I love vintage clothes and wanted to do a cool photoshoot while visiting my family in Orlando, Fl. There are tons of malls there but I had one mall in mind that I wanted to check out knowing that I would have lots of privacy and be able to get some call "vintage inspired" shots. When I arrived, I was shocked! The once bustling mall now had no food court, cages were down on 95% of the stores, and there was little to no foot traffic. This mall had killer architecture design from the early 1990s, but let's face it, it was basically abandoned. 
Abandoned malls are a haunting reminder of the once-thriving shopping centers that once stood at the heart of communities across America. In the 1980s and 1990s, malls were the center of consumer culture and the hub of social activity for many Americans. However, the rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits have led to the decline of many of these once-popular malls.
These abandoned malls often sit empty and decaying, their once-bustling parking lots now silent and their once-vibrant stores now boarded up. For those who remember these malls in their heyday, they evoke memories of a simpler time when shopping was a social activity and spending a day at the mall was a beloved pastime.
One of the most famous abandoned malls in America is the Michigan Central Mall in Pontiac, Michigan. This mall was once the largest indoor mall in the world and attracted shoppers from across the region. However, it fell into disrepair in the 1990s as consumers shifted their shopping habits and the mall fell out of favor. Today, the Michigan Central Mall is a shell of its former self, its parking lots overgrown with weeds and its once-bustling stores now empty and boarded up.
Another abandoned mall that was once popular in the 1980s and 1990s is the Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio. This mall was a popular destination for shoppers in the region, attracting visitors with its wide selection of stores and indoor skating rink. However, in the early 2000s, the mall began to decline, and by 2008 it was officially closed. Today, the Rolling Acres Mall is a ghost town, its once-bustling halls now silent and its once-thriving stores now empty and forgotten.
The Northtown Mall in Blaine, Minnesota is another example of an abandoned mall that was once a popular shopping destination in the 1980s and 1990s. This mall was a popular destination for shoppers in the region, offering a wide selection of stores and a bustling food court. However, in the early 2000s, the mall began to decline, and by 2010 it was officially closed. Today, the Northtown Mall is a shadow of its former self, its once-thriving stores now empty and its once-bustling halls now silent.
These abandoned malls are a haunting reminder of a time when shopping was a social activity and malls were the hub of community life. While the rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits have led to the decline of many of these once-popular malls, they will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who remember them in their heyday.
In conclusion, the abandoned malls of the 1980s and 1990s are a reminder of a time when shopping was a social activity and malls were the center of consumer culture. These empty and decaying malls evoke memories of a simpler time and serve as a haunting reminder of the once-thriving shopping centers that once stood at the heart of communities across America.