FROM THE ARCHIVES: City Creek Mall opens; critics say money would have been better spent on rainbows and puppies

EDITOR'S NOTE - One year ago today the City Creek Mall opened. We take a look back.

---

March 22, 2012
SALT LAKE CITY - The City Creek Mall, financed by the LaDaSa church, opened to much fanfare today. While there are plenty of excited shoppers not everyone is pleased with the mall. Critics say that the church should have been more wise with their spending.

We caught up with Willie Scott, vocal critic of the mall and owner of mormonthinkstories.wordpress.com. The resident critic says that the money should have been spent on worthier causes. Says Scott, "My sister just returned from a mission in Malaysia. Do you know how many people there could have been fed if the church sent the money there instead of spending it on this tawdry mall? Well, it depends on what kind of food we are talking. Obviously stuff like Toaster Strudel costs more than Pop Tarts. Then if you go generic it is even cheaper but some of that generic stuff tastes awful. And don't get me started on real Fruity Pebbles vs. that bottom shelf nonsense in a bag. They say you can't taste the difference but they are full of it. Anyway, it's a lot of food no matter what."

Willie Scott

Web developer Scott went on to discuss the church's efforts locally: "Some people have complained that the church is too focused on retail, which is a money loser. I also heard a rumor that the church was cutting back on discounted meals for church employees. I don't know about that, I just heard a rumor. It could be true. It might not be true, but I'll throw it out there anyway. Maybe you could look into it? Also, if you have time, could you look into the rumor I heard about the secret Oliver Cowdery history being kept in the First Presidency's vault? I think that's a solid rumor. I'll just put that out there and hopefully someone can substantiate. I don't really have time to do it myself."

At the end of the day, good or ill, the mall is here to stay. Do you think it is money well spent? Let us know. Please keep the conversation respectful.



As always, if you have any 'news' tips or would like to see a certain topic covered, email us at astutedoofus@gmail.com. We'll give you props in the story.