Remember the shopping malls of the early 1980s

That’s my neighborhood. Once the largest and arguably greatest mall in Tennessee when it opened in 1978, with the demographic shift in the ‘90s it was a “slum mall” by the turn of the century. My former fiancée worked there at the time, hired on the spot because she “looked” like the new demographic (Hispanic/Illegals). Came home with horror stories every day about shoplifting and generally disgusting behavior on the part of the “patrons.”

The mall officially closed and was renamed Global Crossings or some such (I still call it Hickory Hollow) and has been repurposed. I believe it has a college branch, library and ice skating rink now. I haven’t been over to see it.

The “mojo” of the old mall can be found over at Cool Springs in Franklin, like it was in the better days of the ‘80s.

We had sawgrass mills in South Florida. It was an outpost of Latin America. They have some sort of attraction there, not sure if it is still open. It was where kids could dress up and role play adult jobs and such. Doctors, firefighters and all sorts of jobs. On more than one occasion they had to stop using the clothes the kids used because they became infested with vermin from the various 3rd world “guests”.

You sure the elephants aren't there? I've only eaten at the Woodfield RF 2 times that I can remember (some years back). (though I,ve been in there a lot more.) Once was near the Mushroom, which is cool when it "rains"

About 6 years ago, friends were in town from Montana, they were originally from Crystal Lake years ago. I took them downtown, for dinner at the Rainforest there. Then took the sunset cruise on the Wendella boats.

My cousin from Michigan came to town, with his 16 year old son, 2 years ago. His son had never been out of Michigan, or the west side of Michigan, so had never seen a big city. He is a baseball fan and a Detroit Tiger fan, so he had gotten tickets for the 3 of us to go to a White Sox vs Tigers game.

So we went downtown and had lunch at Rainforest, then walked over t Michigan Ave and the river and did a Wendella river and lake cruise, so that Josh could get a good look and experience of the good parts of Chicago.

I definitely remember the elephants and gorillas there.

As an aside, if your coming down 90, at rt 59, there is another restaurant, Claim Jumper. It's not "fun" like Rainforest, but has got good food.

Well, Rainforest and Claim Jumper (and others) belong to Landry's restaurant chain. They have a reward card where you get points every time you eat or buy something at one of the restaurants. Don't know how often you'd go to any. Just thought I'd throw that FYI at you.

http://www.landrysselect.com/LocationMap.aspx

The mall I referred to is in Boston's suburbs...quite close to some of the city's most affluent suburbs.It started off as a very ordinary strip mall until about 20 years ago when someone decided to upgrade it.Then it featured Sears,Jordan Marsh (eventually bought out by Macy's) and other "middle class" type stores.Then about ten years ago a huge wing was added which featured about 100 upscale condos and additional shopping area.It's in that portion that Gucci,Louis Vitton,Neiman Marcus,etc are located.

But as I noted that mall seems to be in trouble.

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