Provo Towne Centre — Attraction in Provo

Having resided in Portland, OR during the past 4 years -- I became kind of 'spoiled'...and very much 'acclimated' to the malls and shopping centers throughout the metropolitan area. After awhile, I began 'taking for granted' the size and quality of Portland malls, and over time developed the notion that Portland malls were simply the 'norm' for most cities -and not any better than what you would expect to find most anywhere else.

Having moved back to Utah very recently (I used to reside in St. George -- where malls generally speaking kind of 'suck') -this time in 'northern' Utah...I recently visited the Provo Town Center...which is the first mall I've frequented since having moved from Portland. Being acclimated to Portland malls, I was quite 'underwhelmed' by the Provo Town Centre...and was I 'brought back down to reality' (or is it, 'IR-reality?')...that malls like those found in Portland -are not going to easily be found anywhere in Utah.

The Provo Town Centre is comparable in size and aesthetics to the malls of Portland...but in nearly every conceivable way significantly inferior: This mall is of 'average size,' but 'pound-per-pound' simply doesn't have enough 'interesting' stores that I would ever have the desire to shop from ONCE much less SEVERAL or more times. It has variety but nothing of real interest. I was shocked when visiting the Town Centre at how incredibly 'aloof' (for lack of better adjective) and lifeless the mall was: Kids were scattered throughout the mall, in small numbers, meandering around on mini-vehicles without any adult supervision or the presence of adults whatsoever. They pretty much 'owned' the first floor. All patrons were self-conceited and stuck in their own world completely impervious to what was going on around them. Likewise, all the clerks in every single store in the mall -with the exception of ONE- were completely 'aloof' and ignorant of ANY potential customers (including me), hiding behind desks or in corners. No greeters, nothing. I walked into an Asian gift shop and the lady clerk was practically hidden in a corner -having no interest my visit whatsoever. I probably could've taken everything from the store and she would not have noticed or cared. Very shockingly, in contrast, in about every store in every Portland area mall, clerks are generally-speaking very aware of potential customers and very accommodating and courteous in every conceivable way... I never would have imagined that the opposite would be the case in a Utah mall.

The food court is somewhat 'smallish' -not surprisingly for an 'average,' at best, sized mall. The entire ambience of the mall felt completely purposeless and dead -as though it was part of the universe of Stephen King's "The Langoliers." Although the Provo Town Centre, per se, seems somewhat modern...there is nothing of interest in this mall that might induce me to visit it ever again -especially after my Portland...

I would rate this a 4.5 star if I could, but since I can't, it rounds down to a 4 in my opinion.

My only complaints are that the closest bathroom was on the complete other side of the mall from where I was, and that the drinking fountain had too high pressure and shot me in the face, but besides that, it was your average mall.

There is a surprisingly large number of geeky/nerdy stores here, so if you're into that type of thing, this place is a must go.

The Cinemark here is epic, and probably the best thing here. It is on the second floor which is ground level at this side of the mall.

I came here as part of a senior assassin game, so I can't speak to the quality of any store, but I can speak to the quality of the benches seeing as I am not in agony after having sat on one for more than an hour (due to previously mentioned assassin game).

I could probably figure it out with a quick Google search, but WHAT IS UP WITH THE "Towne" HAVING A SILENT E? It's just unnecessary. Feels like they're trying too hard, but I guess it kinda fits with the whole geek feel.

Fun story: So I'm looking for a drinking fountain, right? And I'm looking all around and can't find one, so I start walking until I'll see one. I continue searching almost frantically until I notice that I'm sorta following a security officer. I realize that I'm probably looking REALLY sus, especially because I've been fidgeting with the rubber ducks in my pocket (long story). I finally spot a drinking fountain, but it's up ahead, so I continue to follow behing the security officer for a bit. FINALLY, he turns and walks into a "security only" type door, and I walk past him, BUT THEN he starts to, seemingly, follow me!! I kid you not of what happens next. I overhear him speak into his radio "I need help with an individual." I AM NOW PANICKING and wanting to run to the drinking fountain as fast as possible but also wanting to not look anymore conspicuous. I end up getting to the fountain and he just walks past me, so I either miss heard him, or he was talking about someone else (I probably miss heard him). Then the fountain had to high pressure and shot me in the face (video proof). Quite an eventful turn of events if I might say so.

All in all, good mall. Needs more bathrooms, but...

The Provo Towne Centre... What used to be a hot and lively place to shop, has grown to be a depressing collection of dirty tables, old music, and desperate closing stores. Years ago this mall was full of happy people and happy workers.

The food court is interesting. Very high prices for food that tastes like cardboard with sauce. Most places will make you sick, because food is sitting out due to the low consumer population. Tables are always dirty and there is trash everywhere.

The shops are a whole different story. I know the mall themselves cannot control the shop employees but they certainly can rent out to better shops. The lifespan of a shop here is about 6 months max unless it's a top notch store. During the holidays the kiosks they rent out to can be a nuisance too. Tons of pushy sales people who actually GRAB you to pull you in to look at product (referring to the dead sea face people).

Coming from someone who worked in this mall, it is a waste of time and energy to shop here or even work here. Leave while you can. Upper mall management hasn't done anything aside from removing the hideous palm trees. They can't even set aside time throughout their day to cover up the old Hotdog on a Stick restaurant.

Long story short this mall is crashing down hard and it will take everyone down with it unless major...