[El Scorcho]

I was suckered into going to the food court at River Ridge for dinner tonight. Actually, I willingly went. Not the point. The point is that going there at night is miserable because of the droves of teenagers hanging around doing nothing but smoking and taking up space. It felt like I was walking through a T-Pain video on my way out of there.* If not for that, my wife and I would have probably walked around the mall with our friends after dinner. As it was, no dice.

So, I think River Ridge needs to implement a curfew/18+ rule like other malls do. Basically, after 5pm if you're under 18 and not with a parent you don't belong there. Or they can leave it like it is and Crossroads Colonnade can implement it so that all the teenagers stay at River Ridge. Either way.

*I only mean that to say it felt like a bad club more than it felt like the food court at a mall.

[ATrain]

Maybe they just need to make River Ridge entirely non-smoking. In fact, I say we ban smoking in all public restaraunts and bars...effective ASAP.

[pbow]

most states have banned smoking in resteraunts...I was shocked when I came to VA and they still had the smoking and non-smoking section...as for smoking at bars, I think it should be up to the owner decide and not the government

[SuperJon]

You can smoke in River Ridge? I've never heard of people being able to smoke inside a mall.

[thepostman]

though they annoy the crap out of me where would said kids go to if they did that at the mall?? they would just find some other place we probably all would go and still cause the same issues...its an endless battle

Maybe if they had parents that did their jobs there wouldn't be this problem...but thats a whole other topic I suppose...

[mrmacphisto]

I've never seen anyone smoke, nor have I ever smelled cigarette smoke, inside River Ridge Mall.

[SuperJon]

I have no problem with the teenagers being there. Kids need places to go to hang out, and the mall has always been that place. I don't like a curfew like that because some of those kids work during the day on Saturday and Sunday and couldn't do their shopping til at night anyways.

Just ban the smoking, that solves it.

[PeterParker]

Maybe they just need to make River Ridge entirely non-smoking. In fact, I say we ban smoking in all public restaraunts and bars...effective ASAP.

While some main stream chain restaurants around the commonwealth have eliminated smoking sections (especially in the 757), the roll out of a state mandated ban will probably be more slowly adopted as Philip-Morris relocated their headquarters to Richmond from New York as recently as 2-3 years ago--that's a lot of special interest money and tax money not to far from the capital building influencing the legislature.


As far as River Ridge, won't a ban be unnecessary, as it will become an LU property upon the opening of the Crossways Collonade?


On the topic of the Collonade, I wonder if Sly's stadium rumors that never materialized on FF would entail an entirely new stadium being built in conjunction with the collonade as that is a very real trend among the "new urbanism" school of thought concerning mixed-use developments which incorporate work, live, play, commerce, entertainment all in the same projects. While it is probably unlikely at this point, it at least makes for some interesting discussion as it would open up two scenarios:

a) LU could then convert Williams to be the new official home for the soccer team (also could be used for eventual varsity field hockey & lacrosse teams) and the Mathes-Hopkins Track Complex could become a Track Specific "mini-stadium" fitted with some seating. Then presto, LU has it's own Hayward field http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayward_Field or,

b) LU would simply turn it over for LCA and other uses (High School playoffs, etc.)

A lot of the soccer specific stadiums are being built in conjunction as a feature within these mixed use developments as it drives people (and their wallets) who may have only intended on coming out for one thing to patronize the other venue offerings (shopping, entertainment, etc.)

[El Scorcho]

I didn't say they were smoking inside. All of the smoking was going on outside. RIGHT outside the freakin' doors. You can't get into the mall without walking through the nicotine cloud.

As for where they would go if there were a curfew...don't really too much care. That's their parents' problem. At least it should be. They've instituted curfews like this at most of the malls back home and it's been a success all the way around. I think the mall in Roanoke has something like this too, if I'm not mistaken. Maybe Smoothie can correct me if I'm wrong.

[Fumblerooskies]

If River Ridge were to have a curfew like Valley View...the LU students would soon find out how much of a pain it would be...as THEY would be the ones getting carded and accosted in the mall if they looked under 18.

[shukcb04]

i believe all eating and shopping establishments should allow smoking. if you go somewhere where there are too many people smoking, then leave. it's not like you HAVE to go to the mall for any reason.

[SuperJon]

Why can smokers not go an hour without smoking? I mean, seriously, is it that bad?

[El Scorcho]

i believe all eating and shopping establishments should allow smoking. if you go somewhere where there are too many people smoking, then leave. it's not like you HAVE to go to the mall for any reason.

Cool. So we can just spray random carcinogens out in public and just because I have the option of being there, it's all good. Listen, I'm all for personal freedom, but not at the cost of others. No, I don't have to be at the mall. But no, they don't have to smoke either. Who's personal freedom is being more accosted in the situation, theirs or mine? The mall wasn't designed for people to stand around outside and smoke. It was designed for people to come and shop. That being the primary purpose of the mall, I would think it logical that the smokers are in the wrong.

If you want to smoke in your house, cool. If you want to smoke on your private property, cool. If you want to smoke in public or set the rules for someone else's private property, not cool. You don't get to make decisions that may effect my health for me. Period.

[shukcb04]

i believe all eating and shopping establishments should allow smoking. if you go somewhere where there are too many people smoking, then leave. it's not like you HAVE to go to the mall for any reason.

Cool. So we can just spray random carcinogens out in public and just because I have the option of being there, it's all good. Listen, I'm all for personal freedom, but not at the cost of others. No, I don't have to be at the mall. But no, they don't have to smoke either. Who's personal freedom is being more accosted in the situation, theirs or mine? The mall wasn't designed for people to stand around outside and smoke. It was designed for people to come and shop. That being the primary purpose of the mall, I would think it logical that the smokers are in the wrong.

the smokers arent in the wrong if they are smoking where it is legally allowable, they aren't breaking any laws or rules. besides, the mall sucks horribly anyways, why would you even go there? lol

[El Scorcho]

the smokers arent in the wrong if they are smoking where it is legally allowable, they aren't breaking any laws or rules.

No, they're just being jerks. I'm allergic to most cigarette smoke. Very allergic. My eyes swell up, I sneeze for hours afterward and I generally fell like crap after I've been around it. It's not illegal for them to do it, but it should be. As I said before, any time someone else gets to make a decision about my health without me having a say, it's not right.

besides, the mall sucks horribly anyways, why would you even go there? lol

Yes, it does. I won't argue with you there. But, I was with friends, one of which is particularly fond of the Great Steak & Potato Company. So we went to the food court. I shouldn't have had to walk through a smoke cloud to get in there.

[shukcb04]

besides, the mall sucks horribly anyways, why would you even go there? lol

Yes, it does. I won't argue with you there. But, I was with friends, one of which is particularly fond of the Great Steak & Potato Company. So we went to the food court. I shouldn't have had to walk through a smoke cloud to get in there.

were there smokers at every single entrance the mall has made available, not just the food court? if there were other entrances available that were free of smokers then you don't have much of an argument other than it being not as convenient to use a different entrance.

[El Scorcho]

were there smokers at every single entrance the mall has made available, not just the food court? if there were other entrances available that were free of smokers then you don't have much of an argument other than it being not as convenient to use a different entrance.

I don't have much of an argument if I was trying to win a lawsuit, but I'm not. I do have an argument from the perspective of ownership of a business that's open to the public. Why would I want addicts hanging out blowing their toxins into the air at ANY of the entrances to my business? I wouldn't. Obviously River Ridge does not feel the same way, and that's probably because of the high number of morons around here who smoke. I don't particularly understand it, but I suppose it's just that old southern culture still hanging around. I have slightly more sympathy for older addicts, but for anyone 35 or younger to be smoking in this day and age is the height of stupidity to me.

[jack_sparrow81]

What malls in America have a curfew in affect? That's a ridiculous rule. I agree with banning smoking since anyone can be affected by it, but carding at the mall is sillyness

[Fumblerooskies]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/200 ... alls_x.htm

http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/flowe ... /xp-123756

http://www.youthrights.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4432

http://www.usaweekend.com/97_issues/970 ... _mall.html

One thing to remember is that the teens are not spending the $$ at the malls....it is the adult customers. For the most part, it is a few bad apples spoiling the bunch...and if those few teens are scaring off paying customers, then the malls have the right, as private property holders, to impose restrictions.

[jcmanson]

Almost all of the malls in the Richmond area have curfews for minors. When they first came out, I was 20, and I always got carded. It was so annoying!

[shukcb04]

Almost all of the malls in the Richmond area have curfews for minors. When they first came out, I was 20, and I always got carded. It was so annoying!

grow a beard. ive never been carded since ive had a beard haha

[ATrain]

Customers card ME when I serve THEM beer at the Hillcats...but I think a curfew at the mall would be ridiculous. Just ban smoking from the entire premises if thats the problem.

[SuperJon]

Or, get this, make it illegal for minors to have tobacco, and then arrest them for smoking underage.

[JDUB]

i believe all eating and shopping establishments should allow smoking. if you go somewhere where there are too many people smoking, then leave. it's not like you HAVE to go to the mall for any reason.

i believe they shouldn't allow smoking. if you want to smoke, LEAVE. its not like you HAVE to go to the mall for any reason.

[Sly Fox]

I make it a point of never venturing near malls in general unless there are ZERO other options available. Thankfully these days malls are dying everywhere.