Where do you like to shop and hang out with friends? According to the Huntsville Times, for the past twenty-nine years the Madison Square Mall has entertained, fed, and offered retail options to citizens across North Alabama. The mall was always filled with stores and crowded with people. It was the place where all the teenagers went.
According to Huntsville Development News, the mall has four anchors: Belk, JC Penny, Dillard’s, and Sears. Yet, according to Huntsville Times, the Madison Square Mall is losing one of its four main anchors. In the fall of 2014, Belk plans to have its grand opening of a $20 million dollar store at the Bridge Street Town Centre.
Madison Square has renovated twice, once in 1994 and agian in 2006. Nevertheless, over the past couple years, stores have been closing their doors. The mall was built to have up to 120 stores, but it is now down to 80 stores. What is the left for the Madison Square Mall?
The Madison Square Mall is still the Rocket City’s largest shopping mall. The owners of this 928,000 square foot building have been working with a retail consultant to re-design the mall after Belk moves out.
According to the Huntsville Times, the owners are considering several renovations, such as tearing down some of the buildings to create an open-space environment. The mall is considering adding restaurants, places to shop, office space, and an extended-stay hotel. But would this be enough to keep the mall from closing down?
“Madison Square Mall is not a safe place to shop, and I think they should close it down. I will shop there only during the day,” stated Deana Ingram.
“I think the mall should stay and be upgraded. Bridge Street is too crowded, there is not enough parking, and it is not a good place to go when the weather is bad. I like having an indoor mall, and it’s not as expensive as Bridge Street,” said Gwen Shepard.
What’s your opinion? Is this mall worth keeping alive, or is it time to let it die?
