Nostalgic Mall Memories: The Vibe of the 80s Shopping Experience

Talking to my coworkers, I often notice a generational gap when they give me perplexed looks after I mention things I loved as a kid. It’s funny how quickly the world changes, leaving some of our fondest memories behind like relics of a forgotten time. One memory that always brings a smile to my face is the joy of going to the mall with my sister and mama. The malls of the 1980s were a world unto themselves—nothing like the stripped-down, big-box store clusters we have today.

Picture this: imagine taking all the departments of Walmart or Target, splitting them into individual stores and arranging them inside a sprawling, sometimes multilevel, building. Add in anchor stores like, Sears, Montgomery Ward, JC Penney and Macy's at the ends of the hallways, sprinkle in specialty shops galore and you’d get a taste of the unique ecosystem that was the 80s mall. You could find everything from a video arcade like Aladdin’s Castle to quirky spots selling hearing aids, vacuum cleaners or sewing machines. There was even a piano and organ store tucked in, alongside the beloved pet shop that kept kids mesmerized by puppies, snakes and tropical fish.

Oh, and the movie theaters! Unlike today’s cinemas with their 10+ screens, mall theaters back then offered two to six options—just enough variety to make picking a flick exciting without overwhelming you.

And before food courts became the norm in the late 80s and 90s, malls had standalone eateries peppered around their parking lots. In Mobile, Bel Air Mall boasted a McDonald’s and Morrison’s Cafeteria inside the mall. Over in Pensacola, University Mall wasn’t really designed for a food court, but Cordova Mall eventually added one.

The mall wasn’t just practical; it was full of surprises. Stores that sold wicker furniture, waterbeds and even dental services thrived back then. Yes, you could get a cavity filled at a dentist’s office conveniently located in Cordova Mall—and they were open on weekends. For me, Hickory Farms was a personal favorite, though now it only pops up for the holidays where I live. And Sanrio Surprise, home of Hello Kitty, had me dreaming of their adorable merchandise, even though Mama firmly declared, “That’s for girls.”

Toy stores and record shops were the heartbeat of the mall for many kids. I remember gazing at the shelves in KB Toys and begging Mama for the He-Man action figure I didn’t need but desperately wanted. Music stores were magical, too—you could pick up anything from guitars and harmonicas to sheet music and full-sized organs.

There was something special about knowing you could buy the latest cassette tape next to the Radio Shack where you could grab a microphone or even a capacitator. These niche stores slowly vanished with the rise of superstores like Best Buy, only to be downsized itself as online giants like Amazon took over. While I love the convenience of online shopping, I miss wandering through cool stores, discovering treasures I didn’t even know I wanted and indulging in the thrill of impulse purchases.
Malls were more than just places to shop. They were vibrant, bustling communities where you could repair your shoes, replace your watch battery and enjoy a moment of serendipity, all while walking under the glow of neon signs and soft elevator music.

Now that most of these specialty shops are gone, it feels like we lost more than just stores—we lost an experience. The one-stop shop of my childhood had a charm that no click-and-deliver service can replicate. Thinking about how shopping malls have evolved, it really strikes me sad that many are closing up or dying a slow death. Even throughout my years as a manager at Brookstone, which also became a casualty to the evolution of malls, I noticed the clientele changes as well as the closure of many businesses that one would never have thought they would close in a million years.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Share your own mall memories in the comments below—I’d love to hear them. If this trip down memory lane brought back some warm feelings, consider contributing to keep this blog alive and thriving. Your support means the world and I can’t wait to hear your stories!

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The Childhood Christmas Play That Sparked My Passion for Acting

One of my most vivid childhood memories is participating in a Christmas play at our local church, the Pleasant View Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. This performance took place when I was in kindergarten, and it stands out for several reasons, not least of which was my role and the experience that came with it.

I was chosen to play the grandson of a man who read a Christmas story to the congregation. This might sound like a simple part, but for a five-year-old, it was quite a responsibility. My primary task was to sit on his lap for a significant portion of the performance, and while that might seem easy, it presented its own unique challenges.

Firstly, his breath was not exactly what a child would enjoy—a blend of menthol, peppermint, cigarettes, and whiskey, probably to take the edge off his own nerves—something that I distinctly remember to this day. Maintaining a starry-eyed, attentive expression while dealing with this was no small feat for my young self. Additionally, I had to stay awake and engaged throughout the entire reading, which lasted about 35 minutes. For a kindergartner, this felt like an eternity.

Despite these hurdles, though I was not exactly into "church," the play was a significant part of my early Christmas experiences. It embodied the spirit of community and the festive season, bringing together families and friends to celebrate the holiday in a meaningful way. The traditional decorations, the familiar faces of the congregation, and the excitement of being part of a performance all contributed to a memorable occasion.

Since I didn’t really have a grandfather in my life, I thought of the man as being my real grandfather during those moments and beyond. I would seek him out before church services just so I could sit with him. I can't remember his name, but he was a good sport and went along with it to the point that I think some of the church members truly believed we were family. This experience sparked my interest in wanting to be an actor, and perhaps even a singing actor. The support and encouragement from the congregation and my mama helped build my confidence and appreciation for the traditions that make the holiday season special.

Later in life, when I began performing in singing and acting, I would always think back to this experience and thank my "fake grandfather" for going the distance with his role. Looking back, I realize that this early experience was not just about the performance itself, but also about the confidence it instilled in me. The support and encouragement from the congregation and my mama helped build my confidence on stage, many years later. Every time I stepped into the spotlight, I carried with me the lessons learned and the sense of belonging fostered during that memorable Christmas play.