If I could give zero stars, I would. All because of an encounter in the parking lot involving someone associated with Little Elephant named Jaidyn. This girl brought so much unnecessary drama to a minor accident that it felt like I had been dropped into a low-budget reality show. I'm not exaggerating! This was the most chaotic, immature, and unprofessional interaction I've ever had in public. Here's what happened: I was trying to park outside of a store to get some items. The parking lot layout was tight and poorly designed, but I managed to fit in. After picking up my items and walking back to my car, I began to reverse out only to hear a slight scrape. I realized our cars had lightly scraped against each others. As soon as I got out to assess the damage and observe, I noticed someone was sitting in the passenger seat. I made sure to check both cars, then calmly tried to address the situation. Shortly after, the driver came out of a nearby restaurant, her name was Jaidyn, and she was holding takeout from a sushi spot. I explained the situation and offered to exchange insurance. That's when the entire interaction shifted from mature to chaotic. She immediately switched into "mean girl" mode. You know the type: smug, dismissive, eye-rolling attitude, like everything and everyone is beneath her. She made it unnecessarily difficult, demanding my information but refusing to hand hers over. She also held onto my insurance card like it was hers to keep. That alone told me I was dealing with someone whose maturity level was somewhere between "kindergarten & high school hallway drama" and "Instagram Live meltdown." At this point, another woman came out of the same restaurant, asking if I hit her car too (I didn't). Her tone was playful but condescending, and I was already sensing the energy around this girl group was anything but good. I continued trying to de-escalate and even asked for my insurance card back, as she still hadn't provided hers. Her response? "Back off. I'm looking for it," with a sarcastic, annoyed tone like I was interrupting her big moment. So I matched her energy (she couldn't handle it). Then, things escalated. She pulled out her phone and began recording me, not for documentation, but clearly to try and embarrass me for social media clout. She had the phone angled just right, waving it around with her Hello Kitty case, barking threats while filming, like she was trying to create a viral clip. This wasn't someone who wanted to resolve an issue, this was someone who saw an opportunity to perform. She kept screaming, getting in my face, acting like she was auditioning for some knockoff influencer drama series. Meanwhile, her car "Venom": a dusty, beat-up black Ford Fusion sat there like the real victim. Let's be honest: if you name your car after a Marvel villain but it looks like it's been through five car washes and still smells like vape pens and disappointment, maybe tone it down on the theatrics. Let's also talk about Jaidyn's appearance, since it seemed she put more effort into looking chaotic than being civil. She had on one of those cheap synthetic wigs from the bottom shelf of a beauty supply, crooked and frizzed like it lost a fight with a hairdryer. Her random facial piercings looked like they were done at a house party, and her fashion sense was a mix of clearance rack mall goth and "look at me" desperation. Not someone you'd take seriously in a professional setting, let alone during a legal exchange. I eventually felt unsafe and overwhelmed. So, I did what any logical person would do. I left the scene and immediately called the police to report what had happened and why I left. The dispatcher told me to return if I could and that officers would meet me near the area. I followed instructions and came back, parking nearby to avoid further confrontation. And here's the twist: the officers were incredibly professional, respectful, and calm. I explained everything from start to finish. How I attempted to do the right thing, how Jaidyn escalated it, and how I felt threatened by her behavior. They listened attentively, asked questions, and showed more patience in 10 minutes than Jaidyn did in the entire encounter. Here's where karma comes in: one officer noticed that Jaidyn had been illegally parked, taking up both a regular space and a handicap spot. So while she was trying to play social media hero, she was actually violating parking laws. The officers facilitated the insurance exchange properly, and I was cleared to leave while Jaidyn stayed behind, likely receiving a ticket and a reality check. In the end, I left with my dignity intact and her 15 seconds of fake internet fame permanently denied. Having someone like Jaidyn linked to your business is not just a liability, it's a red flag. If she acts like this over a light scrape, imagine how she treats real customers! Avoid this place if you don't want to deal with a sushi-eating Hello Kitty gangster. read more

University Mall - Jaidyn CLEARLY parking illegally. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

What to say? A gloriously vintage monument to the magnificent days of the Mall's heydays. Immaculately kept, cool and nicely lit with a lowered oasis in the center under the mall's atrium, it was nice to stop in, stroll, and pretend I was back in the 80's and things were awesome again. Applebees was delicious and the anchor stores had plenty of Roll Tide merchandise, but I felt like the rest of the stores (stores with names that end in 'Z' like 'Fashionz' ), might fare better in Brooklyn than in college town Tuscaloosa, and that's why most were empty or out of business. My recommendations? Bring in the go-to Mall staples: a movie theatre, T.G.I. Fridays, Gap, Apple, Banana Republic, an arcade. Make Malls Fun Again! read more

Belk bathroom need serious cleansing and maintenance. 2 toilets out of order, doors wouldn't lock very well.

So, um, it's a mall. And not a big one, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your preference. Anchor stores include JCPenney, Sears, and Belk, but a lot of storefronts inside seem to be vacant. The usual mall stuff is there (Mrs. Field's cookies, a center area where they set up Santa at Christmas, etc.), but it's really not anything special. There is access from all sides, and plenty of parking. I've only ever been in daylight, so I can't comment on security. Honestly, if you've just got to get out of the house, this is somewhere to go, but I can't get that enthusiastic about it. read more

Ummmm. It's ok. I grew up here & it was much better then. Cons: Not many stores left. You can tell it's old. Pros: There is an Applebees, so yeah. read more

An OK, mall for a town the size if Tuscaloosa. Not new, but not in disrepair either. Parking is pretty good, and they do provide security in the parking lot. Selection of stores is typical mall fare. I personally avoid malls unless absolutely necessary. But, when needed this one is all right. read more

University Mall is a great place to shop! Best stores!!