Hitting up the new mall tommorow? Lots of babes!

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

That's what passes for events in a place like Calgary. Urban sprawl! Stupid Mall!

Oh but this kind of sprawl is justifiable - for the most pressing need of Calgarians at this moment is obviously a megamall monstrosity that can serve all our consumptive cravings!

Recession woes have you feeling down? Come to CrossIron Mills for a few luxury item pick me ups!

No disposable income? Bring your credit cards - we offer discount prices for all the products you "need"!

No public transit access? Gas up and drive your car! We've got parking spaces for miles!

Still not convinced? Have a snazzy free shopping bag!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

haha the Herald has a live gamethread at the mall.

and what? Kelly Hrudey hosted the opening ceremonies? hahaha I wonder if he went all homerific and said how much better West Ed is?

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Live+Cr...517/story.html

8:56 a.m.: (R. Remington) Eight minutes to opening. Lost mall employees ask at the information desk for directions to their store. One lap around the mall is 2.7 kilometres. They better hurry.

This blog is AWESOME!

The mall cops shut down a coffee stand? The stores weren't even open and the failed police wannabes were already assertin' their authoritah!

[Byrns]

Originally Posted by liamenator

Oh but this kind of sprawl is justifiable - for the most pressing need of Calgarians at this moment is obviously a megamall monstrosity that can serve all our consumptive cravings!

Recession woes have you feeling down? Come to CrossIron Mills for a few luxury item pick me ups!

No disposable income? Bring your credit cards - we offer discount prices for all the products you "need"!

No public transit access? Gas up and drive your car! We've got parking spaces for miles!

Still not convinced? Have a snazzy free shopping bag!

Hippy

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

That's what passes for events in a place like Calgary. Urban sprawl! Stupid Mall!

Actually every week Calgary has a host of great events to take in whether it be music, arts, sports, or other things.

But it's easier just to rip on the city I suppose.

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by Byrns

Hippy

Seriously?

Nice contribution.

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

I always thought the term "outlet mall" was the stores have no middle man, therefore they sell things for cheaper. I went down to Florida a few weeks ago and they had tons of Outlet Malls and most things were 50% off what you would pay normally.

I was listening to NPR last week and they had a guest on talking about outlet malls. Apparently most companies produce 2 lines of products - the normal ones, and the outlet mall versions. You guessed it - most of the stuff in the outlet malls is lower quality.

The guest said you could tell the difference by looking at the product ID codes - it looks like the identical thing from the regular store, but the ID code doesn't match.

I've heard about Walmart and Canadian tire doing similar things - separate cheaper lines of a product that look the same but cost less.

NPR Link

ZARROLI: Davidowitz says that as outlet malls have proliferated, the kinds of merchandise they offer has changed. He says outlet stores once sold overstock goods, or slightly irregular products, but now there are so many outlet malls that there aren't enough irregular products to go around.

Mr. DAVIDOWITZ: Now you've got chains like Dress Barn and (unintelligible). They've got hundreds and hundreds of outlet stores. It's a business. It's institutionalized. Regular merchandise is in there, and it's really a marketing gimmick as opposed to all these overruns and deals.

ZARROLI: Davidowitz says many of the biggest retailers, like the Gap and Ralph Lauren, now make products just for outlet stores.

Mr. DAVIDOWITZ: A lot of times, merchandise is made more cheaply for the outlet stores, and, of course, it sells for less. But it's not the same quality. So you're paying less, and you're getting less.

ZARROLI: Davidowitz believes many consumers have caught on to this, which is why sales at many outlet malls have been flat in recent years. NPR contacted several big retailers that have outlet stores, including Coach, Ralph Lauren, and Timberland. All declined to comment or didn't return calls.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Actually every week Calgary has a host of great events to take in whether it be music, arts, sports, or other things.

But it's easier just to rip on the city I suppose.

No kidding, last weekend Calgary hosted the Virgin festival, Bluesfest, Afrikadays (sp?) and Drenched fest. For a city of just over 1 million, Calgary is doing pretty darn well for itself. I don't know why people that reside in Calgary, for their entire lives a lot of the time, feel the need to dump on the city that has given so much to them.

Also, don't kid yourself, a mall opening in any other city is treated the exact same way.

[Byrns]

People need to quit worrying about what everyone else is doing.

[liamenator]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Also, don't kid yourself, a mall opening in any other city is treated the exact same way.

I agree with you completely, which is what I find so depressing.

It's certainly not a phenomenon exclusive to Calgary, it's a broader cultural issue.

[starseed]

Just for the record, I am only heading down there because I want to be at the top of the list for that Bell store's Pre waiting list.

As for the knock on Calgary's culture, there are plenty of events in Calgary, its just that they are not supported en masse by people from suburbia. Calgary is a city of suburbia, its not that it lacks culture, its just a different culture. Does this mean Calgary is a cultural wasteland if they dont show up in droves to music festivals? No. It is not black and white like that. Is just means that the overall culture in the city is less about connecting with the world and your community through the arts, and more about connecting with your families and selfish desires through materialism.

It is very bad because it makes us less concious about living sustainable lifestyles as a community, and the concerns of others in the community get pushed to the background. It could also be considered good, because it seems to lead to faster progress and prosperity... as we normally define those words. Calgary is a city that will use more electricity during earth hour, but has the highest take-home incomes for families in Canada.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Byrns

People need to quit worrying about what everyone else is doing.

I agree. Hell if you want to run out with the intention of gassing up the economy a little have at 'er.

This made me laugh from the blog:
11:08 a.m.: (R. Remington) Whoever decorated this joint has a sense of humour. In the dinosaur section, there's a caveman in a block of ice clutching a stone coffee mug and a shopping bag stuffed with twigs.

[malcolmk14]

Traffic isn't as bad as I expected out there. Driving by it on my way home there was still plenty of room in the parking lot facing the highway and cars weren't backed up onto the exit ramp very far.

[Jayems]

Just got back from the mall. Managed to get an interview with Regehr before he signed autographs. Very excited about the season and coaching changes. Thinks Bouwmeester will shine in this environment. Have a bunch of quotes, not sure if I can post them on CP or not. I'll find out.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Actually every week Calgary has a host of great events to take in whether it be music, arts, sports, or other things.

But it's easier just to rip on the city I suppose.

Exactly. I like how the comment came the weekend after the Chinatown Festival and Tastes of Calgary. Just because you don't go to them, doesn't mean they're not happening.

[MissKat]

I'm working in the mall right now - what a complete gongshow, jesus christ! I can't wait till it dies down.

But lots and lots of hot ladies, mmmmm the beautiful scenery.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Just got back from the mall. Managed to get an interview with Regehr before he signed autographs. Very excited about the season and coaching changes. Thinks Bouwmeester will shine in this environment. Have a bunch of quotes, not sure if I can post them on CP or not. I'll find out.

Did you find out what size skates he has? Robyn Regehr Fan(s) have been desperate to know this for oh so many years.

I actually wish I'd been able to go. Regehr is the bomb.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Lucifer

It looks more like everyone is lined up for a concert.

I'm pretty sure the woman in the blue pants is lined up for a hamburger.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Did you find out what size skates he has? Robyn Regehr Fan(s) have been desperate to know this for oh so many years.

I actually wish I'd been able to go. Regehr is the bomb.

haha, no, I didn't. He was with a 'handler/agent/rep' who was keen on keeping things moving so after his interview with Roger Millions from Sportsnet (which was great, by the way), I only had time for a few questions — one of which I had to ask how he became involved with CrossIron Mills. Not much time for season questions, but I got one in there. Here's what he had to say about the upcoming season:

Originally Posted by Regehr

We’re still in the summer months but I think everyone is starting to get excited for the hockey season, as I am.

I think that the coaching changes will be very good for our team. Having talked to Brent Sutter on the phone, I’ve had some really good conversations with him and I’m excited about the philosophy and accountability that he’s going to bring to the team.

Also, the player changes — I think a guy like Jay Bouwmeester is going to do very well playing here not only in Canada, but close to his hometown where he grew up and I think he’s going to make a good team even better.

[krazycanuck]

Originally Posted by Jayems

Just got back from the mall. Managed to get an interview with Regehr before he signed autographs. Very excited about the season and coaching changes. Thinks Bouwmeester will shine in this environment. Have a bunch of quotes, not sure if I can post them on CP or not. I'll find out.

did this interview take place, in or around an Orange Julius location?

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by krazycanuck

did this interview take place, in or around an Orange Julius location?

It was in the food court, but I'm not sure if there was an OJ nearby, however.