University of Alabama - Corolla Yearbook (Tuscaloosa, AL)

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»Si U d.s d Mall 19

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O O Denise Simmons, Jara Allen, and Lynn Hernandez enjoy the casual surroundings at Ruby Tuesday ' s and the friendly service of their waitress, Kathleen Haas. 1 8 Mall

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Income Cont. Students who used to drive to Bir- mingham for variety in shopping novi use the extra money they once spent for gas to enjoy shopping adventures in Tuscaloosa ' s new University Mall, which opened August 20th featuring 101 stores. I think the students can find all the va- riety they want here , Ann Beidler, pro- motion director for the mall, said, Not only does it (the mall) encourage people to stay here, but it also encourages people from outside the city and county to shop here. Inside, the mall ' s beautiful storefronts reach out, enticing even the most casual shopper. The young and old alike enjoy the peaceful elegance of the mall ' s center court with its fountain and greenery ar- rangements. A stage can be positioned over the center court for fashion shows, which should feature many University stu- dents, Beidler said. The mall plays an important part in Tuscaloosa ' s economy, contributing two percent of each dollar in sales tax it re- ceives to the city. Beidler said the mall ex- pects to do $75 million in business during its first year. It boosts the community quite a bit, she said. University students benefit not only from the mall ' s convenient location but also from the stores ' credit policy toward stu- dents. A student ' s ACT card is valid as a credit source when writing or cashing checks, Beidler said. Also, certain stores have student nights , offering 10 percent discounts for students who bring their ACT cards, she added. Students play a large role in the success of the University Mall, contributing labor as well as consumer dollars. Many stu- dents who work at stores in the mall say they enjoy the atmosphere that the mall creates — meeting people, seeing friends and establishing some financial indepen- dence. I ' m 21 years old; I ' m trying to establish a little independence by working so I don ' t have to ask my parents for money, David Reid, a University student employed by Hibbets Sporting Goods, said. Yet, for all the independence he has es- tablished through his job, Reid finds that often work conflicts with his academic and social lives. I had been working 22 hours per week, from 2-9 p.m., and I go to class all morning. I ' d get home about 9:15 p.m.; by then I ' d be so tired I wouldn ' t be ready to study until 10 p.m. Johnny Car- son comes on at 10:30 and it ' s hard for me to miss Johnny Carson. Reid said he was able to get his sched- ule changed so that now he works 12-15 hours per week. Now I don ' t have to give up Carson, he said. Bob Jones, who works at Ruby Tues- day ' s, said that working at the mall is ex- citing and gives him good job experience. I ' m glad to be working at the mall, Jones said, instead of some older place. I ' ve been working at Ruby Tuesday ' s since opening day. There ' s a feeling of excite- ment in being able to watch the progress of it — both the store and the mall. Another University student employed at Ruby Tuesday ' s, Cymantha Cline, likes the opportunity her job gives her to meet new people. Ruby Tuesday ' s has a relaxed atmo- sphere, lots of tiffany lights, hardwood floor, stained glass, cut glass and plants, Cline said, adding that her job fit her per- sonality. They play lots of James Taylor — I love James Taylor, she said, describing Ruby Tuesday ' s laid-back atmosphere. Working and going to school isn ' t too hard for Cline, who said she works best under pressure. It looks good on your re- sume to say you worked and went to school at the same time. One student who did a study on th4 University Mall for his American culturl class said the shopping center demonJ| strates the affluence of Americans. David Waits said he was surprised whilJ doing his study to find a number of spe cialty shops which carried only one kina of item, such as a doll house equipmen store, a pretzel shop and a cookie store. Our society is wealthy enough to sup port a store selling one individual item, ' ! Waits said, I would never have thoughl you could open a store selling just choco- late chip cookies and make it — or pretzeli for that matter. The University Mall will continue to bel ' a gathering place for students during all occassions and for all purposes as mall ofj ficials decorate, organize and shuffle tq host charitable activities and participate iij seasonal festivities. Charitable events which the mall will host include Handicapped Student Aware , ness Day, a Dance-a-Thon for Muscula;. j Dystrophy and several other events. Arti, and crafts shows, new car shows, homi David Reid assists Alison Kerney as she tries on a pair of Tiger Tigress Sneakers. Reid tries to make his custonrxers feel com- fortable by flattering them if they are i male, and shelving a sense of knowled about his products when selling to men 20 Mall