That is the mall I go to walk in on rainy days because I try to walk at least 5 miles every day.
Over the past few years, it has added many stores as well as a huge entertainment center with billiards tables, ping pong, video games, skee ball, etc.
Crowds are coming back. I guess it's all about the location. Danbury (in Fairfield County) is a rather upscale area. The mall in nearby Bridgeport is mostly dead because it's in a run down ghetto.
When I came of age in the 1970s and 1980s, the mall was the place to be (see below for a mall vintage 1982). In certain areas, it does seem to be on the comeback.
Sam....this is wonderful!! Sounds like our teens were very similar.
We had lunch, today, in the TX Hill Country, at a place that was playing all of the old 70s/80s songs!
Our malls are no go zones, unfortunately.
However....where my sweet aunt lives (and, we visit OFTEN), there are two BIG malls that are like a throwback to the 80s!!
I take her shopping there (there’s a Dillards, which she loves), and, I meet my cousin, there, and we walk the mall ... just like we did, in our teens 😂
I can’t tell you the location, as it is super secret 🤫. Still safe, and, still a great day of shopping, lunching, walking, etc.
PS ... I walk about 4-5 miles, daily, as well.
Westfarms Mall is doing good,too.
[[When I came of age in the 1970s and 1980s, the mall was the place to be]]
Same- the mall had everything practically, a theater, food courts- cool stores with oddball merch, nutrition stores, several shoe spots- it was just the place to go and hang out, have lunch or dinner, snacks, and catch a movie-
our local mall though is now a sorry remnant of what it used to be-
These old pics confirm what I say. Mostly white people, malls were safe and fine.
You found a rare pic of a black family couple walking together, more common then, but now...