Photos show malls in their '90s glory days
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- Shopping malls have had a challenging few years, which some have dubbed a "retail apocalypse."
- But it wasn't always this way. The '90s were a great time for malls and mall-goers alike.
- These vintage photos show how much malls have changed since their '90s glory days.
Ah, the '90s. Everything seemed much simpler then, including shopping. Now that we have the entire internet at our disposal, it can be overwhelming to find exactly what we're looking for — we have too many choices. And without smartphones and streaming, hanging out at the mall was also the best way to kill time with friends.
Brick-and-mortar stores are also feeling the effects of online shopping. More than 2,000 stores closed down across the US in 2024, including mall staples such as Foot Locker, Express, Macy's, and Buybuy Baby. Business Insider dubbed December alone a "mini-retail apocalypse."
But maybe Gen Z — who are "big-time mallrats" — will lead the resurgence of the mall, especially luxurious ones. For now, take a stroll down memory lane to see how fun malls used to be in the '90s.
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The US' first full enclosed indoor mall opened in Minnesota in 1956. By the mid-'80s there were 25,000 shopping malls across the country.
Before the internet, malls were the only place where you could get gadgets from Sharper Image, clothing from Limited Too, accessories from Claire's, and a sticky, delicious Cinnabon all in one place.
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The hottest spot in middle school and high school was the mall.
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The first mall food court opened at the Paramus Park Mall in New Jersey in 1974, and the concept soon spread. Food-court staples like Sbarro, Auntie Anne's, and Panda Express never tasted better than under the glow of fluorescent lights.
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Walkway T-shirt stalls were a mall staple.
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Video stores are now all but extinct due to the rise of streaming. FYE, one of the most famous video stores, has been steadily closing locations across the country — CT Insider reported in December that FYE is closing three more of its stores in Connecticut, for example — and Blockbuster only has one location left in Oregon.
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There are some things you'll only remember if you were born before the internet.
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This remained the case for decades, with teen sensations like Justin Bieber and One Direction holding fan events throughout the 2000s.
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Today, malls are trying to stand out with creative dining experiences, live events, and a mix of accessible and luxury brands.
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Primary colors were a popular color scheme in the '80s and '90s, per Better Homes & Gardens.
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There are now only four classic Planet Hollywood locations, four resorts, and a store-only location in Orlando that are open to visit.
The company has filed for bankruptcy multiple times and has been forced to close dozens of stores.
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Sears has seen better days. The former retail giant has been inching closer to total liquidation since 2018 and has just 15 stores left across the country.
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JCPenney sales have dropped, reflecting a broader trend of declines for mall-based department stores.
In January 2025, JCPenney merged with Sparc Group, which owns other former mall favorites like Forever 21, Aéropostale, and Brooks Brothers, CNN reported.
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According to the Mall of America, it has around 32 million visitors every year.
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We'll always miss those days.
