Do American Teens Still Need the Mall? | Eater

"A vast, one-floor labyrinth of kitsch and spectacle anchored by a giant carousel and neighboring entertainment attractions, this mall’s Food Hall mixes national chains with local oddities and novelty stores, resulting in a sensory parade of Minions merch, off-brand rides, and oversized licensed tat. Teenagers and international students orbit the food options — from underwhelming chain slices to paleta stands — bonding over mutual disdain for certain staples while regulars grab over-salted, blockbuster-ready meals before a movie. The place feels lively and crowded, threaded with both mall-rat nostalgia and contemporary anxieties (including recent memories of a shooting), making it equal parts refuge, spectacle, and reminder of mall-era contradictions." - Jamie Loftus