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The heat is bad for shopping - which is why I have been stunned at the new trend in shopping in the south - the open air "mall" with fountains and parking at the door of shops.

I've noted that new trend as well. Build a shopping center, put all kinds of planter/barricades in the parking lot to make it impossible to get around, and then call it a "mall". In my less-than-humble opinion, if it doesn't have an indoor walkway between stores, it is not a mall.

I have heard the gang problem (are middle schoolers considered a gang as well?) in malls has prompted this new/old style of shopping.

I think what's really prompting this trend is lower construction and maintenance costs. The heating/cooling of the indoor areas of a mall has to be somewhat expensive.

Even back when I was in high school, malls were places where kids were dropped off and they kind of ran wild in the open area. They probably helped the concessions but mall security probably felt like baby sitters at times.

I do like pulling up to the door of a store and just jotting in and out instead of having to wind through a huge mall when I need something.