KCRag Forum

I haven't been to Ward Parkway in a long time...before Target opened. Any verdict on how the makeover is going/went? I know they have Starbucks, TJ Maxx, and Pier 1 now. Is the place busy or back to its old self? Are there any stores left in the actual indoor mall part?

I go there quite often and it seems very busy now. Even Dillards has picked up. The mall part is dead still though.

there's a baja fresh there and i buy all my shoes at grubbles- they have THE BEST selection of running shoes and swim wear if you are into that sort of activity. i went to the movies with my sis there about 4 mos ago and it was more dead than about any place i'd ever seen. the food court is practically nonexistant too. i can remember when they first opened the movie theatre as a 22 plex Christmastime about 4-5 years ago, that place was hoppin like i'd never seen- they actually had a GAP at that time.

that crib is DEAD!! gribbles rocks and T-jay is ok, other than that, it is a ghost town on the interior. and i am back going to movies @ cinemark on the plaza; they dont allow any kids under 14 in w/out an adult after 5pm which keeps all the rug rats at WPkwy 14 or further South. try seeing a movie at Town Center or Ward Parkway some Friday night--its a friggin'romper room.

I walk over there for lunch every day, and the mall part may as well be a storage facility for nuclear waste. Nothing is happening there.

But come on! Gen'l Tso's chicken for $3.80!

Stopped by Ward Parkway around 1:00 on Friday and the place was hopping-- inside and out. There was a long ass line at Starbucks and Baja Fresh looked packed from the window. The inside of the mall was also a lot busier than when I had visited before Target opened. There was a long line at the few registers by the Target mall entrance. I did not go on the lower level, but the upper inside level had quite a few browsers and people at AMC, although there are little to no stores to browse.

Overall, I was impressed by the traffic outside and inside. I had a hell of a time finding a parking spot by the TJ Maxx area-- had to circle around a number of times as there were a lot of others looking for spots also.

Some suggested improvements:
Reconfigure the interior mall to move shoppers more naturally from the upper to lower level.

Renovate the exterior of the mall on the Ward Parkway side to look more inviting and up-to-date.

Add a Borders Books on the outside upper level by Pier 1.

Bring some modern tenants to the interior mall: Old Navy, American Eagle, Aeropostale, etc.

Dump Dillard's or somehow make it fit better with the rest of what is going on next to it.

I know it is not Ward Parkway, but try Elite Feet for your running shoes.

They are great.

Went there today for some xmas shopping and to grab a bite to eat. It was relatively crowded and the Baja Fresh was off the hook. If they could get 1 more decent size retailer in there things would definitely be looking up even more than they currently are.

heard about elite feet; sounds good. try WPkwy on a Friday night by AMC and you will understand why Cinemark on the Plaza is a better choice! No romper room there.

No kids + a bar on the premises = a winner.

I never really understood why Ward Parkway has not been more busy. Its a vey nice mall, well maintained. With the income in the areas sorrounding the mall you'd think it would be packed all the time.

You're right though about the cinemas. I used to live just a few blocks away, and would go to any other theatre besides Ward Parkway. WAY too many children, long lines at the concessions, not cleaned between showings.

tat2kc wrote:I never really understood why Ward Parkway has not been more busy.

racism...

Last time I was there 2 months ago the new stores were very busy but the hallways and inside stores were not.

Yeah, I think they have basically given up on the insular part of the Mall being successful, and given in to the fact that everyone in KC would rather drive to the store than walk to it.

QueSi2Opie wrote:

tat2kc wrote:I never really understood why Ward Parkway has not been more busy.

racism...

Seriously? Who doesn't want to be the spot on the domino?

Support the BAJA Fresh restuarant at Ward Parkway. It's the first Metro Missouri side restuarant of the local franchise. You'll love the taquitos.

oh and don't forget- you carb watchers and fat watchers can no EXACTLY what you're eating there...the amount of carbs, fiber, and fat is on the health conscious menus....i don't know exactly if i believe the fast food industries nutrition facts but if you're someone who does, this place is relatively healthy for whatever diet you're pursuing.

KMBC 9 had a story on Ward Parkway's new "code of conduct." They showed a woman handing out brochures to mall patrons describing what the mall expects people to act like. KMBC spun the story around the policy's aim on keeping teens there in line. One teen said, "In KC, all we have to do is go to the mall. It's not like all teenagers are here to cause problems."

I think Ward Parkway needs to actually get some stores in their mall before they spend time handing out a "code of conduct" to their loyal patrons. Are they trying to win back customers or scare their current ones away?

I think they are trying to prevent what happened to Bannister Mall... Large groups of African American teens congregating in the mall and a few overrated incidents created a public perception of crime and an unsafe environment. Eventually the public misperceptions doomed the mall.

In a larger context, this is yet another symptom of the lack of constructive social opportunities for teens in the metro area. Westport, Plaza, BarryWoods, Noland Road, Independence AMC Theaters, Swope Park, etc. Shopping centers, movie theaters, and cruising are some of the few public places available for teens to congregate and socialize.

I'm tellin' you guys, they need to transform one of these hopeless malls into a high-security teenage entertainment district with a dozen or so underage nightclubs, teenage friendly restaurants, PG-13 theaters, shops that are popular with teens, arcade, indoor skatepark, bowling alley, ice-skating, basketball courts, etc. It would be a place where young people would want to go to spend their McDonald's paycheck or allowance. Parents would also know where their kids are at night.

The mall could have security in the parking lot to run off kids that are loitering, they can search and video tape every teenager that enters the mall. Once inside the mall, the kid can pick his/her choice of shopping, dining, sports or entertainment. If anyone fights in the mall or gets caught with drugs, they are charged and banned for one year. You'd have to be a retard to cause trouble when you know your face is on camara. The mall could be open until 12midnight.

I think something like this would definitely keep kids from goin' to regular shopping centers and irritating adults with their loud mouths and disturbances.