[Alberta's Child]

I've worked with real estate developers in my business over the years. There were two major factors that led to the transition from indoor shopping malls to the "big box" model that became common by the late 1990s:

1. Detaching stores and separating them by outdoor space discouraged a lot of casual shoppers who would just browse through the merchandise without actually buying anything.

2. Eliminating enclosed common areas reduced expenses and eliminated an unwanted element that had no business being there.

[Mears]

” Eliminating enclosed common areas reduced expenses and eliminated an unwanted element that had no business being there”

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This great place opened near me a about 3 years ago. The large multiplex,Showcase Cinema, allows entry to it’s very roomy food court/lobby PRIOR to buying a movie ticket. The city kids,who arrive by bus,have discovered it-——and hang out there.

http://www.legacyplace.com/