In most cities, the mall is a one stop store for every need and many times, even if you want to catch a movie. But this is another way Tyler differs from most cities. Tyler’s small mall is without many things, for an example a toy store. Yes, they may have stores with toys, and even have the new addition of “Build-A-Bear”, but what about the old toy stores that I got so excited about as a child?

But this is the least of annoying things about the Broadway Square Mall. I can not stand walking through the mall and getting stopped by salesmen; or getting yelled at across half of the mall. “No eye contact, No eye contact” I keep telling myself. This idea that, maybe, if I act like I don’t see them then they will leave me alone, it’s a nice idea but it never really works. I think it is so funny how they give you such a guilt trip that you don’t use their product. But my personal favorite is when they are selling hair straightener and they ask you if you ever used one and your hair is so straight.

Walking through the mall gets frustrating having to dive into stores to avoid the salesmen. They sale everything, from hair products, gifts, jewelry, clothes, hair removal products, and even massages, and much more.

The mall is starting to redesign the interior of the building. They try to make the shopping experience more comfortable by putting comfortable chairs and couches in the middle of the mall. This is great for the husbands of the serious shoppers in Tyler. Another great thing about the new improvements is the new bathrooms. You use to walk down a long dirty hallway to find an old dirty bathroom with one folding changing table nailed to the wall. Now they have cleaned it up and even added a family bathroom with small toilets for your potty-training toddler.

The mall in Tyler has most of the normal stores such as Old Navy, JC Penny’s, Sears, Dillard’s. Many of my favorite stores are in the Broadway Square Mall, such as Icings, Old Navy, Children’s Place and many more. I do like many of the stores in the mall, both times that I found out that I was pregnant my first stop was the store Motherhood. I love their designer maternity clothes and their styles that show off that baby bump. My very favorite thing to shop for is clothes for little girls! Even though I’ve said a lot of negative about the Tyler mall they still do have great stores for my shopping needs. Children’s Place is a great place to find new and stylish children’s clothes. They have clothes for all types of weather and occasions according to the season of the year. The mall has many other stores that carry children clothes, but Children’s Place is dedicated to children with cheaper prices than other stores.

When I was a child and my family did not know where to eat, we would go to the mall’s food court. We would have the exciting options of Chinese food, Italian, fast food and much more. Now the food court has been limited to a couple restaurants. They still have the Chick-fil-a restaurant tucked away in the back of the mall. For some reason I can not enjoy the large crowds in the small restaurant. As you walk through the mall your mouth will begin to water from the sweet smell of the famous Pretzel Time.

When walking through the mall be warned to walk quickly passed the small stands with loud salesmen and women. Theywill  try to sell you over-priced cell phone covers and tell you that your upper lip needs waxing, so you will try their product. These sales guys may also tell you that you need their hand cream to make sure your children do not get all the sicknesses that you carry. As you are leaving do not forget to stop by the guy’s stand that sales over-sized shirts with pictures of Obama and Michael Jackson. You may also want to pick up the strange skull jewelry for your every piercing need at the gothic fashion store Hot Topic.

A new development in the mall is not about a store or a restaurant, but the security. You can’t help but think of the famous Paul Blart, as the security guard rolls by you. Nothing says intimidation like a segway. I guess they felt like they could stop more fights that way or that they could get from the cookie store to the Dip and Dots stand quicker. Whatever the reason, I don’t know about you, but I feel safer. Especially when I have to maneuver my two child stroller out of the way before getting run over.

So as you shop avoiding is the key. Avoid the crowds, the sales men, and avoid being run over by the man on wheels enjoying his power trip.