NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Oakwood Shopping Center sits at the base of the Crescent City Connection and has been a mainstay since 1966.
With over 900,000 square feet of retail space, it has weathered decades of change and challenges, including the rise of online shopping, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the decline of malls nationwide.
However, Oakwood Center says they are primed for a comeback.
“The malls that are going to close, have closed. We have kind of moved into, I hesitate to say a renaissance, but a situation that where those that have made it to this point have the legs to continue on,” said Oakwood’s general manager Andrew Jones.
He says key indicators that show Oakwood Center is on a steady upward trajectory.
Foot traffic and sales are both on the rise, and the recent addition of an Office of Motor Vehicles location has brought hundreds of visitors to the mall daily.
Store managers have noticed.
“Oh My Jewelry” manager Michael Starke family’s store opened in Oakwood Center ten years ago.
The store started in a much smaller space than it is now.
“To be in a big double entrance store front, right next to the food court is a blessing beyond belief,” said manager Michael Starke.
Starke says watching his parents work from his college in Alabama proved that Oakwood Center was turning a corner.
“Watching from afar, several states away, I’m very proud. Emotions are very high when I talk about the work ethic of my mom and stepdad,” Starke says.
The shopping center attracts people from both sides of the river, such as Jessica Atkinson from the Seventh Ward.
“Everything goes fast; everybody is checking out quick. Even the Santa line. We had a reservation, but we walked right through anyway. It’s just a really nice experience,” she said.
She says its prices that make her come again and again.
“We just went to a store and got some hats for five dollars. That would be like $30 at the other mall. Here, you can buy expensive if you, or you can buy it at a price you can afford if you have three kids, or four like we do now,” she said.
But, to keep people returning Jones says it’s going to take more work to keep this West Bank giant alive.
“We just have to put something here that makes people want to come across the river. I think the team at Brookfield, my staff at Oakwood proper are absolutely determined to doggedly put the proper tenants in to make the mall represent the community,” Jones says.
Mall hours are from 10 a.m to 9 p.m.
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