Sister Mary Julia of the Order of St. Benedict walks toward her bus stop near the Crossroads Shopping Center.

The mall is the hub of neighborhood activities, so recent closures because of snow created a hardship on many.

Crossroads Community Center is a gathering place for young and old that offers arts and recreation classes, youth programs and a variety of family services. Above, Andre Stansberry, 11, and Garrison Carr, 10, play a game of hoops.

Doreen Cato reads with 7-year-old friend Rose Cimino at the Barnes & Nobel bookstore at Crossroads Shopping Center, where visitors can witness not just a slice of life but heaping portions of it.

The shopping center's giant chess board is a popular draw. Michael Conley, left, and Tom Poyneer try it out.

The retro design of the new Crossroads community police stationcomplements remodeled buildings throughout the shopping center.

Classic gas lights are a neighborhood landmark.

The shopping center is the focus of the Crossroads community.

Robert Mercer and George take a walk in the peaceful 35-acre Crossroads Community Park behind the shopping center.

John Panchot and Ted Kinski help give The Daily Planet newsstand in Bellevue's Crossroads Shopping Center a personalized atmosphere.