I have always said Mesa Riverview is the world's largest outdoor food court surrounding a Walmart. Tempe marketplace next door is an example of an outdoor mall done right, however it seems to have also become a giant food court too. At least its a nicer outdoor food court.
A good counterexample to the "if you build it they will come" philosophy that underpinned retail in the U.S. for a VERY long time. This shopping center only happened because of unwarranted optimism and possibly a good number of "greased palms" (if you get what I mean by that).
I look forward to these videos so much. Eric's voice is so calming... I left Phoenix back in 2003 so I unfortunately wasn't able to go to a lot of these places.
This all used to be 'farmland'. As recently as late 2005, this was all an open field. The Cinemark was the first building built and opened up. I think it was built in 2006. Tempe Marketplace was built upon automotive junkyards. Both were built out / opened roughly during the same time frame.
Loved your coverage of this. Honestly, I’ve only been there for the Cinamark movie theater. They tend to hold one off events and being a big Trekkie, I’m always willing to drive from north central Phoenix to see Wrath of Khan on the big screen. They also let you bring your Harkins cup for soda. It’s a fun looking theater inside as well, different than our typical Harkins and AMCs in the valley. But I had to laugh that the only time I go to this mammoth shopping thing, is for the movie theater. Thank you for pointing out the chimney cake place. I’ve never heard of it and it looks like something that this sweet tooth could handle 😂 Keep up the awesome coverage of these retail places! -Bree
I remember in the late 2000s when it opened there were bars and Howie's video games, cigar shop, barber shop, now the whole building behind Bass Pro is deserted. Sad.
Keith had a large 🍽 bar-venue in metro Orlando FL. I dont think it stayed open even 4mo. That was 4yr ago. Ole Red put a Orlando location nearby that has opened-closed due to CoVid19 😷.
They had one on the west side of town too and they also took location that was going to be Rascal Flatts restaurant @ city north. I think there was fraud behind them and they have all since closed down. Even Rascal Flatts released a statement that they were in no relation to the company building their restaurant’s. That they just let them use their name and logo.
Dude, can you go and make a video on the Tucson swap meet sometime? That would be freaking awesome. I used to love going to that place and I bet it would get tons of views because it's so unique.
That Neo Geo intro is such a niche touch. Seeing you go through all these places as a local is a lot of fun as I can relate. Haven’t been to Riverview but I can definitely tell why Tempe Marketplace is the more successful venue.
Mesa Riverview is Mesa's response to Tempe Town Lake (or something like that as they were built about the same time. Mesa had some of it stores already there so they were stuck with some of the layout. Tempe started with almost a clean slate so it could put the stores where they wanted. So, Tempe Town Lake will not likely be on your video list as it will remain active as long as ASU stays were it is. Riverview was an extension of the upgrade in the area. Had you been here many years ago, the whole thing was nothing more than a river (Salt River) which went from dry to flooded throughout the year. In fact, in February of 1978, the river flooded and you could not make it from Mesa to Phoenix unless you went to the Mill Avenue bridge. The origin of the terms "lake" and "river" come from the fact that this was (and is) the Salt River. The man made "lake" was a Tempe project to enhance the shopping experience and provide an area where additional housing for ASU students and businesses could locate. So, Mesa Riverview was the "extension" along the Salt River that never made it the way Tempe Town Lake did. They do still have Famous Dave's BBQ and Bass Pro Shop as well as a couple of car dealerships, so it will probably be there for a while.
Also I love Bass Pro Shops. Most crazy one is in Vegas though at the Silverton Casino. Definitely worth a check if you're in the area. It has a huge tank with all sorts of fish. The silverton also has an aquarium that has shows with a girl dressed like a mermaid and waves to the kids (one of the things that's still free).
Thanks for reviewing this place. I actually didn't know it existed until I watched this video. That ice cream place looks awesome and I definitely think they'll get a bit more business from this video. As for you question on filming the Bass Pro Shop, definitely do it.
It seemed odd that something like this would be built when Tempe Marketplace is so close. I “heard” Tempe and Mesa were supposedly going to have a joint venture with the two spaces, but it didn’t work out. And that this was a potential spot for the Cardinals Stadium.
Right on about the improper use of land in the Phoenix area! We need much more affordable housing instead of overblown retail space. I love going to malls and shopping centers just like you do. But our development priorities desperately need to change.
Great look at this place, Erik. The only reason I've ever been to Mesa Riverview was to visit the Bass Pro Shop. I always thought this was Mesa's sad attempt to copy Tempe's successful Marketplace, as you pointed out. Sad that this shopping center and the freeway killed the frisbee golf course at the old Riverview Park.
I literally just got home from Joann at Riverview when I saw this lol. It's funny because when I was there I was thinking about how unwalkable the whole place is and how I've maybe only been to the back outdoor mall area like once or twice. I also had no idea they demolished part of that area and it's always been weird to me how Riverview and Tempe Marketplace are right down the street from each other. My roommate and I used to go to the Logan's Roadhouse in college but I think it's been closed for a few years now. I really only go to Riverview if I need something for Joann or want to get food from Rubio's or Fired Pie.
I lived in Tucson for a number of years. On a visit to Tempe once (in mid-1998) my friend I was visiting took me to Old Town Tempe. At the time there was a local ruckus over the ppossible demise of an historic theater in Old Town. Eventually the theater was razed and then rebuilt to look exactly like the old one! It was ludicrous and bizarre. The argument at the time was that a new theater would support the shops there in Old Town. I left Arizona in early 1998 so I never heard any more about this situation. Maybe it would be an interesting adventure? Also,I don't know how hard it would be to come by but any commercials featuring former Gov Rose Moford but would be funny to see again.We called her Madame per the puppet from the same era. Also there was a Crazy Eddy character who had wild commercials for a furniture store on south 22and St. in Tucson in the 80s and 90s where he ended every commercial with, "...and baby it's a gonga!" Thanks for your videos they are very iinteresting and entertaining.
One factor which I think needs to be mentioned in the struggle of our retail sector is over- duplication / over-saturation. Big box stores definitely come to mind on that note, sucas Bed, Bath & Beyond (aka Bad Breath & Beyond). Tthese behemouths sell exactly what Sears, Penny's and aall other departments sold. Then we'be got humungous office supply stores such as Office Max etc all selling exactly what Target and Walmart are selling. To make matters worse these useless big box stores have mostly been used as anchors at big strip malls, which was nothing but a recipe for disaster. The fall of rretail will really be seen when these giant big box stores fail which I predict will be seen in 2022.
Such bad city planning. 1. Right next to Tempe Marketplace. 2. Right next to a beautiful park in what would be much more interesting with residential units instead.
What is up with the trend over the last 15 years or so of going to giant open air retail in the most inhospitable areas of the country for it? It's the same way everywhere down here in Florida. It's hot as hell (and humid here too) for most of the year, and the last thing anyone wants to do is walk around outside for 10+ months out of that year. This idea is dumb, has always been dumb, and I really hate it.
It's interesting that the mall property is owned by Kimco, which also owns Factoria Marketplace in Bellevue, Washington -- a remodeled 1970's-era indoor mall. It *still* gets pretty busy on the weekends, though.
That’s the only reason we go to Mesa Riverview is the Bass Pro. Our goal is to visit all of them all around the country and Canada. The Cabela’s as well.
I don’t understand why the hell all these malls are moving to outdoor malls in Arizona!! It’s so freaking hot in Arizona in the summer for 6 months out of the year!
the point was that the traditional mall experience had declined, shoppers weren't spending an entire afternoon anymore. The heat was used to prevent mallrats from hanging out. It's not fun to walk from the car to a store in the heat but if not visiting any additional stores, it's not different than it was walking from the car to a mall entrance.
@@RetailArchaeology Ive been here since 1987 when we moved here when I was a kid and I still DESPISE the summers.I only like it here from November to March.
So America is weird, my wife had to explain it to me how cities work, why are they so close. like you could live across the street from a different city?
I lived in the area in 2006. I remember getting fliers in the mail to vote No on building the marketplace. They said it was too much retail space for the area and that it would kill the Fiesta Mall. Boy were they right. I voted No on it because I didn't think it made sense to build all that stuff in that area, but the 202 was a new upcoming highway in that area at the time and I guess the developers wanted to cash in.
That park used to have lots of great, large trees.... then when they built the Cubs stadium it was "redeveloped" for a generic grassland and water suburb park.
This seems to be a formula in the mid 2000's. Pacific Commons in Fremont, CA was exactly the same. So much parking, ate up a wetland (that will be desperately needed in the future), and seems to only get people to come in because it's next to a freeway.
Riverview is in my future. The closed stores in the power center portion were Kirkland's, Catherine's and Famous footwear, which is litterly in Tempe Marketplace.
Video Suggestion: I'm guessing you have already considered doing a video on Castles 'n' Coasters and if not, I think that would be a great video for this channel. I know it is a theme park rather than a strict retail outlet, but since it has been with Metro Center for so long now and Metro Center is gone now, R.I.P., I feel as if it this place definitely needs to be on this channel. I think a lot of people, including myself, who watch this channel have been there a few times back as a kid, so it would be nice to see a video shot in the easy and laid back format we enjoy. It would be a good excuse to take the family out and you could knock out some footage at the same time. Thanks.
I don't know about being overbuilt retail or a waste of space however I do know that anytime I've been there in the evening whether it's a weeknight or weekend it's impossible to find a place to park. I think people are there for the restaurants and honestly for the strip mall section. I've never actually been in the walk around the mall area.
Nailed it there. Unless i absolutely need to get something that day i go online. And even then with curbside now at most places i don’t even need to go in and parade around the store.
I live a few minutes away and I really like river view, but I also don’t see it like a mall I guess. Mostly, it’s a place for convenient take out and big box stores for me.
I've lived near this area for nearly fifty years. Back then it was mostly just wild, dry river bottom. As a kid I would ride my bicycle all around there. People would actually go shooting in the river bottom. I would go around and collect the empty brass, thinking that I could someday melt it all down and make a fortune selling it. Over the decades there have been numerous projects suggested for the area, almost exclusively by the city elite movers and shakers who wanted to move Mesa from being a sleepy, boring suburb to something more exciting, and hopefully with greater revenue possibilities. At various times they suggested an NFL stadium for the AZ Cardinals, a hockey arena for the Coyotes, a destination five star hotel, a giant indoor water park, etc. The water park seemed to have no plan for where the water would come from. The City was ready to give away the farm in tax credits and funding to attract a developer. Several times crews would begin to work the land, only to stop within a week or two when there was some problem. A city vote actually approved the water park idea by a small margin, only to have the developer's bank funding to fall through. Another problem is that the area is directly under the landing path of big jets landing at Sky Harbor airport further to the west, which meant there were always going to be height restrictions. The big Bass Pro Shop was suppose to be another "destination attraction" to draw shoppers to the area. The whole complex has always seemed to be less than full. As stated in the video, the various parts of the complex are to far apart to walk from store to store like you would with an indoor mall. You literally have to drive from one part of the complex to another.
I find it funny how many stripmall/powercenter places KIMCO Realty has. They have plenty of those here in Texas too with those SAME BENCHES. Why so many???
I enjoyed the vid - at present however I do agree that everywhere is over-retailed - up here in Canada you can't even go into a store....I"ve been on and off locked down since March of 2020 and its getting to be a bit of a drag -- I"d love to go shopping or do something but its just stupid up here...at least I get to live vicariously thru your vids so thanx for this... ♥
So you are not into ULTRA strip mall's to be honest neither am i. Aww man I got excited when you said a fountain was there just to be let down that it's one of those weird squirting ones.those chimney cakes looks interesting to bad I won't be in mesa anytime soon.
I used to go to that plaza often in the past. I worked for Fry's Electronics and some vendors like HP would have "Retail training Nights" where they would fill us ion on new products and then let us see a movie. back when the plaza opened, there used to be a Toby Keith's I Love This bar, the Howie's like someone mentioned and I can't remember the name, but there was also this awesome mom and pop videogame game store. The plaza never did come to it's potential because like you said, there was already a bunch of shopping in the area.
Do people actually go into those phone service provider stores? I've only ever had TracFone or cricket. And I don't remember ever going into a phone provider store.
It will be mainly empty very soon. Retail is doomed! The only thing we will have left is discount retailers, home improvement centers, grocery stores, and restaurants for the most part.
Mesa Riverview is simply not connected in a walkable layout compared to Tempe Marketplace. Whoever is selling retail space for MRV, went after class B retailers.
I live near the original Bass Pro in Springfield MO. I would love to see what the Phoenix one is like. While I have lived in mo 40 years, I grew up in Arizona, so I love your show. Tucson Globe and Tombstone, Sierra Vista areas where we lived plant still live in Tucson
Saint Nicholas is not pleased with us... And, re a Bass Pro Shops walk - through - not for me, thanks. Lived through one, and that'll do me for a lifetime.
Something about this place slightly reminded me of a mall called Legacy Village in Cleveland, Ohio. It's just fully a fake town. Have you ever been to a mall like that? It has a town's square and everything.
There's an excellent restaurant in the Bass Pro Shop, Islamadora Fish Company. That's the only reason we ever navigate the nightmare traffic around this hellish overgrown strip mall.
I never thought there was anything that would drive me there.I think the only place/reason I`ve gone there is the Cracker Barrell .And now that they built one out on Higley,I dont see any reason to go there. I think the thought process for the place was Chicago tourists wanting to see the Cubs would make the place busy during spring training and the strip mall aspects would drive traffic along with the Bass shop. That combined with a panic about Tempe Marketplace draining away shopping revenue after Chandler mall drove away a lot of mall shopping from Mesa and they just floundered about in desperation. I mean Fiesta mall did die and so did Tri City Mall. They figured they needed to go big but they only built big.They didnt go big as far as stores or exclusive thigs that would drive anyone there other then the bass pro shop. (which personally I have no interest in )
One thing I've noticed from your videos is that your area of Arizona seems to have uncontrolled development. That isn't sustainable, to just keep building new retail when there is already existing retail. 10-25 years down the road, the cities in your area will not be able to maintain all the roads, wastewater systems, power and communication lines, water lines, sidewalks, or anything else that will need to be replaced. There needs to be a cap placed on this. You live in a desert. Peggy was right! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4PYt0SDnrBE.html
they were probably also thinking about snowbirds? Trying to look like Miami or Southern California probably back east developers never step foot in Arizona
I would hope that instead of building more retail spaces that Phoenix would build more housing space. I was born here and never in my life have I had a problem finding a place until this year. Because of it I opted to move to buckeye Arizona. I’m going to miss the city because it’s all I have ever known but Phoenix is growing way to fast.
It was a genuinely stupid move to vacate Fiesta Mall for Mesa Riverview. Fiesta Mall is literally sitting empty in the middle of thousands of homes and apartments, whereas Riverview is on the Northern edge of the city, bounded on the North by the reservation which is largely agrarian and the West by the giant park and the Cubs spring training facility. Someone's ambition got the best of them.
I dunno if this is type of thing isn’t as common in the states, but the big box areas look exactly like soooo many of the shopping areas in Alberta. I don’t know if they’re called malls or managed by one company like this place, but ya. Total waste of space. Our major cities in Alberta have major sprawl problems and a super car-centric culture, so there’s lots of open space and developers who don’t care about the environment at all.
I wouldn't say Kimco is all bad. A new highway went up a few years ago and they built a massive shopping center there as well, maybe even larger than Riverview. However, that shopping center is doing really well because it has a great location. What I find strange is how heavily they brand their locations. It's not often I can recognize a retail developer.
I think MESA was turning its back to the reality of the close proximity to Tempe Marketplace and this center was meant as a tax base and perceived needed in this area since nearby Tri City and Fiesta Malls went away...Also, wasn’t it built in conjunction with or intended as a complement to the Cubs Complex across the street? I’ve been to Bass Pro Shop and have patronized Bed Bath and Beyond, Great Clips, and Walmart in this center...Don’t care for the architecture of the strip mall parts, but they tried to give it some “design”...
I think indoor malls are on the way out except a few. Outside malls seem the way retail is headed, however, brick and morter places just cannot ever compete with online shopping. I generally only buy shoes at retail, most everything else is done online. To walk around endlessly searching for something you want at brick or morter places when you can find it quickly on the web makes more sense along with being cheaper.
