Well if that ain't the most Portlandia thing I ever heard. And I mean that in the very best way. 💗 It sounds like an amazing place. Here in Austin we have a dead mall that was repurposed as a community college, which is pretty cool. But Lloyd Center sounds even better! Magical.
Well now I wish I lived in Portland! Our local mall went through those phases, but in the end there is one restaurant, a daycare, and storage for the company who owns the oil refinery.
PATA's annual Fertile Ground Festival of New Works should take place in Lloyd Center next year! I would totally produce my play there if that happened. Instead of all over the city, why not all at once in one place?
that's a cool idea! I mean, they have no real theater setup, you gotta bring in the chairs and everything, but there's something scrappy and fun about seeing theater in a place where theater isn't meant to be seen.
it reminds me of my hippy days in Alaska when we would gather to see a movie for 25 cents in whatever place. Sit on the floor, maybe a pillow if you were lucky or brought your own. Bring your own wine, etc. So fun.
I loved this post about The Lloyd Center which, by the way, begs the question - Why does the name Lloyd have twi "Ls"? But I digress...
I was going to unsubscribe to you here on Substack, (I have too many subscriptions!) but your writing is so compelling that I just can't. I'm not sure if I'm commenting in the right place. I'm a little confused by Substack, (and Instagram, and, and, and....)
Welcome to my world -- I too am totally confused by substack and have no idea where what I write goes or even how I can find it once I press reply or publish - I have a friend, a self-described poet from the Howling North who says "poems are gifts sown on the wind." Having read and shared the "Missing Tree" post and now this post, I guess I am going to have to convert to paid soon because Amy is great. And I confess when I was a MSM person I had never come upon her. Bad me!
I was in Australia in 2017 and remember being surprised at how little impact Amazon had on independent bookstores at the time. I vaguely remember hearing about some trade policies or some type of restrictions that made it harder for them to compete. I'd like to think it's also about Australians valuing their homegrown businesses.
Well, San Francisco has so much going for it! Every year I tell myself I'm going to just head to SF for a week or two of nonstop painting, and every year I don't get around to it. Maybe this will be the year.
Amy- this was wonderful to read...I grew up as a teen "hanging out at the mall". - it was fun..open air too..many good times with friends..After my mom died - I was 17- I used to have dreams of seeing her there...I loved the description you gave of the mall when it had all the creatives and good peeps making it a place of giving back..too bad its all about what stupid things we need to buy next and throw in the garbage month later..so, thanks again and ps..love your sketches!!
Well if that ain't the most Portlandia thing I ever heard. And I mean that in the very best way. 💗 It sounds like an amazing place. Here in Austin we have a dead mall that was repurposed as a community college, which is pretty cool. But Lloyd Center sounds even better! Magical.
It is very Portlandia!
I’ve only been to Lloyd Center once, to watch the ice skaters. I’m going back!
You should check it out!
Well now I wish I lived in Portland! Our local mall went through those phases, but in the end there is one restaurant, a daycare, and storage for the company who owns the oil refinery.
Sigh.
PATA's annual Fertile Ground Festival of New Works should take place in Lloyd Center next year! I would totally produce my play there if that happened. Instead of all over the city, why not all at once in one place?
that's a cool idea! I mean, they have no real theater setup, you gotta bring in the chairs and everything, but there's something scrappy and fun about seeing theater in a place where theater isn't meant to be seen.
it reminds me of my hippy days in Alaska when we would gather to see a movie for 25 cents in whatever place. Sit on the floor, maybe a pillow if you were lucky or brought your own. Bring your own wine, etc. So fun.
This was a truly needed gift today, Amy. Brought tears of joy to my eyes and hope for humanity. ❤️
Thanks so much!
I loved this post about The Lloyd Center which, by the way, begs the question - Why does the name Lloyd have twi "Ls"? But I digress...
I was going to unsubscribe to you here on Substack, (I have too many subscriptions!) but your writing is so compelling that I just can't. I'm not sure if I'm commenting in the right place. I'm a little confused by Substack, (and Instagram, and, and, and....)
Thanks for sticking around!
Welcome to my world -- I too am totally confused by substack and have no idea where what I write goes or even how I can find it once I press reply or publish - I have a friend, a self-described poet from the Howling North who says "poems are gifts sown on the wind." Having read and shared the "Missing Tree" post and now this post, I guess I am going to have to convert to paid soon because Amy is great. And I confess when I was a MSM person I had never come upon her. Bad me!
Check out Beth Kempton's free class about setting up your Substack & getting it noticed, happening now 🙂
This gives me hope.
Thanks!
Loved this. I live in Australia and Mall closures haven’t happened yet. We are way behind. This was a great insight into what happens next
I was in Australia in 2017 and remember being surprised at how little impact Amazon had on independent bookstores at the time. I vaguely remember hearing about some trade policies or some type of restrictions that made it harder for them to compete. I'd like to think it's also about Australians valuing their homegrown businesses.
Amy, I love your story about the mall. I hope the capitalists *never*.get their money and their permits together!
Same!
This sounds like wonderland! I wish I lived close enough to visit!
It's pretty cool!
Have you read Meet Me by the Fountain? Interesting book about malls.
I'll check it out!
I've been meaning to do a Lloyd Center day and now I absolutely have to.
Oh yes you must! Spend a little money with the weirdos.
I grew up in Portland when Lloyd Center was the first and only mall. I now live in
San Francisco (which isn't what it used to be), and this story makes me want very badly to move back (home) to Portland. Thank you.
Well, San Francisco has so much going for it! Every year I tell myself I'm going to just head to SF for a week or two of nonstop painting, and every year I don't get around to it. Maybe this will be the year.
I can't like this post enough! I love Portland so much. We went to a xmas pop-up too & were amazed. I had NO idea the mall was even open still!
Amy- this was wonderful to read...I grew up as a teen "hanging out at the mall". - it was fun..open air too..many good times with friends..After my mom died - I was 17- I used to have dreams of seeing her there...I loved the description you gave of the mall when it had all the creatives and good peeps making it a place of giving back..too bad its all about what stupid things we need to buy next and throw in the garbage month later..so, thanks again and ps..love your sketches!!
Thanks so much!
Just wonderful! Your stories about Portland make me want to move there. Thanks for reminding me of the good things.
Portland's pretty great.