Maybe you’ve seen them; maybe you’re even one of them. Arrive at Summit Mall – many malls across America at that – between 7 and 10am on any given weekday and without a doubt you’ll enter into the relaxed yet disciplined world of the Power Walkers. PW’s as we call them in my home.
Let’s be clear here, more often than not this is a group defined by life experience, age if you will, the 50 and up crowd. That said, with much personal experience this space is well suited for at-home parents and anyone looking for a quiet place to work. Picture this if you will: wide open, never ending hallways painted with grandparent figures in motion full of smiles and waves and your little one wandering aimlessly and freely. That’s right, a safe, non-crowded and relatively peaceful public space – note that I didn’t say ‘quiet’ as your child will surely account for the multiplied echoes ringing throughout the halls.
Should you not be sold at this point, if it’s too early in the morning, let us note the most important element, coffee (around 9am at Summit). The fantastic aroma of freshly brewed coffee lacing the halls and ultimately waiting for you at the heart of it all in their cafe, with mildly comfortable chairs, scattered couches and free wifi. And as if with your little escape artist in mind a walled in play area nearby to sweat off that confounding early morning energy while you read, tweet or simply connect with those of like mind sitting across the way.
So, as the cold weather continues to creep in for the season go ahead and cut cabin fever off at the pass. Bundle up, grab your favorite magazine, coffee money, earplugs for the PW’s and find your way to this lesser-known space and enjoy.
After all, there’s much more to do at the mall than shop, right?
Article submitted by Rich Dyson
Rich and his family are recent returnee’s to the Akron area and he is more than excited to show off his old stomping grounds to his young children. Aside from street-side exploration he’s spent much of time connecting the local church to the community at large. And this writing thing is a fun addition to the day as well.
