I remember Metrocenter when it was THE place to go on a weekend. I would go with my friends, catch a movie (before Harkins was there) at the United Artists or AMC outisde the mall. This whole area had just so much stuff to do and shop.
Remember when they filled Bill & Teds at the mall? Watch the movie to give you an idea of how huge and thriving the mall once was.
I drove by there the other day and it seems the only thing thriving is the one small strip of newer shops facing Peoria. Starbucks, Fatburger, etc. That's it. Even the Barns N Noble near Olive Garden looks like its ready to close down.
I literally drive around the entire mall and that's when I noticed that almost the entire parking lot was empty except for what was in front near the theater.
Im hearing rumors that they want to turn the mall into charter schools and businesses. Yeah.. that sounds like giving up to me. Why not bulldoze the place down and create a new place like Desert Ridge or Tempe Marketplace?
Ghettocenter, Castles & Crap... Get rid of it. The whole area is just bad and needs to be demolished.
RIP Metrocenter (cira 1973-1995)