I'm really happy Livermore is boosting its economy with the new Paragon outlet mall, but after two trips there I've decided it is not for me.
I just cannot shop in peace knowing that I face a 30-minute wait for a restroom. I heard the police had to be called in to remove some women from the men's room. Well who could blame them for resorting to desperate measures given the long lines.
Add to that the horrendous traffic on I-580 leading up to the ill-designed entrance (for the majority of vehicles, there's only one way in and out of this place) and navigating the muddy gravel parking lot, and it becomes even less appealing.
The food situation isn't great, either. The food court is too small for a place that's drawing thousands of people a day, so there are lines there, and if you're lucky to get something to eat, you'll have to fight for a spot to sit down.
Beyond that there's just a popcorn stand, a really cramped overpriced yogurt shop ($10 for a small yogurt and a water) and the same-old tiresome Starbucks.
I was disappointed that there aren't any stand-alone sit-down restaurants on the site, which would provide something of a shoppers' refuge, especially given that the mall is difficult to get to and not close to anything beyond B.J.s across the freeway.
I guess lines are to be expected at a place like this, but it was funny to see people waiting in lines to get into the high-end stores, roped off like a night club. Are the deals really that great?
It wasn't surprising to see the quintessential melting down children. Poor things. No kid likes to shop. But I was shocked to see so many dogs there.
Yes, dogs! People are bringing their dogs to the outlet mall. Yes, this is absolutely ridiculous. I watched one urinate on a trash receptacle and another go crazy barking at a child and decided it was time to go.
And I won't be back.
What grade would you give the new outlet mall shopping experience? Tell us in the comments.
You are dead on with your comments. Thank you for adding some sense to this comment thread. I love to shop. I have zero desire to even get near the outlets..... Although I'm sure my curiosity will get the best of me at some point....AFTER the holidays. I for one do enjoy sitting down for a nice lunch to rejuvenate and go out again. I would not even consider driving 5 miles in the opposite direction to go have a nice lunch or dinner in downtown Livermore if I came from San Jose or Burlingame or San Francisco. Mr. Marchand, if you believe that that is happening, you have seriously got your head in the sand. The traffic is brutal..... and will only get worse. I for one am sad that this monstrosity has been built in our city. But it's here..... and we have to live with it.... I do hope it brings in the funds you all speak of. And I hope that money goes to hiring more police officers. We're going to need them. And how about some of those funds going into our schools? Our high schools and middle schools look like crap. Can we stop concentrating on the damn wineries? Take a good look at the high schools. They need a face lift. BAD!
I'll take 50% of those jobs over no jobs at all.
Seriously, as has been stated, wait six months, and then evaluate from there. Right now there's still the new factor of people going to see what the hype is about. Once that and the Christmas rush has passed, then you'll get a better gauge of what it really is. The only legitimate criticisms one can make at this point are things like the selection at the food court, more benches along the way, etc... Things like the traffic, crowd/line control, entry/exit points, etc. will all work themselves out with time.
Also how about some stores that are not just clothes. I don't get people who buy ugly stuff just because it has a brand name on it. A book store and a game store would rock.
No matter how nice and exciting Disneyland is, if people Are too negative it will be the saddest place on earth. Let us start with ourselves.