Just for S and Giggles, I went into a 7-11 tonight looking for metal straws. No dice. But they did have straws made from fruit roll ups. When you get done drinking your super big gulp, you eat the sour patch flavored straw.

right environmental of them.

Interesting. I wouldn't consider it a mall anymore if it isn't enclosed. It is just a shopping center then. HVAC down here is a big selling point for spending any sort of time shopping. If I had to wander around outdoors in mid-summer to do my shopping, I probably wouldn't. I hope they are taking that into consideration when they plan to destroy the existing mall. Making less money doesn't seem to be much of a motivator for change, but then again, look at Wall st lately.

I don't shop much but when I do, I avoid malls as much as possible. I generally know what I want and I prefer to go to a specialty shop/smaller store instead of walking through a large mall/store to try to find what I want. Same goes for grocery stores which make me walk all the way to the back just to grab a gallon of milk. I'll go to a convenience store even if it means paying a premium.

Most of the time I go to the mall to give the girls something to do anyways, and it lets me stretch my legs out in a nice air conditioned climate controlled environment. I don't usually spend much for myself there, unless they have a tobacco shop or some such, but the girls are grateful to take daddy and his wallet along, which don't bother me too much since it doesn't happen often enough to make a dent.

The bottom line is, it is a place for me to stroll, do some window shopping, put a smile on the girls' faces, and do it all in comfort. If they are gonna make me stroll outdoors, I can find better venues for that. They say this is to reduce operating costs. I bet they don't drop prices then to match suit. People and greed.