Shopper Safety: The Future of Riverchase Galleria
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Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Alabama, is ramping up safety measures and seeking new strategies to attract shoppers as it faces ongoing challenges.
"The safety of our customer is our top priority," Tommy Richardson, the current general manager of Riverchase Galleria, said.
In recent years, the mall has experienced several violent incidents, including a brawl in 2017 and a shooting on Thanksgiving Day in 2018 that injured two people, including a 12-year-old girl.
The 12-year-old survived her injuries. Another person died in the shooting.
In 2020, a shootout resulted in the death of 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr. and injuries to two other bystanders.
Following the 2020 shootout, the Galleria introduced K9 units capable of detecting weapons and explosives.
These K9 officers are on constant patrol throughout the mall.
"We definitely want to offer a safe environment, and we do. We do a great job of that," Richardson said.
Multiple challenges
The second priority for Riverchase Galleria is getting customers inside their stores.
Former Manager of the Galleria, Mike White, says that was an increasing challenge.
"The traditional regional mall is obviously something that's in somewhat in peril right now," he said.
White, who managed the mall for seven years until 2023, noted that the Galleria is not seeing the same success it once enjoyed.
Anchor store Sears closed in 2019, and several other stores have also left.
White revealed that Macy's is expected to leave by the end of 2025.
"I know Macy's is going to be leaving Riverchase Galleria," White said.
shows the spot Macy's currently owns is up for sale.
Riverchase Galleria said it can't speak on behalf of its tenants.
Macy's sent 米兰体育 13 this statement: "Our new strategy is designed to create a more modern Macy鈥檚, Inc. and enhance the customer experience. We intend to close approximately 150 Macy鈥檚 stores while further investing in our 350 go-forward fleet over the next three years. A final decision on specific locations has yet to be made."
Richardson, however, emphasized the mall's current anchor stores, including JC Penney, Belk, Von Maur and Macy's and mentioned ongoing discussions with potential new retailers.
"We're talking to a lot of retailers, but can't share anything, but hopefully be announcing some things in the near future," Richardson said.
White believes the Galleria should evolve into a mixed-use development offering dining, entertainment, shopping and possibly even pickleball courts.
"You're going to have to either evolve or die," White said.
Richardson highlighted the success of Dave and Buster's, which has been a significant draw for customers.
When asked what brought them to the mall, shopper Kenny Reeves said it was his family.
"Dave and Buster's brought our kids out here to kind of have a day," Reeves said.
However, some shoppers, like Crystall Moore, expressed disappointment over the number of store closures.
"So it's sad to me to see so many stores to close," Moore said.
Richardson acknowledged the need to adapt to changing consumer lifestyles.
"So we're always looking at those entertainment and different uses for the lifestyle changes of the consumer," Richardson said.
White argued that the time to change the Galleria's concept is now.
"Quite candidly, they have not evolved in the way that it needs to be," White said.
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