[thepostman]

I have seen first hand what a nice theatre can do to a mall that is dying...a mall back homw was dead almost anytime i, for whatever reason, was there...they built a brand new 14 screen stadium seating theatre and the mall is rarely ever dead whenver I am there to go see a movie. Before the theatre opened hlaf the places in the food court were closed and about 25% of the stores in the mall were closed or closing...now there might be one store vacancy...this will help the mall and its a smart move on the mall's part....just my 2 cents...

[HenryGale]

I have seen first hand what a nice theatre can do to a mall that is dying...a mall back homw was dead almost anytime i, for whatever reason, was there...they built a brand new 14 screen stadium seating theatre and the mall is rarely ever dead whenver I am there to go see a movie. Before the theatre opened hlaf the places in the food court were closed and about 25% of the stores in the mall were closed or closing...now there might be one store vacancy...this will help the mall and its a smart move on the mall's part....just my 2 cents...

That's fine...but can you see Lynchburg supporting 2 malls? That is why I believe that the move does not make any sense.

[thepostman]

thats a good point too....does anybody know when that outdoor mall is suppose to start going up?? I haven't heard much about it in long time...

[LUconn]

The thing about the outdoor mall is that it won't really be supported by Lynchburg. It's a "travel to" mall. So it'll be supported by Lynchburg/Roanoke/Cville. Until Roanoke gets their own. Then I don't know what would happen.

[bigsmooth]

roanoke supports two malls and its not that much bigger than the burg, and roanoke is getting smaller while lynchburg is growing. if the colonnade is not planning a theatre then i would agree 110% if they are who knows, but i think lynchburg is big enough for two large theatres.

[LUconn]

Roanoke is shrinking? I wonder why that is. Is it just a matter of moving out of the city into the surrounding counties or are people just getting out of the area?

[bigsmooth]

roanoke has a lot of older people...retirees...and as they die off the younger generation is not staying because of lack of good jobs. yes there are some large companies here but the people that are in those jobs are not leaving so these people are heading to the DC's, charlotte's and raleigh's of the world. roanoke has not done a great job of economic development and it's showing now. don't get me wrong it's not all doom and gloom, but it should be better. and yes people are moving out into the counties surrounding roanoke, because the city school system is not good right now.

[JDUB]

I agree with LUconn, it won't be just Lynchburg supporting the mall. if they put the right stores in it, it will bring in people from Appomattox and roanoke to lynchburg

[bigsmooth]

roanoke's not getting another mall. they will continue to add on to vally view unitl all the land is used. there will just be more strip centers with big box retailers.

[badger74]

According to Economy.com R has a metro population of 296,800 while L is at 242,700. L has grown slightly more the last six years. However R has higher average income which is important to retailers.

[bigsmooth]

well the roanoke income level must still not be good enough because several high end retailers say roanoke does not fit their criteria to put a store.

[badger74]

Correct, it is still below the state and national averages for per capita income. L needs more finance/professional type jobs. It might help if LU paid a little better.

[Hold My Own]

roanoke has a lot of older people...retirees...and as they die off the younger generation is not staying because of lack of good jobs. yes there are some large companies here but the people that are in those jobs are not leaving so these people are heading to the DC's, charlotte's and raleigh's of the world. roanoke has not done a great job of economic development and it's showing now. don't get me wrong it's not all doom and gloom, but it should be better. and yes people are moving out into the counties surrounding roanoke, because the city school system is not good right now.

dang it...i was typing this then i read what you wrote

We've talked about this before smooth...the average age in Roanoke is really high...mainly because they dont have a major university...sure some filter down from VT...but it's not like LU where so many will stick around


Its really the gift and the curse...one big factor why Lynchburg doesnt pay well is b/c it doesnt have to...with our average age students are willing to accept a 22k-25k job while if our avg age was higher it wouldnt fly

[bigsmooth]

VT is doing what they can to stimulate economic development along with carilion clinic to open up a medical school in 09 or 10, but some high tech jobs or pharmacetical jobs would certainly keep young people in roanoke. i feel like the medical field will be the key to roanoke's growth. the railroad business here is practically dead and banking can only do but so much. it helps that roanoke has an interstate running through it unlike lynchburg, but yes the burg does not need to pay more because of what HMO said.

[Hold My Own]

it helps that roanoke has an interstate running through it...

yup, that kills us...and making 460 65mph doesnt help make up for that fact

[ATrain]

it helps that roanoke has an interstate running through it...

yup, that kills us...and making 460 65mph doesnt help make up for that fact

Especially considering its only 65 through Lynchburg

[rogers3]

students are willing to accept a 22k-25k job???

I wish someone had told me that years ago. I've had non-educated blue collar workers making more than that for 4-5 years now. I think I'm gonna hire me some LU grads!

[mrmacphisto]

students are willing to accept a 22k-25k job???

I've never made that much. Then again, I live in Lynchburg.

[coolhandluke]

Hopefully this theatre will be nice because none of the other ones in Lynchburg are any good.

[LUconn]

students are willing to accept a 22k-25k job???

I wish someone had told me that years ago. I've had non-educated blue collar workers making more than that for 4-5 years now. I think I'm gonna hire me some LU grads!

Are you in Lynchburg? I don't think anybody would accept that amount outside of a 100 mile radius of this city.

[rogers3]

I'm in the city... and according to HMO, LU grads WILL accept that pay! Of course, my employees won't.

[thepostman]

I would accept it...does that make me lesser of a person....I need something better then 2 part time jobs....

[JDUB]

i may would accept it without a college degree.. if i had the chance for a promotion within 6 months. otherwise, no chance

[SuperJon]

If it had benefits and you were single, of course a lot of people would take it. They probably wouldn't stay long, but they'd at least take the job for a while until they found something better.

[thepostman]

yeah, no way I would take it as a long term deal, but at this point I would take it if there were benefits and a chance to move up in some way