Stores Go Dark at Horton Plaza

Photograph taken 03 February 2009

You can see the effect of the failure of the holiday season on the map at Horton Plaza. Instead of having a new map made up, how much could this possibly cost anyway, it seems the mangers of Horton Plaza have simply taped over the names of the newly departed with electrical tape. This did not yet warrant an entry on my Tacky San Diego Blog because they at least had the decency to apply the tape below the glass, and because I am loath to label things as tacky that are the result of misfortune.

The mall has been in decline for some time. The last job I had was actually at Mervyn's before the store was closed several years ago. It is ironic that all that is left of the Mervyn's website is a reminder that you still must pay your Mervyn's credit card bill. When I was employed the first thing they told us was that the store was basically a front for the credit card business. Nothing mattered but getting customers hooked on more high interest consumer credit.

I feel that what we may be seeing is the end of brick and mortar retail as we know it. Many will blame the internet. I blame another source however and that is the debasement of the profession of sales person. My Grandfather's brother worked at Sears and was well paid and retired with a pension. In those days salesperson could inform you about the product. Presently the salesperson is likely making near to minimum wage and can't afford the product let alone tell you anything about it. If Internet hadn't killed Brick and Mortar plain old mail order would have. There is just nothing to be gained by shopping in person anymore.

I hope that if the Horton Plaza continues to decline they will raze the monstrous eyesore and restore the area to the Hippie Paradise it was before.

Though the Mall Map did not make the Tacky San Diego Blog, The faux distressed murals outside the Westin Hotel in Horton Plaza did. Read the entry here.