Dr. John posted:I haven't seen the mall roundabout close up, but it is on mall property, isn't it? That mall is doomed at this point anyway. Last time my family went was over two years ago and I know there are many fewer stores now.
Not necessarily having to do with roundabouts I will comment on the mall issue.
I saw a similar decline of one of Chattanooga, Tennessee's malls many years ago and way before Amazon was ever a thought in Bezos mind. It was known as "Eastgate" mall but out of despair came salvation but no longer as a shopping environment. Eastgate, including many of the large anchor stores, transformed into an office environment and business centers with one being a call center. The mall is still a business center today, and this is what it looks like.
I don't see the same thing being available to Florence Mall and frankly, I don't know that I'd make bets on the mall making a success out of it but will continue to be in small decline. I hope not and would love to see it turn around but with Amazon and a change in the way people shop I just don't see it happening.
My wife and I made a trip over to Boaz the other day and remembered back 50 years ago when Boaz was an Outlet supercenter before Outlets started popping up around major interstates across America. Boaz wasn't able to survive, I believe a lot having to do with its location. The only Outlet center that I know that has survived and prospered is the one in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and then there are several stores that remain vacant even in some of the older malls in that area.