Posted by M Page, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2007 at 3:31 pm

I don't see how Stanford Shopping Center could benefit any neighborhood, especially its own customers. There have been so many negative changes to that Center that it has become the typical example of Corporate America. The Center has become less and less family-friendly. The only highlights left for the children are the Easter and Christmas events. Being an avid shopper and a member of the community for over 15 years, it's a shame to see that place dig a hole to make room for more money rather than gain more loyal customers. It's no wonder why more than half my friends and family rather head to San Francisco to shop at the Westfield Center.

Posted by J Ford, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2007 at 3:36 pm

Has anybody wondered what keeps the shopping center going? Whenever I go with my family, there seems to be lesser people. I know they've got a lot of projects going on with all the structures they have up for the stores that are still yet to come, but it doesn't explain this "change of weather" for them. I decided to look up who manages the center and answered my own questions; I can't say much for the company but I can say that it's unfortunate that Stanford hasn't done much to better its reputation or uphold its standards for what was once a family place.

Posted by Parent, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2007 at 4:17 pm

I agree that Stanford is no longer family friendly. I can remember not so long ago when my teenagers were young, a day at Stanford was really fun for them. There was Sesame Street, Disney, Explorium, Gymboree and the children's shoe store, all worth a visit with lunch at McDs. There was also a sciencey toy shop and Discovery store as they got older and Fresh Choice for eating.

All these places have gone or moved (Howards and Gymboree). I don't go into any of the replacements. Looking at the growing up in PA thread, these are the stores of my kids' memories.

Posted by Mike, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Jul 26, 2007 at 11:33 am

The mall's new owners want to take advantage of the regional draw that the mall has become, and at the same time take advantage of this regions upward demographic trends.

The jury is still out on whether that strategy will work. I don't think it will because there is a countervailing trend of shoppers wanting to stay closer to home. That, and the fact that Palo Alto itself is moving fast toward higher end retail may spell difficulty in times ahead for the mall's new owners.

All that said, the new owners certainly have changed the demeanor of the place. As long as they can find high priced chains who believe that a profit can be made there, the mall will continue to be a good investment.

Frankly, I'm dismayed by what has happened to the mall, and rarely go there any more. Outside of Nordstroms and one or two other places, why bother?