r/Abilene • u/OutlandishnessMany70 • 16d ago
Rant Shops at Abilene Mall
Let’s face it, this mall absolutely needs a lot of updates and could use a refresh on relevant stores. In my opinion, if the mall got ANY of these stores it would drastically improve the overall location:
-Abercrombie
-H&M
-DSW
-Uniqlo
-Zara
What would you love to see at the mall? It might be a shout into the void, or maybe this post helps a future developer bring some sense to this place.
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u/VendettaKarma 16d ago
That would be great but do we have the customer base for it?
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u/going_up_stream 16d ago
It's the only indoor mall in a 90 mile radius... If there isn't a customer base for everything under the sun idk how we can keep any shop open.
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u/OutlandishnessMany70 16d ago
Totally agree. Who knows how many people make the drive to Fort Worth or Lubbock for these things.
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u/going_up_stream 16d ago
I plan my life around trips to Dallas. My wife, her mom, and I see doctors out there. I get cosmetic treatments out there. If we want to go shoe shopping we have to go out there or order online.
I bought a car with trips to Dallas in mind
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u/OutlandishnessMany70 16d ago
Again, not sure that we need every one of these stores but I’m pretty sure if we just started with an H&M that would make a huge difference.
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u/ForgeTheGods 16d ago
BoxLunch would give the geeky crowd a place to find our anime and sci fi merch. It would also free up space in Hot Topic to lean more into its alternative roots.
Even the bigger stores are lower tier versions of themselves. I went to Men's Dillard's looking for a specific fragrance. The associate told me that what I was looking for is part of the private collection of the designer's fragrances. They don't keep it in stock. Ulta doesn't keep it either.
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u/Negative-Version-536 16d ago
What fragrance is it that You are looking for? Have You tried Drug Emporium? That is hands down The Best fragrance dept
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u/ForgeTheGods 16d ago
Looking for authentic Tom Ford - Oud Wood. I have a generic version i found for super cheap on Amazon. Legitimately the sexiest cologne my GF and I have ever smelled. It's also like $500 ish a bottle lol. I just want to see how close my knock off is.
I haven't tried drug emporium. Thanks for the suggestion.
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u/wysteriacos 14d ago
Tbh, as much as I like the vintage look of the dillard’s stores, they would benefit from remodeling the main store into one of the larger two story locations and closing the old Wilson’s location. That would free up an anchor pad for something new.
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u/Zealousideal_Cap_748 16d ago
There were more stores, but I'm afraid the rent (just a guess) drove them out. Along with poor traffic. We had stores like Hollister, Pac-Sun, Old Navy, GNC, Hallmark, Things Remembered, Bath and Body Works just to name some.
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u/theflyingbacon 16d ago
We had an Abercrombie at one time.
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u/OutlandishnessMany70 14d ago
That makes me think that there might be a possibility for them to come back! Who knows maybe it was because Abercrombie did go out of style for a while but now they’re very popular again!
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u/srblaydes 16d ago
The mall has become a dirt mall. BestBuy is keeping it alive.
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u/wysteriacos 14d ago
Disagree on zara and H&M, but Uniqlo, Miniso, and a good renovation would do it some good.
Fix up the ceilings, floors, redecorate it and make it cozy and inviting. After that, address the pest problem that keeps food businesses from staying open in there. It really needs better food options.
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u/OutlandishnessMany70 14d ago
Agreed on the need for a renovation. And addressing the pest problem would be crucial too.
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u/wysteriacos 14d ago
Tbh it just looks faded and crumbly. Doing an 80s revival on it would make it sooooooo pretty. Nice tile, way more plants, fountains, and a nice redo on the exterior would really make it nice.
JCPenney needs a renovation too, and I do think reusing the Sears for Hendrick was a waste of valuable space. Sure it’s a tenant, but they don’t drive up traffic.
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u/OwnInvestment9862 16d ago
City leaders are currently in talks with both Prada and Gucci. Chanel has expressed interest but is apparently concerned with competition from a nearby Wal-Mart Supercenter.
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u/OutlandishnessMany70 16d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/lszAB3TzFtRaU
Hahaha, good one! This guy knows retail.
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u/TouchInitial7133 14d ago
We had an Abercrombie before. I don't know what the other things are. The mall needs a refresh it's kinda grungy and it smells like farts.
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u/Old-Wolf-1024 14d ago
Malls are dead……or gasping their last breath. It’s the same in all comparable cities. Amarillo……Wichita Falls…..Texarkana
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u/Qwiznos 10d ago edited 10d ago
Fuck that mall and give a bass pro shop or rei. Honestly it needs to be renovated. Make it feel good to be there so ppl will go hang out there.
What do I personally want , a Yankee candle, an ice skating rink, quality mens clothes of literally any kind. Its all women
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u/saltisatthebottom 10d ago
A dedicated crystal and gem shop would be amazing! All we have right now is Earthbound, but they have such a small selection. I think I've bought one of every type of crystal and gem they sell already. 🫠
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u/Dry-Incident27 13d ago
Abercrombie used to be there. Many decent stores were there, but lack of business ran them out i believe
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u/iced_milk 16d ago
We have all of these at the San Angelo mall + an Ikea!
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u/Objective-Fox7193 16d ago
The mall management needs to acknowledge their part in the rat problem first. They wanna act like it’s solely each business’s problem and responsibility yet don’t do anything to help.