Ep. 46 - Mall Closures, Local Politics, and Reality TV Confessions
Ep. 46 - Mall Closures, Local Politics, and Reality TV Confessions  
Podcast: Everything Is Local
Published On: Sat Mar 14 2026
Description: This is a great episode where Mike and Shana talk about: A weekend recap, including a charity dance event in Barberton that raised thousands for Ronald McDonald House and the start of baseball season traditions.  The announcement that Saks is closing at Beachwood Place, what it says about the department store model, and what the future of the mall could look like.  How major mall ownership groups make decisions, why Beachwood Place is still performing better than most malls, and the potential for residential or mixed-use development to replace big box retail.  Local political races, party endorsements, and the debate over how much influence political leaders should have in choosing candidates.  County council decisions, TIF debates, and why understanding the basics of public policy matters for elected officials.  Teen mall culture, public transit adventures growing up, and how things have (and haven’t) changed for kids hanging out at the mall today.  A deep dive into Love Is Blind, reality TV nostalgia, and the story of a former baseball teammate who once went on a network dating show with a million-dollar marriage prize. Subscribe for more episodes like this one!