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I think you misunderstand. Malls only end up as a social gathering spot when there's nowhere else to go. And even then, that only really appeals to teenagers wh
by itswhateverman2 9y ago
I think you misunderstand. Malls only end up as a social gathering spot when there's nowhere else to go. And even then, that only really appeals to teenagers who have nothing else to do. A mall would never be preferable to what was mentioned above, a downtown with brick paths and quality scenery/stores, etc.
- brandonmenc 9y ago> A mall would never be preferable to what was mentioned above, a downtown with brick paths and quality scenery/stores, etc. Sounds great, until it snows.
- foobarian 9y agoWell nobody said the alternative has to be outdoors, that's just the OP. It could be a community center with arcades and playgrounds and what not.
- itswhateverman2 9y agoSo you just don't go outside when it snows? Snow does not stop me from running errands to any other regular store that has an outdoor entrance. I don't understand how this is an argument.
- heimidal 9y agoNever? I certainly prefer a mall over a nice outdoor space (which I have available to me) when it’s freezing outside with a sheen of ice covering everything.
- itswhateverman2 9y agoSure, it's convenient when the weather is bad. That still doesn't make malls a staple of social activity, which was the point I was arguing against.
- heimidal 9y agoIn some parts of the US, the weather is bad for half of the year. In those places, malls are bustling with activity every weekend. I think this is a regional thing; in warmer climates, outdoor shopping centers with community-centric areas have been all the rage for years.
- rangersanger 9y agoIn those places some malls are bustling with activity every weekend, others are shuttering. One of the most popular malls in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is in fact an outdoor "town center," a nomenclature I take issue with. https://www.bayshoretowncenter.com/ https://www.bayshoretowncenter.com/
- itswhateverman2 9y ago"Bustling with activity" yes, shoppers. I'm arguing against the idea that malls are social centers. They are not, and when they are it is because there are no other options. Nobody wants to spend time at the mall.
- s73ver_ 9y agoA mall would be 10x preferable to that stuff when it's -10 degrees out.
- itswhateverman2 9y agoMy point is that these outdoor centers always have more to offer for social activities. Indoor malls do not have this, even when it is more convenient to use them.
- irrational 9y agoWhere I live it rains for 9 months out of the year (and is very hot 2 of the other months - we maybe get 1 month of nice outdoor weather a year). I'd much prefer an enclosed space. Though, let's be honest, I'd really prefer someone to just drop my purchases off at my doorstep so I don't have to deal with the weather at all.
- itswhateverman2 9y agoThis is not about shopping convenience, I'm arguing against the idea that indoor malls are even social spots in the first place. Everyone seems to be glossing over this. For the record: Yes, obviously indoor malls are preferable for convenient shopping when the weather is bad. They are NOT social centers.
- buttersb 9y agoWe are only thinking of malls in the classic context. For the last 10+ years many "malls" have been outdoor "areas" with shops, beautified walking paths, communal spaces, grocery stores, movie theaters, etc. Essentially miniature downtowns. We have both these and the classic style mall here. Only 2 or 3 classic malls any more. However, they are all VERY successful. There were 7-8 and I've watched many die, or be taken over by distribution hubs, data centers (think big non-customer facing building) We've had about 3-4 outdoor malls developed in the last 10 years. All are going strong, albeit they are new.