. One such example is the filmmaker's request in telling a teen couple's story about the struggles of starting an interracial relationship in the deep south. By the late 80s, malls were actually dying, and that was a trend that only accelerated through the 90s up until this very day leaving behind a landscape of abandoned malls and sprawling parking lots reminiscent of post-apocalyptic ghost towns. is jasper mall in alabama still open - bjohnsonpainting.com The roles had changed here and it's somewhat surreal. A sad state from its peak. But we can still revel in the nostalgia! is jasper mall in alabama still open - burntporkchops.com DEAD MALL - JASPER MALL - NOT EVEN NETFLIX CAN SAVE IT - JASPER AL - YouTube 0:00 / 10:10 DEAD MALL - JASPER MALL - NOT EVEN NETFLIX CAN SAVE IT - JASPER AL Ace's Adventures 53.7K. This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. I know that several malls across America are experiencing their own "Jasper" reality, but the key to a great doc is getting the audience to care about the subjects. The mall has been sold for $55 million to a New York investment group. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The mall opened on August 8, 1981. Text is available under the Creative Commons . Overall: to close shop. Jasper is located about 40 miles outside Birmingham, Alabama. While their tale was somewhat interesting. Jasper, Alabama's mall is not too far off from this unfortunate fate and is struggling to keep its doors open for the dwindling populace who still walk its hallowed halls, despite the problematic convenience of online . It captures the struggle of everyday life brilliantly and without narration, but there is always hope tucked away if you look. The mall was the subject of a recent documentary film. Many are adding sports beyond the more typical offerings of football, basketball and track and field. Subscribe to FL1 News Now to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives. Such examples are the amazing analogically-like footage where mostly elderly customers order funeral flowers, play dominos in an empty food court, sing contradicting gospel music and unable to connect with modern technology. Caption: Megan Scarano reports on a potential new . The new developer intends to convert the space into a community that includes homes, offices and a grocery store. For someone who grew up with their local mall being their "go to place" as a youth, this brought back both memories and sad realizations. The Montgomery Mall: A Shopping Mecca In Alabama That would be Victor Gruen, the architect who conceived and planned the first climate-controlled indoor mall in the US. If youre looking for a place to shop in Jasper, you may be wondering if the Jasper Mall is still open. It is worth watching..make some popcorn and watch the Jasper Mall. [2], Third anchor Belk opened an approximately 60,000-square-foot (5,600m2) store in March 2002. By - March 1, 2021. If you have an opportunity for Southern creatives and want tobe included in our newsletter write us at dirt@reelsouth.org. Glittering paeans to retail in an era where a prosperous American middle class had plenty of money to spend, and mall store pricing was still competitive. So what does the future hold for malls and shopping centers, especially those that are currently vacant (assuming theyre not already demolished and the property redeveloped)? 118 Temple Ave N Fayette, AL 35555. Location & Hours 300 Hwy 78 E Jasper, AL 35501 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Private Lot Parking Ask the Community Ask a question Yelp users haven't asked any questions yet about Jasper Mall. Good documentary. [4], Towards the end of the film, more shops including Subway, Grady's Sandwich Shop, Robin's Nest Flowers & Gifts and Jewelry Doctor all close or move. It's surprising more riveting than watching highly staged moments where people ruin shots by staring straight at the camera as they talk to other people. In the 90s Toys R Us was a retail powerhouse then the internet happened. Seniors get their morning walks in. Birmingham, Alabama-based filmmakers Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcom, the directorsbehind the season six finale, Jasper Mall, answer questions about filmmaking in the South. Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. [4] The film was shot throughout 2018 and McClelland would alert the directors about any events that were occurring at the mall. MORE: Vintage Wal-Mart history: What the first stores looked like, and how they changed over the years. Jasper Mall was co-directed and co-produced by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb. Many younger people leave their local towns for better lives as the decrease in population hurts mall sales. Jewelry Doctor. Since the. JASPER, Ala. David Gifford, a preacher from Hamilton, Alabama (population: 6,800), drives nearly an hour to Jasper (population: 14,000) to shop at the JCPenney at the mall here in the northern . [4] The Jasper Mall was chosen as the site of the film because it had not been remodeled since it opened in 1981. If malls eventually go extinct what do you think we'll be missing? Co-directors Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb spent a year shooting the film.