I worked at the water tower place from 2021-2023 at the Lego Store. In my opinion, I think the mall is in its last legs. After the pandemic WTP lost a lot of stores including the food life area on the first floor. The mall does get packed during the weekend and during the summer, but most people usually shop at the American girl doll place the Lego store or the adidas store. Other than that, most other stores in the mall area pretty empty. The biggest issue that this mall has is the lack of stores that they have compared to other places in the suburbs. There is no bookstores or other popular stores that other places would have like (GameStop, Hot Topic/Spencer's/ Kohls/JCPenney/ Macys/Victoria's Secret). If you go to the 4th-7th floors you will see a lot of vacant stores that are not being used it's honestly sad to see how the water tower place is now.
I couldn't agree more! I hope something is done to save this iconic mall. I was really shocked to see the vacancies on the higher floors. So many empty spaces. I'd love to return and find it full of life again❤
@JuliaLives1111 i know! Right? The anchor stores are like flies to a light, so I give anchor stores that. I always felt like a hobo going in the side entrances. Sears did sell essential goods, though. And it will be the SEARS Tower to my dying breath and the entire U.S. 41 is Lake Shore Drive to me
@@anthonyruby2668 Agreed! And why was Garrett so much better when it was less accessible? Now that I can get it without standing in line for an hour, I don't touch the stuff.
@JuliaLives1111 The Water Tower Plaza was my first movie at the movie theatre. Disney's Snow White, i think it was. Saw Land Before Time there to. We all briefly thought they were done with the Sharp Tooth for good. Then you kick yourself when you remember they are an entire species
Shopping malls are in decline. I can't think of what is going to be the next step for them. I think online shopping is great and I can find things that wouldn't be at the physical stores. Chicago Place is another mall that is basically down.
@@JuliaLives1111 Hi thanks for getting back. I think the "try on" part is why some malls will have a chance. I mean when you buy online you can't really be sure about how something fits or even really looks. I guess we will see looking ahead.
Looks like a dead mall not any stores that really would drag people in like TJ Maxx, Pink, Target Lush, or Nike Bulid a bear or arcades for the kids like in our malls in Iowa. No book stores either the movie theater and bath and body works are probably the only things I would go to. Not that many food options either.
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I worked at the water tower place from 2021-2023 at the Lego Store. In my opinion, I think the mall is in its last legs. After the pandemic WTP lost a lot of stores including the food life area on the first floor. The mall does get packed during the weekend and during the summer, but most people usually shop at the American girl doll place the Lego store or the adidas store. Other than that, most other stores in the mall area pretty empty.
The biggest issue that this mall has is the lack of stores that they have compared to other places in the suburbs. There is no bookstores or other popular stores that other places would have like (GameStop, Hot Topic/Spencer's/ Kohls/JCPenney/ Macys/Victoria's Secret). If you go to the 4th-7th floors you will see a lot of vacant stores that are not being used it's honestly sad to see how the water tower place is now.
I couldn't agree more! I hope something is done to save this iconic mall. I was really shocked to see the vacancies on the higher floors. So many empty spaces. I'd love to return and find it full of life again❤
I always wondered why people made a big deal about anchor stores. To me, they were glorified entrances I walked through to get to the REAL mall
Love this! I used to routinely park at the Sears entrance because parking was a breeze.
@JuliaLives1111 i know! Right? The anchor stores are like flies to a light, so I give anchor stores that. I always felt like a hobo going in the side entrances. Sears did sell essential goods, though. And it will be the SEARS Tower to my dying breath and the entire U.S. 41 is Lake Shore Drive to me
@@anthonyruby2668 Agreed! And why was Garrett so much better when it was less accessible? Now that I can get it without standing in line for an hour, I don't touch the stuff.
@JuliaLives1111 The Water Tower Plaza was my first movie at the movie theatre. Disney's Snow White, i think it was. Saw Land Before Time there to. We all briefly thought they were done with the Sharp Tooth for good. Then you kick yourself when you remember they are an entire species
@@JuliaLives1111 the popcorn? Finding good cheese popcorn is like trying to pull someone's teeth!
Shopping malls are in decline. I can't think of what is going to be the next step for them. I think online shopping is great and I can find things that wouldn't be at the physical stores. Chicago Place is another mall that is basically down.
I agree--2020 may have proven too much for malls. I still like to try things on, which keeps me visiting malls now and then.
@@JuliaLives1111 Hi thanks for getting back. I think the "try on" part is why some malls will have a chance. I mean when you buy online you can't really be sure about how something fits or even really looks. I guess we will see looking ahead.
@@charleyyoung262 Right, could AI be used to demonstrate how something will look on you? They've been doing it with glasses for quite some time.
@@JuliaLives1111 I would have to see how AI will work instead of trying things on. I still think seeing the physical items can't be beat for now.
@@charleyyoung262 Agreed! Tough to determine the quality of something until it is in your hands.
Looks like a dead mall not any stores that really would drag people in like TJ Maxx, Pink, Target Lush, or Nike Bulid a bear or arcades for the kids like in our malls in Iowa. No book stores either the movie theater and bath and body works are probably the only things I would go to. Not that many food options either.
It's definitely changed since the last time I was there. I was shocked. I don't think it's ever had a book store. The closest one was blocks away.
I used to go here when I was a kid.
Poetic justice would be to bring back Marshall Field's to replace Macy's!
That's perfect:).
Yeah! I have a belief that Marshall Fields will someday return to Chicago.
Nope