News that change was afoot at the Nanuet Mall provided little in the way of answers, but certainly raised more questions last week. (Losing Boscov’s is an answer that begs the question: Why, by whose choice, and what might go in that space?)
The Feb. 23 article states: “Simon Property Group Inc. said it would reconfigure the Nanuet Mall into an open-air shopping and entertainment lifestyle center. But the Indianapolis-based property manager didn’t provide details about how the mall may look or which other retailers would occupy the refurbished site.”

Open-air shopping and entertainment lifestyle center? Huh?

Well, believe it or not, Eastern Connecticut State University’s American Studies department has a handy list of Shopping Center Terminology. Its list of Shopping Center Types (which is “based in part on criteria established by the International Council of Shopping Centers) includes:

Lifestyle center: typically, an open-air shopping center whose array of retail outlets (such as women’s fashion stores, jewelers, leather goods, and restaurants) are designed to appeal to upscale consumers; lifestyle centers usually include attractive landscaping, fountains, outdoor seating, and other features that encourage browsing

Entertainment complex: a shopping center that features theaters, restaurants, amusements and related retail stores

Open-air: a shopping center in which stores are directly accessible to the public; exterior walkways may be covered, but the stores are not enclosed under a single roof.

Helpful? Not really. Simon’s Web site has little information about changes at its Nanuet property.

Some jazzy terms, few specifics. Sigh.