Requiem for Laurel Mall
I was at Laurel Mall this afternoon, in the Lens Crafters getting my glasses new lenses. While I was waiting at the counter I looked out into the mall. Once upon a time there used to be a "Cookie Time" across from Lens Crafters, but no more. You know a mall must be in dire straights when a cookie store leaves. All around the stage (remember the fountain that used to be there?) are little carts with people selling their wares. Huge stores are deserted, but these carts seem to be doing well. Given no intervention and a few more years, I wouldn't be surprised if those carts were the only thing left in the mall.
Remember the good old days, when we were knee high to a grasshopper and Topikapi was THE coolest store? I remember the pink neon lights outside of Hecht's, windows filled with earrings and all sorts of things. I think at one point it became "Claire's Topikapi" and then eventually "Claire's". We always had to go into that store. I remember dragging my mother in there on every trip to the mall. The store across from where Topikapi used to be is now a clothing store of some variety. Remember when it used to be Camelot's Music? I think I bought "Jagged Little Pill" there. I remember because I was 14 at the time, and I was buying something else with a "Parental Advisory" sticker on it for John. My mom wasn't in the store and the clerk wanted to make sure he wouldn't get in trouble. He said to me "If I had a daughter your age, I'd be sending her off to a private all girl's school". I remember that Camelot also had a bin with singles in it for a buck. Every time we went in there, we pawed through the bin. Do you remember Doctor's pet store? It was next to Hecht's as well. It seemed like every time John went in there he came out with a fish; which Dusty usually ate. And then there was Friendly's. When Grandpa and Dad were finishing our basement, Mom and I used to go up to the mall, to get away form the noise. We always had lunch at Friendly's. And then there were the book stores, B. Dalton's and one that's been gone so long I've forgotten the name. There hasn't been a bookstore in Laurel for ages. Sign of the times if you ask me. I recall when the Disney store finally came to the mall. Mom and I were so excited. Looking back, when I was 12 and 13, it seemed like most of the shirts I wore came from that store. Then there was Spencer's. It was forbidden when we were younger. But as soon as we were left to our own devices we'd always go in there. From fart toys to dildo's (remember the cucumber?!?!) they sold it. Looking back I can see why it was off limits….
But those days are gone. I am no longer a mall rat. Laurel is no longer a fun place to shop. I don't go in there unless I can avoid it. Hecht's is the only department store left. The mall is dying. A week or two ago a piece of the parking garage fell. The mall reminds me of a forgotten city. I don't think that teenagers even go there anymore. I was wondering the other day how long they will let the mall stay in this sad state. One day it may not be there any more. I'm surprised it hasn't become a "Westfield Shopping Town" yet. It's sad to see a part of my youth die.
Remember the good old days, when we were knee high to a grasshopper and Topikapi was THE coolest store? I remember the pink neon lights outside of Hecht's, windows filled with earrings and all sorts of things. I think at one point it became "Claire's Topikapi" and then eventually "Claire's". We always had to go into that store. I remember dragging my mother in there on every trip to the mall. The store across from where Topikapi used to be is now a clothing store of some variety. Remember when it used to be Camelot's Music? I think I bought "Jagged Little Pill" there. I remember because I was 14 at the time, and I was buying something else with a "Parental Advisory" sticker on it for John. My mom wasn't in the store and the clerk wanted to make sure he wouldn't get in trouble. He said to me "If I had a daughter your age, I'd be sending her off to a private all girl's school". I remember that Camelot also had a bin with singles in it for a buck. Every time we went in there, we pawed through the bin. Do you remember Doctor's pet store? It was next to Hecht's as well. It seemed like every time John went in there he came out with a fish; which Dusty usually ate. And then there was Friendly's. When Grandpa and Dad were finishing our basement, Mom and I used to go up to the mall, to get away form the noise. We always had lunch at Friendly's. And then there were the book stores, B. Dalton's and one that's been gone so long I've forgotten the name. There hasn't been a bookstore in Laurel for ages. Sign of the times if you ask me. I recall when the Disney store finally came to the mall. Mom and I were so excited. Looking back, when I was 12 and 13, it seemed like most of the shirts I wore came from that store. Then there was Spencer's. It was forbidden when we were younger. But as soon as we were left to our own devices we'd always go in there. From fart toys to dildo's (remember the cucumber?!?!) they sold it. Looking back I can see why it was off limits….
But those days are gone. I am no longer a mall rat. Laurel is no longer a fun place to shop. I don't go in there unless I can avoid it. Hecht's is the only department store left. The mall is dying. A week or two ago a piece of the parking garage fell. The mall reminds me of a forgotten city. I don't think that teenagers even go there anymore. I was wondering the other day how long they will let the mall stay in this sad state. One day it may not be there any more. I'm surprised it hasn't become a "Westfield Shopping Town" yet. It's sad to see a part of my youth die.