As long as our candidate is also a karate expert.

I think Texas should have a chapter of the RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH PARTY.

"I Represent the rent is too damn high movement."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4o-Te...

I can think of quite a few stores that I would like to see close in the mall.

The reason rent is to d*** high is because of the high local property and school taxes. Then add in Texas high rate of property insurance and utilities and then again rent is to d*** high.

I don't shop at the Victoria Mall often just because they don't have many stores to choose from. I recently moved from Houston. The week that I moved here Gap closed. I asked why it closed and I was told it was because the rent was too high.

The following week I made a friend that owns a local business and we started discussing businesses in Victoria and the expansion of his business (location). He told me that he looked into opening in the mall but the rent was too high.

Yesterday I went to the mall and while shopping in AE I overheard that Old Navy was closing for good. I asked a young lady working there why they were closing and again the same "rent too high" reason came up. Even though I don't shop there, this is very saddening.

If large chains such as Old Navy and Gap cannot stay in business because rent is too high there is a problem. I don't know how true it is that these businesses closed due to "high rent", but it certainly is disappointing if that is the case and that certainly seems to be the tune all the businesses are singing.

This definitely needs to be addressed/looked into. We are supposed to be stimulating the economy not contributing to the downturn of it! People here need jobs! And I know for a fact that people from nearby towns drive to Victoria for work and for shopping. This is not helping Victoria grow and prosper!

You are correct, Jared. Service by our local merchants is excellent. We had to return two items (wrong sizes) to local retailers, and my wife was amazed at how easy it was. No reciept. No hassle. No problem. We were out of both stores in less than 10 minutes, and felt that our business was truely appreciated.

Big boxes are nice for convenience and cheap products/services. However, I would like to see local entrepeneurs open up shop and provide what is needed for Victoria. The people here know Victoria better than someone looking in from far off. I suspect that if the big boxes begin to move out, a market will open for local shops and artisans. Melvins is a good example of this. I needed to buy Boy Scout stuff and they are the ones that sell it here. They have seen a market for something local, and filled the spot. It takes someone local to recognize this type of need and specialty. They also provide high end clothes that fills another market. I cannot afford it, but I think there is a market here for it. And the customer service is very good.

I went back and look at our Christmas shopping and spending and found that I spent less than 5% at Victoria Mall, about 20% with National retailers, 20% on internet sites, and the balance with local specialty merchants.

Obviously, we didn't contribute much to the success of Victoria Mall, but we did keep the majority here at home, with local business folk. Would we miss Victoria Mall? Better yet, how much does Victoria Mall miss us?

"bring your boots", LMAO, more like "bring your knife"

I noticed Old Navy no longer had a maternity section, neither does Wal Mart or Kohls. Isn't that insane? I appreciate the local speciality boutique, but seriously I would just like local options.

I saw Willie at Schroeder. He jumped on stage a gave a good 2 hours. Not bad for a 70 something.

Thanks, Willie

Orange Julius, Corn Dog 7, and some arcade games, now that was a good day at the mall!

Ok, Old Navy isn't closing for VISD dress code. They sell basics and even have a section in the childrens department for dress code. They sell basics and some fashion. This stores bottom line is well in the black even though it is what is considered low volume. It's a great place to shop and a great place to work. Yes, the rent is ridiculus in the mall. They even charge stores for storage at the tune of 3000 a month because most stores don't have much storage space.

As a retail worker, I notice many people complaining about no places to shop. Yet, they are the same people who believe that they should wear a name. Entertainment....let's get real. In the past, we have had entertainers come to Victoria, and no one will pay the 12.50 for a ticket to see them. People here would rather drive to Houston, Corpus, or San Antonio pay 65.00 a ticket in the nose bleed section. It makes no sense to me. No one supports whats here. So, why would any company want to stay here. Everyone can complain about no place to shop and no place for entertainment, but when it's here no one wants to support it.

Next up is Victoria Homeless Shelter for that property.

Last time I checked, they sold solid colored shirts & khaki pants.....sorry this is not VISDs fault.......

When I first heard about this, I had to wonder to myself what role did the new VISD dress code have on the stores bottom line. I know that if I was buying new clothes for school under those guidlines, I would probably go pretty cheap on the school clothes and probably buy the minimum amount necessary. I know that a lot of the clothes there is marketed for school aged kids, but a lot of it is not able to be worn at school. Seems like a classic case of "unintended consequences" by VISD.

I miss cheese on a stick!!!

Orange Julius ::sigh:: What sweet memories.

Orange juice and milk, I tried it ONCE at the old mall.....

I miss Luby's! Didn''t they bug out for the same reasons?

To clarify, yes, we wait to report stories until we can verify them. We receive dozens of tips and rumors each week, but our readers expect that we'll do our due diligence before reporting any of that as fact.

We checked into the rumor of Old Navy closing back in August. The staff here told us it was untrue. We're told the staff didn't learn of the decision until December. We don't know when Old Navy's corporate office made the decision.

We appreciate all of the many tips we receive. We do our job better because of them. For example, we checked this week into the rumor that Best Buy was going to expand into the Old Navy space. We were told today this rumor is not true. Instead, mall managers have other plans for that space. We will be reporting that news in a full follow-up story Sunday.

It is our policy to remove unsubstantiated assertions on our website. We offer no apologies for that. Most of our readers tell us that's how they want us to operate.

Again, though, we appreciate hearing the gossip and rumors and do our best to check out all story leads. We hope this helps explain how we operate.

My son is currently employed at Old Navy and I have heard NO rumors of closure until recently. Not until it was fact.

Don't worry there's hope and change coming. Tomorrow or the day after. Next week for sure.

I wouldn't feel "dissed" or "slighted" if I told Vicad a rumor and they were unable to substantiate it, even if, after a few weeks, they were finally able to confirm that rumor as true.

Personally, I don't want rumors reported as fact. That's just me. I'd rather wait and know the truth, than read articles about every rumor. I think that's ONE of the differences between news and gossip...

I mentioned this on another thread and was told by the Advocate Staff that this was an old rumor and it wasn't true. Maybe I should apply as a reported who reports facts in a timely mannner?

So hope that Old Navy does open somewhere else in town. Please, Old Navy, consider doing so. The clothing they sell fits a pretty broad demographic. The styles for the most part are simple, modest and modestly priced. We won't be able to afford to drive an hour and 15 minutes to go elsewhere when gasoline is $5.00 a gallon.

Funny, was just in the mall Monday, passed by Old Navy and thought to myself "I used to shop there quite a bit, but now it all kind of sucks." I must have the power to close stores...

I think we are going to see a return of customers to quality (and US made) goods and to locally owned stores. Shopping malls are over.

Personally, I welcome a trend away from big box to small shops. I'd wish we had LuLu's and Simon's again ... I wish that Melvin's still sold women's and children's clothing.

In the meantime, we have About the Gift and Days Gone Bye and Lauren Bade to tide us over. ...sigh ...

Oldman75 stated: "The mall died years ago - they need to pull the plug on it's life support and get it over with. Bulldoze it down and rebuild it to a 2-story mall with more lighting and more of a family atmosphere."

Stay tuned on that . . . perhaps the reason that they "could not reach a lease renewal agreement with the mall" isn't an accident.

Victoria's way of thinking is a lot different than many other town / cities ( however you want it to be labeled). Alot of folks here thrive on cheap, or all you can eat for five bucks food, and think that Walmart is the modern day department store. Fact is, it is not just the mall failing. Look around, its all over town. For the older crowd, this may be fine. For the rest of us, we prefer post era Hee - Haw.

Gotta say it.... 'Bring your boots' - one of the craziest, stupidest thing EVER! Really... Bring your boots??? TO WHAT? A empty mall? There is nothing to do here in this town to bring your boots. Everything closes to early - The city is focusing on Tourism - but the hotels are full of workers passing thru - they are not going to go to a mall that is empty. Best Buy would do better if they bought the old HEB - the half that is open.
Every time a store closes... Lease issue.. Really? I mean Really?
Come one - lame excuses - just say it - rent went up since the store is doing good - Mall wants it's cut - The Gap and Old Navy could build over by Target across the street near Mallette and make a killing there.
All this means is Katy, Corpus, Austin and SA will be making more money from Victoria.

The "Mall Model" is failing in multiple cities, while the "Big Box" retailers seem to do fine in the huge "Strip Center" developments.

I, like many of you, prefer to drive right up to where I want to go, walk in, collect my prizes, and be on my way. Wandering around in a Mall settings does nothing for me. Or many other consumers apparently.

As for Old Navy, it seems they sell the same types of cheap, far eastern made crap as Wal Mart does. If you still need a hoodie, I think you could try there.

Later, Fashionistas!

Regardless of Victoria's size, the mall was successful for many, many years. The problem lies with transfer of ownership and managment. It will now, though, only spiral downward for the mall's future. It will most likely become more of a flea market with second hand jewelry and perfumes shops, as well as a gang banger homestead.

Any bets on who's next ? Best Buy? Buckle?

Bottom line is malls in other cities are thriving and doing well. Can't blame it on the economy. Victoria will probably never have good shopping. Retailers see what has happened here with others and are turned off. So, Victoria will remain king of dollar stores, poor schools, and fast food. Although you can still buy a good pair of boots here, there won't be many places to wear them. A lot of Victorians, like myself, live here because of their jobs, but spend most of their money elsewhere.

I miss the carousel! Oh, and the FRIED CHEESE - on a stick.

I go into JC Penny's from the outside door, Sears from the outside door, and a few others, but I never go through the hall. I don't like the carpeting. There is no way to keep it clean and it bothers my sinuses.

I know--they could put in another chinese food restaurant--. There is just nothing in the mall and it reminds me of the downfall of the old mall. Maybe they could bring in outlet stores.

To those talking about basing Victoria if you live here or move out..... The plants keep people here - sure isn"t the shopping.

The mall died years ago - they need to pull the plug on it's life support and get it over with. Bulldoze it down and rebuild it to a 2-story mall with more lighting and more of a family atmosphere.

It's old and really not updated to what it needs to be to compete in today's market. The rent is too high for this area to keep businesses in it. If they make money they pay higher rent? Don't know if that is true, but if it is - wow.

The food court being moved from the center was the first let down. People gathered there and it was a central place to meet and greet - no REAL arcade for kids to drop quarters while moms shopped doesn't help. The mall has to be family oriented or it will die - and you will need to bring your boots - to walk in the mud where all the businesses once stood.

Went to Houston yesterday. Did take my boots though. The malls were crazy crowded and making lots of money. Too bad Victoria is missing out on all of this. The one thing GOOD about Victoria is that it is less than 2 hours from some of the best shopping in the state. So, I guess by coming to Victoria and bringing your boots, you at least may be closer to Houston, Austin, San Antonio than you were!

I can't believe Old Navy is closing!! This is indeed a tragedy for Victoria. I truly wish someone local who cares about the community could own the mall and work to make sure good stores are able to stay through these difficult times. Think how disappointed those Caterpillar employees & their children will be when they come here and Old Navy is gone.

We really need to encourage good clean entertainment establishments to open and encourage trendy stores to come here to make this an overall better environment to raise a family.

Taxes are I'm sure a huge factor in all of this. About 5 or 6 years ago, property taxes took a huge jump, and they just keep on jumping. Ours have risen each year, even this past one so we are planning to sell our home in the city and move to the county to lower our taxes in preparation for retirement someday.

familyman- I am leaving next summer so I can bash. :) The mall will turn into another Town and Country plaza soon. I also agree the taxes are a major factor.

Whereas Old Navy closing down is sad, I would recommend trying some of the local shops around town. These shops that are locally owned and operated are here because they want to be, provide a good or service for the local economy, etc.

I am not a paid spokesman for the VEDC, but Dale Fowler (VEDC) do not aid retail stores or hotels because these are consumer based. The VEDC investments go toward primary jobs that will pay better and these consumer establishments will follow where the money is. For example, a CAT employee will make a larger wage and be offered health benefits which will create larger spending in Victoria and better health facilities. If Victoria didn't have the plants and the likes of CAT, our hospitals would not be as good as it is. I am sure if Old Navy wanted to open a manufacturing facility here, the VEDC would do everything it could help within its powers. Unfortunately, I think the label of Old Navy clothes say "Made in China." If these CAT excavators have a label, it would be read "Assembled in Victoria," ok, "... in USA." Perhaps the VEDC should be given credit for doing its part in keeping CAT in America and bringing it to Victoria.

When the recession hit,malls started folding fast. Somewhere I read that "malls don't sell things that people really need" and that's why they started closing up. Unless you "need" jewlery or sporting-type clothing there isn't much in the Victoria Mall nowdays. The bookstore closed last year. FYE closed. Now Old Navy,which actually sold things that people needed. Looks like the old-fashioned strip malls are making a comeback.
Familyman,
I only live here because my wife has family. That's the reason I moved here in '68. I do my best to leave as small a footprint here as I can.
Patrick Barnes

This is just another part of the economic DEVASTATIOON! we are expeirecimg in the village of Victoria. The other day I saw a group of homeless hippies on bikes in downtown. People are starving everywhere!

I agree with other posters here, the company that own the mall does not know anything, how did they ever get the money to buy the mall in the first place!

bigHornn is right! this is all the citys fault, the ourageous taxes are driving p[eople top the brink! People are dying.

I heard catapellar will only need 10 or 20 pepople to make the new plant run. I have also heard the entire mall will be closing soon!

The Village advocate needs to investigate this!

I was surprised to walk into the mall one day and find the food court gone and told my wife that the mall is going downhill.

It will keep on losing stores until something is done or until it closes and turns into a flea market.

Sharpstown Mall and Westwood Malls in Houston come to mind.

I was just having a discussion yesterday about all the retail space everywhere that is empty ... really sad. There may not be a lot of entertainment in Victoria, but Victorians should have places to shop, which is good for the COV. Now they will shop in Austin, San Marcos, Houston and San Antonio. The bottom line with so much of this country these days is pure GREED. Is it more profitable for the mall owners to take write-offs on income tax rather than have a mall fully rented out (at more reasonable fees)?

Familyman.

Victoria deserves the bashing. Sorry if that offends you, but lets be real here.

I see a lot of you are bashing Victoria but you still live here! Either move or shut up. I think Victoria has some possibilities. Granted the people in charge may not know exactly what they are doing but you hired them. Victoria is the largest SMALL town that I know. There is not much here to do. Go out to eat or go to a movie, putt putt golf, go to the park, go to church, etc. That is about it.
If you don't like Victoria then move somewhere else! I also think the old mall need to be used more efficently. We built new high schools so why not build a new mall that the spaces are not rented but sold. Like a condo.

Arch Standton.

I was thinking the same way.

More Government control will help the Mall? Are you kidding? Have you watch the local Government agencies do anything right?

Not to worry. The COV will someday soon announce that they have grown so large (blotted?) that they will rent the empty Victoria Mall for City offices. Think I'm joking? Just wait...

The mall owners are based out of Georgia & I'm sure they care less about the occupancy of the mall if they did they would probably be looking to fill the vacant spots available & not let a year pass with more retailers closing!!!

Apparently, whoever owns the mall does not live in Victoria and could care less about the mall itself, much less the Victoria community proper. Their asinine tenant regulations and exorbitant rent are not business friendly and causes existing tenants to vacate and potential candidates to look elsewhere. This is neither the Victoria City Council's fault, nor the city management, nor the chamber of commerce. However, the city should levy a special tax on the mall owners if occupancy drops below a certain percentage. Watch how fast the mall management attracts new and keeps existing tenants.

Funny how someone mentioned this on another thread & it was shot down as an unsubstantiated rumor.....guess the Advocate spoke too soon.

Everyone praises Dale Fowler for the Caterpillar gig. Ok, it took a decade to get a big name business here and when they announce they have chosen Victoria, Fowler is the hero. Seriously? Wow one company, go Dale! Where have you been while the mall is going vacant? I have yet to see any article or news story say you are putting your neck out to keep or bring businesses to the mall. Despite scoring Caterpillar, I still grade you at a D-.

Victoria stinks, guess thats why you need boots. I mean really, what is there here to offer?

The new so called management that took over the mall should pack their peaches and head on back to where they came from. The outrageous rent charges should be managed by the city council. But oh wait they still trying to get people in Victoria to buy boots. How can one shop in Victoria if there is no place to go. Another black eye for the city. Nothing in this town to offer for anyone that comes here. Instead of spending thousands of dollars for a new logo they should of have been spent on bringing new businesses here or at least try negotiating with the mall management to be reasonable with their rent charges. Up to date over a hundred people have been left with out jobs due to stores closing in the mall. If this does not concern the council maybe they need to take off them boots so their brain can have a fresh supply of air and blood flowing through it.

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

So are you supposed to "bring your boots" to Victoria because you can't actually purchase any there?