An open shopping experience…Roosevelt Mall
Written: May 01 '04 (Updated May 01 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: open mall, some good stores
Cons: open mall, small selection of stores, local hangout for teens
The Bottom Line: A small strip-mall with a few desirable stores.
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| kld718's Full Review: Roosevelt Mall |
Never in my life have I seen an open mall until I moved to Philadelphia. All the malls in Florida had been enclosed and not exposed to the elements. Sure, we had small strip-malls, but they weren’t exactly called “malls”, more like “plazas” or something similar.
So when I moved around the corner from the Roosevelt Mall, I was flabbergast as to why they made the mall open instead of closed, it’s not like they don’t have a large enough property to do so. The only large major store that is located on the property would be Strawbridge’s.
The first section of the mall consists of a small strip that includes: Life Uniform, Manhattan Bagel, Subway, Pearle Vision, the US Post Office, AT&T, Modell’s, and H&R Block (during tax season). Going around the corner, the strip running along the side contains: Zeena’s Lingerie, Radio Shack, Coconuts, Mall Stationary & The Art Palette, Way Out, Claire’s Boutique, and In Touch Wireless.
The third section, running along the back contains: Rite Aid, Foot Locker, Foot Action, Kicks, the Turf Club, Kay Bee Toys, DEB, Dollar Mania, Lane Bryant, Joyce Leslie, Avenue, Gina’s Pizzarama, G&G, Children’s Place, Rave Girl, Five Star Buffet, Jim’s Steaks, Baker’s Shoes, Hair Cuttery, Payless ShoeSource, Dazzles, Spicy Shoes, Country Wide Home Loans, Sunshine Blues, LensCrafters, Philly Smoke Shop, Magic Photo, Jay Jeweler, Robbins Diamonds, Spain’s Card & Gift, and the Rose-Velt Florist. The fourth section includes: Eternity Fashions, Eternity Shoes, Liberty Travel, Allied Hobbies, The Leather Company, Electronics Boutique, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Casual Male.
At the end of the mall, there is a large old building that stands alone from the rest of the mall and houses Strawbridge's. This has got to be my favorite place in the whole mall. Unlike many other Strawbridge's located throughout Pennsylvania, this particular one features a basement clearance center filled with women's clothing and furniture. The furniture is marked at clearance prices already. But the clothing is an extra 80% off whatever the ticket price is. Being that I wear a small size, I really have to search through the clothing to find items that fit me, but it's definitely worth the time. I can usually walk out of there with at least 6-8 outfits for under $50. But be prepared to spend a few hours down there.
There are several separate buildings that are not attached to this “mall” structure, but are located in the outlying parking lot or are small booths in the middle of the strip located along the back. These structures include a Wachovia bank, Wendy’s, Krispy Kreme, Rita’s Water Ice, a Key Hut, and Barry’s Pretzels.
The military is also represented in this mall. The Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy all have recruitment offices located in the Roosevelt Mall.
I have to say that the open mall thing can be good or bad, depending on whose point of view we are thinking about and what season it is. Sometimes when the weather is around twenty something degrees, I just want to be inside…not walking around an outside mall. But during the spring and summer when we have beautiful weather (some of the time), it’s great to get outdoors instead of shut up inside. But on the flip side, when it’s really hot, I just crave the air-conditioned indoors. The rain during those seasons can also pose a problem at times. But the mall features an overhang over every store so you don’t have to worry about getting wet, unless it is especially windy.
I was quite surprised that the one and only bookstore closed down not to long ago, after being located in the mall for many years. I cannot imagine how they weren’t making enough money because there isn’t a bookstore anywhere else in the area (that I know of) and their prices weren’t that bad.
Something that might cause older persons not to visit this mall is the fact that it seems to have become a local hangout for the teens in the neighborhood. Some stores like Coconuts, DEB, Eternity Fashions, and Eternity Shoes seem to be the popular stores for those in the teenage years. But I’ve never had any problems getting around the mall even with all the teenagers gathering. But I usually try to go during the day when the kids are at school and I have a little time on my hands. Thank goodness the movie theater is across the street or it would be worse.
This mall is not one of my favorites to go to, they do have enough of a selection of stores that if I am in a hurry, I have no problem going there to find something I need. But having a Wachovia bank, a post office, and a Rita’s Water Ice right around the corner from me is great!
I would definitely not recommend traveling to this mall to shop, as there is just not enough there to warrant the trip. But if you are in the area, then stop in and see what they have to offer.
2329 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA. 19145
* Thanks to SurgRn911 for quickly adding this to the database for me!
~ Happy Shopping!
Kim
Other malls I have reviewed:
Sawgrass Mills Mall
The Mall At Millenia
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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