Charlestowne Mall, or What's Left of It

The Charlestowne Mall, circa 2013

I just had one of the creepiest experiences as a Postgrad in Suburbia.  As I was taking a phone call, I ended up turning east onto Route 64.  As the road was under construction, my choices were quite limited regarding getting back downtown; and I decided to turn around at a location that at one point was a booming hangout for local teens: The Charlestowne Mall.  The last time I visited this location, I was roughly 16 and went there with a few friends to hang out in the food court and shop for various items.  Packed with people, I thought that nothing could happen to it, and it was much cooler than Westfield Fox Valley or the Geneva Commons.

Seven years later, things have certainly changed.  Currently home to 18 stores, many of which are not open on weekdays; the Charlestowne Mall is apparently a prime victim of the times.  As I walked through the gated venues, I wondered about what happened.  Understood the location did not really have a competitive edge for foot traffic, or anything besides Von Maur to differentiate it from any other location; but really, 18 stores?

But my real question, what can be done with the Charlestowne Mall?  A few things will open, a Sushi Buffet (cannibalizing the other sushi shop), an ice rink, and probably a few things open for Christmas season; but where will that take them? 

I've heard the city wants to create Section-8 housing at the location, Tear certain parts of it down to add an outdoor/outlet mall style vibe, build a University Extension with dorms and classrooms, or even tearing it down to create a Downtown Naperville style Riverwalk with stores.  A full PDF of what some residents want to do with the Charlestowne Mall can be found here.

Many of those ideas are great for the right people, but who would I be to admit they are right?  I like many of their ideas, especially trying to rebrand it through addition of niche restaurants and stores not available to the current market; but that will get them so far.  I also like the idea of adding a Gameworks, but why not take it even farther?

There is already a theater, a mini-golf location, a proposed ice rink, and the proposed Sushi Buffet; but all of those are on the lower level.  What can they do with the upper level? Why not make a location similar to an indoor French Quarter or Beale Street, in which the area is closed off; open containers are allowed, and walkways or shuttles to local hotels are provided?  Each bar would have a theme, and different venues would have different types of entertainment.

Or as a short-term plan, why not turn it into a haunted house?  The mall is so vast and already eerie. They could create a society similar to Fallout.  Open "shops" that have absolutely nothing left, and people to jump out and scare people.  It would be like Detroit, but without the travel or murder.

What are your ideas for the future of the Charlestowne Mall?

The Bane of a Marketing Grad's Existence

If you have been looking for Entry Level positions, you've all seen them: Big capital lettering, mentioning entry level two or three times in the title, and relating to some business related field (Marketing, Communication, Advertisement, Customer Service, and Sales). Yes, I am talking about the worst kind of recruiter/company, that of the "advertising" or "consulting" firm.  I put the words advertising and consulting in quotes; because contrary to their belief, they are not and will never be a standard firm.  They are a multi-level marketing scheme that sells a third-party's products or services door to door.

The Experience

A recruiter (secretary) contacts you because they found your resume on a career site, and feels that you would be a good match for a company that offers rapid advancement.  The company name will be ambiguous (d1 consulting, blue, Chicago Business Solutions come to mind), the position description even more so (It says entry level about 10 times, says how they work with clients who are Fortune 500 Companies); but they will sell you on the great opportunity for rapid advancement and profits that you are to make. You will go into the office and fill out an application, meet with (insert generic leadership term: CEO, Executive Director, etc.), and hear more about how competitive their selection process is.  You get a call back for a job shadow and second interview.  When push comes to shove, they will hire you; and you will learn how very poorly this experience will go.  I applied for one of these companies while I was at school out of desperation for internships, found out that I was to sell deregulated energy to the poorest area of Toledo, and quit within 3 days.

The Pitches

These companies can be doing a lot of things: financial planning (Primerica), selling books (Southwestern Internship scheme), selling AT&T U-Verse (I had someone try to pitch me on U-Verse... My house can't even be set up for it), working with deregulated gas or electric, or even selling Quill products to businesses (The most lucrative- however, I could actually work for Quill).

You will either be working in referral based marketing or door to door sales.  Have Fun.

All in all, if you want to put a position on your resume that will call you a CEO after 6 months; I say go for it.  However, if I was a recruiter that saw this, I would laugh you out of my office.

The Biggest Problem with These Schemes

Most of you, even with internships, are considered entry-level.  Try search Entry Level [Advertising, Marketing, Sales, Public Relations] on LinkedIn or Indeed.  Add Boolean logic to narrow out these companies.  Do to the fact that these companies have a general description that includes all of these terms, they clog up every posting on the first 3-5 pages because of a generic SEO laden post.

If You Get Contacted

Look up [Company Name] and "scam." Most of them are already listed, and there are many sites that will out these companies for their atrocities.

New Logo and Upcoming Posts

Here is a look into a few upcoming posts that will be sure to peak your suburban interest.  As always, follow me on Twitter (@postgradin and @sdkluber), my new Facebook page.

If you have writing requests, contact me at my email, postgradinsuburbia@gmail.com.

 

Bars

Black Door Pub, Aurora
Rizzo's, Naperville
Beehive Tavern, St. Charles
Evenflow Music and Spirits, Geneva
River Rockhouse, St. Charles 
Midtown Pub and Grill, Aurora
Ballydoyles, Aurora
Cadillac Ranch, Bartlett

 

Coffeeshops

Arcedium Coffeehouse, St. Charles
My Starbucks Addiction
The Last Remaining Caribous, and a Look at the Future of Pete's

Furthermore, I look forward to a change of content and design, as I develop my Dreamweaver skills.

All links posted are to twitter or facebook accounts, and are the rights of the respectful owners.  

Kane County Cougars Games, Bringing Back My Youth

If you are like me and grew up in Suburban Chicago, especially the western suburbs; you remember the great times going to Elfstrom Stadium (now Fifth Third Bank Ballpark) to watch a low-A baseball team attempt to make it big and get promoted up the ladder.  Whether it be a scout trip, youth baseball outing, or just going with family; tickets to the Kane County Cougars have always been cheap, and the games fun to watch regardless of the outcome.

After the recent acquisition of the Cougars from the Cubs, this team is going to be part of the rebuilding process that will (hopefully) see a World Series victory within the next few years.

The Cougars have always had great promotions, and this year offers some great theme nights and specials.  My personal favorite, Thirsty Thursdays, offers $1 beers, soda, and hot dogs.  Half-Priced Mondays offers $5 tickets for reserved seats.  How about that for a cheap night in the suburbs?  Even tonight (8/9), for you country fans, is their Country Music Night with fireworks and contests.

I have been to many a ballpark, but this stadium always brings me back to my youth.  I remember seeing greats like Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez, and Ryan Dempster, before they were big.  If that doesn't excite you, the greatest name in the MiLB (2012), Rock Shoulders, is playing first base/designated hitter.

Too Much Thrifting? Never.

Frequented by hipsters, families in need, and one hit wonder artists alike; one of the most interesting hobbies that I have found myself indulging recently is that of thrift shopping. With so many random items, a possibility for turning a profit, and something to take my mind off the current job search; I have made my way to various Savers, Goodwills, and private stores over the course of the past 8 months. 

Now you may ask yourself, "why would you waste your time touching used goods, while knowing that none of the leadership really cares about the causes they support?" Well, how often can you find a record player from the era records were popular, a blender that will last the rest of your life, or things as random as a fire hose? 

My favorite place, albeit a location I may never buy something, would have to be Thrift and Dollar on Route 31 (lake street) in Aurora. The aforementioned fire hose? Found it there. Speakers that are going to destroy anything on the market today? They have 15 sets. They even throw in an apothecary counter and 1940's soda shoppe coke fridge for good measure. If I continue my tenure in suburbia, there is a good chance I will be furnishing my apartment with items found there. 

Other than this, I will generally stop at a Goodwill if I see it, regardless of attire. This being said, I can honestly admit that I've shown up to many a thrift shop in a full suit.

Great weekend idea? Head to a local Goodwill, pick up a game or two (generally priced at $1.99), buy a case of beer, and enjoy some creative jurisdiction regarding the rules of Candy Land. 

All in all, I would have to say that this hobby has become my cheapest way to spend a lot of time while spending absolutely no money. Maybe if you're lucky, you can find an old school Nintendo.

What are your favorite thrift shops in the suburbs? What is the craziest item that you've seen?