Westroads Mall News - Non Development Related Discussion

[Omababe]

For the things I've recently bought, I've found that both Nebraska Furniture Mart and Rockbrook Camera to be competitive with the mail/web outlets. I figure that if something goes wrong, I can go there personally and scream at them rather than box up and ship back and such.

[ChadJK]

I'll buy clothes in person if it's the first time I'm buying a particular brand or style. Once I know how it's sized I have no problem purchasing online. i don't buy online so much to save money as to avoid other people.

My wife took a digital camera she dropped in the sand into Rockbook Camera several years ago. The sand had gotten in the moving parts and it wouldn't work right. They told her dropping it into sand was as bad as dropping it into water and it'd cost as much to tear it apart and clean it as it would to just get a new camera. I was fine with that assessment. They then proceeded to shove their preferred (and in stock) brands on her with high pressure sales tactics and she walked out with a make/model of digital camera that I never would have purchased (I research the heck out of that type of stuff before making a purchase) for a price I never would have paid. We haven't patronized them since and have been warning people about them since.

A sure way to make me mad as a customer is to try and push something on me just because it's higher margin for the business, pays the salesperson a higher commission, or because it's something they have in stock. I've stopped patronizing a few tire stores for this same reason. I don't get that |expletive| when I shop online. It's a problem unique to brick and mortar stores and human sales people. Sure, online retailers may show you certain items before others in your search results, or feature certain items, but I can search for the model/SKU/UPC of the exact item I want. If it doesn't show up in the results then I check another online retailer. I don't have some annoying human trying to shove an alternative down my throat and I'm not driving from retailer to retailer (or making phone call after phone call) looking for what I want.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Interesting responses regarding online shopping vs brick and mortar..

I’ll also add that recently, I’ve done both. This past July, when I purchased 4 new tires for my SUV, I shopped on line for the tires I wanted, then visited the Discount Tire web site and found they carried the same tire brand at a good price- made an appointment and had the new tires installed the following day.. Then 3 months later, when I knew I needed a new battery, I shopped on line first, found the same battery in stock at Interstate Battery and made the purchase in store the next day..

Sometimes online and brick and mortar shopping go hand in hand..which likely bodes well for the future for places like Westroads etc...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omababe]

My wife took a digital camera she dropped in the sand into Rockbook Camera several years ago. The sand had gotten in the moving parts and it wouldn't work right. They told her dropping it into sand was as bad as dropping it into water and it'd cost as much to tear it apart and clean it as it would to just get a new camera.

Any camera retailer would rather sell you a new one than repair an existing one! It's their job to push new cameras.

Unfortunately, Omaha does not appear to have any first-rate walk-in repair-only camera shops, unless I am missing something obvious.

[bigredmed1]

That and the fact that depending on the damage, they are probably correct.

[Omaha Cowboy]

My wife took a digital camera she dropped in the sand into Rockbook Camera several years ago. The sand had gotten in the moving parts and it wouldn't work right. They told her dropping it into sand was as bad as dropping it into water and it'd cost as much to tear it apart and clean it as it would to just get a new camera.

Unfortunately, Omaha does not appear to have any first-rate walk-in repair-only camera shops, unless I am missing something obvious.

Walker Camera Repair at 9458 Maple St..

https://www.google.com/search?q=walker+ ... 2520Repair

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Bob from Omaha]

My wife took a digital camera she dropped in the sand into Rockbook Camera several years ago. The sand had gotten in the moving parts and it wouldn't work right. They told her dropping it into sand was as bad as dropping it into water and it'd cost as much to tear it apart and clean it as it would to just get a new camera.

Unfortunately, Omaha does not appear to have any first-rate walk-in repair-only camera shops, unless I am missing something obvious.

Walker Camera Repair at 9458 Maple St..

https://www.google.com/search?q=walker+ ... 2520Repair

Ciao..LiO...Peace

A few years ago my daughter got a camera for a birthday gift. After about two months it quit working. We took it to a well respected camera store and got the same story. The repair would cost more than the camera. This coming from the manufacturer. In addition, we would have had to pay shipping both ways.

We ended up selling it on ebay for 80% off and buying a new camera. I'm not sure the store is always to blame. As the manufacturer's rep said, "Sand is a killer"

[Omababe]

Walker Camera Repair at 9458 Maple St..

Thanks.

The Google search shows a photo of a residence.

Is this a real open-to-the-public walk-in shop or just somebody who repairs cameras out of his/her home?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Walker Camera Repair at 9458 Maple St..

Thanks.

The Google search shows a photo of a residence.

Is this a real open-to-the-public walk-in shop or just somebody who repairs cameras out of his/her home?

You’re welcome..

I’m pretty sure it’s open to the public. It’s open for business Monday through Friday 8am-5pm and closed Sat/Sun...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[EastCB]

What does this all have to do with the Westroads.

[Omaha Cowboy]

What does this all have to do with the Westroads.

Just a quick sidebar and answering a question. Ebb and flows sometimes happen with threads like this..born out of brick and mortar vs on line shopping..

I do believe, like I mentioned in an earlier post, one can do a combination of both, which can bode well for large malls like Westroads...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[EastCB]

ok still not sure what that has to do with the westroads lol

[Busguy2010]

ok still not sure what that has to do with the westroads lol

Although not strictly on-topic, I don't think we'd want a bunch of separate 2 or 3 reply threads taking up space in spite of a quick side note.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Looks like we had another incident at the Westroads shopping mall tonight. Yup this problems real folks.

[Omababe]

A rinse-repeat of the Crossroads, maybe?

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Looks like we had another incident at the Westroads shopping mall tonight. Yup this problems real folks.

Can you point me to some media coverage on it? No one seems to be reporting on whatever you’re talking about.

[Cermak]

I haven’t seen anything in the media either. If Westroads does get a reputation as being unsafe it could signal the end for that venerable Omaha landmark. Bannister Mall in KC a once popular shopping destination became plagued by crime. The shoppers eventually went elsewhere and it closed and was demolished. I went to Bannister mall once when it was still doing good. At the the time it was one of the largest and busiest malls in the Midwest. Unbelievable that it died out so quick and was then demolished. Bannister Mall 1980-2007 RIP.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Looks like we had another incident at the Westroads shopping mall tonight. Yup this problems real folks.

Can you point me to some media coverage on it? No one seems to be reporting on whatever you’re talking about.

I drove by the Westroads last night and saw a bunch of cop cars so there is that. I also saw a story about it on the 10pm news on either channel 6 or channel 7. Wouldn't surprise me if the powers that be squashed the story and evidence just like they are doing in the impeachment trial. The gov and his family just purchased land at the Westroads so they don't want any bad news getting out maybe. We do live in a world where dishonesty and hoodwinking the public is considered cool beans. Sounds like there was another brawl and the cops came and were hunting the area for some of the perpetrators.

[Greg S]

Looks like we had another incident at the Westroads shopping mall tonight. Yup this problems real folks.

What time was this? I was at Westroads mall and did not see or hear anything. I was there between 7 and 8.

Greg

[GrandpaaSmucker]

Looks like we had another incident at the Westroads shopping mall tonight. Yup this problems real folks.

What time was this? I was at Westroads mall and did not see or hear anything. I was there between 7 and 8.

Greg

I drove by on Dodge around 9PM and saw a bunch of police cars with their lights flashing, but I was not at the Westroads. Later at 10PM one of the news channels started off with a live shot of a reporter near Westroads with a bunch of cop cars in the background. She said the cops were still searching the area for suspects that had been fighting and causing trouble at Westroads.

[bigredmed1]

Westroads management should get hard core and fast. This |expletive| gets out of hand fast. As I mentioned in other posts, Black Amex Becky is not going to allow her precious princess to buy her prom dress at Von Maur if she thinks that the rest of the mall is in a rolling gang war 3 days out of 7. True or not, the other shops are not in the business of correcting that misconception. They are in the prom dress business. Westroads needs to hire a bunch of armed guards and a lot of them should be plain clothes officers who jsut look like they rolled out of Dick's or the movie theater. Violence starts up, they call the cops and then break out the tasers and the guns. Every kid get prosecuted. Even the rich kid ganster wannabees from the burbs. Every kid gets life time banned from the mall. Every kid gets sued for damages to the mall and the businesses and the innocent victims. (Sorry if you little scamp was involved in a beat down, there are 10 people going to PTSD therapy now and 3 officers that need PT. You can write the check or put it on your black Amex.)

[Linkin5]

Westroads management should get hard core and fast. This |expletive| gets out of hand fast. As I mentioned in other posts, Black Amex Becky is not going to allow her precious princess to buy her prom dress at Von Maur if she thinks that the rest of the mall is in a rolling gang war 3 days out of 7. True or not, the other shops are not in the business of correcting that misconception. They are in the prom dress business. Westroads needs to hire a bunch of armed guards and a lot of them should be plain clothes officers who jsut look like they rolled out of Dick's or the movie theater. Violence starts up, they call the cops and then break out the tasers and the guns. Every kid get prosecuted. Even the rich kid ganster wannabees from the burbs. Every kid gets life time banned from the mall. Every kid gets sued for damages to the mall and the businesses and the innocent victims. (Sorry if you little scamp was involved in a beat down, there are 10 people going to PTSD therapy now and 3 officers that need PT. You can write the check or put it on your black Amex.)

I’m just glad nobody is overreacting to this.

[bigredmed1]

Westroads management should get hard core and fast. This |expletive| gets out of hand fast. As I mentioned in other posts, Black Amex Becky is not going to allow her precious princess to buy her prom dress at Von Maur if she thinks that the rest of the mall is in a rolling gang war 3 days out of 7. True or not, the other shops are not in the business of correcting that misconception. They are in the prom dress business. Westroads needs to hire a bunch of armed guards and a lot of them should be plain clothes officers who jsut look like they rolled out of Dick's or the movie theater. Violence starts up, they call the cops and then break out the tasers and the guns. Every kid get prosecuted. Even the rich kid ganster wannabees from the burbs. Every kid gets life time banned from the mall. Every kid gets sued for damages to the mall and the businesses and the innocent victims. (Sorry if you little scamp was involved in a beat down, there are 10 people going to PTSD therapy now and 3 officers that need PT. You can write the check or put it on your black Amex.)

I’m just glad nobody is overreacting to this.

Yeah, that is what they said when Southroads started to collapse, the Center started to collapse, and the Crossroads started to collapse. Getting medieval means you can always back down later and be seen as tempering the response. Going the other way causes a lot of POd ex customers who happily tell their friends why they no longer shop at that dangerous place.

[ProgKingHughesker]

Westroads management should get hard core and fast. This |expletive| gets out of hand fast. As I mentioned in other posts, Black Amex Becky is not going to allow her precious princess to buy her prom dress at Von Maur if she thinks that the rest of the mall is in a rolling gang war 3 days out of 7. True or not, the other shops are not in the business of correcting that misconception. They are in the prom dress business. Westroads needs to hire a bunch of armed guards and a lot of them should be plain clothes officers who jsut look like they rolled out of Dick's or the movie theater. Violence starts up, they call the cops and then break out the tasers and the guns. Every kid get prosecuted. Even the rich kid ganster wannabees from the burbs. Every kid gets life time banned from the mall. Every kid gets sued for damages to the mall and the businesses and the innocent victims. (Sorry if you little scamp was involved in a beat down, there are 10 people going to PTSD therapy now and 3 officers that need PT. You can write the check or put it on your black Amex.)

Really, a few teenagers brawling needs an armed response?

Must be tough living life in constant fear like some of these folks do

[bigredmed1]

There needs to be a strong response. Second event in 6 weeks? Time to seal things down.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I have yet to see any media reporting of this supposed disturbance at Westroads. Found nothing in the W-H nor KETV etc.. if anyone would care to post a link substantiating this supposed latest Westroads “dust up” It’d be much appreciated...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[GrandpaaSmucker]

I have yet to see any media reporting of this supposed disturbance at Westroads. Found nothing in the W-H nor KETV etc.. if anyone would care to post a link substantiating this supposed latest Westroads “dust up” It’d be much appreciated...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

The powers that be snuffed the story out and buried it and I better do the same if I know whats good for me

[Greg S]

Westroads management should get hard core and fast. This |expletive| gets out of hand fast. As I mentioned in other posts, Black Amex Becky is not going to allow her precious princess to buy her prom dress at Von Maur if she thinks that the rest of the mall is in a rolling gang war 3 days out of 7. True or not, the other shops are not in the business of correcting that misconception. They are in the prom dress business. Westroads needs to hire a bunch of armed guards and a lot of them should be plain clothes officers who jsut look like they rolled out of Dick's or the movie theater. Violence starts up, they call the cops and then break out the tasers and the guns. Every kid get prosecuted. Even the rich kid ganster wannabees from the burbs. Every kid gets life time banned from the mall. Every kid gets sued for damages to the mall and the businesses and the innocent victims. (Sorry if you little scamp was involved in a beat down, there are 10 people going to PTSD therapy now and 3 officers that need PT. You can write the check or put it on your black Amex.)

I’m just glad nobody is overreacting to this.

Yeah, that is what they said when Southroads started to collapse, the Center started to collapse, and the Crossroads started to collapse. Getting medieval means you can always back down later and be seen as tempering the response. Going the other way causes a lot of POd ex customers who happily tell their friends why they no longer shop at that dangerous place.

It's really hard for the mall to react properly. I remember with Crossroads and some incidents along with just large numbers of teens being in the mall at night on weekends, you started hearing people worrying about it being safe. Would even talk about "gang initiations" against shoppers in the parking lot. Simon did react and upped security big time including hiring off duty cops. That was followed by charges of racism against the mall.


Greg

[bigredmed1]

Racism charges have rung hollow for so many years and we have heard too many good people be called that simply because a leftist was losing an argument that this would not be much of a problem, especially if you did as I said earlier, bust all of them. Ban and bar all of them. Sue all of them. The emphasis is on ALL of them. Can't be a racist if 10 kids are busted and 9 of them are white. Can't be a racist if everyone gets the same deal. If Black Amex Becky has to go down to the jail to bail out little Mikey along side North O Norma, you would have a hard time making a racism charge stick.

[Omaha Cowboy]

In the end, none of us really know if a 2nd “incident” actually occurred..

You know, “If I don’t see pictures, it never happened” ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[GrandpaaSmucker]

In the end, none of us really know if a 2nd “incident” actually occurred..

You know, “If I don’t see pictures, it never happened” ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Why don't you just call me a liar and be done with it?

[Omaha Cowboy]

In the end, none of us really know if a 2nd “incident” actually occurred..

You know, “If I don’t see pictures, it never happened” ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Why don't you just call me a liar and be done with it?

..

I believe you saw what you saw..

But (in the spirit of not jumping to conclusions)-

That doesn’t mean this was remotely the same “incident” which was widely reported a few weeks back. I’d think the local media would be all over that, just like they were a month ago..

That’s all...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

There was no police report.

[Coyote]

Cirque Italia Water Circus



Westroads Mall in the parking lot
HAVE YOU EVER HAD SUCH A VIVID DREAM YOU THOUGHT IT WAS REAL? Cirque Italia has pulled out all the stops this year to take you on a magical dream adventure.

Trust us OMAHA, NE, this is one escapade you cannot afford to miss!

Have you ever wished you could turn back time? To go back to a simpler, happy time filled with sock hops, drive-in theaters, muscle cars, and thick sideburns? Well get out your poodle skirts and leather jackets!
Cirque Italia’s Gold Unit performers can’t wait to take you back to a time when hula hoops and soda fountains were abundant, Elvis Presley dominated the airwaves, greased hair was all the rage, and street racing was a parent’s greatest concern! Come along for the ride when a 1950s-obsessed adolescent falls asleep and dreams of living in this revolutionary era. This high-octane show is guaranteed to captivate and engage every kiddo and Daddy-O in the audience.
Cirque Italia believes multi-culturalism is one of our strongest assets. Our show features performers from Argentina, Brazil, Romania, and many other countries. Of course, these incredible artists are preparing to wow you with their astounding acts. Master jugglers, low wire fanatics, dazzling contortion, wild trampoline antics, and even a wheel of death! Want to know more? You’ll have to come ‘dream’ with us as we travel back in time.
Cirque Italia’s mission is to provide high-class entertainment suitable for all age groups, where all are welcome at our strictly animal-free shows!
When: August 18th – 21st, 2022
Where: 10000 California St, Omaha, NE 68114
At: Westroads Mall in the parking lot
—Under the stunning White & Blue Big Top Tent

• August 18– Thursday: 7:30pm
• August 19 - Friday: 7:30pm
• August 20 – Saturday: 1:30pm, 4:30pm & 7:30pm
• August 21 - Sunday: 1:30pm, 4:30pm

[ricko]

Cirque Italia Water Circus



Westroads Mall in the parking lot
HAVE YOU EVER HAD SUCH A VIVID DREAM YOU THOUGHT IT WAS REAL? Cirque Italia has pulled out all the stops this year to take you on a magical dream adventure.

Trust us OMAHA, NE, this is one escapade you cannot afford to miss!

Have you ever wished you could turn back time? To go back to a simpler, happy time filled with sock hops, drive-in theaters, muscle cars, and thick sideburns? Well get out your poodle skirts and leather jackets!
Cirque Italia’s Gold Unit performers can’t wait to take you back to a time when hula hoops and soda fountains were abundant, Elvis Presley dominated the airwaves, greased hair was all the rage, and street racing was a parent’s greatest concern! Come along for the ride when a 1950s-obsessed adolescent falls asleep and dreams of living in this revolutionary era. This high-octane show is guaranteed to captivate and engage every kiddo and Daddy-O in the audience.
Cirque Italia believes multi-culturalism is one of our strongest assets. Our show features performers from Argentina, Brazil, Romania, and many other countries. Of course, these incredible artists are preparing to wow you with their astounding acts. Master jugglers, low wire fanatics, dazzling contortion, wild trampoline antics, and even a wheel of death! Want to know more? You’ll have to come ‘dream’ with us as we travel back in time.
Cirque Italia’s mission is to provide high-class entertainment suitable for all age groups, where all are welcome at our strictly animal-free shows!
When: August 18th – 21st, 2022
Where: 10000 California St, Omaha, NE 68114
At: Westroads Mall in the parking lot
—Under the stunning White & Blue Big Top Tent

• August 18– Thursday: 7:30pm
• August 19 - Friday: 7:30pm
• August 20 – Saturday: 1:30pm, 4:30pm & 7:30pm
• August 21 - Sunday: 1:30pm, 4:30pm

Never heard of this group, but I did some sleuthing and it looks legit. Even if they’re half as good as Cirq du Soleil, it’s well worth seeing. Tickets start at mind blowing 10 bucks. Cirq du Soleil’s start at around $125, and that was 5 years ago.

[iamjacobm]

Apparently the loan on the mall matured 10/1 and they didn't pay their balloon payment. Not sure what is all going to happen, but an interesting development.

[TransitOriented]

Apparently the loan on the mall matured 10/1 and they didn't pay their balloon payment. Not sure what is all going to happen, but an interesting development.

Sorry, could you explain what that means?

[riceweb]

Interest rates rose and they could not get a new loan at an affordable interest rate to cover the balloon payment?

[bigredmed1]

So would we look at closure due to foreclosure?

[ita]

So would we look at closure due to foreclosure?

Owner is a specialized real estate investment firm that specializes in malls. Not that they are perfect in investing or running a business, but I doubt they just let the bank foreclose on a $90M asset. Looks like this scenario occurred recently at another mall in Providence, and it took Brookfield/GGP about a year to settle the default and get an extension on the loan. Maybe they are purposely going into default to forego refinancing with rates so high and waiting a year or so to see if they can get a better rate?

https://pbn.com/city-may-extend-provide ... -20-years/

Last year, the company defaulted on its mortgage loan, unable to make the final payment that was originally due in May, PBN previously reported. A new deal worked out with a special servicer gives the company the option to extend the 10-year loan for several years, which the company is expected to do. So far, it has remained current on its new payment schedule, according to a Fitch Ratings report in April.

Although Fitch affirmed the company’s “AAA” ratings in April for pass-through certificates on the mall, which are secured through the existing tax deal with the city, the rating agency also said the mall’s performance continues to “trend downward.” The mall has yet to see its operating income return to pre-pandemic levels, with profits falling 16% from 2020 to 20221 due to drops in parking revenue and other sources and higher operating expenses, according to Fitch.

It would be interesting to see how Westroads is performing. I wonder if one of the local news outlets takes a look into the situation with the defaulting loan. If Ricketts Sr. would just get his multiuse multitower project going to bolster the area...