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Not such a weighty subject as some others discussed here on this forum, but in the history of retail shopping this has its place:http://www.deadmalls.com/You can read about old malls by state, so you might be able to find some that are in your area (perhaps even ones that you shopped at in the past). The concept of a "mall" is interesting in itself and seems to be a natural extension of capitalist tendencies - to provide a comprehensive shopping experience outside of the harsh elements. Actually, it's grown to provide a comprehensive "community" experience, not merely shopping.
Thanks for the link. I spent a bunch of time looking through there. Aren't malls in warmer areas actually on decline? Sure there are plenty of them and large ones being built. But proportionally to the population, I'd think that there are not as many as in the 60', 70', and 80's. The recent trend seems to be large stores with access from the outside only. Think Supper Target, Walmart, Kohl's etc.
Thanks for the link. I spent a bunch of time looking through there. Aren't malls in warmer areas actually on decline? Sure there are plenty of them and large ones being built. But proportionally to the population, I'd think that there are not as many as in the 60', 70', and 80's. The recent trend seems to be large stores with access from the outside only. Think Supper Target, Walmart, Kohl's etc.
That is interesting, and I can see why it might be the case. I think there are advantages to strip malls that indoor malls don't have - closer access to customers' cars, less competition by nearby stores, ability to easily market to potential customers who may see a strip mall sign while on the road..... This last point about marketing could be a big one since otherwise an indoor mall store would have to pay high rents plus pay for outside marketing. With strip malls you may pay a high rent in a good location but you've got some "natural" marketing simply by being closer to the road.
Seems like the big all-in-one (enclosed) malls in my area are thinning out… it hasn't gotten any cooler nor warmer in winter but the days of the anchor store are sort of gone. So too, any that would aspire to that grandure aren't liking the competition of 20-30 boutique types all around them.On another level the mall can serve a wide area but with more sprawl we are seeing more of the strip type as folks aren't anymore interested in going clear across the city tha with fighting the downtown traffic congestion that spawned the mall concept in the first place.Just my observation of my locality.Wally
