Shopping malls achieved their peak of popularity in the 80’s, they were a primary destination for teenagers, who were known as mall rats. They were central hubs for social activity and occasionally shopping; after school kids migrated to the malls where they met friends, played arcade games, ate Cinnabon pastries, browsed novelty gifts at Spencer’s, sipped Orange Julius, shoplifted CD’s and hung out until the mall cops chased them away.

Shopping malls were the place to be in the 80’s, and pop singer Tiffany even promoted her debut album with performances in various malls across the United States. Can you imagine a rapper trying to make a name for himself by conducting a tour of malls?

Gen Z kids avoid malls like the plague, these artifacts of an older generation hold all the appeal of bingo halls, churches, libraries, museums and art galleries.

Thousands of shopping malls have closed and the few that remain appeal to an older demographic. Many shopping centers open their doors to walkers prior to regular store hours. These “mall walking “programs allow geezers to exercise their creaking bones in a safe climate-controlled environment, where they do not have to dodge kids in scooters or skates.

Malls open in the early morning hours look like a scene from a zombie movie, with seniors with vacant eyes, shuffling aimlessly, and killing time until the Grim Reaper takes them to the rest home in the sky.

Thank God for Amazon!