10 Things That Were Normal in Malls but Are Now Gone
Many things that were once common in shopping malls have disappeared over time.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 3 min read
Malls in the past had features and activities that shaped social life but no longer exist today. Changes in shopping habits, technology, and mall design have removed many familiar elements. Looking back, these lost experiences show how much malls have evolved.
1. Mall Food Courts with Jukeboxes
Stephan van Helden on Wikimedia Commons
Food courts used to have jukeboxes where visitors could choose songs to play while eating. This added fun and music to the dining experience. Today, music is usually played over speakers with no choice for shoppers. Jukeboxes have disappeared from most malls.
2. Pay Phones on Every Corner
Mvs86 on Wikimedia Commons
Pay phones were common throughout malls for people without cell phones to make calls. They were essential for communication before mobile phones became widespread. Now, nearly all pay phones have been removed due to smartphones. People rarely use public phones anymore.
3. Fountain or Aquarium Displays
John Robert McPherson on Wikimedia Commons
Many malls featured large decorative fountains or aquariums as centerpieces. These added a relaxing and attractive atmosphere for shoppers. Modern malls focus more on retail space and less on decorations like these. Most malls no longer have such displays.
4. Arcades with Video Games
Solomon203 on Wikimedia Commons
Arcades filled with video games were a popular hangout spot inside malls. Kids and teens spent hours playing games and socializing. Today, arcades have mostly vanished as home gaming and mobile devices have taken over. Few malls still maintain arcade areas.
5. Mall Santas and Holiday Events
Jacob Windham on Wikimedia Commons
During holidays, malls had live Santas for photos and special festive events. These created memorable experiences for families. Though some malls still have Santas, many holiday events have become less common or commercialized differently. The old-style mall holiday vibe has changed.
6. Record Stores and Music Shops
Tom Mcshane on Wikimedia Commons
Malls once housed stores selling vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs. These shops were central to music culture and discovery. Streaming services and digital music have replaced physical music sales. Most record stores in malls have closed.
7. Pay-to-Use Restrooms or Cleanliness
E961 on Wikimedia Commons
In the past, some malls had pay toilets or less clean restroom facilities. This was a common inconvenience for shoppers. Today, restrooms are usually free and better maintained as part of improved customer service. The pay toilet is mostly a thing of the past.
8. Manual Escalator Controls
Wide Awake! on Wikimedia Commons
Early escalators required attendants to operate or monitor them for safety. Now, escalators are automatic and require no human control. This change has improved efficiency and reduced staff needs. Manual operation is no longer part of the mall experience.
9. Phone Booths and Photo Booths
Erica Fischer on Wikimedia Commons
Photo booths for instant pictures and phone booths were widespread in malls. These were popular for fun and communication. Now, smartphones have replaced both photo and phone booths almost entirely. These booths have mostly disappeared.
10. Small Mom-and-Pop Shops
LapGaNaiom Bimdio on Wikimedia Commons
Malls once had many small, independent shops alongside big brand stores. These offered unique products and personal service. Rising rents and competition pushed many out in favor of chain stores. Today’s malls are dominated by large retailers.