As a mystery shopper, that honestly surprised me for the first time back in a while in Sawgrass Mall yesterday and today. One of my friends told me that one of the businesses in the food court is racist to customers; so, I went for myself apparently, it is the Oriental Eatery (they have 2 stations in the food court, but they are referring to specifically the one next to Argentina Grill).
Yesterday: There was a black guy in black standing next to a Hispanic woman in pink in front of their section a few minutes ago from me posting this. They didn't give either a sample, but when the black guy left, they quickly gave the Hispanic woman a free sample. 😳 Like, really? That's a real red flag of a business to do something as petty as letting RACE decide to who they're willing to give FREE SAMPLES to. Remember, if they had no one (no matter their race) come at all, they would be out of business quickly. I even went past the place 3 times (when I came in from the bus terminal entrance, once to look at all of the food options to decide on what to eat, and once to head back to the bus terminal).
Today: I even came back today to Sawgrass Mall just to pass the time until the bus showed up. I went to the bathroom and passed them - nothing. I come out of the bathroom, walked past them, i see from the corner of my eye she's getting a toothpick ready to hand out a free sample; I walk back in front of them and she quickly puts the sample back in the tray. As soon as I left and a Hispanic guy walks by their booth, she quickly gave him a sample. I just smirked and headed for the bus to head to Panda Express where I deal with NO prejudice staff and got something to eat to support a business out of respect since they appreciate me as a human being.
Conclusion: As a guy who is into bringing awareness to racial equality, it's really petty for Oriental Eatery to let a bypasser's RACE decide who they are willing to give a FREE SAMPLE to. The more racial a business can be, the closer their business can be out of business.
To all black people (and dark-skinned Hispanics) who see this, they don't want you to sample their food but are willing to take your money if you want to buy something from them. Feel free to see what happens when you're there.
Panda Express - thank you. Oriental Eatery & Asian...
Read moreI recently visited Sawgrass Mills Mall, and I can honestly say it’s an experience on its own. This place is absolutely huge — one of the largest outlet malls I’ve ever been to — and you really need a full day if you want to explore it properly. There are stores for every taste and budget, from big-name brands to outlet bargains, and even some luxury options.
Something I would recommend to anyone planning to go is to arrive early. Parking can be very challenging, and if you get there later in the day you might end up driving around for a long time before finding a spot. The mall is almost always full, and that makes parking one of the toughest parts of the visit.
Inside, the variety is impressive. You can literally find everything in one place: clothing, accessories, home items, electronics, and more. There are also plenty of dining options, so you won’t have trouble grabbing a bite between shopping sessions. But be prepared — the mall is so big that you’ll be walking a lot. I easily logged thousands of steps just going from one side to the other, so comfortable shoes are a must.
On the positive side, many people (myself included) appreciate the deals you can find, especially in certain stores. However, not all prices are lower than in department stores like Macy’s, so it’s worth comparing before buying.
As for the overall experience, customer service varies depending on the store. Some staff are very friendly and helpful, while in other places the service could be much better. For example, I noticed that in a few shops, the staff didn’t seem too interested in assisting customers, and that takes away a bit from the experience. Also, the restrooms and some common areas could be cleaner, considering how busy the mall gets.
Another challenge is navigating the mall itself. Because it’s so large, it’s easy to feel lost at times, and although there are maps, it can still take a while to figure out the layout.
Despite those details, I think Sawgrass Mills is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’re someone who enjoys shopping. It’s a shopper’s paradise, and you’ll probably find things you wouldn’t easily get elsewhere. Just make sure to plan your visit wisely: wear comfortable clothes, arrive early to find parking, and be ready to spend several...
Read moreI love some things about this mall and detest others so I will meet in the middle with a 3 star. I have a long history with this mall. When I was in college I used to work here. Then when my daughter was little I used to love bringing her to Wannado City. I was so sad when it closed but it coincided with her growing up anyway. After that my visits have been sporadic, usually around the holidays. Through the years the mall has expanded. They now have a wing dedicated to designers.
My most recent visit brought me in search of birthday presents for my particular daughter. I had a few stores on my mind to look at. Unfortunately my visit was disrupted by a shoplifter who had a knife. Some people thought he had a gun and fled the mall in a panic. Some of the stores never reopened. The suspect is still at large. I was also asked for money by a homeless person in Books A Millon. I had never had that happen before at the mall but the staff at the store assured me that it happens all of the time. It just doesn't seem like the mall is as safe or secure as it once was.
I went about my shopping and did find some gifts. Some of my favorite stores here include Character Premier which sells Disney items at deep discounts, Hot Topic for my daughter, and Books a Million. I parked at the Marshalls and walked the entire mall down and back. By the time I was done my feet were aching and I really wished I had gotten one of those push carts the mall rents. Not all of the stores offer outlet prices so you have to know your retail in order to score the bargains.
If you want to sit down and eat the mall has a Johnny Rockets, Cheesecake Factory, and a Rain Forest Cafe. The mall also has two food courts in addition to all of the places throughout the mall selling snack foods.
Parking can be kind of a pain so when I come here it is for a purpose rather than mindless mall browsing. They do carry unique items you can't find else where and some stores do have rock bottom prices. It's worth the trip and effort to look. I would just caution people to keep an eye on their purses and bags. It seems like the mall is having an influx of people who are not here to...
Read more