Thursday, February 21, 2008
Atlas Park money giveaway
Hello,
My husband and I are regular readers of your blog, and we find it enlightening.
We received this from the Shops at Atlas Park people recently, and I'm passing it along to you because:
1. I am mystified how their marketing team doesn't find it weird to combine giving away money--especially something as token as a single dollar--with an upscale "lifestyle center." Do they think that people are going to travel to Crap-las Park to spend the dollar on a tomato from Amish Market (if it will even cover the cost), with the incentive of maybe winning a little more money? I thought the people they expected to be customers of Atlas were upper middle class who would shop for the convenience rather than the bargain?
2. I'm horrified that they are making it seem like you'd be doing a magnanimous thing--"come shop at Atlas Park and you will help save the economy from slowing!"--when really what behind it is "we're not doing anywhere near the business we should, so we'll do anything to drum up a little more business." (My belief that they're not doing well is based on my own observations; I both live and work near this new mall, and it was pathetic how empty it was on Christmas Eve, and how the only place that seems to do a thriving business is the movie theater. Not that I want them to be bustling, because the traffic is hell already at the intersection of 80th and Cooper Ave, but I'm terrified that it will go bust and crappy 99-cent stores will move in!)
The link is www.theatlassolution.com. I just opened it now, and see that it changed a little (the first day was footage in Forest Hills, the one I saw just now was footage of giving away dollar bills in Ridgewood).
Best regards,
anonymous
Well, anonymous, you haven't seen this press release yet!
QUEENS RETAIL CENTER, THE SHOPS AT ATLAS PARK, JUMPSTARTS ECONOMY WITH $20,000 CASH GIVEAWAY; HOPES TO INSPIRE UP TO $340MN ECONOMIC STIMULUS FROM MALL INDUSTRY
***
Press Conference Announcing Official Kick Off of The Atlas Solution This Friday, February 22nd, at 2PM
Your Coverage Is Invited
What: Press Conference: The Shops at Atlas Park Introduces The Atlas Solution and Launches Cash Giveaway On-Site
Who: Damon Hemmerdinger, Atlas Park Owner
Frank D. Tinari, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Seton Hall University and President of The Tinari Economics Group
Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam
When: Friday, February 22nd at 2 pm
Where: The Shops at Atlas Park Center Green, weather permitting (Rain location: Community Room, 3rd floor above Amish Market)
8000 Cooper Avenue at 80th Street
Glendale, NY 11385
Glendale, NY – February 20, 2008 – With the nation's economy worsening by the day, The Shops at Atlas Park Owner Damon Hemmerdinger is announcing the official start to 'The Atlas Solution,' a $20,000 cash giveaway taking place on the streets of Queens and on-site at Atlas Park. The new initiative is designed to infuse up to $340 million into the economy and encourage consumer support for our economic future.
This Friday, February 22nd, at 2 pm, Hemmerdinger will host a press conference to formally launch the initiative and issue a challenge to our nation's shopping centers to take steps to boost the economy between now and the arrival of the federal government's economic stimulus package. Following Hemmerdinger, Seton Hall University Professor of Economics, Frank D. Tinari, will discuss how this new initiative will impact the economy.
Beginning Friday onsite at Atlas Park, and running for 60 consecutive days, Atlas Solution representatives dressed as Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam will hand out money ranging from $1 bills to $1000 per day. The initiative is also ongoing off-site, throughout Queens.
As an added benefit for Atlas Park shoppers, anyone spotted wearing an "I Support the Economy" sticker or with an AtlasSolution.com sticker displayed on their car parked at The Shops at Atlas Park will be eligible to win an instant cash prize. Atlas Park will also offer free parking through June, plus many giveaways on-site, including gift certificates redeemable at its stores as well as Monopoly games and play-money sets for younger children.
Says Hemmerdinger, who is personally withdrawing the $20,000 from savings to inject into the economy, "the Atlas Solution is really my way of showing that individuals can make a difference, and that the industry I am a part of can make a big difference if we join forces."
Daily updates and video content will be uploaded on The Atlas Solution website, as well as the MySpace profile and Facebook group, "100,000 Strong In Support of The Atlas Solution to the U.S. Economy." For more information on The Atlas Solution, visit www.TheShopsAtAtlasPark.com or www.theatlassolution.com.
(You may spend your dollar paying for half the fare to ride the rerouted bus to the mall. - Crappy)
See also: Damon Hemmerdinger Does His Best George W. Bush Impersonation
46 comments:
My wife just passed some info on to me
from an article she just read (I can't recall the source)
that mall business is dying all over the country.
It seems developers have overbuilt
and vacancies abound with few tenants eager
to sign leases in this down turned economy.
Consumers are playing it close to the vest these days
with their financial future uncertain.
It would take the mythical Atlas himself
to hold up the world of Atlas Park.
Good luck with that petty cash 20 Gs giveaway.
It ain't gonna help pull in the shoppers.
How sad that you are against Atlas Park just because you don't like the activity. Tons of people in the area are thrilled to have the theater, dining and shopping options in the neighborhood. Whenever I am there I see Pasticcio and Manor doing very good business, as well as Amish Market. It has been open over a year already, so we will see soon if your theory that it is not doing well holds up. Borders, Stein Mart, etc. will not keep stores open very long if they are losing money. If this mall fails, it will be a poor reflection of the caliber of the local community. I personally think that most of the local residents appreciate the better shopping and dining options at this mall compared to the rest of the nearby area and that it is succeeding.
Dear Anonymous,
I am a graduate student at the New School researching lifestyle centers, and would love to interview you for my case study analysis of Atlas Park.
If you're interested, please email me: younga@gmail.com
Your interview can be confidential, and can be conducted via email, if you prefer.
Thank you,
Adriana
Well it's not just the activity, it's the loud gangs of kids hanging out on the street, the never ending traffic jam, the fact that the mall wants to reroute every bus in Queens to their doorstep, outside of giving away a few dollar bills and a free "meeting room" (space they had no use for) they have no involvement whatsoever in the community and charging people for parking so that the street parking is now a nightmare.
Notice how the biggest complainer about the mall managed to arrange for a borowide preservation conference to be held in the meeting room which only holds 50 people. Ask yourself who is greasing who's palm behind the scenes.
"If this mall fails, it will be a poor reflection of the caliber of the local community."
Wrong, asshole. It will be a poor reflection of the caliber of Atlas Park. Failing to identify and reach your target market and provide stores and services they want is Marketing 101. Therefore, failure of the mall would not be the fault of the people who live in the vicinity, but of Damon Hemmerdinger.
Malls are doing badly all over the country. Outdoor malls looking for shoppers in February have had it.
I was at the mall on Saturday and found it extremely crowded with people all over the place and in the stores and I went into almost all the stores. In Steinmart there were loads of women shopping too and the parking garage was pretty full.
How come on weekends and other nights California Pizza Kitchen is standing room only along with Chili's and the other restaurants.
The people who say no one is going to the mall must be the retirees, stay at home mom's and nannys who go during a "work week" when people are predominantly at their jobs. Duhhh no wonder it's empty then. Freakin retards.
If you don't have a job and no money then you wouldn't be at Atlas Mall anyway and you should be at the .99 cent store on Queens Boulevard.
Gina, by your logic, having a bunch of successful 99 cent stores reflects a higher caliber neighborhood than one that can support more upscale places. I didn't say that the mall's failure would be the fault of the local residents, I said it would be a poor reflection of their caliber. By the way, thanks for the crude language- you prove my point regarding the caliber of people opposing this mall.
I was at the mall on Monday, a holiday that is traditionally a shopping day when everyone is off from work, and the place was dead.
Standing room only at the dining establishments happens when a popular movie lets out. Wait a half an hour, and there's plenty of tables.
"I didn't say that the mall's failure would be the fault of the local residents, I said it would be a poor reflection of their caliber."
You mean those Forest Hills people that the mall is right next to and who are the marketing targets?
"By the way, thanks for the crude language- you prove my point regarding the caliber of people opposing this mall."
Oh no, I've offended an asshole. Sorry, pal, I won't do it again. I don't think Mr. Hemmerdinger cares one whit whether or not offensive language is used by customers as long as he gets their money (witness the kids hanging out there and that proves my point). Since he can't find a way to get people into his "boutiques", he's a pretty low-caliber mall owner.
Atlas Park sucks. The renovated Queens Center has more stores you actually want to shop at and is more convenient to public transportation.
How about getting some stores people actually like instead of pretending that Glendale is Park Slope?
I don't know what to make of this campaign other than maybe Damon woke up and realized that "upscale" people weren't the ones walking around his mall. Market to the working class people, bring in affordable stores, and the mall will thrive. Stop insulting us by throwing dollar bills at us. Notice not one person in their stupid vignettes said they were running to the mall to spend their newfound money.
They should have built this in LIC instead of Glendale.
When I read this blog, I feel really sad. I originally started reading it because I hate the McMansions in Queens. I grew up here, am raising my two beautiful daughters here, and I love the feel of Queens-- particularly the diversity.
I think that the Atlas Mall offers something unique to the community-- a great place to eat, go to the movies, and spend an afternoon. Am I crazy about the non-Queensish choices of retailers like CHICOS and COLDWATER? No? But do I think that Atlas provides a service for the community with their beautiful use of space? Hell yes.
I cannot for the life of me understand how you continually scream about this mall. I read the article in the Courier and thought-- wow, that is going to get a lot of attention to this GEM that is sitting in the middle of my hood...and they DESERVE it! It's a great benefit to the community. Perhaps you would rather an unused factory plant be there, rather than a nice use of space? Maybe the McMansions could make their way over to Glendale. How lovely.
And Crappy, I was at the shops on Monday too. You might have seen me, I was the one with my two little girls, enjoying the mild weather and SHOPPING. I didn't think it was dead at all. But, then again, I don't take pleasure in ripping apart things that try and help the community like many of these curmudgeon commenters.
Fondly,
Proud Forest Hills Resident and fan of Atlas and all things lovely in Queens
"I read the article in the Courier and thought-- wow, that is going to get a lot of attention to this GEM that is sitting in the middle of my hood...and they DESERVE it! It's a great benefit to the community...
Fondly,
Proud Forest Hills Resident and fan of Atlas and all things lovely in Queens"
You live in Forest Hills. Therefore, this is not in your 'hood. It's in Glendale and the people who live there are very upset about what this mall is doing to their quality of life, especially with the bus rerouting.
And if you thought the mall was crowded Monday, I don't know how a half-empty parking garage (when the parking was free) and the noted absence of people walking around at 2pm (which was actually pointed out to me by my shopping companion who LOVES the mall) on what was a mild day constitutes "crowded". I would love to see the mall fare well, as it's a beautiful space. But the attitude of those who manage it has to go.
"I would love to see the mall fare well, as it's a beautiful space. But the attitude of those who manage it has to go."
I am sorry but that's not the subject matter I am getting out this.
Every time it turns into a mall bashing instead of "the attitude of those who manage it has to go." bashing.
I don't mean to nitpick but if everyone was off on Monday how come my company with 1000's of people were mostly at work? Monday wasn't really an out of work holiday as far as I am concerned.
When you say they are upset, do you speak for everybody?
I regularly visit Atlas Park. What has been criticized here mainly has been the bus rerouting. Atlas Park was featured on our Valentine to Queens last year. You seem to be trying to put words into my mouth. I never said I hope the mall fails. I never said it was doing poorly. You're interpreting people's comments as my comments. Get a life.
When you say they are not upset, do you speak for everybody?
"You live in Forest Hills. Therefore, this is not in your 'hood. It's in Glendale and the people who live there are very upset about what this mall is doing to their quality of life, especially with the bus rerouting."
Read this and wanted to hurl. I guess that I, who live on Yellowstone Boulevard and WALK to Atlas from my FOREST HILLS apartment do not count? How silly to imply that ALL of Glendale is upset about a place that can provide jobs, a nice place to sit and be calm, and (heaven forbid!) shop!!!! If Glendale rejects these shops, they might not survive. About that, you are all correct. HOWEVER, if they do not survive, I wish upon the Glendale residents who so adamantly opposed its existence a nice big luxury development.
To the FH resident who likes the shops< I will see you there when I am shopping!
people may also be hesitant to go to malls in general because of the tragic shootings that have occured in several across the nation, giving new meaning to the phrase, "shop until you drop."
"I guess that I, who live on Yellowstone Boulevard and WALK to Atlas from my FOREST HILLS apartment do not count?"
It's great that you walk to the mall from Yellowstone Blvd. But your quality of life is not affected by the increased traffic, the noise, the parking problems, etc. that the people living near the mall have experienced because of its presence. That's all I am trying to point out.
Amazing. As I recall it was that annoying Forest Hiller who said you have no business commenting on something that isn't in your neighborhood when you talked about the too-big hotel planned for Austin Street, Crappy. Now he seems to be doing exactly that for Atlas Park.
"I love Atlas Park, as long as I don't have to live next to it."
"You seem to be trying to put words into my mouth. I never said I hope the mall fails. I never said it was doing poorly. You're interpreting people's comments as my comments. Get a life."
I didn't say YOU said that or try to put words in your mouth; did I? A little touchy here aren't we. I reread this whole thing and I don't see that.
I should have spelled it out more clearly.
"I am sorry but that's not the subject matter I am getting out this." Addition - particular queenscrap blog subject which are not necessarily the views of the crapper.
How's that? I meant that these subjects turn into mall bashing not the original subject matter of that particular post.
Oh I do have a life that's quite enjoyable but thank you for the offer of more.
You specifically quoted me. I answered you. That's all.
Presidents Day is a federal holiday. Either you work in retail, or your job just sucks.
Crapper says he wants the mall to succeed, but he wants no "increased traffic" or "noise." How can you have a successful commercial shoppong and dining area with total silence and no increase in traffic? Who are you trying to kid?
Well, for one, you don't have to have multiple bus lines rerouted to Cooper Avenue which are extremely noisy and add to the traffic. You also can provide free parking so the line to get in doesn't extend out to the street.
This gimmick is not about stimulating the economy. This gimmick is about good public relations for a possible future mayoral candidate.
Personally, I hope that any business thrives but they will not if they reach out to the wrong demographic.
Before the mall, this site was a factory terminal that had big trucks coming and going all the time. The buses are certainly not worse than the trucks had been.
Hey buddy, take your rant to this website, please: Atlas Park Stimulus Package?
OK, Crappy, that must be some sick joke. It can't be true they're giving away money like that; it's utterly pointless.
Crapper,
Can I ask the Glendale Residents here on this site what they would PREFER to have at the Atlas site?
And who is the person who said the parking lines go out into the street? I thought you all talk about how no one comes to AP? When I go there it seems appropriately filled, but not overcrowded. I usually go on the weekends.
So confused but fascinated...
I just moved to Ridgewood, and the mall seems nice enough to me.
P.S. Your site is fun in a crappy sort of way! ;)
"Before the mall, this site was a factory terminal that had big trucks coming and going all the time. The buses are certainly not worse than the trucks had been."
Actually, it was pretty quiet at night when it was a factory terminal. I know, because I have lived here for 20 years.
A police substation would be fantastic.
As for the parking, the line of cars does tend to back up. People go to the mall, just probably not enough to keep it going. I can't imagine how bad the traffic would be if it was a really popular place. It's been pretty dead since Christmas. The fact that they have to give away money shows how desperate they are for business.
A movie studio, like the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Would provide lots of real jobs that people in this community would benefit from.
No, like Kaufman Astoria and Silvercup!
a post office, for glendale, if we had a zip code!
Why doesn't that video work. I wanted to see how Atlas Park actually promoted. Did they really hand out free money. How can anyone complain about getting free money?
Hey Crapper. I revisited last year's post "Valentine to Queens". Folks, take a real look at the St.Savior's photo. Man, those were a nice bunch of trees! [Sigh]
Yes, George, they were. Check out this satellite shot from last spring: St. Saviour's
Atlas Mall is a strange duck. They have created a pleasing enviornment and spent much $$. However they had a failed buissness plan that did not pull in the number of shoppers or visitors to make it work profitably. They have stumbled big time and hurting the community by rerouting buses to bring traffic to their step, poor traffic planning and simply not leasing their store fronts with store people want to shop at. The place is desolate, parking is very expensive and inconvienient. All this can be remediated but Atlas has their eyes closed shut and refuses to believe their orginal plan is a failure. A poster suggested a Post Office - good idea it draws folks to the mall during the day. How about free parking permanently - pull in 50% more shoppers. It's obvious to everyone except Atlas what they need to do - don't let their failures cost you big time.
The point is that Atlas is pissing off the same people they are trying to attract to the mall by disregarding their quality of life.
As a resident of Glendale for 14 years I was excited about Atlas.
A movie theatre within five minutes of my home sounded great and I was excited about the stores that may open.
I also liked the idea that the young people of our neighborhood may have an oppurtunity for part time work and summer jobs that have been lacking in our community for decades.
Now that Atlas is open, I am still glad it came to Glendale but I am disappointed in the stores.
The theatre is nice but it plays only mind numbing, idiot movies or kid movies.
I love the bookstore and wine shop but.... thats it.
They need to get some more mainstream shops in there or otherwise it may go the way of "Metro Mall".
The last time I went to "Metro Mall" somebody keyed my car in the parking lot for no reason.
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