Reading, PA--What the heck happened? Perhaps controversial...

[hentob]

Yesterday we went to the Vanity Fair Outlets and decided to take a ride to our old favorite The R.O.C. (The Reading Outlet Center). I believe it is over by Moss St.

It once housed outlets like Coach, Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Dooney and Bourke, Eddie Bauer, Nike, Timberland, Bass, Osh Kosh, etc. We knew the outlets had closed, but we were nosey to see what was done with the area





Awful. Slums. Dilapidated. The ROC had every window out of it. Desolate. Up on the hill, where the new upscale shops were placed, was a Shoprite or some other discounted grocery store with absolutely, positively no English signs to be found. Same with the Outlet area...no English signage. None. I was wondering if I was in America. And dirty. Garbage laden. Sad.

It got me thinking (and I am sure I will get flamed, but I am not one for political correctness--I am calling it like it is here), if you want to overtake an area with your culture and your language, why not show pride? If you don't want to learn English, if you don't want to conform to the country you chose to move to--At least keep your area clean and put clothes on your child (yes, children in the street with only diapers--It was not that warm yesterday ).

Why not welcome the shops that kept your area running? Why not show at least an ounce of respect to your home? Now it looks like a third world country.

Some of the buildings/homes in Reading are amazing. Mansions. Even the row homes are architecturally awe inspiring

What has happened to that city is so sad.

It angered and depressed me. I can't imaging how the residents of Reading feel

 

[tink_n_pooh]

It got me thinking (and I am sure I will get flamed, but I am not one for political correctness--I am calling it like it is here), if you want to overtake an area with your culture and your language, why not show pride? If you don't want to learn English, if you don't want to conform to the country you chose to move to--At least keep your area clean and put clothes on your child (yes, children in the street with only diapers--It was not that warm yesterday ).

Why not welcome the shops that kept your area running? Why not show at least an ounce of respect to your home? Now it looks like a third world country.

Some of the buildings/homes in Reading are amazing. Mansions. Even the row homes are architecturally awe inspiring

What has happened to that city is so sad.

It angered and depressed me. I can't imaging how the residents of Reading feel

I agree 100% - no pride at all




But on to more important things, when did the outlets close? I haven't been out there in years but I loved those outlets!

 

[HelenePA]

I love those outlets as well. Last time we were down when they were opened it felt like we should fear for our lives. There were all kinds of cars with RIP **** all over them. One store had a sign in the window.. Closed, We'll never open our doors again written on paper. It felt very scary! All younger men standing around trying to sell ya drugs.. I am NOT use to that type of stuff! We never went back The motherhood maternity store was awesome. So was the old navy outlet.

 

[HelenePA]

But on to more important things, when did the outlets close? I haven't been out there in years but I loved those outlets!

Last time I was there it was summer of 2002 I was pregnant with #2 at the time.

 

[hentob]

I agree 100% - no pride at all




But on to more important things, when did the outlets close? I haven't been out there in years but I loved those outlets!

I don't know when they closed. We were down a few years ago, and like HelenePA said, it felt unsafe. There was a time when you could go to these beautiful shops and shop the upscale stores. Something happened over a short period of time

I think once you allow people to have full reign (ie-No English in an American community) you give up all hope. I don't know why that is, b/c different cultures should enrich an area.

That is not the case for Reading, PA

 

[ckay87]

I live here. Not familiar with those areas before (not to the extent that you are), but there are very few people living around here who would disagree with you. I'm about 5 miles down the road from the Fairgrounds mall (in the good direction) and I don't even drive down there anymore. The mall has been ruined and the whole 5th Street area is trash. I do hate this town....would much rather live in Lehigh Valley since I work there anyway. We might still move there if the city of Reading continues to spread in our direction.

 

[ckay87]

I don't know when they closed. We were down a few years ago, and like HelenePA said, it felt unsafe. There was a time when you could go to these beautiful shops and shop the upscale stores. Something happened over a short period of time

I think once you allow people to have full reign (ie-No English in an American community) you give up all hope. I don't know why that is, b/c different cultures should enrich an area.
That is not the case for Reading, PA

Yes, I agree with your bolded statement. Somebody is going to hop in here to accuse you of racism or something. Let it be known that I wouldn't care if I were the last English speaking person here if only the non-English population were improving or even maintaining the community

 

[HelenePA]

Oh dont get me wrong I love the vanity fair area. Its the 5th street part that really freaked me out. I feel VERY safe in the Berkshire Mall area and fairgrounds... the other part scares the hell out of me. I was out on black friday at the VF outlets. I can't wait to do that again!

 

[cinmell]

It got me thinking (and I am sure I will get flamed, but I am not one for political correctness--I am calling it like it is here), if you want to overtake an area with your culture and your language, why not show pride? If you don't want to learn English, if you don't want to conform to the country you chose to move to--At least keep your area clean and put clothes on your child (yes, children in the street with only diapers--It was not that warm yesterday ).

Why not welcome the shops that kept your area running? Why not show at least an ounce of respect to your home? Now it looks like a third world country.

No flames here!

 

[luv2nascar]

I live the the lehigh valley and we get a news broadcast for reading area and they show the gangs have moved into that area. Crime is way up - shootings and murders. I don't know what happened but they can't get it cleaned up.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It's been about 6 years since I was in that area...it was still an outlet mall at that point, but it had gone WAY downhill (was kind of scary to bring my kids there) in not too many years. At least I know after reading this not to go back there. It's sad to see this happen no matter what the reasons.

 

[HelenePA]

my friend use to live down in mulensburg (sp?) that's a nice area! But she got a job up at geisinger in danville so the drive was getting to her so they moved back "home" Her husband is still a cop down there (I think she doesn't talk to me anymore because I have kids.. blah that's a whole other story!)

 

[marlynnp]

I'm near there. I actually graduated from Reading High many years ago.

When's the last time you were there? Those outlets moved out several years ago. Then there was a club that was in the ROC building for a while and there was a fire. As in any city, unless the city decides the buildings are in danger of collasping they won't be pulled down and the area isn't of any interest to RE investors to convert those old buildings into apartments as was done in some other sections of Reading.

Reading has the unfornuate 'luck' of being nicely situated between Philadelphia and NYC ~ convenient for those involved in illegal trade, kwim.
Allentown had more of a problem 20 years ago, they cracked down on the problem and the problem moved down to Reading.

It's also quite easy to get assistance here. And they told two friends and so on and so on.

 

[HelenePA]

It's been about 6 years since I was in that area...it was still an outlet mall at that point, but it had gone WAY downhill (was kind of scary to bring my kids there) in not too many years. At least I know after reading this not to go back there. It's sad to see this happen no matter what the reasons.

Dont let the ROC outlets stop ya from coming back to Reading. The JCPenney outlet is worth the trip alone. I got a 350$ bedset for 18$ there

 

[hentob]

It's also quite easy to get assistance here. And they told two friends and so on and so on.

Please don't get me started There was NO shortage of babies and children in the streets.

Somebody is going to hop in here to accuse you of racism or something.

I am sure that they will, but that would be so far from the truth.

I really can't express how depressing that whole scene was I hope there is a MAJOR crackdown.

Dont let the ROC outlets stop ya from coming back to Reading. The JCPenney outlet is worth the trip alone. I got a 350$ bedset for 18$ there

But that is in the Fair Grounds Mall, right? That is getting bad there too

 

[L107ANGEL]

Dont let the ROC outlets stop ya from coming back to Reading. The JCPenney outlet is worth the trip alone. I got a 350$ bedset for 18$ there

WOW!

 

[HelenePA]

But that is in the Fair Grounds Mall, right? That is getting bad there too

Really?? I haven't noticed it. Its not nearly as bad as 5th street was when I was down there last

 

[ckay87]

Really?? I haven't noticed it. Its not nearly as bad as 5th street was when I was down there last

Every single business that I can think of, aside from Boscov's, moved out and was replaced by some independently-owned place. Like "Everything for $7" etc. Even Arby's moved out. And the crowd is....not so great most of the time.

I know a lot of people like Penny's as an outlet store, but I was SO annoyed that I no longer have a real Penny's to shop at. That outlet store is really, really hit or miss. Glad you got a hit, though!

We do visit the movie theater at Fairgrounds, though. Ironically, it is the best one we have.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Dont let the ROC outlets stop ya from coming back to Reading. The JCPenney outlet is worth the trip alone. I got a 350$ bedset for 18$ there

I haven't been there. Is it near the Vanity Fair outlets?

 

[ckay87]

I haven't been there. Is it near the Vanity Fair outlets?

No, it's in the Fairgrounds mall on 5th street highway. Maybe a 10 minute drive from VF