I was having a conversation at the office today about Syracuse. I grew up about an hour from there, and I had mentioned that whenever I drove through there, it always seemed gray and dull. I can’t remember a time when Syracuse looked sunny. Now, I’m sure there is plenty of sunshine in the medium-sized upstate New York city, but, I can’t recollect ever being witness to such an event.
Getting to the point, my co-worker mentioned that he had similar feelings of Syracuse, in that when you’re driving on the NY State Thruway, and you pass Syracuse — there’s nothing really there. You have a lovely view of the Carousel Mall, and that’s about it. Not that Rochester has much more to see from the Thruway — I believe there’s probably even less.. an exit for Fairport I think? I can’t even remember anymore.
I remember as a kid going to the Carousel Mall with my mom.. on sick days or whatever.. we’d venture ALL THE WAY to Syracuse for a day trip. So, I decided to look up this landmark of my childhood on the Internet. What I found shocked me.
It’s not that the Mall doesn’t exist anymore, it stands exactly where it always did.. touting the same old “high-end” retail stores like Circuit City, The Body Shop and Aldo. But, what I found disturbing was this graphic:
I had to investigate further…
After clicking on the image, it took me to the news page, which explains:
Carousel Center has instituted a Parental Escort Policy on Fridays and Saturdays between the hours of 4pm and closing.
Anyone under the age of 18 visiting Carousel Center must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older. One parent or guardian (21 years of age or older) is permitted to supervise up to five teens. Teens must remain within the company of their parent or guardian. Acceptable proof of age is a driver’s license, state/provincial non-driver ID, military or college ID, passport or visa.
Can you believe this? Can you believe that you now have to be 18 years or older to go to the mall during certain hours? Not only that — but they’re enforcing it, and actually carding people trying to get into the mall?
I remember my teen years (as I’m sure most of the people of my generation do) going to the mall, hanging out, doing absolutely nothing but wandering around, playing games in the arcade, snacks in the foodcourt, and looking at the swimsuit model posters in the back of Spencer Gifts.
I imagine that they must have some sort of problem with youths running rampant in the mall, but still.. You’re now forcing them out to the streets! Or worse yet, if you live in Monson, to some bench out in the middle of nowhere.
Like I said, I don’t know the full details of this, but.. I’m shocked. I can’t imagine what growing up would have been like if I didn’t have a mall that I could go to, and hang out with my friends.
How difficult it must be to be a teen growing up in Syracuse. First no sunshine, and now no Malls. I feel for you poor Syracusians.
