Diamond Run Mall Losing Its Sparkle?

On a recent drive back from New York, Rut Girl was amused to see this billboard for the Diamond Run Mall, which basically positions the mall as a Rutland attraction (closer than you think!). What we loved more was the 'over 50 top name stores claim'. We also love that the 'you' has been abbreviated to a 'u'. Farewell English language, you are officially dead.

Rut Girl has had frequent occasion to visit the mall and to be honest when she moved here, she was just glad there was a mall, because at that stage the movie theater was still closed and entertainment prospects were looking pretty slim.

We were willing to consider that the sign may have been old, after all, there's still a Pickle Barrel billboard on that road promoting a Bret Michaels concert that happened a year ago. But then when we went to the mall Friday, we saw this banner strung up.

Yes, even indoors at the mall, the claim is that there are over 50 stores, and even more amusingly, an invitation to 'rediscover the NEW Diamond Run Mall'. Rut Girl would hate to see what the old mall was like.

Rut Girl couldn't fathom the idea that there were over 50 stores under the mall roof so with pen and paper in hand, she dutifully made her way around the mall, carefully counting the stores, stopping only for something to eat at Orientaste, which she knew would be a mistake but goddamn it she loves Asian food. The results speak for themselves (and we're not talking about the boneless pork and rice). For authenticity, we present Rut Girl's notes:



So as you can see, the list of stores comes in at 44 (Kay Toys Bee and Steak Out were shuttered). Now Rut Girl is of the opinion that you can't really count hair and nail salons or food court/restaurants as stores, so if you take those out of the equation, the number is more like 37.

Actually, make that 36, we just noticed we hadn't asterisked Regis Hairstylists. We don't think phone providers like AT&T count either but in the interest of fairness, we'll count them. We also think 'top name stores' is a bit of a stretch, no offense Rock'n Willy's or Novelty Tees.

And while we make light about the inconsistencies of the marketing campaign, the disappearance of stores, whether it be recession based or other, is cause for concern particularly as the people of Rutneyland themselves dismiss the mall.

Since Rut Girl moved here, pretty much everyone has labeled Rutland's mall as a joke. I countered with Mama Rutland today that it seemed a little unfair and how could one expect big name stores to stay if not even the local folk support them. Her response was resounding 'it's simply a joke; it's not a mall and if I want to go shopping I'd rather drive to Lake George or Burlington.' Harsh words indeed!

To prove her point, Mama Rutland drove Rut Girl to Wilton Mall. I saw lots of similarities - Victoria's Secret, Kays, Old Navy and Sears were all there. Then there was all the stores that we don't have - H&M, Banana Republic, Forever 21 and the list goes on. Wilton was also bright, airy and playing current music, something you definitely don't encounter upon a visit to the Diamond Run Mall.

I tried to rationalize it, thinking to myself, Wilton must have a bigger population. So, here are the results from the US Census Bureau's website:

Wilton - 16,405
Rutland (city) - 16,742
Rutland (county) - 63,331

So there goes that theory. Depressing.

On a brighter note, in honor of Bret Michael's debut on Celebrity Apprentice tonight, we thought we'd throw in some footage we found from his gig at the Pickle Barrel. Enjoy.