The Esplanade

Okay, some of y’all who are giving Esplanade such low ratings have obviously never been to Oakwood on the Wank.
I visited Esplanade Mall today for EASILY the first time in 15 years. I wasn’t expecting much, because some of the reviews were ROUGH. I was actually pleasantly surprised with what I found here. Look, no one is ever going to accuse Esplanade Mall of being cool or trendy– they have a lot of empty stores and the stores they do have are a bit out of date (there’s a Spencers AND a Hot Topic), but for what it is, it isn’t terrible. There are a few cute little clothing shops here and even though it’s limited, the food court has a selection of a few different eateries.
I think that the biggest problem with this mall is the fact that it’s too big, too spread out and it’s two stories. This mall suffers from the same design problem as the long forgotten Belle Promenade mall that was in Marrero– there are too many stores hidden around corners and off to the side. There’s nothing that can be done about that at this point, but that’s my theory.
When I was here the mall was pretty empty and there were a lot of store workers waiting outside their stores hoping that someone would stop in. Esplanade EASILY needs a makeover and badly. In this day and age of internet shopping, you have to offer something that is going to draw people in. I’m no mall manager, I’m just throwing my two cents out there.
This is not a terrible mall to visit if you live or work in the area, but it’s not worth going out of your way. The biggest selling point is that they have a Macy’s.

This mall is totally empty. More than half the stores are closed. The ones that are open, are unknown stores. Need to find something more worthwhile to shop around in.

Definitely one of the trashiest malls I’ve been to. The area looks like a post zombie-​apocalypse with speed bumps a go-​go. And the only humans who survived were chain-​smokers, parents with 3+ kids whose volume was permanently turned up to 11 and a gaggle of folks who were just probably born sketchy. Oh, and a random couple wailing on each other. Seriously, I haven’t heard that much screaming in a public place since the last time I was in the ER. And that was just the parking lot. The inside was a mess of boob-​flashing mannequins, stuffing spilling out of fitting room sofas and doors that didn’t work. What with the flickering lights and so many shuttered stores (at 4p on a Friday) it was all a bit too Dawn of the Dead for me. Two stars just because the cashier who helped me at the pick-​up counter in Macy’s was super-​sweet. But I won’t be coming back unless major rennovations take place and the mall gets some security. I mean even Paul Blart or something. Until then I’d rather deal with the predictable yet zombie-​free craziness of Lakeside.

Love this mall. No its NOT Lakeside! But, there’s a lot to be said for it surely isn’t a strip mall either. Its, a fairly nice size, clean AND has my beloved Macy’s. The mall is close to home, never ever jammed packed and has a nice calm air about it. Very enjoyable. I always find what I’m looking for there and enjoy the restaurants right there too. An upscale experience without the hassle that comes with huge malls like Lakeside. There are also some not so pricey options that are fun to shop also which usually aren’t found in an enclosed mall! And then there’s the movie theater! What an asset! This is a relative new movie that upgraded to include recliners in EVERY seat — buy hot dogs, nacho’s, daiquiris, and of course normal show fare! There’s even a Café du Monde’ whoot!

I have never been a fan of crowed malls. So this is a great shopping experience for anyone looking to escape the hustle of the Lakeside Mall.
Lots of parking
Plenty of Security both in the Mall and in the Parking lot.
And always clean, I am a frequent shopper here.
Also they opened a New Orleans Cafeteria style restaurant in the food court. TALK ABOUT GOOD! You have to try the catfish special on Tuesdays!

This Mall is on its way back, they have really clean up their act, parking is a breeze, cleanest Mall around, they just need some new retailers get wind of their determination to get back on the map ! Build it and they will come !!

The Esplanade. The name seems to give off an air of elite-​ism, elite-​ness, superiority that is deceiving of what it actually is. It is large. The anchor stores are Macy’s, Target and Dillard’s. There is a ton of parking. There is a movie theater in the lot, not attached to the mall, but is recently built and appears to be quite nice, though I have not been in since its opening.
This mall seems to almost never be busy, even during the holiday season. The many chain restaurants along the perimeter seem to get a lot of business. This mall reminds me of the mall that I frequented growing up, and as a teenager on Friday nights in my hometown of Charlotte, NC, minus the ice skating rink. I fear this mall might go the way of that mall and be torn down. Though this whole mall gives off an air of depression, it could be of some use in the future as an office building, gym or something. It is not a sparkling gem in any way, shape or form, but with some effort, it could be more.
Mall security politely told me that no photos were allowed inside of the mall, though I was taking a picture of the store front I had just visited, and had no humans in the shot. The zombie spirit of teenagers past seems to be around here. Though during the zombie apocalypse, this should not be a destination spot for those hoping to escape the apocalypse. There is not much to be had as far as weapons to fend off the zombies, nor even any decent food to be had.
My main reasons for ever setting foot into this mall are for the Old Navy outlet and/​or the Lens Crafters. The Macy’s and Dillard’s are much better at Lakeside Mall. The music blaring throughout the mall consisted of Celine Dion, Sheryl Crow and Green Day. Very odd combination, and the smell of bad food pervaded much of the mall.

We were in town for vacation stopped by movies and mall. The parking lot was crowded, guess they were all at movie theater? Walked in to see 2 tall nut crakers. But the mall is dead. Lots of empty stores. Does have a target which I thought was cool. Even the food court doesn’t have national brands (chick fil a, etc).
Have never been here before. Probably never will again. But it’s ways sad when a mall is a ghost town.
Had small arcade. Didn’t see many families. We walked through the mall. Honestly saw maybe 50 people. Couple teens. This just isn’t a «go to» spot.

It might be considered a dead mall for the locals but for me it’s a gem! I hate going to malls but I really enjoyed this one. It’s not overly crowded and they have stores like Target, Spencers, Torrid, and original small businesses. I never thought I’d find a store that sold authentic Salvadoran things! I enjoyed myself!

This mall used to be a thriving place to be! Now, it is a place to hold stores that not many people want to go to. The mall does have a Target, Movie Theater and a Discount Dillard’s, which still isn’t bringing in enough to keep the mall open. I went yesterday to look for something for my son. I was so disappointed to see this place so run down. I think they should make this a inside Outlet mall. I don’t think I will be back until they put some decent stores in here.

Sooo sad seeing this place. I went there yesterday and I must say I am disappointed. The second floor on the left is blocked off with a wall. Some places are empty and the food court just embarassing. I hope this mall gets a face lift. This was the mall to be at and clearview was a shame. Amazing how times change.

This is a sad review for me to write because I grew up in this mall. Esplanade mall used to be bustling with shoppers, have a plethora of shops, and an overall beautiful mall. Now it looks like an abandoned mall after a zombie apocalypse. I would say 90% of the stores have left and been replaced with, well, trashy stores. Cheap clothes and shoes, all made in god knows where, and equally sad kiosks. These stores generally rotate names, but all carry the same trash.
I go to this mall when I either go shopping at the discount Dillard’s (see review), Target, or maybe the Macy’s. The food court is basically non-​existent. I’m so surprised the Chick Fil A hasn’t left. They are too good for this place now, and who wouldn’t want a free standing Chick Fil A in America’s City?
Im really hoping by the time I have kids this mall will reinvent itself and be what its used to, but I don’t see that happening anytime
Soon.
RIP Esplanade mall, we will get you a casket at the coffin store, located on the second level… oh wait, that left too.

Sadly, this mall is very, very dead going on a downhill slope that still hasn’t reached its end. This is the only mall I frequent that makes me feel as if I own the mall myself! Particularly why I like it. There isn’t a forever 21 for the young girls, and there isn’t many major stores that people look for. However, I love to come here when I have the urge to shop. I’ll stop by in Image and find many great steals on what I know I would pay more for at lakeside mall. The rent is cheaper here because they want stores to stay, so stores are able to sell at a cheaper price. I love shopping without the crowds of people surrounding me. Maybe that’s why people don’t like it? The Dillard’s in here is a discount Dillard’s. So be prepared to dig for a great find if you want to look for a bargain. Never before worn clothes with the price of a discount bargain store. Honestly, I do come here pretty often. Stores such as wet seal and body shop has since shut down, but i still enjoy shopping at image.

A sad story of what could be and in the past was a great place to shop.
This mall is very aesthetically pleasing and very well set up unlike the mess that is lakeside. The mall was very clean when I last visited on 6÷28÷14, but it is empty. Gone are much of all indoor trees and landscaping, the fountain turned off, and the glass elevator surrounded with an advertisement. Quality stores are now empty or replaced with trash that no one outside of south Kenner wants to buy. How this place got to this point I have no idea, but change needs to happen.

Esplanade never seemed to bounce back after Katrina. Not even a new Target and movie theater seems to be helping the real estate inside the mall. The Macy’s in this mall is a small Macy’s so you will not find a large selection of anything. Their handbag and shoe department is very minimal compared to Lakeside or MOL. The Dillard’s is an outlet Dillards, which basically translates to where fashion goes to be put out to pasture. It’s dimly lit and dingy making shopping there depressing. As for shops inside the mall just recently Gap, Hollister, Ann Taylor Loft all left Esplanade. What is remaining are a few big box retailers, made in China cheap clothing stores, a coffin store, a weird massage place oh and a Lenscrafters. Making it possibly the weirdest mall in America. In fact they should just rebrand it as that and start charging people for admission like its a creepy museum. There is a section between Macys and the food court where I could sing Celine Dion’s «My Heart Will Go On» and no one would ever hear me because every shop in that vicinity is vacant and deserted.
It’s sad because this mall has a great layout, has ample parking, and could be a really nice mall. I’m not sure how it has survived this long, but hopefully the next ten years will be better than the last.

The naked truth is… this mall sucks!
The real estate is priceless in Esplanade! New Orleans and surrounding areas are larger than Baton Rouge. Why is the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge? This mall should be in our area. New Orleans residents spend money on shopping, right? The Riverwalk is also disappointing. I do not want to shop high class thrift in a store labeled ‘department’ or ‘mall’. I actually like some thrift stores, but they should not be in malls. It’s like that 70s show in some of these stores.
Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret, sure they are in Esplanade — but they are in EVERY mall in america — small time and big time. I had to search the clearance Dillards for an hour just to find the dressing room — found shoes though (smizing)…
It took almost 9 years to build a Walmart in New Orleans East and they are beating sales! Wake up city! The Esplanade Mall should not resemble one of a mall that is in a under populated area like Dothan, Alabama. Help me please (HMP). Esplanade has nothin but after 5 club stores and the food court looks like a… I don’t know how to pronounce it! It is horribly empty! HMP again! No offense to the small businesses in here. it’s not your fault, it’s ours!!!
The good news is I found a dress in here. The bad news is — it doesn’t matter (mall still sucks) and I am mad!!!

Convenient location. Okay selection of stores. We try to shop here before other places. Simon Malls needs to sell it and let a better company bring it back to what it used to be. Great new theater. Great nearby restaurants.

Okay, I’m not a big fan of this mall but I will say this… PRIME PARKING REAL ESTATE. There is NEVER I MEAN NEVER A PARKING ISSUE. I always park so close to the front like the boss that I am so its all good for me. It doesn’t have every store in America but they do have some quality picks, Bath & Body Works, Macy’s Old Navy, New York & Co, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Dillard’s and others.
The food court isn’t the best but they do have a Smoothie King. Also around is a few restaurants on the outskirts of the mall. This includes: Zea’s Copeland’s, and Olive Garden

This mall is a sad hot mess. I wish that it would come under new management. The location is beautiful and the store vacancies are actually larger than most. The mall needs money bad and most of the stores there are horrible performing. The mall
Should close and get new management. But Kenner is a trashy broken city too. Lordy. If i could give it a ½ star i would.

I really dont like this mall. The Macy’s has the smallest section of dresses I’ve ever seen. The Dillards is closed. They dont seem to have many of the top stores for women’s fashion.
I much prefer Clearview.