Audio By Carbonatix
I’m no grade-A shopper, so this might sound a little ignorant to readers who own one or more credit cards, but what in the hell happened to NorthPark Center? I drove up on Saturday to get my once-every-six-months clothes-shopping expedition out of the way, so I figured I’d pop in, visit the mall’s least offensive/overpriced shops (read: not Lucky Brand) and be on my way to thrift stores that better fit my wallet’s boundaries.
But I took a wrong turn at the Foley’s entrance and happened upon the mall’s entire new wing, complete with a second floor. Huh? I’d just been here in December for last-minute Christmas shopping and had no idea a super-sized expansion was afoot (again, I’m no grade-A shopper or D magazine reader). Lots of the new shops still weren’t open, but a few debuted on Friday; between Urban Outfitters, the Apple Store, Build-A-Bear (that place is cree-ee-eepy, by the way) and GameStop, the whole scene seemed like an attempt to hip up the joint and attract spoiled teens who scoff at department stores. And then I went up the new wing’s escalator… and saw a food court. A food court in NorthPark? That’s like putting a Neiman Marcus in Valley View, isn’t it? Granted, the restaurants hadn’t yet opened, and the food selection was relatively yuppie-friendly (Which Wich?, Panda Express), but I still had to double-check that a Gadzooks hadn’t opened down the hall.
Most astounding was the fact that NorthPark has a movie theater again. George Lucas’ favorite two screens in Texas are long gone, and in their place is the AMC’s new 15-screen stadium-seating extravaganza that will open semi-officially for the USA Film Festival on April 28. There’s a soft opening on Thursday for invited guests–and we’ll be there, damn right–but the public will have to wait until May 5 to try out the automated ticketing kiosks and LoveSeat�-style seating.
The question, then, is whether the NP makeover will attract the kids who’ve left to shop at places like Mockingbird Station instead. My grade-F shopper guess? Not until NP opens a SSW franchise. —Sam Machkovech
When news happens, Dallas Observer is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the Dallas Observer matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
