Downfall of the mall
I worked security here for about three years, so that is the basis of this review. This mall is owned by Washington Prime Group who is in bankruptcy. Due to that they have sold off various portions of the property to other companies (Connie Sillen, Kaiser, & Shopoff). It was built in the 70's so the wear and tear is evident, though being in bankruptcy also leaves little money for repairs. In February of 2023 there were 79 stores inside the mall, and in August of 2025 there are 47. Based on this trajectory, the mall should have no more stores by 2028, at which point it will probably be sold to another company like Shopoff who will build something else. While not entirely to blame, much of the downfall of this mall is due to the security team. Many (though not all) of the security staff is lazy just sitting in the security office on their phone while getting paid, only getting up if they see a boss coming, or if they get a phone call asking for help. Managers were aware of such, but don't appear to penalize employees for not patrolling. Due to this people take advantage of the lack of security presence around the mall, with people sleeping in their car/loitering in the parking lot, vagrants loitering, kids riding electric bikes in the mall, people leaving graffiti, dumping garbage in the lot, and burglaries. Burglaries likely being one reason many stores are leaving, as eleven of the remaining tenants have had their stores broken into (not counting those who left). Some of the spaces are not even open to the public, and the mall is essentially just renting them out to make some money. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the mall, but so far word of the mall closing is simply a rumor.
By Shawn C.