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A comprehensive urban study examining the decline and closure of the Mall of Memphis, analyzing factors such as location, income, crime, competition, and surrounding businesses. The study utilizes literature, census and crime data, consumer surveys, and business evaluations.
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The Death of the Mall of Memphis Urban Studies Senior Seminar Katherine Mauzy February 17, 2004
Data Collected: • Literature • Census Information • Crime Information • Consumer Surveys • Business Evaluations
Hypotheses: • Location • Income • Crime • Surrounding businesses • Competition • Proximity to competing malls • Tenants • Demographics • Income • Race
What is a dead mall? • Annual sales per square foot is less than $150, or one-third the rate of sales at a successful mall • Characteristics of a dead mall: • Small size • Advancing age • Less affluent neighborhoods • Stiff competition • Middle or low-end stores • Vacancy • Located in first-ring suburbs
Mall of Memphis 1982- December 24, 2003 4451 American Way Hickory Ridge 1981 6075 Winchester Road Oak Court 1988 530 Oak Court Drive- off of Poplar Avenue Southland 1966 1215 Southland Mall- off of Shelby Drive Malls Studied:
Perception of Crime • “I remember several of my friends in Memphis advising me not to take a date ice skating at the ‘Mall of Murder.’” • Kent Ahren, January 29, 2003 (www.deadmalls.com) • “A reputation for crime in the late 80's and the nickname "Mall of Murder" didn't help steer shoppers inside the stores of the Southeast Memphis mega mall.” • News Channel 3, December 23, 2003 • “I don’t shop at the Mall of Memphis because I don’t want to get shot or robbed when I go to the mall. It is supposed to be a realxing event.” • Elizabeth Winkelmann, April 16, 2004
Loss of Tenants • Loss of anchor department stores, Dillard’s and JC Penny’s in 2001 • On closing day, only 13 of the 160 stores were still open
1990 Median household income for the City of Memphis: $22,674 Median household income for the Mall of Memphis: $26,129 Mall of Memphis was 15% ABOVE the city of Memphis 2000 Median household income for the City of Memphis: $32,285 Median household income for the Mall of Memphis: $30,674 Mall of Memphis area is 5% BELOW the City of Memphis Income Comparison: 1990-2000