“8 Deserted Malls That Urban Explorers Need to See for Themselves”
Urban explorers always have a knack for seeking out abandoned and forgotten places around the world. One of the more fascinating ruins that they explore are deserted malls, which once were bustling hubs of commerce but now lay empty and lifeless. Here is a list of eight such deserted malls that urban explorers should definitely check out.
1. Dixie Square Mall – Harvey, Illinois:
Dixie Square Mall has been abandoned since 1978 after it was featured in some scenes from The Blues Brothers movie. The mall had a variety of stores including J.C. Penney, Montgomery Ward, and Woolworths among others. It’s now an eerie scene inside with broken glass everywhere and graffiti on almost every wall.
2. Randall Park Mall – North Randall, Ohio:
Randall Park Mall was once known as the largest shopping mall in Ohio when it opened in 1976 with over 200 stores under one roof! Unfortunately, due to competition from other retail centers, it closed its doors in 2009 leaving behind an enormous space filled with memories.
3. Hawthorne Plaza Mall – Hawthorne, California:
The Hawthorne Plaza Mall opened back in 1977 featuring stores like Sears Roebuck & Co., JCPenney and Target among many others. Sadly though by the early 1990s business slowed down eventually leading to its closure around late-1998 or early-1999.
4. Rolling Acres Mall – Akron, Ohio:
Rolling Acres used to be one of Ohio’s largest indoor shopping centers before its eventual closing in mid-2008 due to dwindling traffic caused by newer competitors opening up nearby.
5. West Edmonton Mall – Edmonton Canada:
West Edmonton is not entirely abandoned yet but still deserves a spot on this list because it’s slowly falling into disrepair over time despite being open for business every day! The mall features everything from water slides to amusement rides along with hundreds of stores.
6. The Mall at the World Trade Center – New York, NY:
The mall located in the basement of the World Trade Center was destroyed on September 11th, 2001 along with everything else inside. It was once home to high-end shops such as Brooks Brothers and Godiva chocolates among others.
7. Wonderland Mall – Livonia, Michigan:
Wonderland Mall opened back in 1959 but closed its doors for good in early-2004 after losing tenants and customers alike over time due to newer retail centers coming into town.
8. Euclid Square Mall – Euclid, Ohio:
Euclid Square is yet another Ohio mall that has been abandoned since around 2010 due to competition from other shopping centers nearby which caused traffic flow here to dwindle down significantly over time.
In conclusion, abandoned malls offer urban explorers a chance not only to see what used to be but also what could have been if things had worked out differently for these businesses. These deserted malls are windows into the past and serve as reminders of how quickly fortunes can change in today’s world.