Westroads Mall (10000 California St)

[nebport5]

I could definitely see Dillard's running a real store at Westroads and a clearance store at Oakview. Only for a short period of time though. We all know what a clearance store really amounts to. Doesn't really count as two stores to me.

If Oak View turns into a Dillards Clearance sale, that's just another step on the dying mall checklist. And, it would be like what happened at Crossroads. It would be a short term run out the clock scenario.

If Oakview fully morphs into a district of dollars stores even a Dillard's clearance store sounds like a better fit for Gretna.


Now, a Nordstrom Rack on the other hand would be nice for Westroads(or Crossroads) but something tells me if Nebraska were to become the 42nd state with a Rack it would probably end up in or around Village Pointe.

[Greg S]

I could definitely see Dillard's running a real store at Westroads and a clearance store at Oakview. Only for a short period of time though. We all know what a clearance store really amounts to. Doesn't really count as two stores to me.

If Oak View turns into a Dillards Clearance sale, that's just another step on the dying mall checklist. And, it would be like what happened at Crossroads. It would be a short term run out the clock scenario.

If Oakview fully morphs into a district of dollars stores even a Dillard's clearance store sounds like a better fit for Gretna.


Now, a Nordstrom Rack on the other hand would be nice for Westroads(or Crossroads) but something tells me if Nebraska were to become the 42nd state with a Rack it would probably end up in or around Village Pointe.

Every Dillard's clearance location that I have come across has been located in a existing Dillard's.


Greg

[charlie123]

Just curious if I have my Omaha History Correct when it comes to Westroads Mall:

Dicks Sporting Goods is where Younkers used to be - except expanded a bit further out w/new building add
The Jones Store was built where Montgomery Ward's was--- but then converted to Younkers later, now closed.
The food court (now the container store) was moved to where TGI Fridays and Radio Shack, etc. was and now it's Flagship commons
There was a bank on the southeast side of the lot in the 80's -- I think it was 1st Westroads bank. Demolished in the early 90s

[Brad]

Dicks Sporting Goods is where Younkers used to be - except expanded a bit further out w/new building add

No, Dicks is where the old movie theater was. The new Movie Theater is where the old Younkers was...

There was a bank on the southeast side of the lot in the 80's -- I think it was 1st Westroads bank. Demolished in the early 90s

I thought there was an Earl May there?

[Cermak]

I believe we are one of the larger metro’s if not the largest without a Nordstrom Rack. Smaller Des Moines has one and Albuquerque which is basically the same size as Omaha has one as well. No excuse for Omaha to not have one.

[Doctor Fate]

I believe we are one of the larger metro’s if not the largest without a Nordstrom Rack. Smaller Des Moines has one and Albuquerque which is basically the same size as Omaha has one as well. No excuse for Omaha to not have one.

I agree with this. Omaha should have a Nordstrom Rack.

Johanna Boston has said they wanted to bring a Nordstrom Rack to Nebraska Crossing.

[zippy]

Dicks Sporting Goods is where Younkers used to be - except expanded a bit further out w/new building add

No, Dicks is where the old movie theater was. The new Movie Theater is where the old Younkers was...

There was a bank on the southeast side of the lot in the 80's -- I think it was 1st Westroads bank. Demolished in the early 90s

I thought there was an Earl May there?

Earl May was SW of the main building, where the restaurants are now.

[charlie123]

That's right Brad.... I forgot about the former movie theater --- That's where Dicks is and the original younkers is now a movie theater... I was off. I do recall Earl May being in the parking lot near where The cheesecake factory is today (possibly a bit closer to the mall though). Things have changed there over the years!

[damonhynes]

There was a bank on the southeast side of the lot in the 80's -- I think it was 1st Westroads bank. Demolished in the early 90s

Didn't they rebrand as FW Bank, and aren't they extant? It's been an age since I've looked toward Westroads...

[Greg S]

There was a bank on the southeast side of the lot in the 80's -- I think it was 1st Westroads bank. Demolished in the early 90s

Didn't they rebrand as FW Bank, and aren't they extant? It's been an age since I've looked toward Westroads...

I remember they also used to have a branch inside the mall. If memory serves it was upper level near JCPenny's.

Greg

[charlie123]

I believe they have a location (First Westroads) off 158 and dodge by the tagge building

[schumatt]

That's right Brad.... I forgot about the former movie theater --- That's where Dicks is and the original younkers is now a movie theater... I was off. I do recall Earl May being in the parking lot near where The cheesecake factory is today (possibly a bit closer to the mall though). Things have changed there over the years!

Clarifying just a bit...

Dick's Sporting Goods was previously Galyan's Sporting Goods, replacing the former movie theaters: the Fox Westroads (2 screens, exterior entrance) and the Six West (6 screens, interior entrance).

AMC Classic (the current theater) originally opened as Rave Cinemas (in 2008). This area expanded on and replaced most of the former Younker's store, which opened as Kilpatrick's. Portions of that former anchor location became other shops along the north side of the center court. Younker's vacated the space and moved to the west end anchor spot after The Jones Store closed in that location, which was originally Montgomery Ward (until 1998).

For completeness of the Younker's story: A Brandeis store sat between Younker's and Montgomery Ward. This was converted to Younker's Juniors when Younker's bought Brandeis. After that closed, the space became mall stores & TGI Friday's, both of which were recombined into the Flagship Commons food hall. The high ceilings and clerestory windows in Flagship Commons are from what used to be the 3rd floor of the Brandeis store.

The Earl May Garden Center occupied the far southwest corner of the parking lot, roughly where PF Chang's is today.

First Westroads Bank was originally on the south end of the parking lot and relocated to its current building in the southeast corner after the JCPenney Auto Center was demolished. The bank did have a branch inside the mall on the southeast side of the 2nd floor.

[Greg S]

That's right Brad.... I forgot about the former movie theater --- That's where Dicks is and the original younkers is now a movie theater... I was off. I do recall Earl May being in the parking lot near where The cheesecake factory is today (possibly a bit closer to the mall though). Things have changed there over the years!

Clarifying just a bit...

Dick's Sporting Goods was previously Galyan's Sporting Goods, replacing the former movie theaters: the Fox Westroads (2 screens, exterior entrance) and the Six West (6 screens, interior entrance).

AMC Classic (the current theater) originally opened as Rave Cinemas (in 2008). This area expanded on and replaced most of the former Younker's store, which opened as Kilpatrick's. Portions of that former anchor location became other shops along the north side of the center court. Younker's vacated the space and moved to the west end anchor spot after The Jones Store closed in that location, which was originally Montgomery Ward (until 1998).

For completeness of the Younker's story: A Brandeis store sat between Younker's and Montgomery Ward. This was converted to Younker's Juniors when Younker's bought Brandeis. After that closed, the space became mall stores & TGI Friday's, both of which were recombined into the Flagship Commons food hall. The high ceilings and clerestory windows in Flagship Commons are from what used to be the 3rd floor of the Brandeis store.

The Earl May Garden Center occupied the far southwest corner of the parking lot, roughly where PF Chang's is today.

First Westroads Bank was originally on the south end of the parking lot and relocated to its current building in the southeast corner after the JCPenney Auto Center was demolished. The bank did have a branch inside the mall on the southeast side of the 2nd floor.

Also the former Brandeis store had a basement (men's, customer service and offices were down there) and a fourth floor (children's, deli-with a view overlooking the parking lot, and employee break room ).

Greg

[Bob from Omaha]

I maintain that the original Westroads developers put in the helipad because they couldn't think of a thing they forgot. "OK. Is that everything? Wait. A helipad! Yeah, that's it! A helipad!"

On a similar note I remember when Willy Thiesen took a helicopter from his regency house to NFM. Just to shop. Another example of "I just checked my bank balance and there is just too much there"

[bigredmed1]

The guy who owned the Westroads had a helicopter and flew in several times. Santa landed there a couple of times. It was in the general area of Von Maur’s connection to the rest of the mall.

There was a time when people thought helicopter travel might take off.

[omaha79]

speaking of the history of Westroads mall. I always found it odd that different areas had different mall names like Boston Mall and others I can't remember. Some of it, I can't imagine how it was laid out.

Also, still boggles my mind that there was a balcony on the South Side and a kid was murdered out there by being thrown over. You can still see parts of the balcony still exist, but it's cut off from public use. The really old school stairway on the JCP side will lead you up there and there is a door that goes out there. I've never tried it though and it's only partially accessible now.

[GenX]

Didn’t see it mentioned yet, but the remaining dealerships south of Top Golf have been demolished.

[NEDodger]

speaking of the history of Westroads mall. I always found it odd that different areas had different mall names like Boston Mall and others I can't remember. Some of it, I can't imagine how it was laid out.

Also, still boggles my mind that there was a balcony on the South Side and a kid was murdered out there by being thrown over. You can still see parts of the balcony still exist, but it's cut off from public use. The really old school stairway on the JCP side will lead you up there and there is a door that goes out there. I've never tried it though and it's only partially accessible now.

I remember going up to the balcony as a kid - never, ever heard that someone was murdered up there? When was that?

I believe a second area was called....Westminster Mall?

[Louie]

speaking of the history of Westroads mall. I always found it odd that different areas had different mall names like Boston Mall and others I can't remember. Some of it, I can't imagine how it was laid out.

Also, still boggles my mind that there was a balcony on the South Side and a kid was murdered out there by being thrown over. You can still see parts of the balcony still exist, but it's cut off from public use. The really old school stairway on the JCP side will lead you up there and there is a door that goes out there. I've never tried it though and it's only partially accessible now.

I remember going up to the balcony as a kid - never, ever heard that someone was murdered up there? When was that?

I believe a second area was called....Westminster Mall?

I've never heard this story, that's crazy! When was it?

[jag42]

speaking of the history of Westroads mall. I always found it odd that different areas had different mall names like Boston Mall and others I can't remember. Some of it, I can't imagine how it was laid out.


I believe a second area was called....Westminster Mall?

Yup, I remember some of corridors having different names, and Boston and Westminster sound right. Also Centennial Mall, probably because the mall was built about the time of Nebraska's centennial. I also remember all along the second floor, there were holes cut in the floor and could see down to the first level

[omaha79]

speaking of the history of Westroads mall. I always found it odd that different areas had different mall names like Boston Mall and others I can't remember. Some of it, I can't imagine how it was laid out.

Also, still boggles my mind that there was a balcony on the South Side and a kid was murdered out there by being thrown over. You can still see parts of the balcony still exist, but it's cut off from public use. The really old school stairway on the JCP side will lead you up there and there is a door that goes out there. I've never tried it though and it's only partially accessible now.

I remember going up to the balcony as a kid - never, ever heard that someone was murdered up there? When was that?

I believe a second area was called....Westminster Mall?

I've never heard this story, that's crazy! When was it?

Here you go. Link below.

Long story short: It was September 16, 1989. A teen was walking the mall, minding his own business when he was mistaken for another person. The murderer, who was a wayward youth, drug addict type, thought there was a skinhead named Eric that was spreading rumors about him. He mistook this kid for "Erik" and he and his friends jumped the kid. He was drug out on the balcony, beaten, his head smashed against a railing, and thrown down to the loading docks below where he later died.

The backstory is so rooted in the 1980s. Supposedly, William K Smith, the killer, was irate that he thought the kid was spreading rumors of his involvement with a satanic cult and was out for revenge. Smith was sentenced to 10 years to life for 2nd degree murder, among other charges, but was paroled in 2009 after serving 19 years.

It is interesting to me. Everyone likes to say Westroads has recently become a dangerous mall. Yes, there have been some petty fights, but the history of the mall is peppered with worse incidents than anything that has happened of late. Of course, there is Von Maur, but also this.

https://law.justia.com/cases/nebraska/s ... 152-5.html

[PWL73316]

Everyone likes to say Westroads has recently become a dangerous mall.

Who says this? Seriously? It has a Container Store for goodness sake. I swear, 'dangerous' is Omaha code for 'there was a Black person there once.'

[Louie]

Everyone likes to say Westroads has recently become a dangerous mall.

Who says this? Seriously? It has a Container Store for goodness sake. I swear, 'dangerous' is Omaha code for 'there was a Black person there once.'

It's almost as if Omaha is one of the most segregated cities in the US and that has allowed this ridiculous viewpoint to fester...

[omaha79]

Everyone likes to say Westroads has recently become a dangerous mall.

Who says this? Seriously? It has a Container Store for goodness sake. I swear, 'dangerous' is Omaha code for 'there was a Black person there once.'

That is the point. But, that idea has been floating around out there for some time now that Westroads isn't "safe." That perception can be the death knell for a mall in the long run as we saw with Crossroads. Even if it's not true, once you lose the West O Karens because they won't shop there or take their kids there, retailers start pulling out.

But, my point is that the most horrific moments in the history of Westroads mall have absolutely zero to do with any violence associated with a person of color.

[omaha79]

Everyone likes to say Westroads has recently become a dangerous mall.

Who says this? Seriously? It has a Container Store for goodness sake. I swear, 'dangerous' is Omaha code for 'there was a Black person there once.'

It's almost as if Omaha is one of the most segregated cities in the US and that has allowed this ridiculous viewpoint to fester...

I can promise you it's not just an Omaha viewpoint. I can give two specific examples of malls that died for similar perception issues and that would be Union Station Mall and St. Louis Centre in downtown St. Louis. Anytime suburbanites feel like they are outnumbered in a mall and feel threatened, they find a new place to shop and the mall dies. wash. rinse. repeat.

But, that was not my point in starting this debate. I just wanted to point out a forgotten tragedy in Westroads Mall history.

[bigredmed1]

speaking of the history of Westroads mall. I always found it odd that different areas had different mall names like Boston Mall and others I can't remember. Some of it, I can't imagine how it was laid out.

Also, still boggles my mind that there was a balcony on the South Side and a kid was murdered out there by being thrown over. You can still see parts of the balcony still exist, but it's cut off from public use. The really old school stairway on the JCP side will lead you up there and there is a door that goes out there. I've never tried it though and it's only partially accessible now.

I remember going up to the balcony as a kid - never, ever heard that someone was murdered up there? When was that?

I believe a second area was called....Westminster Mall?

The designers had names for the side hallways and they were European references. One was English and another was German. I guessed that they were to facilitate meeting with groups.

[djc311]

I miss the Omaha malls in general. Grew up at Crossroads... went to Westroads often (Remember the cookie shop that had the ferris-wheel type cookie display on the side of their store)? Of course there was the pewter shop upstairs that was a little... cigars, tobacco and expensive figurines my mom told me to never touch! My dad used to take me to some barber in Westroads that was down a smaller hallway, I think we accessed it from outside by where Flagship Commons is now (BTW, I'm surprised that place can stay open with $16 bowls of ramen noodles).

Oakview was even a much "cooler" place at one time, of course. Can't think of the name of the restaurant that was on the main entrance for awhile, but liked going there quite a bit.

In any case, I guess my point is it's sad to see the malls fail (obviously Crossroads and truth be told, Oakview is going to go down the same road). These lifestyle centers are nice, bringing new store brands and such to the area. But I still find it odd that people in Nebraska would rather shop at all of these outdoor places than inside a controlled environment regardless of weather. Village Pointe is great, but I hate it when it's 0° outside and you have to park 1/2 mile from the store you want to go into.

Guess it's more or less just griping, but I do wish we didn't see these places fail.

[Louie]

Oakview was even a much "cooler" place at one time, of course. Can't think of the name of the restaurant that was on the main entrance for awhile, but liked going there quite a bit.

Are you thinking of Chaamps Americana?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Oakview was even a much "cooler" place at one time, of course. Can't think of the name of the restaurant that was on the main entrance for awhile, but liked going there quite a bit.

Are you thinking of Chaamps Americana?

Yeah it was Chaamps Americana. It was a pretty cool place to eat back in the day at Oakview Mall- Right at the main entrance...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bbinks]

My dad used to take me to some barber in Westroads that was down a smaller hallway

The Silver Shear

[djc311]

That's it - Chaamps... LOL. Forgot about the (2) AA's. I used to get it confused with the Champs Sporting Goods store inside the mall.

Random thought - I might have blurbed it on here somewhere else... but am I the only one wishing stuff from the 80's/early 90's was around sometimes? WC Franks (would LOVE to open one of those up), Leggoons shorts... I'm sure I can think of a laundry list of things I miss (oh, Applause Video with their funky movie displays on their red barns).

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Everyone likes to say Westroads has recently become a dangerous mall.

Who says this? Seriously? It has a Container Store for goodness sake. I swear, 'dangerous' is Omaha code for 'there was a Black person there once.'

It's almost as if Omaha is one of the most segregated cities in the US and that has allowed this ridiculous viewpoint to fester...

I can promise you it's not just an Omaha viewpoint. I can give two specific examples of malls that died for similar perception issues and that would be Union Station Mall and St. Louis Centre in downtown St. Louis. Anytime suburbanites feel like they are outnumbered in a mall and feel threatened, they find a new place to shop and the mall dies. wash. rinse. repeat.

I think it’s a little more complicated than that. Both of those malls were downtown and downtown malls in general just don’t do well outside of giant, dense cities. A suburbanite can easily feel “outnumbered” at the Galleria in St. Louis too, in fact there’s been at least one, maybe two shootings there in the past three years, but it’s probably the strongest mall this region has at the moment.

[Cermak]

The malls are nice, especially with the lousy Midwest weather we have. A great place to go walk around in the middle of winter or a hot humid summer day. The lifestyle centers like village point are not the best for Midwest weather. Maybe someday malls will get popular again. It seems they just fell out of favor and weren’t cool anymore. That’s why I think it’s important that Westroads can make it, we will still have at least one mall in the metro. OakView is probably not going to make it, it’s a long shot if it’s going to turn things around.

[jag42]

I know this is getting off topic, but the talk of Westroads of years ago made me remember that they have a gallery of 24 yesteryear photos on their Facebook page. I loved the old clock in the center court and the coin/stamp store.

https://m.facebook.com/pg/WestroadsMall ... 014286931m
I guess the link above just goes to their main page. You have to go through their albums and find "Memory Lane".

[djc311]

Hah - I found the photo album. So cool to revisit those! My brother got his head stuck inbetween the wrought iron bars in front of the pet store when he was little. Guess the fire dept had to come. He's 8 years older than me so I don't think I was around at the time it happened... but wish I were!

It's too bad there weren't the devices like we have today. You could probably make a movie out of all of the videos people shoot inside stores on their phones! I tried to get pics of the old Santa display from the 80's in Crossroads and either no one has them, or no one wanted to bother finding them.

Remember when Aladdin's Castle was at Westroads? You had to access it from outside, I believe.

[bbinks]

That's it - Chaamps... LOL. Forgot about the (2) AA's. I used to get it confused with the Champs Sporting Goods store inside the mall.

Random thought - I might have blurbed it on here somewhere else... but am I the only one wishing stuff from the 80's/early 90's was around sometimes? WC Franks (would LOVE to open one of those up), Leggoons shorts... I'm sure I can think of a laundry list of things I miss (oh, Applause Video with their funky movie displays on their red barns).

Those marquees were cool. I'd pass the Applause on 84th & Dodge daily. Those couldn't have been cheap to change several times a year.

[MadMartin8]

Oakview was even a much "cooler" place at one time, of course. Can't think of the name of the restaurant that was on the main entrance for awhile, but liked going there quite a bit.

Are you thinking of Chaamps Americana?

Yeah it was Chaamps Americana. It was a pretty cool place to eat back in the day at Oakview Mall- Right at the main entrance...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I didn't mind that place either, was decent for a sports bar.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Oakview was even a much "cooler" place at one time, of course. Can't think of the name of the restaurant that was on the main entrance for awhile, but liked going there quite a bit.

Are you thinking of Chaamps Americana?

Yeah it was Chaamps Americana. It was a pretty cool place to eat back in the day at Oakview Mall- Right at the main entrance...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I didn't mind that place either, was decent for a sports bar.

Agreed. And they also had a pretty decent Sunday brunch...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Garrett]

Aaaaand another Westroads shooting.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Aaaaand another Westroads shooting.

Which has, unfortunately, turned into a homicide as one of the 2 shooting victims is now dead..

Extremely terrible event..And the 2nd incident of gun violence at Westroads in basically one month..

As it relates to Westroads “development”, these happenstances have now become a major problem...

Ciao..LiO...Peace