No mall in Guilford County planning a curfew
GREENSBORO — Mall managers in Guilford County said Tuesday they have no plans to implement weekend curfews on teenagers.
They say there’s no reason to.
Retailers at Hanes Mall say the mall’s owner — CBL Properties & Associates — is considering barring unsupervised teens after 5 p.m. each Friday and Saturday, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. Mall management has not confirmed the plan.
Many malls nationwide set curfews. Officials say teens left unsupervised create disturbances, commit crime and create large crowds that often drive away customers.
Brad Rogers, general manager of Friendly Center and the Shops at Friendly Center — also owned by CBL — said teens haven’t created much of a nuisance there.
“These programs are normally put into place when you have a real problem,” he said. “I think there is a difference between having a teen problem and a problem with a few teens. We don’t see a lot of problems with teens.”
At Four Seasons Town Centre, general manager Mark Thorsen said conditions don’t merit a curfew.
“As long as teens abide by our code of conduct, we anticipate an enjoyable experience for all of (our patrons),” he said. “We have no formal plan in place (to implement a curfew). But we encourage all parents to take responsibility and supervise their children.”
Greensboro police Capt. Chris Walker said authorities receive occasional complaints from retailers at Four Seasons when parents use the mall as a baby-sitting service.
He said off-duty officers work with mall security to head off any problem before it gets out of hand.
“The big issue is loitering, disruptions and fights,” he said. “Those are more of nuisance issues that impact their bottom line. While it’s an issue, it’s not a critical issue — it’s more of a nuisance issue for children left unsupervised.”
Rather than ban teenagers, Oak Hollow Mall in High Point is embracing them, said Vickeé Armstrong, the mall’s general manager.
For three years, the mall has welcomed Crossings, a weekend outreach ministry from The Crossings @ High Point, a Christian church. Teens can play games, shoot pool, listen to music and socialize.
“They provide a teen haven and provide opportunities for teens to do other things to occupy their time and give them a positive note,” she said. “We are very proactive and I think that’s why parents feel comfortable bringing their children here.”
While a teen curfew can be seen as a quick fix to curb nuisance problems, retail experts said the move can easily backfire.
“These are viable customers you want to attract and move with them to their professional life, when they are generating income,” said Nancy Miller, a professor of consumer apparel and retail studies at UNCG.
“I understand the problems that can arise (to use a curfew), but it could be turned around to cater to teens and not be baby sitters.”
Retail expert Patricia Norins, who publishes two retail trade magazines, said the decision to use a curfew should be a community decision and not an abrupt move by mall management.
“It’s important to have focus groups to see how big of a problem this is for the mall,” said Norins, who estimates 10 to 20 percent of malls nationwide have curfews.
“It’s a shame because each teen they say no to — that’s money they are spending elsewhere.”
While a curfew may be harsh, it’s not as bad as other approaches some international malls take.
Norins said a mall in Australia plays Barry Manilow songs to discourage teens. Others use loud-pitched tones over speaker systems that can be heard only by young ears.
And a United Kingdom mall’s solution? Pink fluorescent lights designed to irritate acne.
“Sometimes, the problems (solutions) create far outweigh the nuisance,” she said.
Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com
Accompanying Photos
Photo Caption: Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro.
Codes of Conduct
FRIENDLY CENTER: “Friendly Center asks visitors to refrain from: Attendance of children (under age 18) during school hours unaccompanied by a parent, teacher or legal guardian (excluding school holidays and home schooled students). Unaccompanied children ages 16-17 may produce proof of reduced school hours or completion thereof.”
FOUR SEASONS TOWN CENTRE: Nothing in the code specifically addresses the behavior of children or teenagers. It does ban, among other things, “excessive loitering, unnecessarily blocking walkways, roadways or storefronts; running, horseplay or disorderly conduct of any nature.”
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