Heralding Holiday Shopping

It’s as American as the post-Thanksgiving stomachache: throwing reason out with the wishbone and stampeding to the nearest mall to help usher in the holiday season.

But if the day after turkey day spend-a-thon isn’t going away, it can at least go a little smoother. Fully aware that shopping for the holidays can be a colossal headache for many people, area malls plan events and special services to keep customers happy.

In addition to the ubiquitous Santa Clauses, smiling and ready to take pictures with all the kiddies, malls offer everything from longer hours, rental strollers and personal shoppers’ services to gift-wrapping centers and musical entertainment.

And police and representatives from malls around the San Fernando Valley say some planning and attention to common-sense safety precautions can also ease the way.

“Pre-planning is always helpful,” said Allen Oblow of the Media City Shopping Center in Burbank. “If people come prepared with a list of what they need to purchase, take a directory and map out the stores that they want to visit, it will be less of a nightmare.”

Shopping inducements aside, mall-goers should be extra aware of their personal safety when distracted by shopping commotion and loaded down with packages, police said.

“Know what you want to do. Don’t just wonder around; have a plan,” advised Sgt. Matt Wojnarowski of the Glendale police substation at the Glendale Galleria. “Hold on to your purses and wallets. For men, keep your wallet in a buttoned pocket or inside your jacket. For women, don’t leave your purse unattended, even for just a second.”

The other tips may also sound familiar. But Wojnarowski and others say it’s the simple rules that people forget in the hubbub and excitement.

Be aware of your surroundings. If possible, shop with a friend. Put packages in the trunk, not the back seat of the car. Park in a well-lit area.

“Don’t buy something, dump it in your car and go back, and then buy something, dump it in your car and go back,” Wojnarowski said. “If there are people watching, they see that you’re leaving something in your car. It’s an opportunist-type thing, if they see something they can get, they’ll get it.”

It is also a good idea to get car keys out while still in the mall and have them ready when approaching the car.

“Be aware of where you park so you’re not wandering around the parking lot looking for your car, looking confused,” said Annette Bethers of Topanga Plaza. “And if you have any concerns, go back into the mall and ask for a security escort.”

And then there’s the traffic. At most area malls, there are a few horribly clogged main entrances off major thoroughfares. Secondary entrances, generally behind the mall and off side streets, are often a better bet.

Once in the parking lot, the experts say, be patient. Many malls offer shuttle buses from remote parking areas or valet services.

“A lot of people want the same parking space,” Wojnarowski said. “Don’t fight over a space; if someone beats you to it, just move on. More cars get keyed that way; someone gets mad about losing a parking space and the next thing you know, there’s a big scratch down the other guy’s car.”

Wojnarowski’s last bit of advice may sound a bit like your mother’s: “Get out early and get it done.”

A Look at the Malls

* Antelope Valley Mall

Number of stores: 125

Anchor stores: Gottschalks, JCPenney, Harris’, Sears, Mervyn’s

Number of parking places: 5,000

Best route in: 15th Street West, near Sears

Special services: Free stroller and wheelchair rental with receipt from the food court. Strolling musicians. Pictures with Santa starting at $7.57.

* Media City Shopping Center

Number of stores: 90

Anchor stores: Sears, Bullock’s, Mervyn’s, Sport Chalet

Number of parking places: 5,000

Best route in: 1st Street, near Sears and Bullock’s

Special services: Free strollers and wheelchair loaners, musical entertainment. Pictures with Santa from $7.

* Fallbrook Mall

Number of stores: 125

Anchor stores: Mervyn’s, Target, JCPenney Catalogue Outlet Store, Ross

Number of parking places: 5,300

Best route in: One of the three driveways on Victory Boulevard or one of the two on Vanowen Street.

Special services: Free gift wrapping in front of JCPenney, holiday entertainment on weekends, Santa pictures from $5.50, wheelchair rental for no charge and stroller rental for $1/hour. Hanukkah celebration 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9.

* Fashion Square, Sherman Oaks

Number of stores: 140

Anchor stores: Broadway, Bullock’s

Number of parking places: 3,800

Best route in: Ramp off Woodman Avenue, past Bullock’s, that goes directly up to the top floor of the parking structure.

Special services: Wheelchairs to lend. Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and weekend days. Photographs with Santa starting at $6.95. Hanukkah celebration at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 12.

* Northridge Fashion Center

Number of stores: 206

Anchor stores: Broadway, Bullock’s, JCPenney, Robinsons-May, Sears

Number of parking places: 7,500

Best route in: At rear of mall on Shirley Avenue, park on second level near JCPenney.

Special services: Gift wrap from $3, caroling most evenings beginning Dec. 1, stroller rental $2/hour, kiddie train ride for 50 cents/ride, Santa pictures from $6.75, Hanukkah celebration at 7 p.m. Dec. 13.

* Glendale Galleria

Number of stores: 270

Anchor stores: Nordstrom, Robinsons-May, Broadway, JCPenney, Mervyn’s

Number of parking places: 6,400, with an extra 1,000 at the L. A. Zoo, with shuttle service to the mall.

Best route in: The four or five entrances at the top of the parking structure, above the California Terrace food court.

Special services: Valet parking on weekends for $3 near Nordstrom, between Broadway and JCPenney, and near Robinsons-May, school caroling every weekday, strolling holiday musicians in evenings, pictures with Santa starting at $6.93.

* Promenade at Woodland Hills

Number of stores: 60

Anchor stores: I. Magnin, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bullock’s

Number of parking places: 2,409

Best route in: Erwin Avenue and Owensmouth Avenue entrances.

Special services: Free valet parking on weekends at upper level main entrance on Oxnard Street side of mall, free wheelchair rental, free personal shoppers’ services available by appointment, pictures with Santa starting at $6.99.

* Topanga Plaza

Number of stores: 140

Anchor stores: Robinsons-May, Nordstrom, Broadway, Montgomery Ward

Number of parking places: 5,340

Best route in: Off Owensmouth Avenue on the east side of mall.

Special services: Valet parking at the southwest entrance for $3, free wheelchair loaners, stroller rentals for $2 for four hours, Tuesday story time with Santa at 10 a.m., West Valley Children’s Chorus at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 and 18, pictures with Santa from $6.48.

* Valencia Town Center

Number of stores: 100

Anchor stores: Robinsons-May, JCPenney, Sears

Number of parking places: 4,000

Best route in: Either of the entrances on Citrus Place.

Special services: Gift certificates, gift wrapping for $2 to $4, stroller rental for $3/day, free wheelchair loaners, shuttle service from parking lot to mall entrance, holiday music and events throughout the month, covered carousel at the mall for $1/ride, pictures with Santa starting at $6.25, Hanukkah celebration 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10.