15 Abandoned Malls That Offer an Eerie Glimpse into a World Once Bustling with Activity
Malls have been a staple in American culture since the 1950s. However, with the rise of online shopping and changing demographics, many malls across the country have been abandoned and left to decay. These abandoned malls offer an eerie glimpse into a world that was once bustling with activity. Here are 15 abandoned malls that urban explorers should consider visiting.
1. Randall Park Mall – Cleveland, Ohio
Once one of the largest malls in America, Randall Park Mall now sits empty and decaying. The mall closed its doors in 2009 after years of declining sales.
2. Dixie Square Mall – Harvey, Illinois
Dixie Square Mall is infamous for being used as a filming location for the movie “The Blues Brothers.” The mall has been abandoned since 1979 and is often cited as one of the most dangerous places to explore due to structural instability.
3. Rolling Acres Mall – Akron, Ohio
Rolling Acres Mall was once a thriving shopping destination but has since fallen into disrepair after closing its doors in 2008.
4. Hawthorne Plaza – Hawthorne, California
Hawthorne Plaza opened in 1977 but eventually became victim to competition from nearby shopping centers. The mall officially closed its doors in 1999 and has remained vacant ever since.
5. Northridge Fashion Center – Northridge, California
Northridge Fashion Center suffered severe damage during the Northridge earthquake of 1994 and never fully recovered from it.
6. Metrocenter Mall – Phoenix, Arizona
Metrocenter Mall was once one of Phoenix’s premier shopping destinations but began to decline after several anchor stores closed their doors. The mall officially shut down in June of 2020 due to financial difficulties caused by COVID-19.
7. Westwood Plaza – Fayetteville, North Carolina
Westwood Plaza had a long history dating back to when it first opened its doors back in August of ’69. The mall had a variety of stores, including Belk’s and J.C. Penney, but eventually became victim to competition from nearby shopping centers.
8. Owings Mills Mall – Owings Mills, Maryland
Owings Mills Mall closed its doors in 2015 after years of declining sales and high vacancy rates. The mall was originally built in the late ’80s and was once a popular shopping destination for those living in the Baltimore area.
9. Rolling Hills Plaza – Torrance, California
Rolling Hills Plaza opened in 1957 as an outdoor shopping center but eventually transitioned into an indoor mall with anchor stores like Montgomery Ward and Mervyn’s. However, the mall struggled to compete with newer shopping centers nearby and officially closed its doors in 1998.
10. Regency Square Mall – Jacksonville, Florida
Regency Square Mall opened its doors in 1967 but began to decline after several anchor stores left the mall for newer locations nearby. The mall officially closed down in August of 2020 due to financial difficulties caused by COVID-19.
11. New World Shopping Center – Houston, Texas
New World Shopping Center was once one of Houston’s premier shopping destinations but has since fallen into disrepair after being damaged during Hurricane Harvey back in 2017.
12. Lincoln Mall – Matteson, Illinois
Lincoln Mall officially shut down back in January of 2015 due to declining sales and high vacancy rates.
13. Cloverleaf Mall – Richmond Virginia
Cloverleaf Mall was once a thriving shopping destination for those living near Richmond Virginia but has since been abandoned after closing its doors back on March 31st of ’08
14.Old Towne Village Shopping Center-Torrance CA.
Old Towne Village dates back to the late ’50s when it first opened as an outdoor strip center before transitioning into an indoor mall years later.The site sits vacant and has been for many years.
15. Landmark Mall – Alexandria, Virginia
Landmark Mall officially closed its doors in 2017 after years of declining sales and high vacancy rates. The mall was once a popular shopping destination for those living in the Washington D.C area but eventually became victim to competition from newer shopping centers nearby.
Exploring abandoned malls can be a thrilling experience for urban explorers. However, it’s important to remember that these sites are often dangerous and should only be explored with caution and proper safety equipment.