The Christmas shopping season is almost upon us, and I’ve seen a few news articles and blog posts lately that refer to DCUSA as a “mall” (here’s a couple older ones from WUSA and an architectural firm, for example.) I’ve always called it a shopping center, and I’ve also seen it called a complex, like in this Greater Greater Washington post. Calling it a mall doesn’t seem accurate, and I also just don’t like that term for it. It gives me the creeps.
“Mall” reminds me of being a high school kid in the suburbs and going to the mall with some friends to waste time: wandering around, drinking an Orange Julius and playing in the arcade or something. (That said, I wish there were an Orange Julius at DCUSA.) But in turn, those memories and the term “mall” makes me wonder if Columbia Heights is getting to be less of a city and more of a suburb, with the negative connotations that brings. (Of course there are positive things about the ‘burbs too, but you don’t worry about those.)
However, I’d argue it’s not a mall. Take the Georgetown Mall, for example. Technically called the Shops at Georgetown Park, it’s mostly inward facing, with the majority of the stores only accessible from inside. That’s partially true with DCUSA, with Target, Best Buy and Bed Bath and Beyond, but for the most part it’s street-facing. I’m glad it is too, it would stink to have bare walls on 14th and Irving. DCUSA also doesn’t have traditional mall features like a food court, benches and kiosks. Plus it’s just smaller, with around a dozen stores, most of which are on the street only.
So I guess that makes me feel a bit better. We aren’t Germantown just yet.
Photo by Mr. T in DC
