RIP Parkwood Mall. Still have warm memories of being a high school student in the late 70s when the mall opened. It was a great place to wile away a cold winter afternoon between the end of the school day and b-ball tipoff.

"Why is an enclosed mall not sustainable?"

They have become hangouts for gang bangers, thuugs, and other criminals.

When this happens, the law abiding citizens quit shopping there and the mall soon closes.

This is happening all over the country.

I quit shopping there over 10 years ago because if you went at night, unsavory characters were lurking inside in groups and harassing people. I'm glad to see it being changed.

Parkwood started as an "open" shopping center and was converted to the more modern enclosed mall it is today. Ironic that it will now be converted back to what it was before - a shopping center.

I hate this I remember good times in this place. This where I took my twins now 4 yrs old to get their first Santa pic after they left the hospital they were only 3 days old. I can remember when Chick fl a was there as well my brother and I would always run back and forwth to go get more nuggets they were trying to get people to try. My husband loved going into the hobby shop as well. We always went in the hobby shop when I left the OBGYN and see what new things she had and I would vist the other stores as well. So many memories I hate this is happening looks like we will have to make a trip one more last time with our twin girls before they close to remember all the fun times and memories we had going to the mall in Wilson. Now got to find something to do when leaving their doctor office and mine now lol.

Indoor malls provide a secure atmosphere with more of variety of stores than strip malls. Strip malls tend to focus more on specific areas and you have to drive to different places to shop which is a hassle to a lot of seniors and disabled - having to get in and out of the car and such.

What was good about the Wilson mall was that old folks could hang out there and sit & chat as if it were a public park or some such venue year round, no more as we are now in a different world but it was nice while it lasted not only to shop but to chat & sit with friendly local people.

In mid size cities such as Wilson, Rocky Mount, Goldsboro, Kinston, Greenville, etc. malls are just as not needed or important as they once were. This is due to shopping center developments all around these cities. Twenty to twenty five years ago these malls were the main focus of shopping in these cities but with the construction of big name department stores and many major name stores in shopping outlets then these malls are less needed. It is a trend that may or may not be reversed. I prefer the indoor mall of twentyto twenty five years ago because every importnant type of store was in them and everything was centralized with less driving to various shopping centers.

"Why is an enclosed mall not sustainable?"

First guesses, it's harder to keep clean. Must have public bathrooms provided. Must be wheelchair accessible. Has people hanging out inside that are not there to shop or buy.

If they just go to a shopping center model, then the 4 things on my list are up to the individual stores. They must clean their own stores and sidewalks, keep their own bathrooms, make their own stores wheelchair accessible, and they can kick people out of their stores that are just hanging out.

The shopping center owners just have to keep the facade and parking lot in shape.

Gee, I remember when the Wilson mall was just a shopping center. Why is an enclosed mall not sustainable? It is a much better shopping experience, IMO because you are out of the weather.

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