Here we are. Christmas shopping season is red hot right now with people scurrying about trying to get those last minute deals. It’s also full of people like me who haven’t started their shopping yet and are trying to get inspired to do so.
This cold snap we’re experiencing in southern Saskatchewan really reminds me of coming to Regina as a kid to go Christmas shopping. Actually, shopping in general. We would hit up all the malls in the city because they were so convenient and full of unique and trendy stores. The biggest advantage that the mall still has over anything else is that everything is under one roof. There’s no going out to walk across a giant, wide open parking lot in -23 with a -33 windchill to get to the next store. There’s no running to the car in the rain only to drive a few hundred feet to the next store. You can walk in, throw your jacket in the cart, and shop till you drop in warmth and comfort.
Recently I walked around a mall that I went to as a kid and was saddened to see so many vacancies. This particular mall was a BEEHIVE of activity when I was growing up and it was exciting to walk through and visit all the stores, see their modern looking fronts, and check out what seemed like endless choices at the food court. We never had those restaurants in Windthorst! It’s really not like that now and it’s not just an issue exclusive to Regina malls either.
There’s no question mall managers and directors are working diligently on securing new businesses for their malls and ensuring current tenants, many of whom are long time and wonderful friends of CKRM, continue to succeed and prosper. Perhaps it’s just a sign of the retail times we live in, but I still feel malls play a vital role in the strength and success of our community. From hosting fundraising events to promoting physical activity amongst seniors through morning walking programs, malls still play a key role.
It is my hope that our local malls once again flourish, that vacancies get filled, and that today’s kids feel the excitement of going to the big city mall just like I did. This Christmas shopping season don’t forget to give some love to your local malls.