Saturday, July 28, 2007

Central Valley Malls Overrun by Teens, Tweens Are Taking Measures: River Park Blinks First, Stared Down by Teens

River Park officials have been putting the fire on teens, tweens and those under 18 years of age for wanting to hang out at the new shopping center in Fresno. Kids who are found without parents will be asked to leave the premises. Such was the goal. Then under 18s started organizing themselves and asking for signatures. Now River Park Officials balk down. They want to postpone their clamming down and hope to end the Summer season. The message was clear to the teens who could not be there after 6 pm. It appears that River Park shopping center did not want them there anymore. There were many who said that the teens were not spending money at the shops. They only shop at Jamba Juice. By congregating there, they chase away families who could spend more.

The teens said they are hanging out at skateboard which is next to the pizza shop. After all, they claim to have made the new shopping center hip. Now they are thinking about going to Sierra Vista mall which has a new theater, Manchester Mall which has lots of parking and Fashion Fair which has another skateboard. They may even go to Fulton Mall. That is farfetched.

All over the US, mall operators have to decide about how to deal with teens who outnumber adults, specially unsupervised teens who roam all over their premises. River Park is reconsidering or giving their ideas more time. Maybe it was just a warning.

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