"What Main Street Can Learn From the Mall"

1.The criteria Robert  Gibbs uses to evaluate a a Main Street are:

• Sidewalks- Are they so beautiful that they draw theshoppers attention to the ground rather than the store front and window diplays? Are they so grimy they oush shoppers away?
• Shade Trees and Planter boxes- Do they block the shopper's view of shop windows and signs?
• Benches/tables/Chairs- Are they placed together in a way that discourages poeple to walk through them?
• Security- Is there a mall security of some sort to ensure a safe enviornment for shoppers?
• Stores-Are the window displays design to get the shoppers full attention?

2.Deciding whether Main Street should or should not become a mall is a hard decision. Based on Gibbs theories about mall, if they decided to make Main Street into a Mall, the building will not only will it lose its uniqueness but it will also change the way Americans view Main Street.It will no longer be the site of the American town.If they decide to keep Main Street exactly like it is now, there will be shoppers who dicsontinue their shopping experience there because they feel it lacks certain ways of a shopping mall(variety of stores, enviornment.etc.)The best place for Main Street is in the middle.There it will be able to have its unique strengths and unique markets while surviving commercially.

3.My criteria to judge a Main Street would be similar to Gibb's criteria. I would judge Main Street based on the condition of the streets and sidewalks, they way the chairs, tables, and benches are spaced, the organization of stores based on functionality, the aspects that assure comfort, and the storefronts. I consider these to be most important elements because when they are not used properly and effectively they can deter a shopper from even entering Main Street.