14 Things You’ll Never Experience in Modern Malls
This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no cost to you.
Shopping malls have changed a lot over the years. If you grew up going to malls, you might notice that many things from the past are gone now. Today’s malls are different places, missing some of the fun and quirky stuff from back then.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some things you won’t find in modern malls anymore. These might bring back some fun memories if you’re old enough to remember them. And if you’re younger, you might be surprised at what malls used to be like!
Smoking Areas
Back in the day, you’d see people puffing away inside the mall. There were special smoking areas where shoppers could take a cigarette break. Now, smoking is banned in most indoor public spaces. It’s healthier for everyone, but it’s a big change from how things used to be.
Photo Booths
Remember squeezing into tiny photo booths with your friends? You’d make silly faces and wait for the strip of photos to print out. While some malls might still have these, they’re much rarer now. Most people just use their phones for quick pics these days.
Arcade Rooms
Malls used to have whole rooms filled with arcade games. Kids and teens would spend hours (and quarters) playing Pac-Man or Street Fighter. Now, with home gaming systems, these arcade rooms have mostly disappeared. It’s a shame, because they were great places to hang out and have fun.
Fountain Coins
Many malls had big fountains where people would toss coins and make wishes. Kids loved fishing out the coins (even though they weren’t supposed to). Most modern malls have gotten rid of these fountains. They were pretty, but they took up a lot of space and needed lots of maintenance.
Pay Phones
Before everyone had cell phones, you’d see rows of pay phones in malls. People used them to call for rides or check in with family. Now, pay phones are almost extinct. It’s hard to imagine not being able to call or text whenever you want!
Food Court Ash Trays
Along with smoking areas, food courts used to have ash trays on the tables. People could smoke while they ate. It seems crazy now, but it was totally normal back then. Today’s food courts are smoke-free, which makes for a much more pleasant eating experience.
Elevator Operators
In really old malls, you might have seen people whose job was to run the elevators. They’d greet shoppers and push the buttons for each floor. Now, elevators are all self-service. It was a nice touch of personal service that’s been lost to time.
Music Stores
Malls used to have big stores just for buying music. You could browse CDs, cassettes, and even vinyl records. With digital music taking over, these stores have mostly vanished. It’s convenient to download music, but there was something special about flipping through album covers in a store.
Video Rental Stores
Along with music stores, malls often had places to rent movies. You’d pick out VHS tapes or DVDs to take home for the weekend. Streaming services have replaced these stores now. It’s easier to watch movies at home, but you miss out on the fun of browsing shelves of movies.
Giant Water Clocks
Some malls had huge, fancy water clocks as centerpieces. These were amazing to watch, with water and balls moving to tell the time. They were like big, wet sculptures. Modern malls tend to have simpler decor now, so these cool clocks are rare to see.
Map Kiosks
Before smartphones, malls had big map stands to help you find stores. You’d look for the “You Are Here” dot and plan your route. Now, most people just use their phones to navigate. Those map kiosks were helpful, especially in big malls where it was easy to get lost.
Toy Stores
Many malls used to have big toy stores where kids could explore and play. These weren’t just places to buy toys, but fun destinations in themselves. With online shopping taking over, many of these magical toy stores have closed down. It’s a bit sad, as they were great places for kids to have fun and use their imagination.
Film Development Counters
Remember dropping off rolls of film to be developed? Malls often had photo counters where you could leave your film and pick up your prints later. With digital cameras and phones, these counters have disappeared. It was exciting to pick up your photos and see how they turned out, something we don’t experience in the age of instant digital pics.
Novelty Gift Shops
Malls used to be full of little shops selling funny t-shirts, gag gifts, and weird knick-knacks. These stores were great for finding birthday presents or just having a laugh. While some still exist, they’re not as common in modern malls. Online shops have taken over a lot of this market, but browsing these quirky stores in person was always fun.
14 Reasons People Don’t Respect Authority Anymore
14 Reasons People Don’t Respect Authority Anymore
