I’m confused…with Amazon worth almost a trillion dollars and Millennials supposedly buying everything online, why is every parking spot at the mall filled every weekend? Perhaps it has something to do with how malls are evolving. Living in San Diego, the mall known as the University Town Center near La Jolla was all but dead a few years ago. However, a new owner came in and built a luxury multiplex movie theater, added a bunch of hip restaurants, opened a few cool boutiques – and low and behold the mall is rocking again. Malls or shopping centers are not dying, at least not all of them, they are evolving into experiential hubs where people can hang out, window shop and dine at the hottest new restaurants. There is a new shopping center opening down the street from my house featuring celebrity chef inspired restaurants, a high-end butcher shop, and a cigar lounge. My neighbors are already freaking out over the traffic, but I’m actually looking forward to it.
Author: Gary Acosta
Gary Acosta is an entrepreneur, public policy advocate, investor, and thought leader passionate about advancing prosperity for Latinos and other underserved communities.