I havent been to Barnes Crossing in several years but my sister goes when she sees her doctor in Tupelo. She says that it has gone down a lot.
I prefer Tuscaloosa except for the ungodly traffic. The McFarland Mall closed years ago because the area around Skyland Boulevard is becoming a no go zone.
The once popular University Mall is dying because of crime and the fact that there are two new large upscale shopping centers just across the street.
Since the 2011 tornado, the devastated part of town has really been revitalized and the once popular University Mall is obsolete.