College Mall — Local services in Bloomington

College Mall is constantly changing. Stores come in, go out, move, etc. You have to visit the mall periodically just to keep track. They have been doing a lot of renovating in the parking lot. Hopefully, it will make it easier to get around the mall. I have never found parking to be an issue there.

The mall is a good size, and is clean. It is a great place for walkers to go before and after work.

Now that Sears is gone (and JC Penney long before that), Target is the only real department store left in the mall, sadly.

I do not understand how a mall this size can accommodate three jewelry stores and two eye doctors, but those places have been there a long time, and they do not appear to be going anywhere.

The renovated cafe court area is very nice. I appreciate having all the food establishments in the same location. I think there is a lot more seating available than is needed, though, and better use might have been made of that space. I suggest they add a small stage to the area where local school choirs, artists, etc., could perform - especially during the holidays.

There is a huge empty space outside the Target. There used to be train and bungee rides, but those have moved out. I think it is time Bloomington realizes it is in Indiana (where it is cold more than hot, and rains an average of 45 inches/year), and offer something indoors for kids. The mall does offer coin-operated rides in two locations, which I appreciate. However, it could offer so much more. The only restaurant with an indoor play area in town is Chick-fil-a, and it is not very big. An indoor play area at the mall would be a welcome addition to Bloomington for all parents. Bloomington needs to step up, and fill the giant void that is indoor exercise opportunities for children. Other cities and towns across the country, and even here in Indiana, offer wonderful options: Eastland Mall in Evansville, Fashion Mall at Keystone, Greenwood Park Mall. Personally, I think Bloomington could come up with something even better than Columbus's Commons Playground (which is phenomenal).

Whatever you are in the mall to do, make sure to make a stop at Anthony's Pets. Just looking at those cute little faces will...

I have seen the mall go from what I felt like was a good mall (back in the 90's 5/5⭐), with several large department stores, stores competing to get a spot in there so hardly ever would a store sit empty; there was variety in style, size, and marketing range that would include all (age groups). Fast forward to 2023 0/5⭐, now the mall has maybe one department store left; it often has trouble keeping stores, with a few sitting vacant at the a time now; it has the same products/clothing styles as every other store in the mall; it's solely marketed to those being approx 24yrs and younger, and/or approx no bigger than size 10. If you happen to be 25 or older or larger than size 10, I DON'T RECOMMEND SHOPPING AT THE COLLEGE SQUARE MALL. You will be hard pressed to find anything that you like, and even if you do, they won't carry it in your size. In an effort to avoid wasting your time, I recommend people 25 & ⬆️,or size 11 &⬆️ to go elsewhere, like Target, perhaps. Most people that I know, myself included, NEVER go to the mall, unless just curious as to what store has left now, and then walk from one side to the end and back again, without having made a purchase, or even needed to browse, based on the storefront displays one after another showing the exact same thing over and over... 24 or less, size ten or less. For this review I am NOT INCLUDING TARGET 🎯 as I DO NOT count it as part of The College Square Mall. I feel it's independent and separate; NOT like the mall in ANY way. Other than one shared entrance, I don't see anything else in common, and that is why it isn't included. In this Bloomington natives opinion,(fyi) Target gets a 5/5 ⭐and The College Square Mall gets 1/5⭐bc it won't let me put my actual rating of, 0/5⭐ . Come on, College Mall !!! You are aware there are people living here outside of { 24 years & ⬇️ and size 10 &⬇️}....don't you ? Because based on what you showcase and sell, I don't think...

Went with my mom and my boyfriend, they were shopping for my birthday. We went in to blondies cookies. The two guys were having a conversation that was totally unrelated to their work or business. Complaining about some grub hub order. Me and my mom patiently waited for them to greet us at least and we waited for a good 5 mins thinking they were going to finish their conversation, they did complete opposite. They stared at us and continued to ignore us while carrying on their conversation. Me and my mom left to meet up with my boyfriend at another store and told my boyfriend about the experience we just had and he went back to the cookie store with me to get the cookies my mother had been wanting. The two workers immediately greeted him and when my boyfriend told them they ignored my mom they raised their tone stating they were busy. (Mind you no one was in the store). We then left to go to the tradehome store. The customer service here was AMAZING. The lady was so sweet helped us find everything we needed and had an amazing experience there. Would not recommend the blondies cookies to...