If you read the blog labelscar.com, type in Grand Avenue. You will see a list of several malls, and if you scroll down about six headings, you will see Grand Avenue. If you click on the comments, you will see about 113 comments, many of which are mine, under the moniker CoryTJ. I detail the history of the mall, including a roster of hundreds of stores that have come and gone in Grand Avenue, as well as my suggestions for the mall. I still think the presence of a satellite police terminal in the lower level of Grand Avenue would serve to promote a sense of safety in the mall, as well as a positive energy from increased traffic. Furthermore, I think Grand Avenue could benefit from housing service oriented businesses and government agencies. How about a “DMV Express”, for those that have simple license renewal issues. A USPS counter at the mall would serve to bring an influx of traffic. A FedEx Office housed in conjunction with a cafe area complete with meeting areas and laptop-friendly wi-fi terminals would be a welcomed addition for businessmen. It could fill a void as a “one-stop-shop” to transact business with vendors that might choose the adjacent Marriott Hotels as their housing destination. For example, I had to recently meet with a 401K vendor I work with. He stayed at the Courtyard. It would have been ideal for me to have been able to meet with him and compile all our presentation materials right there in the center, rather than have him come to my office and fend for parking. Grand Avenue desperately needs businesses and services that will appeal to the people with the fiscal ability to support the center. The mall does not need knock -off hip hop clothing vendors, cell phone kiosks, and nail salons that detract from the landscape of the area, and do not effectively target the clientele that could potentially utilize Grand Avenue. Let’s be creative here, as well. Milwaukee does NOT need another “lifestyle center” like Bayshore, which I think will ultimately fail when the novelty of the concept has run its course.

In my opinion, Grand Avenue started its decline with the departure of the management team under Steve Smith. Steve used to walk the mall every morning with the management team. He was militant. Not a single burnt out lightbulb would escape his attention. The mall security under Fernando Perez did an excellent job of maintaining order in the center. The “glory days” of Grand Avenue are gone, because the “glory” is gone. There is absolutely no pride taken in the facility anymore. Is there even music piped into the common areas anymore? The mall’s current owner, Ashkenazy Acquisitions has done little, if anything, to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the unique center. Rouse was a horrible company to work with, and they didn’t compromise on rents, but I fear Ashkenazy may be even more an obstacle. You would have to ask one of the current tenants that has been there since the mall’s inception. If any of the Kepplers are reading this, I’d be interested to hear their weigh-in on The Grand Avenue.

Ashkenazy, you talk a big game, but you are more useless than Simon Group when it comes to neglecting their “C” tier malls. Hey, get off your asses and DO something! Read labelscar.com. Many people have posted very meaningful entries on the history of the mall, as well as future ideas to bring this mall back from the brink of extinction. And some of the ideas are quite noteworthy. Hail Grand Avenue, the next Machesney Park Mall, and future addition to deadmalls.com. Thanks Ashkenazy, for bringing all of your self-touted “talent” and “expertise” to Milwaukee.

And of course, IKEA is not the only option. I definitely agree with Jermaine–there are many other companies that have yet to make an appearance in the Milwaukee area that would attract customers from across the region like IKEA would. But which would have a similar draw? I’m not really sure about that. Does anyone have ideas on this?