Plebes and Annapolis Mall

MIHOSER

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Do the plebes ever get out to Annapolis Mall? Many people are thinking of gift cards for our Son as graduation gifts, but other than Subway and Starbucks most of the chain stores/restaurants don't have locations in town near USNA but they do at Annapolis Mall.
 
dont worry, the annapolis mall is the second version of bancroft..:shake:
 
Not only do plebes visit the Annapolis Mall (officially known as "Westfield Mall") but sometimes they do heoric things while there.

Midshipman Honored As Hero In Md. Mall Shooting
by Derek Valcourt

January 18, 2007

A Florence, Montana, man in his freshman year at the U.S. Naval Academy was recognized Thursday for helping a man shot at an Annapolis shopping mall.

As WJZ's Derek Valcourt reports, officials presented the Navy Achievement Award to 19-year-old Roarke Baldwin in a noon ceremony.

He was at a bookstore at the Westfield Annapolis mall November 18th when a person with a gun opened fire elsewhere in the mall. Baldwin ran to a food court, where he found a shopper with a gunshot wound to the leg.

The man was an off-duty Secret Service agent and was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a man firing into a group. Baldwin pressed against the wound, talked to the man while trying to help him remain conscious, and stayed with him when medical workers arrived. Baldwin comforted the victim's four-year-old daughter while authorities talked to family members.

The Navy Achievement Award is given to junior officers and enlisted personnel, for outstanding professional achievement or leadership.

:thumb:
 
Annapolis Mall is one of the big draws for plebes during Parents' Weekend.
 
Do the plebes ever get out to Annapolis Mall? Many people are thinking of gift cards for our Son as graduation gifts, but other than Subway and Starbucks most of the chain stores/restaurants don't have locations in town near USNA but they do at Annapolis Mall.

I wouldn't think Plebes get to the Annapolis Mall (actually called Westfield Annapolis) very often. It is not within walking distance of the academy. Plebes are not even allowed in a car unless it is with a sponsor or visiting parent.

My sons are very disappointed that there are none of your standard fastfood places in Annapolis. There is no McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, KFC, or Taco Bell. Only a Subway at the top of Main Street.

Quite frankly, there is not much in Annapolis that appeals to your typical college student. It's quaint and scenic, but its very touristy. Souvenirs, antiques, and expensive restaurants - for the most part.

Parents tend to be more impressed with the immediate surroundings than the mids. Then again, "familiarity breeds contempt."

During my years there (circa late 70's), at least we had a Burger King on Main Street - now gone.
 
It really depends what type of plebe you child is going to be. Some plebes will be hanging out at the mall every weekend, others will find other things to do. I guarentee you, though, that your son will find himself at the Annapolis mall at least once in his plebe year, and he will get a chance to spend the cards he is given.
 
"Moes" and Starbucks near Main Street are favorites as is "The Big Cheese." At The Big Cheese you can set up an account for your child and he/she can go in and charge. When the balance runs low you can replenish with a credit card or a check. Moes and The Big Cheese deliver to the Yard.

GoNavyMom
 
My sons are very disappointed that there are none of your standard fastfood places in Annapolis. There is no McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, KFC, or Taco Bell. Only a Subway at the top of Main Street.

Downtown Annapolis is a Historic District, hence none of the fast food joints.

But there's a Wendys and a Burger King on West St, and Chikfila and Arbys are at the Mall.

And who needs any of them when you've got a Five Guys Burgers, too!
 
My plebe has been to the mall twice. He could care less about going to the mall. He does eat at Moe's, Federal House and Chick and Ruth's. Chick and Ruth's does gift cards.

The mall is not an easy place for a plebe to go. They can only ride in a car with a firstie or sponsor parent.
 
the mall's movie theatre is a big draw, since the plebes have no media in their daily lives. many plebes get together and share the cost of a cab ride there.
 
There are tons of midshipmen at the mall on weekends. I've seen plenty of plebes, too. It is not walking distance, but they must get a ride somehow.
 
The mall is not an easy place for a plebe to go. They can only ride in a car with a firstie or sponsor parent.

Does the bus not exist anymore? 'Cause that's a pretty easy way to get to the mall or harbour center.
 
I agree w/Memphis that, at least during my day, Annapolis was more of a prison than a place to escape USNA. In some ways, it was an extension of USNA, if that makes any sense.

I also recall the Burger King -- I think mids alone would have kept it open but for the fact we could only get there on Saturdays and Sundays. :rolleyes:

We didn't have the mall so plebes tended to wander around Annapolis (Storm Bros ice cream was a favorite). And, in our day, we could legally drink beer and wine at age 18, so -- somewhat unfortunately -- drinking seemed to be the major attraction on Saturday nights.
 
I agree w/Memphis that, at least during my day, Annapolis was more of a prison than a place to escape USNA. In some ways, it was an extension of USNA, if that makes any sense.

I also recall the Burger King -- I think mids alone would have kept it open but for the fact we could only get there on Saturdays and Sundays. :rolleyes:

We didn't have the mall so plebes tended to wander around Annapolis (Storm Bros ice cream was a favorite). And, in our day, we could legally drink beer and wine at age 18, so -- somewhat unfortunately -- drinking seemed to be the major attraction on Saturday nights.

Annapolis is Paris compared to Lexington, Va. At least there is a mall in Naptown (which is one of the biggest in Maryland...even bigger than Arundel Mills, I think). Lexington had a Wal-Mart, which was beyond walking distance. The big Parents Weekend trip at VMI was to stock up on junk food at said Wal-Mart....fun times.
 
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Annapolis is Paris compared to Lexington, Va. At least there is a mall in Naptown (which is one of the biggest in Maryland...even bigger than Arundel Mills, I think). Lexington had a Wal-Mart, which was beyond walking distance. The big Parents Weekend trip at VMI was to stock up on junk food at said Wal-Mart....fun times.

I was going to say the same thing about Highland Falls! :wink:
 
I won't be so presumptuous as to request it, but if someone asks, we are going to suggest VISA gift cards. I understand these can be used anywhere, similar to a debit card, except they are prepaid. Seems like that would be most convenient for our DS. Also, we plan to get a reloadable card in case we need to get spending money to him.

Any thoughts about this plan from the more experienced parents?
 
There's a bus that my son and his roommates have taken to the mall.
 
Visa cards good idea. Also, the old fashioned check. Son opened his Navy Fed checking acct with grad checks.

Pizza Hut not a good idea for gift card. They do not deliver to the yard!
 
My plebe has been to the mall twice. He could care less about going to the mall. He does eat at Moe's, Federal House and Chick and Ruth's. Chick and Ruth's does gift cards.

The mall is not an easy place for a plebe to go. They can only ride in a car with a firstie or sponsor parent.

By regulations, I don't think a Plebe can hitch a ride with any upperclassman:

Directly from the "Commandant of Midshipman Instruction 5400.6L"
Fourth-class Midshipmen may:
(1) Operate a vehicle during leave periods, except they may not drive on the Yard.
(2) Ride in government vehicles for official business.
(3) Ride in personal vehicles with Naval Academy staff or faculty, or official adult sponsors.
(4) Ride in personal vehicles during leave periods or when escorting to an official Naval Academy function.
(5) Ride in personal vehicles with first-class Midshipmen to go to their sponsors' house or with Company Officer permission.
(6) Use public transportation.​
Having said that - I'm sure that it does happen.
 
Even Youngsters don't have cars, but they still get to the mall (no, it's definitely NOT as large as Arundel Mills mall).

-There is still a bus to the mall, but it stops running before most late afternoon movies are over.
- Many 3/C & 4/C Mids will fit into a cab (and do)
- Sometimes, nice sponsor parents will take Mids to the mall, (sometimes even after Plebe year is over)!

My Mid asked for (and received) chits to allow her to ride with visiting family during Plebe year.

IMO, the best bet for many college aged people, Mids included, is still a check/cash. If you can arrive in Annapolis on I-day -1, your Plebe can visit the NFCU and deposit any graduation gifts in their new account. They can get a debit/VISA card as part of their account. Since it's marked as a VISA card, it's useful just about anywhere. We've tried the Yard card, gift cards, etc., but a deposit to the Mid's account is by far the easiest, at least according to my Mid.

If that idea doesn't suit, there are several Starbucks within walking distance of the Yard (in addition to the various places mentioned in other posts).
 
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