11/14/19 Accept What Change Can Bring?

    Maybe because we are in an ever growing city, I don't necessarily get disappointed when we lose a business, as there is always the possibility of something better to replace it.  I remember moving to Austin and Barton Mall was the mall to go to, but the whole section where the movies and the Cheesecake Factory are located was nothing but a flat wall.  There was also a Montgomery Ward as an anchor store, to boot.  I could never figure out what their specialty was as they had clothes, jewelry, furniture and even an electronics store where you could buy speakers as tall as a child.  It then went bankrupt and left a huge hole in my favorite mall.
    Eventually, it was replaced by Nordstrom's, which is a much fancier anchor store.  It has had so much influence to the mall, that what could have been the start of its death spiral, losing Montgomery Ward, instead started its second life.  They have been re-inventing the mall, that whole wing is more high end clothing, and although it may not be for us, necessarily, it gives the mall new life and hopefully a long life expectancy.  There is nothing sadder in retail than a dead mall.
    That happened to Highland Mall, which was another very nice mall when I first moved here in the 90s.  It got a little too urban, if you catch my drift.  The last few times we visited, I just remember most of the rails being littered by black kids, like it was the only place to hang during the day and the heat.  I get the attraction as a youth, but to adults and families with money, it just seemed a bit sketchy and with other options in the area, and no one doing anything about the kids hanging out, it soon found itself out as a destination.  It was saved by being converted to an ACC building, so now it is an institution of learning.  I would hope it is still being littered by kids, although I have no reason to go there.
    The main reason for writing this is that we had noticed that Macaroni Grill closed down awhile ago.  It is a place we used to frequent when we lived in our old house.  It is probably the same distance for us from here as from the old house, we just have more options at Southpark Meadows.  The location is not bad at Stassney Lane and I-35.  Last weekend, we went to Dimassi's Restaurant for lunch.  We discovered this place about a year ago and we have gone now a handful of times.  It is Mediterranean and a good change from Pizza, burgers, and steaks.  As we were driving around this weekend, we noticed the sign has gone up and we are getting one of those restaurants here, at that location.
    I don't know what change to expect for the Sears location at the mall, but I am hopeful it will be positive.  As long as it isn't like in the Righteous Gemstones and end up a church, I think things will be alright.