the Northwest Plaza fountains in the 1960s and 70s.
Erdelen, a St. Ann-based marketing professional, will launch his new magazine, The Rock Road Reporter, on March 1, hand-delivering it to 10,000 homes in the St. Ann and Bridgeton area. His focus will be on “local issues, healthy lifestyles, travel, food, high school sports and local history and reminisces,” primarily covering Northwest County.
“Our magazine is all about pride in our community and progress along the Rock Road corridor,” Erdelen says. And to that, I say ROCK ON!
If you feel the same and you want to send some love to this positive new NoCo venture, head to the Rock Road Reporter launch party at Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill, 12154 St Charles Rock Road, on March 4, from 6-9 pm. Everyone in attendance will receive the inaugural issue of the magazine and an opportunity to win a great prize.
Former Negro League Player to speak @ Library
George Altman, a former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder and Negro League baseball player, will be giving a free talk this Saturday at the Florissant Valley Library. Joined by Gary Crawford, a Negro League historian, he will share his experiences of playing during a time when baseball was segregated, and will be taking questions from the audience.
The event is part of St. Louis County Library’s Black History Month programming, which includes a performance by the Black Rep, author lectures, concerts with local musicians, an oratorical competition and more. All events are free and open to the public.
Altman’s discussion is scheduled for Saturday, January 29 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at 195 N. Florissant Road S., 63031. For more information, call (314) 994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org/blackhistory
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K