The Malls - They Are A Hurtin’ Covid has shattered the traditional role of the malls in North American society recreation. They used to be public places where people gathered as an opportunity to get out of the house specially in winter.
There was diverse shopping, food courts, bistros and cinema theatres which doubled up as auditoriums. Then several bombs dropped: Mall owners got greedy and increased rents stratospherically. Only stores selling high margin branded clothing could afford them. Like a one trick pony. People increasingly took to internet shopping and clothing stores were forced to roll down their shutters. In the US open robbery and theft became prevalent and in Canada the housing shorting tempted mall owners to use their large parking places to build high-rise, high-profit condominium units. Even some high traffic, once high profit Walmart stores are closing. That should give you an idea. https://youtu.be/IRiHBs62jfE?si=KncIQ-b_BpemiSkz Roland, Toronto.