What kinds of places are still open for business in these dead malls? Are the elderly still showing up in the mornings for their mallwalks? Mall walking is still a useful function of these malls. Dead malls try to adapt to a changing clientele and will have a number of independent stores and downmarket versions of major mall chains (though a few chains like Bath & Body Works seem to hang on). The amazing variety of functions for malls is one of the best parts of visiting and photographing them—I’ve seen a library branch, firefighting museum, politician’s office, tourism bureaus, teen centers, and many churches. I’ve also been surprised at how many independent bookstores, new and used, are in malls now (dead ones and successful ones).
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