Meet me on the web at www.billcherrybroker.com

When Raymond Nasher and his wife conceived the idea of the now famous Dallas enclosed mall, NorthPark, there were only three similar to it in the United States.  And we're talking about the late 1950s.  NorthPark opened in 1965.

Mr. Nasher passed away a few weeks ago in his mid-80s.  Within the next couple of days, I'm going to tell you the story of Mr. Nasher and his NorthPark.  Prior to that, this would be the perfect time for Dallasites -- especially those who are commercial real estate brokers and investors -- to take a day and go through that mall -- explore the whole thing.

• Look at how the stores are clustered
• Notice the sculptures and hanging art throughout the mall's common areas
• Take time to examine and ponder how the windows are dressed, for that is a true art itself.
• Notice the group of live turtles who live and sun themselves in the fountain just outside the inside entrance of Neiman-Marcus.  Watch the small children playing there.
• Compare and contrast the merchandise, the displays and the feel of Neiman-Marcus, Barney's, and Nordstrom
• Buy a bottle of Angel Blue cologne at the perfume counter adjacent to Neiman's down escalator.
• Look at the salespeople in the high end stores -- Tiffany's, Neiman's, David Yurman, etc., and see if you think they look and dress to fit the perceived aura of the store.
• Visit the new Nasher Museum Shop near Neiman's on the Neiman-Nordstrom wing.  Buy yourself a small gift.
• Eat lunch at Neiman's Zodiac on the third floor, and in the dining room at Nordstrom's.  You'll see lovely dinners at reasonable prices.
• Make sure you explore the shops on the mall's second foor concourse.
• See a movie in the surrounds of the nicest and best designed muti-plex theater in Dallas
• Compare and contrast NorthPark as a shopping destination with that of the Galleria.

And when you're through come back here and see what Mr. Nasher wanted us to see and experience when he planned Dallas' NorthPark.  It's a remarkable story.

                            BILL CHERRY, DALLAS BROKER-REALTOR.  MY 43RD YEAR SERVING TEXANS!