An Open Letter

Dear St. Louis Galleria,

Once upon a time, you used to be my favorite store. As a teenager who worked full-time during the summer, you were the perfect getaway for me to be uppity and buy name brand clothes. Over the years, I have welcomed your changes with open arms. The economy has now taken a turn and the mall was once in a slump but now seems to be bouncing back. Bouncing back however in a West County mall like way. So yes, you've stepped it up by adding a Lacoste, Coach, Forever 21, Wet Seal and maybe in 10 years the Nordstrom will finally open. However, there seems to be an inconsistency. In an effort to bring commuters closer to retail, our city has expanded it's commuter transportation options, more in particular with our light rail system. In turn, what used to be a good quality of people who came to the mall to spend money, has now turned into a plethora of ratchetness.

Yes, ratchetness. Not only on the consumer side, but yes, the businesses. I know the procedures for hiring has changed a bit, where credit checks are being performed now and such, so, this has caused a major increase of high school teens with no business or work ethic to fill jobs at these stores (naturally only because they have no credit history). So, I receive ratchet service in these so called luxury stores, and don't get me started on the food service/court. When you took out the greek restaurant, that really broke my heart. I loved that place! The name of it slips my mind, but most folks know what I'm talking about. Panda Express served me dry chow mein. The sushi place, eh, let's not go there. Well, let's. Extremely chewy sushi and you have to yell to get service because well, they don't think black people come to the mall and order sushi I guess.

I'm thoroughly disappointed. I expect better. I went to the mall today and saw a guy who looked just like Lil Wayne. Down to that fugly lip piercing and all, or whatever that's called since it's technically not in the lip, or through it. See what I mean! There should be some kind of a ratchet filter. No, no, I'm kidding, I'm kidding, but serious. I know that stereotyping is bad, but are they really shopping? I don't see them with bags. Like the guy who had eyes tattooed on the back of his head, yet kept turning around to see who was behind him.

That last sentence alone sums all of this up. Do better St. Louis Galleria. I really don't want to have to let you go.

A concerned shopper,

Miss T