Sharpstown Mall/PlazAmericas At 7500 Bellaire Blvd.

[Trae]

Yeah, I wish Foley's was still around.

[crunchtastic]

I was there a couple months ago. The friend I was with really likes the AMC theater in there for some reason, but while we were there, someone stole his Porche brand valve stem caps. He was pissed.

Were they on tires actually attached to a Porsche?

[TheNiche]

Were they on tires actually attached to a Porsche?

Yep. An early 90's 928 Coupe. Sweet little thing, that.

[gwilson]

It's worse than he tells it. In the 80s the worst criminals in that area were teenage "thugs" that did stuff like break into cars and spray paint on buildings to act bad and be "cool". For the most part it was a safe place. These days that entire area is full of professional criminals, prostiution, drug activity, and full fledged gang members (international ones as well....plently of MS13 in Sharpstown).

Sharpstown still is not as bad as people think it is. They mistake Fondren SW, Forum Park, Alief and other areas for Sharpstown. The mall, while not nearly as nice as it used to be, isn't at all a bad place to go. Just don't expect to find everything you are looking for there.

Yeah, that's true. I don't go into Sharpstown Mall at night. I haven't been there in a while though. Too far. I stick to Memorial City, West Oaks, and Katy Mills.

Sharpstown mall is plenty safe.

Were they on tires actually attached to a Porsche?

There are quite a few really nice cars parked at Sharpstown at any given time. There are at least 3-5 late model Mercedes Benzes including several new S-Classes, a few AMGs, etc. There is generally a Bentley or two, a few late model Corvettes, a Rolls every few days and even Ferraris are not totally uncommon there. This, in addition to the tons of tricked out cars that are there on a daily basis with expensive rims that stay ON the cars.

[Trae]

^^Now not all of Alief is bad either. Only parts near apartments and some neighborhoods. The side closest to West Oaks and Katy isn't bad at all (though that is where Mission Bend starts).

[JLWM8609]

There are quite a few really nice cars parked at Sharpstown at any given time. There are at least 3-5 late model Mercedes Benzes including several new S-Classes, a few AMGs, etc. There is generally a Bentley or two, a few late model Corvettes, a Rolls every few days and even Ferraris are not totally uncommon there. This, in addition to the tons of tricked out cars that are there on a daily basis with expensive rims that stay ON the cars.

Prob all visiting this guy...

[gwilson]

Prob all visiting this guy...

Not really. He sells $50 watches with $1000 price tags and discounts them to $150. That is the majority of his business. Most of his sales are on lay away as well. I was in his store XMAS eve and he was there and had a security guard escort him out. I thought to myself..."he is a little self important, isn't he". I do know that the Bently Continental parked near the back entrance to the mall is his.

I actually consdered buying a watch on XMAS eve when they were 75% off and there was one I actually liked the looks of. I figured if it was cheap enough, it would be worth the novelty alone. Then I found out it wasn't even automatic. Battery watches with a $1000+ price tag and only gold "plating" (rose in this case). WTF is he thinking? Had it been automatic, I'd have bought it (on sale for $165).

[TheNiche]

Sharpstown still is not as bad as people think it is. They mistake Fondren SW, Forum Park, Alief and other areas for Sharpstown. The mall, while not nearly as nice as it used to be, isn't at all a bad place to go. Just don't expect to find everything you are looking for there.

Sharpstown mall is plenty safe.

As I recall, there were 81 violent crimes at Sharpstown Mall compared to 3 at Gulfgate last year. Even Greenspoint was something like 18, and it was the next least crime-ridden mall in the region after Sharpstown.

Granted, there are neighborhoods near the mall that aren't bad, but the mall and other commercial areas around there aren't very safe.

[gwilson]

I'd love to see the reports that justify the numbers of 81 violent crimes at Sharpstown. I go out of my way to get stats from HPD, Harris County and the civic association and there are nowhere NEAR that many violent crimes @ Sharpstown according to these numbers.

[KimberlySayWhat]

Johnny Dang looks ridiculous.

I haven't been to Sharpstown since 1993. I've probably been no more than four times in my entire life. My parents used to shop there, though.

[sifuwong]

Not really. He sells $50 watches with $1000 price tags and discounts them to $150. That is the majority of his business. Most of his sales are on lay away as well. I was in his store XMAS eve and he was there and had a security guard escort him out. I thought to myself..."he is a little self important, isn't he". I do know that the Bently Continental parked near the back entrance to the mall is his.

I actually consdered buying a watch on XMAS eve when they were 75% off and there was one I actually liked the looks of. I figured if it was cheap enough, it would be worth the novelty alone. Then I found out it wasn't even automatic. Battery watches with a $1000+ price tag and only gold "plating" (rose in this case). WTF is he thinking? Had it been automatic, I'd have bought it (on sale for $165).

That is Johnny Dang. Jewelers to the Hip-Hop stars!! Snoop, Ice Cube, Ice-T, etc have purchased from him.

[gwilson]

That is Johnny Dang. Jewelers to the Hip-Hop stars!! Snoop, Ice Cube, Ice-T, etc have purchased from him.

I know who he is. TV Johnny. Yes, he does look ridiculous. He was goofy looking to begin with, now he is goofy with a few thousand in diamonds in his mouth (he doesn't wear them most of the time).

[TheNiche]

I'd love to see the reports that justify the numbers of 81 violent crimes at Sharpstown. I go out of my way to get stats from HPD, Harris County and the civic association and there are nowhere NEAR that many violent crimes @ Sharpstown according to these numbers.

It was on a Channel 13 newscast some months ago. They cited HPD.

[westguy]

I wonder what would be considered a violent crime, and if there were that many, you'd think there'd be one or two murders.

Anyway, I noticed the Chronicle was keeping track: http://blogs.chron.com/homicide/2007/12/. I thought this would be most appreciated by Vertigo58.

[TheNiche]

I wonder what would be considered a violent crime, and if there were that many, you'd think there'd be one or two murders.

Anyway, I noticed the Chronicle was keeping track: http://blogs.chron.com/homicide/2007/12/. I thought this would be most appreciated by Vertigo58.

Wouldn't surprise me, but I'll bet that most were robberies and assaults.

Edited December 29, 2007 by TheNiche

[sifuwong]

I know who he is. TV Johnny. Yes, he does look ridiculous. He was goofy looking to begin with, now he is goofy with a few thousand in diamonds in his mouth (he doesn't wear them most of the time).

He is popular with making grilles!!..lol

[gwilson]

Wouldn't surprise me, but I'll bet that most were robberies and assaults.

I'm still going to doubt that statistic and like I said, I'd love to see the information.

Here is an example of how few violent crimes actually occur in Sharpstown:

October 1 - November 1:

Armed Robbery: 1

Assaults: 1

There were 1,067 incidents involving law enforcement, of them, 214 were calls for service, 128 were citizen contacts, 52 reports were made, 148 special watches were requested 226 were traffic citations, 87 were vacation watches, and 40 were warning citations. 83% of the law enforcement activity in Sharpstown were tickets or "helping out" the citizenry.

So you can see how I highly doubt that 81 violent crime number at the mall alone.

He is popular with making grilles!!..lol

Rob the jewelry store and tell them "make me a grill".

[EastEnd Susan]

No one gives a crap about Macy's here. They were too used to Foley's. I'm sure a lot of people here could've told them that.

I miss Foleys. I tried to be open minded and gave Macys a chance but now I go to Penneys or Dillards. I am one of the many that dont give a crap about Macys.

[mikeybob2]

I miss Foleys. I tried to be open minded and gave Macys a chance but now I go to Penneys or Dillards. I am one of the many that dont give a crap about Macys.

Amen..

I sure do feel sorry for all of the employees and hope they can find other jobs.

A far as shopping, I'd rather be more creative and shop the small local retailers and/or Pennys (keep the money in Texas and not to Terry Lundgren and his vice-henchmen).

[TheNiche]

So you can see how I highly doubt that 81 violent crime number at the mall alone.

Can you provide a link?

[Chris]

Last night on ABC 13, They said it was one of the top worst performing stores in the country.

[gwilson]

Can you provide a link?

I just transcribed the stats for you for one month.

[Vertigo58]

Last night on ABC 13, They said it was one of the top worst performing stores in the country.

That pretty much sums it up.

I was going to hire a helicopter to fly over and drop a bouquet of roses as a final farewell/condolences to Macy's and the whole mall for that matter. Copter would have to dodge bullets.

People, be real this whole vicinity bit the dust 10 years ago just like everyone described above. That jerk in the photo above is living proof that this mall is no more than a low, low, low-class circus/flea market.

Let's move this topic to Crater Houston asap. Great way to start the new year I say!Balloon drop!

Edited January 14, 2008 by Vertigo58

[cottonmather0]

That jerk in the photo above is living proof that this mall is no more than a low, low, low-class circus/flea market.

I went into that mall one time about 5 years ago and went out of that mall shortly after. Sad, because you can tell it did indeed used to be a big deal, but now it's grungy and grimy all over. The Chris Rock quote is dead-on.

[texas911]

I went to Strake Jesuit and Sharpstown Mall was my hangout. Man good time and great memories there. I remember buying my first CD at Foleys. Buying furniture at Store House for my room and playing arcades at Goodtime Charlie's and then at the video arcade next to JC Penny's. Heck I remember when it was just one story and they added the second floor. Sad to see its decline but I guess time marches on.

[mkultra25]

I miss Foleys. I tried to be open minded and gave Macys a chance but now I go to Penneys or Dillards. I am one of the many that dont give a crap about Macys.

I miss Foley's too, but I've gotta say at the consumer level I don't see a whole lot of changes since it became Macy's. I remember quite a few people expressing dismay at the time and speculating that Macy's would probably do away with the frequent Red Apple sales that were Foley's hallmark, but judging from the number of emails and snailmail flyers I receive from them, if anything the number of sales has increased.

I prefer the downtown store - I was afraid that if Macy's decided to close any stores, the downtown one might be on the list, but so far that hasn't come to pass. There still seem to be quite a few employees there that were 20+ year Foley's employees, and the quality of service hasn't really changed. And IMO neither Penney's nor Dillards can compare to Macy's as far as convenience or selection of merchandise.

[Ross]

It really started to look like the ghetto after Gillman Mitsubishi/Honda vacated and that entire lot was left with overgrown weeds and litter everywhere. I bet they were breaking into the cars at night to pay for crack over there. Gillman was on that land for about 56 years and owned it. The crime was so bad they chose to buy the expensive real estate at 59 and the beltway on a mortgage.

I seem to recall reading that Gillman moved because Pontiac told them they had to have a freeway locaiton, and Gillman was pretty peeved about having to move from property they owned to a new location. I bought my first new car there in 1980, but never went back.

[houstonmacbro]

I miss Foley's too, but I've gotta say at the consumer level I don't see a whole lot of changes since it became Macy's. I remember quite a few people expressing dismay at the time and speculating that Macy's would probably do away with the frequent Red Apple sales that were Foley's hallmark, but judging from the number of emails and snailmail flyers I receive from them, if anything the number of sales has increased.

I prefer the downtown store - I was afraid that if Macy's decided to close any stores, the downtown one might be on the list, but so far that hasn't come to pass. There still seem to be quite a few employees there that were 20+ year Foley's employees, and the quality of service hasn't really changed. And IMO neither Penney's nor Dillards can compare to Macy's as far as convenience or selection of merchandise.

Do a lot of people GO downtown to shop? Just curious.

[TheNiche]

I just transcribed the stats for you for one month.

Seasonality?

[mkultra25]

Do a lot of people GO downtown to shop? Just curious.

Not sure, but I certainly do. The Galleria and Memorial City Macy's stores are nicer, but they're also a lot further away from where I live and the traffic surrounding both of them is much worse. I can get downtown in 5-10 minutes, and with a little patience, can park at one of the on-street metered parking spots right in front of Macy's entrance (on weekends, anyway). Plus, it's simply a historic store, and I find it interesting to check out some of the details that have survived over the many years it's been there.

I think the downtown Macy's does a lot of lunchtime business from downtown office workers, especially when there's a good sale on. When I used to work downtown, I could always tell when there was a particularly good sale because there would inevitably be a big group of coworkers headed over there at lunch. When I go there on the weekend, they never seem to have nearly as many customers as you'd expect to see given the size of the store.

Edited January 1, 2008 by mkultra25