Today we will investigate what went wrong with the once successful Kansas City shopping destination Metro North Mall. Business Insider article - www.businessin...
The mall was owned by the same owners as Oak Park Mall, and charged the same rent, which was overpriced for the location. The east wing with Montgomery Wards languished before Wards went bankrupt. Not to mention that the signs for Montgomery Ward stayed on the outside of the building for over 10 years. In the late 90's, Barry Woods opened up, and then Boardwalk and Zona Rosa about 4 years later, taking the gleam from Metro North. In addition, the Liberty area of Kansas City began taking off at the exact same time. Plus they sold out to the developers of Zona Rosa, so by that point in time they had ZERO initiative to make positive changes. Unfortunately, it wasn't just the fault of mall management, but also the management of the retail area on the other side of Barry Road. Best Buy pulled out of that location and opened up a store in the location just north of Barry Woods at Tiffany, and they opened up the one in Liberty as well. Not to mention that the shopping center just west of it across 169 underperformed for about 10 years after Circuit City went bankrupt. It's sad because the mall could have had at least another 10 good years. It had a great location situated at 152 and 169 hwys, but piss poor management all around is what caused it to close.
It is painful to see the places of our fond childhood memories all gone and with the death of traditional American consumerism , these were my two childhood hangouts.
There are some facts you missed in your video. While retailers were vacating Metro North, it wasn’t of their choosing. Metro North and Zona Rosa were developed and owned by the same company and they wanted to force those stores to move to Zona Rosa by NOT renewing leases at Metro North. It’s possible they may have also tried coercing retailers with increased rates at Metro North but I’m only aware of non-renewals, which would make more sense to drive retailers from the mall. The lease rates were considerably higher at Zona Rosa so many of the local independent stores folded rather than move. I learned all this from acquaintances at Metro North who owned and or worked at Metro North. I knew someone who worked at a law firm that represented the mall’s owner and was aware of their overall plan. As karma would have it, Zona Rosa eventually had financial difficulties and was sold to new owners. The mismanagement of Metro North was a devastating blow to the local economy. As the mall declined, so did businesses surrounding the mall. When the mall closed completely, the entire area suffered. Some businesses attempted to fill some of the vacant properties surrounding the mall but soon failed due to the lack of traffic that previously frequented the area.
My family lived in Atchison, Kansas. In the 70s one of our favorite things was to spend a Saturday together at Metro North. My dad and I would often see a movie, while my mom and sister shopped. Whenever we split up to check out different stores, get an Orange Julius, or whatever, the center with the carpeted tiers and the hot air balloons were a great people watching spot and the place to meet up. Really fond memories, and it’s sad to know it is all gone - but life always moves forward.
Wow. So many great memories at this place! As a child I was mesmerized by the hot air balloons and seeing Santa. I even got lost in this mall and separated from my mother and aunt and spent a little time in the security offices.
I didn’t know Zona Rosa (or however it’s spelled) was that close and hurt the mall. I hated going to Zona Tosa as a kid and much preferred Metro North but hearing that it helped push Metro North faster downward I hate it even more haha
I like the crystal clear pictures. I like to see this as America, what it used to be like, and what it has become. It would be nice if they did renovate the area.
I live a short drive form this place, the macy's looks really weird next to the random bland apartment's, it's stuck in the past and it looks very cool at night. Ironic that now Zona Rosa seems to also be struggling, I go there sometimes and half the stores n some areas are vacant.
Same here and I saw Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom there and I remember the arcade next to it and also the place that sold pizza next to it. I also saw Return of the Jedi there when I was small and have nothing but fond memories of Metro North and Antioch Mall. I miss the 1980s
I live within a stones throw of this as of 2022. The golf place is up and running. There’s some framing done for what looks like multi family Housing / apartments. The rest of its just a bunch of muddy puddles and trash from McDonald’s across the street
As someone who lives nearby, Zona Rosa died too after COVID. All the bars closed down the smaller stores lost money, walking through there it's black windows and rented these room signs. The only thing keeping it alive are the apartments and families
My parents and grandparents drove down there from Joe town almost every Saturday when I was a kid in the 80s. There were a total of three separate theaters at one point. I never got Zona Rosa. Who wants to walk so far carrying stuff in the freezing cold and sweltering heat?
In 20 years, you'll miss that wonderful Home Depot! 😢 Actually, I worked there for a while at Sears, in its local HQ at the top. And I remember taking my children to the Metro North Mall. It all died about the same time that I did.
This mall was my childhood. I miss it dearly.
The mall was owned by the same owners as Oak Park Mall, and charged the same rent, which was overpriced for the location. The east wing with Montgomery Wards languished before Wards went bankrupt. Not to mention that the signs for Montgomery Ward stayed on the outside of the building for over 10 years. In the late 90's, Barry Woods opened up, and then Boardwalk and Zona Rosa about 4 years later, taking the gleam from Metro North. In addition, the Liberty area of Kansas City began taking off at the exact same time. Plus they sold out to the developers of Zona Rosa, so by that point in time they had ZERO initiative to make positive changes. Unfortunately, it wasn't just the fault of mall management, but also the management of the retail area on the other side of Barry Road. Best Buy pulled out of that location and opened up a store in the location just north of Barry Woods at Tiffany, and they opened up the one in Liberty as well. Not to mention that the shopping center just west of it across 169 underperformed for about 10 years after Circuit City went bankrupt. It's sad because the mall could have had at least another 10 good years. It had a great location situated at 152 and 169 hwys, but piss poor management all around is what caused it to close.
I miss Metro North and Antioch mall
It is painful to see the places of our fond childhood memories all gone and with the death of traditional American consumerism , these were my two childhood hangouts.
Me too. Many good memories.
Same
Hate Zona Rosa...too much outside walking.
My dad worked at The Eye Glass Shop in Metro North Mall during the 90’s. Crazy how it’s all gone now
There are some facts you missed in your video. While retailers were vacating Metro North, it wasn’t of their choosing. Metro North and Zona Rosa were developed and owned by the same company and they wanted to force those stores to move to Zona Rosa by NOT renewing leases at Metro North. It’s possible they may have also tried coercing retailers with increased rates at Metro North but I’m only aware of non-renewals, which would make more sense to drive retailers from the mall.
The lease rates were considerably higher at Zona Rosa so many of the local independent stores folded rather than move. I learned all this from acquaintances at Metro North who owned and or worked at Metro North. I knew someone who worked at a law firm that represented the mall’s owner and was aware of their overall plan.
As karma would have it, Zona Rosa eventually had financial difficulties and was sold to new owners.
The mismanagement of Metro North was a devastating blow to the local economy. As the mall declined, so did businesses surrounding the mall. When the mall closed completely, the entire area suffered. Some businesses attempted to fill some of the vacant properties surrounding the mall but soon failed due to the lack of traffic that previously frequented the area.
And now Zona Rosa is starting to lose shops due to brick and morter stores moving towards internet sales only. The circle of life...
My family lived in Atchison, Kansas. In the 70s one of our favorite things was to spend a Saturday together at Metro North. My dad and I would often see a movie, while my mom and sister shopped. Whenever we split up to check out different stores, get an Orange Julius, or whatever, the center with the carpeted tiers and the hot air balloons were a great people watching spot and the place to meet up. Really fond memories, and it’s sad to know it is all gone - but life always moves forward.
I heard Macys is closing now also.
Wow. So many great memories at this place! As a child I was mesmerized by the hot air balloons and seeing Santa. I even got lost in this mall and separated from my mother and aunt and spent a little time in the security offices.
I didn’t know Zona Rosa (or however it’s spelled) was that close and hurt the mall. I hated going to Zona Tosa as a kid and much preferred Metro North but hearing that it helped push Metro North faster downward I hate it even more haha
Nice video. Good work. Love the background info. I worked at Independence Center in 77 to 79 at Burstein-Applebee.
There was a BA at Vivion and Antioch. I thought that was the coolest store growing up.
I like the crystal clear pictures. I like to see this as America, what it used to be like, and what it has become. It would be nice if they did renovate the area.
Zona Rosa...I hate that place. Metro was 100 x's better.
Agreed
I live a short drive form this place, the macy's looks really weird next to the random bland apartment's, it's stuck in the past and it looks very cool at night. Ironic that now Zona Rosa seems to also be struggling, I go there sometimes and half the stores n some areas are vacant.
I remember doing a boy scouts pinewood derby around 08-09 in here.... it was so dead back then.
I used to go to the movie theater at Metro North Mall all the time. Wow. What a ghost town.
Same here and I saw Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom there and I remember the arcade next to it and also the place that sold pizza next to it. I also saw Return of the Jedi there when I was small and have nothing but fond memories of Metro North and Antioch Mall. I miss the 1980s
@@elijahwilson1422 I saw Juice, Encino Man, countless movies. The last movie I saw there was Beavis and Butthead Do America.
Nothing like an Orange Julius to wash down your Topsy's popcorn and buying an Atari and games for dirt cheap at KB Toys.
The last time I went to Metro North Mall was back when the original movie The Crow came out.The mall lost all of its charm then.
Stepping around the crime situation and the associated demographics. Metro North had a similar situation as Bannister Mall.
I live within a stones throw of this as of 2022. The golf place is up and running. There’s some framing done for what looks like multi family Housing / apartments. The rest of its just a bunch of muddy puddles and trash from McDonald’s across the street
As someone who lives nearby, Zona Rosa died too after COVID. All the bars closed down the smaller stores lost money, walking through there it's black windows and rented these room signs. The only thing keeping it alive are the apartments and families
Serious? I can't believe Zona Rosa couldn't survive. What is left? The Plaza? I have not been to KC since my mom passed in 2015.
@@dsc-nr5zy yeah that's Bassicly it my bf and I get super bored 😭 I mean you can go to zona Rosa expect to be disappointed though
@Isabella Mundy there is Country Club Plaza, and now Crown Center? Have you been to that one?
@@dsc-nr5zy yeah but even then most attractions are aimed at the littles now
@@dsc-nr5zy Ward Parkway is still thriving... having Target and Trader Joe's as anchors REALLY saved it's bacon.
My parents and grandparents drove down there from Joe town almost every Saturday when I was a kid in the 80s. There were a total of three separate theaters at one point. I never got Zona Rosa. Who wants to walk so far carrying stuff in the freezing cold and sweltering heat?
i was 5 when the mall got demolished i have faint memories of that place but all of my memories are good ones
I spent a lot of time there as a teenager in the 90's...
Pour one out for MNM.
I just found your channel. What happened? You did a great mall video and stopped making videos. I make similar videos like yours.
I miss Metcalf South mall 😢 now a worthless home depo is in its spot.
In 20 years, you'll miss that wonderful Home Depot! 😢 Actually, I worked there for a while at Sears, in its local HQ at the top. And I remember taking my children to the Metro North Mall. It all died about the same time that I did.