Top 30+ Reasons We Were Obsessed With ’90s Malls

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Before smartphones, online shopping, or even texting, there was one sacred place where everything happened: the mall. In the ’90s, it was way more than just a place to shop. It was where you went to meet your friends, crush on the cute guy at the food court, and maybe even get a new piercing on a dare. The mall had its rhythm, its smell (hello, Auntie Anne’s), and a vibe that can’t be recreated. If you know, you know; and if you miss it, you’re not alone.

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You didn’t need a group chat. You just went to the mall and somehow ran into everyone you knew within an hour.

The Food Court Was Fine Dining

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Sbarro. Orange Julius. That one Chinese place with the free samples. It was a global buffet on a teenager’s budget.

Endless Window Shopping

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You could spend hours walking in and out of stores without buying anything and still feel like you accomplished something.

Music Stores Were Sacred

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Tower Records and Sam Goody were where you previewed CDs at the listening stations and debated which album cover was cooler.

Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You’d load up your arms with outfits, strut into the changing room, and leave empty-handed like it was a fashion show for one.

Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

This was where your reflexes were tested, your quarters disappeared, and your social status could rise or fall depending on your Mortal Kombat skills.

The Mall Walk Was a Ritual

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You had a specific route. Everyone did. You hit your favorite stores in a set order, and God help anyone who tried to skip one.

Hanging Out at Spencer’s

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You pretended you were so mature while giggling at lava lamps, fuzzy handcuffs, and birthday cards that definitely weren’t PG.

Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You weren’t even hungry, but somehow you walked out sticky-fingered with icing on your shirt.

Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Someone’s cousin’s friend got asked to audition at the mall, and suddenly everyone was walking like a runway model past Sears.

The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

If you lived in oversized flannels, combat boots, and carried a backpack for no reason, congrats: you were in the tribe.

Claire’s Pierced Everything

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You didn’t go for the jewelry. You went for the adrenaline rush of getting your ears pierced between buying Lip Smackers.

You Could Literally Spend All Day There

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You got dropped off before lunch and picked up at dinner. No one questioned it. It was your second home.

Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You tried every tester, sprayed every perfume, and left feeling like a beauty queen… with zero dollars spent.

You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Forget Staples. Your pens had Hello Kitty heads and your erasers smelled like fruit.

Malls Were Where You Flirted

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You “accidentally” kept walking past that group of boys by Hot Topic, hoping one of them would say something dumb and adorable.

Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Someone in a sad SpongeBob or Power Ranger costume was always roaming around for no clear reason.

Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You weren’t doing anything, but if you sat on the floor or laughed too loud, here came the “move along” guy.

Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You knew it was Halloween or Christmas when the mall turned into a full-on wonderland overnight. Cue the massive tree or spooky animatronics.

You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Your best friend’s birthday wasn’t official until you had four blurry, grainy, heart-filtered photos stuck in your locker.

Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You sprayed “Cucumber Melon” like it was Chanel No. 5. You weren’t alone.

Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Even if you weren’t goth, you needed to try on at least one fishnet glove and flip through the ironic tees.

Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Stars for your ceiling, alien figurines, even t-shirts. You were basically a flashlight by the time you left.

You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Maybe a teddy bear, maybe a necklace from Claire’s, maybe just a shared pretzel. But you made it happen.

Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You looped past that cookie stand twice, hoping they wouldn’t notice you already took one. They always did.

Random Events Always Happened

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

There was always a weird fashion show, a high school choir, or a man on stilts. It was random. It was amazing.

You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

No parents, some cash in your pocket, and freedom to roam. It was your first taste of independence, wrapped in cinnamon sugar and topped with a side of teen drama.

Glamour Shots Were a Thing

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You dressed like a country music star or a prom queen in satin gloves and teased hair, then proudly showed off your glossy 8×10.

The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

You had to throw a penny in, and you definitely made a wish about your crush.

Those Magical Mall Kiosks

Meeting Friends Without Making Plans, The Food Court Was Fine Dining, Endless Window Shopping, Music Stores Were Sacred, Trying on Clothes You Had No Intention of Buying, Arcades Were the Original Multiplayer, The Mall Walk Was a Ritual, Hanging Out at Spencer’s, Cinnabon Was a Scent-Based Siren Song, Trying to Get Discovered by a Talent Scout, The Mall Rat Aesthetic Was Real, Claire’s Pierced Everything, You Could Literally Spend All Day There, Pretending to Be Rich at the Department Store Makeup Counters, You Picked Up School Supplies at Sanrio, Malls Were Where You Flirted, Every Mall Had a Bootleg Mascot, Mall Security Treated You Like a Criminal Just for Existing, Seasonal Decor Was a Big Deal, You Took Birthday Pics at the Photo Booth, Bath & Body Works Made You Smell Like a Walking Fruit Basket, Hitting Up Hot Topic to Feel Edgy, Everything Was Lit in Glow-In-The-Dark, You Got Your Crush a Gift From the Mall, Trying to Get Free Stuff from Sample Carts, Random Events Always Happened, You Felt Like an Adult Just by Being There, Glamour Shots Were a Thing, The Fountain Was Basically a Wish Factory, Those Magical Mall Kiosks

From lava lamps to airbrushed shirts and clip-on feathers, you never knew what you needed until you saw it spinning on a kiosk.

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