Malls Are Alive and Well: Five That Are Thriving

You may have heard that shopping malls are a dying breed in America, but in fact, there are quite a few malls that are still thriving. It’s hard to beat a mall shopping day for strolling around, people watching, checking out the food court, and of course, looking at all the shops. From Novi, Michigan, to Sunrise, Florida, let’s take a look at five thriving malls.

King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

The King of Prussia Mall is located just outside of Philadelphia and happens to be the largest shopping mall on the East Coast. It features 400 stores in over three million square feet of space. You’ll find plenty of budget stores as well as stores with high-end brands. This mall is so huge that retailers expect that shoppers won’t make it through the whole thing, so they have more than one location in the mall.

The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota

Of course, a list of top malls in America can’t exclude the Mall of America in Minnesota. This is still the nation’s largest mall, with over 5.6 million square feet of real estate. The Mall of America draws over 40 million shoppers every year to explore over 520 shops and restaurants. It’s also known for other attractions aside from shopping, including an aquarium, flight simulator, and the Nickelodeon theme park. The Mall of America is so huge that it offers a tourism office to help visitors plan their strategy on what to visit.

Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Michigan

The Twelve Oaks Mall is located in Novi, Michigan, which is in the Detroit metro area. This mall is a fun find with over 180 stores and is anchored by popular department stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s, and JCPenney. It’s also home to the only Crate & Barrel store in Michigan. Some other popular stores and restaurants you’ll find here include The Cheesecake Factory, Kendra Scott, Lululemon, Coach, and the California Pizza Kitchen.

Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Florida

The Sawgrass Mills Mall features over 350 stores in a cool, air-conditioned environment. Nearby is the Colonnade Outlets, which offers over 70 luxury designer shops. Along with plenty of shopping opportunities, the Sawgrass Mills mall offers a cinema and 45 excellent dining options. It’s only 30 minutes from the Miami International Airport and 15 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. You can find hours, special events, and more on the mall’s handy app.

South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California

On the West Coast, the South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa, California, stands out with its 30 restaurants and 280 boutique shops. The mall also offers four concierge locations to check packages for shoppers and make it easier to buy as much as you want. Some of the big-name stores here include Balenciaga, Barneys New York, and three levels of Macy’s Home Furniture. South Coast Plaza boasts over $1.5 billion in sales every year, which makes it the top-grossing mall in America, with $800 in sales per square foot.

Which Malls Around You Are Alive and Thriving Today?

Far from being relegated to a 1980s cliché, many American shopping malls remain vibrant gathering places, whether you have a shopping list to check off or you love grazing on cinnamon rolls and soft pretzels. No matter where you find yourself in America, there are still plenty of thriving malls to choose from.