Jeffery Scism's Commentary

The Central City Mall in San Bernardino is an interesting study in mall failure and city interference.

The mall opened in the 1970s, and was anchored by Montgomery Wards, JC Penney and Harris; a department store on the site for 65 years.

In The Late 80s the mall started having hard times, most shopper went to the Inlans Center Mall three miles south, and JC Penney closed its doors, as did Montgomery Wards, leaving Harris dept store as the sole anchor. The Mall tried to revive itself by changing ots name to the Carousel mall and the installed carousel and train ride did little to boost patronage.

Harris (the anchor) was a VERY old portion of the facility, and the city developement agency loaned them a large amount of money to refurbish their store, on the condition that they STAY. The money was spent, the renovations done and as soon as they were done, Harris had a merger, and MOVED out to the Inland Center Mall.

Now the Carousel Mall is a mainly empty shopping facility with a few mom and pop type shops and some local businesses that are fighting a losing battle.