What's in a name? That which we call a mall By any other word would sell as well The "downtown" is essentially a mall, but exposed to the elements. No normal m

What's in a name? That which we call a mall By any other word would sell as well The "downtown" is essentially a mall, but exposed to the elements. No normal mall manager has ever thought "What I really need here is snow, mosquitoes, panhandlers, diesel smoke, traffic jams, or 90-degree weather with 90% humidity." A mall is like downtown, but without those problems. Malls are dying for reasons that are also hurting downtown areas. Online shopping has been mentioned. Another issue is that malls have lost their value as a social meeting place. People used to go to the mall to meet each other. Teens especially did this, causing them to buy things and to bring in parents with the serious money. Now people spend time at home poking at their cell phones; this is how people connect.