There is a dark cloud over the city. Tauntonians everywhere lament. The Silver City Galleria Mall faces uncertain peril.
Our once thriving commercial hub is now well on its way to being the next Mill River Plaza. But do not despair, it doesn’t need to be that way. The following are several steps industrious citizens could take to make our once beloved mall thrive again.
The first order of business would be to open what are known as anchor stores. These are large, nationally recognized department stores that offer a variety of home and fashion goods. Sears, J.C. Penney’s, and Macy’s would be excellent choices. Customers could shop for a variety of diverse, high-quality items, all in one convenient place. Curtains, a lawnmower and a haircut, all at once? Wow, no wonder Bob Vila loves Sears so much.
While I believe that the modern-day mall food court is truly the 8th wonder of the world, our mall is seriously lacking in sit-down restaurants. Imagine, your family just spent the afternoon shopping at new locations like The Disney Store or Abercrombie and Fitch. You’ve worked up an appetite, your wife needs a stiff drink, and the kids just won’t stop complaining. Boy, some fresh bread from Bertucci’s would hit the spot. Or, for the calorie conscious, I hear Ruby Tuesday’s offers an endless salad bar. Maybe you were hoping for a clown to entertain you between courses, well you could head across the hall to The Ground Round, where all-you-can-eat popcorn and bottomless sodas will surely calm the kiddos right down.
Next, I think a speciality candle store, such as Yankee Candle, would really create a unique, boutique atmosphere. Especially around the holidays, when you’re just not sure what to get your boyfriend’s aunt, or your child’s school teacher. A 2-pound French vanilla scented brick of wax will really say "I don’t know anything about you, but you’re worth $14.75.”
A Discovery Zone on the first floor would be a welcomed addition. Busy parents could drop off their children to play in a safe, foam-padded environment, while they buy the latest electronics from Radio Shack, Lechmere or Sharper Image. And let’s not forget a Dunkin’ - all of the bustling new mall employees will need an affordable spot for a burst of liquid energy.
It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. Nostalgia, much like caffeine, is a dangerous, addictive drug. It helps you block out the pain and ignore the truth.
Malls everywhere are becoming a way of the past. For citizens who are saddened by this, it’s time to move on.
While it once seemed innately convenient to have all of your favorite stores under one roof, the Internet is now king. In the time it took me to write this letter, I ordered Jimmy Buffet’s Christmas album “‘Tis The Season,” doilies for my Aunt Ambrosina’s pull-out-couch, and a 30-pound bag of cat food for my cat, Governor William Weld.
I do not mean to discourage current owners and employees at the mall; I wish you all the luck. But I do want to encourage Tauntonians to make good use of the empty space.
Reminisce all you want, but it’s time to face the music, and it’s no longer available at Sam Goody.
Timmy DiMartino
East Taunton