University Mall — Attraction in Temple Terrace

The few times that I have gone to the University Mall has been to meet a friend of mine and her 7 year old daughter. The mall does have a plus in the fact they've got an indoor kids playground that is definitely a redeeming quality to this mall. But overall I'm rather disappointed because being in Tampa which is a very much larger city than Clearwater or Largo or even St Pete I believe. The mall has quite a few empty spots in it from what I noticed and a lot of times the locations in the food court from what I could see where either the same type of business by a different name next to each other or they have a lot of empty slots. The last time I was there the 3 out of 7 food option places in their food court had closed up and when I talked to one of the other food workers about what happened. The understanding was that they couldn't get enough business which is really sad. I am someone who does like different types of food from all over the world and I like a lot of the Caribbean and the Jamaican spices. And there was one particular restaurant in the food court that catered to the Caribbean style cooking like jerk chicken freshly made Plus they even had go which I wanted at least give it a try because I've heard from ranchers and Farmers out west in Wyoming where I moved to Florida from that it's a unique experience to at least try it once and some people like it some people don't. I also noticed that the mall has a large theater labeled as Studio Grill which implies get decent restaurant quality food with watching a movie but when I went inside the mall I noticed that that theater is completely closed up and what they have is a theater apparently is not connected to that company at all. Overall I'm sad to say that I am not very happy with the way this mall is presented itself or I should say how the owners have allowed the mall to be presented Plus I've seen some of their cleaners that just really don't seem to give any care to the mall of their job and I have seen customers that have just as well make big old messes and then laughs as a look at one of the cleaners walking up and instead of being polite and cleaning up after themselves because they literally made a huge mess they just turn around and say well that's what their job is. I'm always to be a family centered place and at this point I would say the only family center place in that mall would be the little indoor kids playground but after the parents and the kids get out of the playground . The parents change to a complete opposite and the mall just needs a complete facelift...

I recently visited University Mall in Tampa, Florida, and regrettably, my experience fell far short of expectations. This once-thriving shopping center appears to have seen better days, with the current state of the mall leaving much to be desired. The overall atmosphere and condition of the mall can best be described as decrepit, which was both disappointing and disheartening.

Upon arrival, one of the first things that struck me was the lack of cleanliness throughout the mall. Common areas and walkways were not well-maintained, with visible dirt and debris that seemed to have been neglected for some time. This lack of attention to cleanliness contributed to an unwelcoming environment that detracted significantly from the shopping experience.

Moreover, the vitality of the mall has evidently diminished, as evidenced by the numerous vacant storefronts. It was surprising and somewhat unsettling to see that many of the stores were no longer open for business. The absence of these retail outlets not only limits the shopping options available to visitors but also impacts the ambiance of the mall, creating a somber and deserted feel that is far from the bustling shopping hub it once was.

The few stores that were open seemed to struggle with foot traffic, which is understandable given the mall's current state. It was disconcerting to walk through large sections of the mall without seeing the vibrant activity that characterizes healthy shopping centers. This lack of vibrancy has a cascading effect, influencing not only the consumer experience but also the potential success of the remaining businesses.

In conclusion, my visit to University Mall in Tampa was markedly disappointing. The mall's deteriorated condition, coupled with a significant number of closed stores, presents a stark contrast to the vibrant shopping destination it once was. It is my hope that efforts will be made to revitalize and restore the mall to its former glory, not only for the sake of the businesses within but also for the community it serves. Until such improvements are made, it is unlikely that I will return or recommend this...

This unique mall brings out quite a bit of negativity from passionate reviewers. We decided to check it out anyway, since I'm literally visiting every single mall in Tampa Bay. Hey, I'm taking a walk every day to recover from major surgery and at this point, air conditioned comfort and chairs to take frequent breaks are significant priorities.

While walking around, we met a nice young man who was petting and calming down a tiny green parrot. I asked if we could see the parrot and he explained it was a gift for his daughter. Then, his young (~7) daughter came by and was shocked and thrilled at the same time. She held the parrot and was extremely happy. It was super nice to see. I never saw a pet store in the mall but perhaps there is one somewhere? It's really a huge mall!

This mall is the only one with a Sheriff's station right inside! The cops don't have to travel far when things go down at the University Mall! Convenient!

There is a dollar store and all kinds of unique urban shops not found in any other malls in the Tampa Bay area. They even have a shop totally focused on Islamic wear including burkas. There is another shop full of luggage but apparently specializing in Hello Kitty backpacks!

Finally, this mall is the best we've found for Pokemon hunting. For whatever reason (lots of skylights? very thin roof?), GPS works in most of the mall so consequently, the Pokemon app functions. There are also Poke-stops and other Poke-thingies (I'm not an expert... yet... so please...