Westroads Mall (10000 California St)

[Uffda]

Sadly, this is the time of year where leases are up and 1200 Images Art & Frame is closing at the end of March. Lease is up and the owners are retiring.

That's too bad! You're not off to a good 2019.

It's not, but it can only get better, right?

Charlotte Russe will liquidate and close all of its stores
I think they said there is a store in Westroads and oakview

[RockHarbor]

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[RockHarbor]

I am so tired of the name "Westroads" -- and all that means. (It's all good memories & feelings for me, but still...)

I always thought that Westroads (and Southroads) was a word play on Crossroads, which opened years earlier.

Yes, me too, kind of like the 'dales in Minneapolis.

Greg

Omababe: Exactly. It was... Just like the "dales" in Minneapolis, as Greg pointed out. (Yes, Greg, I always think of that, too.) In a way, I think that "word play" is kinda dumb. Did any other city do that with their malls but Omaha & Minneapolis? (Im wondering if Minneapolis had two "dales" by 1968-69 when Westroads was built, so Omaha copied the unified word play that Minneapolis was up to?) Anyways, with all the "roads" gone, but Westroads, there no longer is a unified mall name theme to break in Omaha -- so I think its easier to ditch the name. Yet, with it the only "roads" left, its nice to hold on to nostalgia & Omaha history by retaining the name. I cant even believe Im even suggesting to change the name, but I think any name around Omaha that has had local hype & desire & destination put on it, one Ive heard over & over & over, since the 70's & 80's, I'm totally sick of -- like Regency, Westroads, Millard, Old Mill. Even in an Alex Payne movie, "Westroads" is mentioned, and I almost want to roll my eyes. Is so "local Omaha jargon & conversation" -- conversation I was part of growing up, conversation that sounds weird & odd & corny in Hollywood cinema to me, like Omahans are deprived nerds that have one main citywide landmark shopping destination that everybody reports to to buy their new sneakers, or pair of jeans. Its just a personal thing -- that's all. Its nothing against Westroads. Its just that Westroads isnt quite "Westroads" to me anymore, in a certain way, especially after this last 2nd remodel. The Dallas & Houston Galleries are still the same name from the 70's, so Im not saying major mall names should carelessly be changed, just because... Sometimes, a name change is needed for a mall, but Westroads isnt one of the malls -- of course.

[Busguy2010]

I am so tired of the name "Westroads" -- and all that means. (It's all good memories & feelings for me, but still...)

I always thought that Westroads (and Southroads) was a word play on Crossroads, which opened years earlier.

Yes, me too, kind of like the 'dales in Minneapolis.

Greg

Now we have "Village", which is now getting overused. Aksarben Village, Village Pointe, Countryside Village, University Village, "Crossroads Village"

[RockHarbor]

Yes, that became evident immediately when "Crossroads Village" was used, as Aksarben Village was new & hopping, and continuing to grow & build up. It's like: Really? Can we get more creative here? I dont even like the name "Crossroads" and "village" even pushed together, personally. I like "Crossroads Corner/Place/Park" better -- or something. Thankfully, we have "Shadow Lake" and "Nebraska Crossing" and "West Farm" and "Heartwood Preserve" now.

I still would love to drive up I-680, exit Dodge, and see "West Park Mall" (or something refreshingly different, yet having a hint of the former name). It sounds upscale & matches Regency, it still has "West" in the name, and it matches more the more upscale exterior & interior look of the mall nowadays. The original "Westroads" still makes me think of the era of shaker mansard roofs, blond bricks,, orange tiles, basic iron railings, bell bottoms, swag lamps, gold & avacado green bathrooms & kitchens, wood paneling, browns, ect. I used to have a stack of 60s/70s Wards catalogs -- that type of stuff. Natives would always still call it "Westroads" probably, though.

Thinking about it, that Alexander Payne grew up in an Omaha where Westroads was mainly "it." Crossroads wasnt remodeled yet into a major, bigger mall. Southroads & Oak View were not there yet. Village Point & Shadow Lake were also still to come... Westroads has been great about being the main, solo "it mall" in town in the 70's & 80's, to still being a key player in the game today. I respect that.

[Garrett]

Yes, that became evident immediately when "Crossroads Village" was used, as Aksarben Village was new & hopping, and continuing to grow & build up. It's like: Really? Can we get more creative here? I dont even like the name "Crossroads" and "village" even pushed together, personally. I like "Crossroads Corner/Place/Park" better -- or something. Thankfully, we have "Shadow Lake" and "Nebraska Crossing" and "West Farm" and "Heartwood Preserve" now.

I still would love to drive up I-680, exit Dodge, and see "West Park Mall" (or something refreshingly different, yet having a hint of the former name). It sounds upscale & matches Regency, it still has "West" in the name, and it matches more the more upscale exterior & interior look of the mall nowadays. The original "Westroads" still makes me think of the era of shaker mansard roofs, blond bricks,, orange tiles, basic iron railings, bell bottoms, swag lamps, gold & avacado green bathrooms & kitchens, wood paneling, browns, ect. I used to have a stack of 60s/70s Wards catalogs -- that type of stuff. Natives would always still call it "Westroads" probably, though.

Thinking about it, that Alexander Payne grew up in an Omaha where Westroads was mainly "it." Crossroads wasnt remodeled yet into a major, bigger mall. Southroads & Oak View were not there yet. Village Point & Shadow Lake were also still to come... Westroads has been great about being the main, solo "it mall" in town in the 70's & 80's, to still being a key player in the game today. I respect that.

Crossroads and Southroads were both built before Westroads and both by Brandeis, but Westroads was really just a few years behind them. Westroads has zero reason to change its name, as it is the most dominant mall in the market and will be for some time. Westroads is a fairly unique name, whereas something like West Park is pretty generic as far as names go.

[RockHarbor]

Yes, that became evident immediately when "Crossroads Village" was used, as Aksarben Village was new & hopping, and continuing to grow & build up. It's like: Really? Can we get more creative here? I dont even like the name "Crossroads" and "village" even pushed together, personally. I like "Crossroads Corner/Place/Park" better -- or something. Thankfully, we have "Shadow Lake" and "Nebraska Crossing" and "West Farm" and "Heartwood Preserve" now.

I still would love to drive up I-680, exit Dodge, and see "West Park Mall" (or something refreshingly different, yet having a hint of the former name). It sounds upscale & matches Regency, it still has "West" in the name, and it matches more the more upscale exterior & interior look of the mall nowadays. The original "Westroads" still makes me think of the era of shaker mansard roofs, blond bricks,, orange tiles, basic iron railings, bell bottoms, swag lamps, gold & avacado green bathrooms & kitchens, wood paneling, browns, ect. I used to have a stack of 60s/70s Wards catalogs -- that type of stuff. Natives would always still call it "Westroads" probably, though.

Thinking about it, that Alexander Payne grew up in an Omaha where Westroads was mainly "it." Crossroads wasnt remodeled yet into a major, bigger mall. Southroads & Oak View were not there yet. Village Point & Shadow Lake were also still to come... Westroads has been great about being the main, solo "it mall" in town in the 70's & 80's, to still being a key player in the game today. I respect that.

Crossroads and Southroads were both built before Westroads and both by Brandeis, but Westroads was really just a few years behind them. Westroads has zero reason to change its name, as it is the most dominant mall in the market and will be for some time. Westroads is a fairly unique name, whereas something like West Park is pretty generic as far as names go.

Yeah, Garrett, I know Crossroads was built before Westroads -- everyone knows that. (That's why I wondered if the Minneapolis mall "dale" pattern already existed before Westroads was built, as Im wondering if Omaha was inspired to do the same pattern with their malls once a second major mall was built after Crossroads. I think doing that with malls is semi-dumb.) I've never thought of Southroads as built before Westroads. Im sure it was the 3rd mall, built sometime in the 70's or early 80's. Crossroads was the first, Southroads was, I'm sure, the last.

Ive stated that Westroads doesnt have the need to change their name, as it still is a major player in the local retail game -- something I respect & admire about Westroads. But, a boy can dream...

I see what you're saying, as "Westroads" is a local, iconic, signature mall name affiliated with Omaha, NE, but "Westroads" isnt technically any more special than the common name "Crossroads" -- which is used in several cities. Putting a direction (North, South, East, West) plus "roads" is very generic -- and not creative at all. "West Park Mall" isnt anything special either, but it sounds nice & upscale (to me) for the Regency area. "Westroads" Im just tired of -- like an old rug.

Anyways, do you really think I think Im gonna pull into Omaha, and see "West Park Mall" where "Westroads" used to be, and think "Yeah! My Eomaha forum comments made a difference!" (No -- of course. Lol. It's OK to imagine "What if?", though.)

[GetUrban]

Some mall history:

The Center Mall - 1955
Crossroads Mall - 1960
South roads Mall - 1966
Westroads Mall - 1967

Source: Google search

Developers had the idea to locate malls around different parts of the city and included what part of town they likely could be found within the Mall’s name!

[RockHarbor]

Wow...I was clearly wrong. Southroads was built right before Westroads?! I never suspected that at all, growing up in Omaha. It didnt look like a 60's mall to me at all, thats probably why I had that mindset. My first exposure to it was around 1985, and it looked 70s/80s to me then. I thought Crossroads led to Westroads, which led to little, later Southroads. I love when wrong mindsets are corrected on things trivial, like this. Thanks, Garrett & GetUrban!

I do feel like malls w/ "roads" in the name match the "Omaha" better in the past, better than they do with the emerging, developing "Omaha" now. Crossroads, Westroads, Southroads aren't names that I feel would quite cut-it in suburban Chicagoland or Dallas. Those names aren't stylish & sophisticated enough for that culture. They are more created w/ fast & convenient "small time" thinking, for a town where the bar was never originally raised that high, imo. (Mpls' "dales" sound richer & more sophisticated.) So, Im glad two of them are gone... That's the struggle I have: Wanting original Omaha names to stick around because of history & nostalgia, vs. the reality those names dont necessarily fit the emerging "Omaha" of today as well as they used to, imo.

[GetUrban]

Wow...I was clearly wrong. Southroads was built right before Westroads?! I never suspected that at all, growing up in Omaha. It didnt look like a 60's mall to me at all, thats probably why I had that mindset. My first exposure to it was around 1985, and it looked 70s/80s to me then. I thought Crossroads led to Westroads, which led to little, later Southroads. I love when wrong mindsets are corrected on things trivial, like this. Thanks, Garrett & GetUrban!

I do feel like malls w/ "roads" in the name match the "Omaha" better in the past, better than they do with the emerging, developing "Omaha" now. Crossroads, Westroads, Southroads aren't names that I feel would quite cut-it in suburban Chicagoland or Dallas. Those names aren't stylish & sophisticated enough for that culture. They are more created w/ fast & convenient "small time" thinking, for a town where the bar was never originally raised that high, imo. (Mpls' "dales" sound richer & more sophisticated.) So, Im glad two of them are gone... That's the struggle I have: Wanting original Omaha names to stick around because of history & nostalgia, vs. the reality those names dont necessarily fit the emerging "Omaha" of today as well as they used to, imo.

The decision to keep the original name probably always comes down to the places ability to upgrade to meet the current demands and to remain relevant and profitable. Westroads has it, Crossroads currently does not, but Crossroads possibly could benefit from a name change if it somehow recalled a bit of its past. I can’t imagine changing the Westroads name at this point. Maybe Oakview should consider a change if it continues to decline. I agree Crossroads, Southroads, and Westroads sound like they are from a simpler time when malls were just coming into being and downtown department stores and smaller mom and pop locally owned stores and streetcars started to decline. That was the same time when ownership of private automobiles and interstate highways were the next big thing.

[RockHarbor]

Wow...I was clearly wrong. Southroads was built right before Westroads?! I never suspected that at all, growing up in Omaha. It didnt look like a 60's mall to me at all, thats probably why I had that mindset. My first exposure to it was around 1985, and it looked 70s/80s to me then. I thought Crossroads led to Westroads, which led to little, later Southroads. I love when wrong mindsets are corrected on things trivial, like this. Thanks, Garrett & GetUrban!

I do feel like malls w/ "roads" in the name match the "Omaha" better in the past, better than they do with the emerging, developing "Omaha" now. Crossroads, Westroads, Southroads aren't names that I feel would quite cut-it in suburban Chicagoland or Dallas. Those names aren't stylish & sophisticated enough for that culture. They are more created w/ fast & convenient "small time" thinking, for a town where the bar was never originally raised that high, imo. (Mpls' "dales" sound richer & more sophisticated.) So, Im glad two of them are gone... That's the struggle I have: Wanting original Omaha names to stick around because of history & nostalgia, vs. the reality those names dont necessarily fit the emerging "Omaha" of today as well as they used to, imo.

The decision to keep the original name probably always comes down to the places ability to upgrade to meet the current demands and to remain relevant and profitable. Westroads has it, Crossroads currently does not, but Crossroads possibly could benefit from a name change if it somehow recalled a bit of its past. I can’t imagine changing the Westroads name at this point. Maybe Oakview should consider a change if it continues to decline. I agree Crossroads, Southroads, and Westroads sound like they are from a simpler time when malls were just coming into being and downtown department stores and smaller mom and pop locally owned stores and streetcars started to decline. That was the same time when ownership of private automobiles and interstate highways were the next big thing.

I've always appreciated your "technical breakdown" on things. Im glad you see what I mean about the aspect of having Westroads/Crossroads/Southroads as a line-up of mall names in Omaha. Its almost a borderline nerdy or corny local thing to me -- or something -- and I feel Omaha is better than all that simple-minded silliness & cheesiness now.

Im glad just Westroads is the only "roads" left. Its not that I would ever believe Westroads would/should ever ditch their iconic regional name, especially with their long-standing success as a main shopping destination. Its just that I like "West Park Mall" or "West Oaks Mall", or something like Schaumburg, IL's "Woodfield Mall", or Overland Park's "Oak Park Mall", something with that kind of warm & upscale-sounding ring better, especially with leafy, mature Regency right there. It's also not too trendy & new of a name, like "Jordan Creek Mall", which matches a brand new mall better than a remodeled older mall.

Sometimes, I just wish they would remodel Penny's exterior, so there is no hint of the 60's mall left. Then, stack a third story half-floor on the top, allowing escalators to both go up & down from the central court, put in a huge skylight above it all, and add a branching-off hallway of two floors. And, then put a whole new name on it. Then, build office buildings on the big back parking lots, and build a big parking garage. The goal: Make it tighter & taller & more dense, like the Dallas Galleria. Maybe that would be better than building another "West Farm" or "Village Point" as Omaha continues to grow... I dont know.

I like the name "Oak View Mall" & "Village Point" & "Shadow Lakes" plenty well. So, glad Omaha has those. Just thoughts and fun, interesting conversation...

[Busguy2010]

Some mall history:

The Center Mall - 1955
Crossroads Mall - 1960
South roads Mall - 1966
Westroads Mall - 1967

And all the buildings are still standing and in use today. Its somewhat contradictory that the most attention has been given to Crossroads - and more recently Oakview - when the oldest mall in the most urban area hasn't had a peep of attention. I understand the most traffic sees Crossroads in its underwear, but it has obviously been a difficult deal to actually pull off.

I'm thinking all of the malls will stand in some sort of fashion way longer than we want them to (Only Westroads will stay as a real mall). 50 or 70 years isn't that long for a building, whereas our technology and expectations have grown exponentially since around the new millennium.

I think we gotta learn to accept reality for what it is. There are such high expectations with so little real resources to pull them off. I'm learning that for the most part, not a whole lot is going to change as far as our malls go.

[zippy]

Some mall history:

The Center Mall - 1955
Crossroads Mall - 1960
South roads Mall - 1966
Westroads Mall - 1967

Source: Google search

Developers had the idea to locate malls around different parts of the city and included what part of town they likely could be found within the Mall’s name!

Countryside Village - 1953

[Bob from Omaha]

Crossroads & Southroads developed by Brandeis.

[GetUrban]

Crossroads & Southroads developed by Brandeis.

I miss Brandeis. They were our version of MPLS’s Dayton family.

[hav4]

I'd have to guess that Westroads is going to start dying like other metro malls as retail continues to decline. It'd be interesting to see if that facility could convert spaces into a wider variety of uses, like an MCC Campus, medical clinics, offices, even residential.

[RockHarbor]

I'd have to guess that Westroads is going to start dying like other metro malls as retail continues to decline. It'd be interesting to see if that facility could convert spaces into a wider variety of uses, like an MCC Campus, medical clinics, offices, even residential.

Maybe the mall should just say "Amazon.com" and "Hayneedle" on it, then. On the mall's locked doors, there could be directions just to go home, log onto your computer, and order. Im so tired of this "retail is dying" stuff. (Thats not towards you. Its just the situation.) Not everybody wants to order everything online -- for crying out loud. Thats all we need; Everybody sitting around, with their tushes getting bigger, ordering everything online.

[Cermak]

I'd have to guess that Westroads is going to start dying like other metro malls as retail continues to decline. It'd be interesting to see if that facility could convert spaces into a wider variety of uses, like an MCC Campus, medical clinics, offices, even residential.

Maybe the mall should just say "Amazon.com" and "Hayneedle" on it, then. On the mall's locked doors, there could be directions just to go home, log onto your computer, and order. Im so tired of this "retail is dying" stuff. (Thats not towards you. Its just the situation.) Not everybody wants to order everything online -- for crying out loud. Thats all we need; Everybody sitting around, with their tushes getting bigger, ordering everything online.

I think Omaha should be able to support one mall, and Westroads is it. I look for Westroads to remain a viable mall for at least the next 10 years. Oak View and crossroads will have to find other uses. Oak View could be torn down and redeveloped as that location is good for residential and office. I would like Oak View to be replaced with a development similar to the new development at Old Highland country club at 132nd and Pacific.

[Dundeemaha]

The mall industry is actually really split with luxury focused malls doing well. I think Westroads and Regency have a good chance of lasting for the foreseeable future.

Example article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features ... doing-fine

[RockHarbor]

Yes, I cannot imagine Omaha at least supporting ONE mall...

[Busguy2010]

I'd have to guess that Westroads is going to start dying like other metro malls as retail continues to decline. It'd be interesting to see if that facility could convert spaces into a wider variety of uses, like an MCC Campus, medical clinics, offices, even residential.

Maybe the mall should just say "Amazon.com" and "Hayneedle" on it, then. On the mall's locked doors, there could be directions just to go home, log onto your computer, and order. Im so tired of this "retail is dying" stuff. (Thats not towards you. Its just the situation.) Not everybody wants to order everything online -- for crying out loud. Thats all we need; Everybody sitting around, with their tushes getting bigger, ordering everything online.

With you on that. Westroads is the only mall worth keeping and it will survive the death of retail. I hate Amazon's and Elon Musk's ideas of the future.

How lame life would be if there was nothing to do but go to work, have your fast food delivered to you, and watch Netflix. And when you do leave the house, you have a robot wheel you around... So you can do what? Then when someone with a garden offers you a carrot you get sick because you have no exposure. Sounds awesome.

The ideas of the future will not happen and I'll never understand why there's so much money behind them.

I'm so tired of big corporations and big ideas attempting to remove us from our human element.

[Padre]

I'd have to guess that Westroads is going to start dying like other metro malls as retail continues to decline. It'd be interesting to see if that facility could convert spaces into a wider variety of uses, like an MCC Campus, medical clinics, offices, even residential.

Maybe the mall should just say "Amazon.com" and "Hayneedle" on it, then. On the mall's locked doors, there could be directions just to go home, log onto your computer, and order. Im so tired of this "retail is dying" stuff. (Thats not towards you. Its just the situation.) Not everybody wants to order everything online -- for crying out loud. Thats all we need; Everybody sitting around, with their tushes getting bigger, ordering everything online.

With you on that. Westroads is the only mall worth keeping and it will survive the death of retail. I hate Amazon's and Elon Musk's ideas of the future.

How lame life would be if there was nothing to do but go to work, have your fast food delivered to you, and watch Netflix. And when you do leave the house, you have a robot wheel you around... So you can do what? Then when someone with a garden offers you a carrot you get sick because you have no exposure. Sounds awesome.

The ideas of the future will not happen and I'll never understand why there's so much money behind them.

I'm so tired of big corporations and big ideas attempting to remove us from our human element.

Someone’s been streaming Wall-E again!

[Busguy2010]

Someone’s been streaming Wall-E again!

I don't get it. I don't watch cartoons. But I've been off topic so I'll be done here.

[ita]

Someone’s been streaming Wall-E again!

I don't get it. I don't watch cartoons. But I've been off topic so I'll be done here.

Since we are off topic, you should really watch Wall-E. You would probably like it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Time to get back on topic..

Thanks...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Based on the OWH article, Westroads Investments is looking for new to market retail/entertainment tenants for the directly south of TopGolf. What do you all want to see there? More restaurants? Some kind of indoor entertainment venue? I always thought Dave and Busters is in an odd location at the 132nd and Center area. I know D&B moving is not happening, but would having something similar be a good complement to TopGolf and the Mall?

[Uffda]

Based on the OWH article, Westroads Investments is looking for new to market retail/entertainment tenants for the directly south of TopGolf. What do you all want to see there? More restaurants? Some kind of indoor entertainment venue? I always thought Dave and Busters is in an odd location at the 132nd and Center area. I know D&B moving is not happening, but would having something similar be a good complement to TopGolf and the Mall?

Next to the Top Golf in Tampa there is an iFly --- https://www.iflyworld.com .

[youtube][/youtube]

[ita]

Based on the OWH article, Westroads Investments is looking for new to market retail/entertainment tenants for the directly south of TopGolf. What do you all want to see there? More restaurants? Some kind of indoor entertainment venue? I always thought Dave and Busters is in an odd location at the 132nd and Center area. I know D&B moving is not happening, but would having something similar be a good complement to TopGolf and the Mall?

Next to the Top Golf in Tampa there is an iFly --- https://www.iflyworld.com .

[youtube][/youtube]

Interesting. That would be a really good fit. They are in most of the major metros in the US, with one in KC.

[debradomayer]

New restaurant opening in the old Panera location, Teriyaki Chicken. They've been inside working for a couple weeks. Opens in April

[ScrattyB]

New restaurant opening in the old Panera location, Teriyaki Chicken. They've been inside working for a couple weeks. Opens in April

Got a name for the owner?

[debradomayer]

No I sure don't. Saw the announcement on sign in a hallway.

[Coyote]

Owner of Teriyaki Express had a space in the old food court.

[plaidguy]

Any further news on the potential Maggiano’s that was noted for the former Joe’s Crab Shack? Drove by there today and there is a large new “for lease” sign next to the building. That doesn’t bode well for a Maggiano’s deal. Sure hope we get one though. Maybe they will consider one of the Top Golf restaurant pads or Heartwood Preserve. Both developments seem like the demographics they would want.

[BIGO88]

On the topgolf listing on loopnet it says that the old Younkers space will become a new flagiship Dillards.

[Coyote]

image.jpeg

[bbinks]

Still shows Granite City, gone at least a month

[Padre]

Still shows Granite City, gone at least a month

They also flipped PF Chang and the Cheesecake Factory.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Still shows Granite City, gone at least a month

Granite City shut down for good before the pandemic was even announced..

Regarding Dillard’s, if true, this market can support more than one Dillard’s location. Wichita KS, a metro with more than 300,000 less population than Omaha still has 2 locations...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ita]

Still shows Granite City, gone at least a month

They also flipped PF Chang and the Cheesecake Factory.

Although that mistake was amusing, what caught my eye is the 200k sq /ft. Of office space in a building site south of Topgolf and the retail padsites. What's that about? New office tower?

[bbinks]

Ricketts' restaurant is going to be somewhere on there too.