Signs of the Times

I'm hanging out at the Laguna Hills Mall while my wife looks around, and yet another sign of the ongoing economic problems can be found here.  Maybe 15 years ago the mall underwent a major renovation that included the creation of a food court with space for 9 food places.

The space was shared with a good-sized B. Dalton Bookseller's store and a game arcade, and the area was always pretty busy.

A year or so ago the bookstore closed, the arcade downsized to just a couple of machines, and one-br-one the food places have gone out.  The last time I ate up there only four of the nine spots were occupied.

Today the whole thing is shut down. The outside entrance that led to escalators that took you up to the food court is now sealed off. There are a few other food places in the mall but no central area with lots of seating as before.

It's actually kind of sad. I've had a lot of good times with my family in that food court.

I've noticed the overall quality of the retailers in this mall has declined over the years and there is now a number of empty spaces.  I wonder if this mall will survive with major competition from the Irvine Spectum and the Mission Viejo Mall?

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