If you're building a mall...

I think its also worth distinguishing the different between a STORE and a MALL.

Its not officially defined, but as far as SL, here's my feeling:

A STORE:
- one single build with an overall theme
- does not take up an entire sim; typically 12000 meters or less, and that would be for a BIG store
- everyone selling goods in the store knows each other
- typically a group effort that doesn't involve "rent"

A MALL:
- open to just about any seller
- multiple builds, or at the least, multiple stalls
- typically charges rent
- no unique theme (gothic, club, formal, etc)
- not focused on one type or item, or style of vendor (cars, guns, clothing, accessories)
- typically takes up a quarter of a sim, or more.

While I prefer "store" shopping in SL, as I find it much easier to see everything, and stick with a style I like, I am not a shop-a-holic. I can see how the self confessed shopping lovers in SL would much prefer a mall atmosphere. They both serve different tastes, which is excellent.

Regards,

-Flip

Ah, Did I not see 4000m2 of land for sale there... maybe a pole-dancing plywood-hippo hottub club is called for...

when building a club, here are some important tips...

-exterior offends the neighbors.
-build right up to the parcel border, overlap where possible.
-particles.
-interior black with a flashing floor.
-use lighting made of prims (this ensures no camera angle is good)
-1024x1024 textures or larger even if it's only solid black.
-make the door a solid black phantom prim to promote confusion
-particles.
-a spamming money ball that shouts on the open channel
-hip-hop music. Only.
-particles.
-dont forget an object to spam the radio station even if your parcel plays it.
-a DJ that shouts, all caps helps.
-particles.
-convince the staff to be event hosts, remember your income is dwell.
-be sure and add objects to enhance lag to drive off the neighbors.
-when posting events use the words "sex, sexy, naked, boobs, breasts bewbs and boobies"

I travel the world in vehicles -- a lot. I've happily come across malls and shops with docks, parking lots, and airstrips. I do most of my shopping and shop renting at malls where there's a good spot to land my plane. In fact, I found most of them when I was out travelling and saw a good place to park or land or dock. Even when the shopping options aren't the best in the world, I'll rent a spot or return on a shopping excursion with friends to a vehicle-friendly destination.

That's very cool, Kim. I should try that. Any excuse to take a boat ride is worth it

The title of this post seems to limit this stuff to malls, but most of it does apply to anything. Store, showroom, game room, home, puppet theater, whatever. Take out of it what you need. I'll probably go back in later tonight and edit my original post to include all the good ideas posted since. Thanks all!

Yeah it's a good thread, sorry for the sarcasm post earlier.. But, you can include that as what not to do =P

This is a great post, Milo.

Should be stickied.

If you're building ANOTHER mall, do us all a favor, cancel your account and go jump off a cliff.

That Bedazzle Team should build a mall.

I wonder what that would be like.

Hmmmmmmm..... maybe Anshe should contract them to build one?

good suggestions Milo

If they like take that challenge and I can afford what they would ask for, why not? It would be one chance to create something that could potentially last long. Mmmmm, I kinda like this idea...

But they might be busy. Dunno.

In any case: I always welcome help and ideas make my malls better and more useful

One example would be help from reliable and advanced scripter/programmer to develop one integrated rental/search/teleportation/listing system for people to find stores fast and easily.

if i owned a mall, i'd try very hard to group stores according to the type of merchandise they sold. that may end up being a disaster. but if it worked, it would be highly beneficial to the merchants and patrons.

i would also spread out as much as possilbe to minimize the number of textures an av was dealing with at any given time. that's expensive i know; but people just stop shopping places that it takes them five minutes to walk through the door.

TBH, i think the best MALL ever was the old Galleria City. It might have taken a long time to rez, but compared to everywhere you go now in SL, i suppose it wouldn't have been any different.

I own several Malls in SL (Plush Shops) <<< shameless plug* they all have or are currently going through remodel. While a themed mall may be nice to look at, Once it finaly rezzes, its not praticale for are current inviroment in SL. My 13 locations are all within view of a hub if not sitting on one. I use little or no texture in there construction. I discourage running scripts and using all light object. I have few ramps no stairs and most are open and easy to navigate.

In responce to Crim, I completly agree. I have heard all the stories about here today gone tomarrow mall owners this is why I built my first location for my friends. I take great pride in my efforts to communicate with my 160 SL vendors. I have purchased two failed mall locations and on my time and expense refund or gave a credit to everyone of the vendors there.

In conclussion I would sudgest that if you intend on opening or closing a mall in SL you take the time to consider the efforts and L$ that each vendor has invested. A little respect for your fellow gamer goes along way.

One more suggestion here: if you absolutely have to build a mall, make your walls and vendors "light" instead of wood or stone. It will ensure that your customers can see your wares even at night. I have local lighting turned off to improve performance of my computer and can NOT shop at night, unless I happen to walk into a store built buy a "smart" architect.

Another one of my favorite complaints (and listed by Milo) is the great difficulty in finding the entrance to the building, be it a mall, a store, or a club. I can't even count the times I have turned away in frustration because I couldn't find an entrance. I'm sure I don't have to mention that I did NOT try very long.

Thanks Milo, for speaking for all of us.

Accually I'm building a mall, it's called the Fisherman's Wharf *I can plug too * The mall is currently on fire (not kidding) and will include the best lag inducing particles, flashers, trackers, spinners, tracers, smokers, poppers, and poofers money can buy!

On another note this mall is going no-where it will be here as long as I am here, I have no plans on taring anything down or moving the lot.. ever. Although a slight renovation will be in order now..... lol

- Sam

*note- J/K - even though it is on fire, I will remove it soon, and put up nicer very low prim low lag/prim textured stalls - See below for photographic evdiance*

I think those were some really excellent ideas on building a mall.

We are in fact planning to open a mall at the end of January. I won't say where, though I suppose anyone could search it out if they really cared.

We've been putting a lot of thought into planning it. I want it to be very merchant friendly, and the sort of place I'd want to vend, not just another collection of boxes without an entrance.

I'm interested in any other suggestions or thoughts as to what you'd like to see in a place you'd vend. Or turn offs that would make you say "absolutely I am NOT going here." Obviously one thing we're looking at is a guarantee agreement that we'll stay in operation for a certain number of months. But I'm guessing there are a lot of other things on the "wish list" in addition to being able to find the bloody entrance, and see all the merchants easily from above as well as the side.

One thing I've never found a good description of. I agree that having good lighting has to be important in a shopping area. With small lights, I've never noticed any big problems with lag (not particle effects here mind you). However, it's my understanding that objects which are light actually have some disadvantages, and that one might want to limit the number of them in use. Does anybody actually know the details on this, or even whether or not it is quite the case?