| rev:text
| - Poor Westgate Mall. So much potential. I have to agree with all the other reviews that point out how empty this place is. It really hasn't changed much since I first started stopping here, what seems like forever ago. The Hy-Vee next door is the most recent addition, so maybe that will help to bring in some other shops.
That said, I stop in here pretty regularly because there are some gems at this location:
- The Wisconsin Craft Market is a fantastic location for art/craft supplies, and always my first stop when looking for yarn or other crafty bits and pieces. They have a little bit of everything, and I really can't get enough of this small business.
- I'm not as much a fan of Hancock Fabrics, but I do pop in if I'm looking for buttons or other notions that aren't carried at the Craft Market. They do have lots of sales here.
- Relics - the fossil and rock shop - is packed with gorgeous items for your inner rock hound, or to pick up some really nice gifts. Another small biz with stellar owner/operators.
- Ravenworks is well known by many. Worth a stop if you are looking to put together a costume. They may not carry the highest quality stuff out there, but their stock is definitely far better than those temporary Halloween stores and open year-round. I've picked up some bits for the Renaissance Fair here, and I know others who only go here for their period or steampunk accouterments.
- TJ Maxx can be hit or miss, depending on your style, but I check in there whenever I need a quick and relatively cheap wardrobe upgrade. I've walked out with more than intended sometimes, and with zero others. I like to take a peek at their kids section for those fun little surprise "from Auntie Kelly" gifts; and you can find some really interesting stuff in the kitchen/food aisles.
- Friends of Sequoia Branch Library have a space in here where they hold their monthly library sales. I definitely hit this up EVERY TIME they hold a sale.
- Madison Ballet has a suite here and offers classes for all ages at this location, I actually attended a bellydance class here because they'll rent their studio spaces out to other instructors too.
I won't eat Rocky Rococo's, so no go for food. I don't wear logos, but the WI Sportswear store will probably interest others.
I can't help but give the mall three stars because I really love most of the shops that do live here; they keep me coming back again and again. Of course, I despise typical malls and to some degree prefer this place *because* of it's differences. If you're looking for a big mall with all the same stores as the others, Westgate isn't for you. Oh, and their hours seem to vary by store. The Craft market is open until 9:00 M-F but closes at 5:30 on Saturday and 5:00 on Sunday. TJ Maxx is open until 9:30 M-Th, 10:00 on F-Sat. and 8:00 on Sundays. Relics closes at 7p weekdays and 5:00 weekends. I tend to visit just after work or during the day, so this isn't a problem for me.
I want to hope that other, similar small businesses will decide to come here. A legitimate restaurant would be fantastic! But it's been like this for so long that I really wonder what it would take to revitalize the place.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)