1. Playing Arcade Games at Tilt or Aladdin’s Castle
Arcades weren’t just a fun diversion—they were a destination. Places like Tilt, Aladdin’s Castle, and Time-Out brought the thrill of gaming to life with flashing lights, booming sound effects, and rows of machines. Fighting games like Mortal Kombat, racing games like Cruis’n USA, and pinball machines were standard. You had to be physically good to win, not just quick with a touchscreen.
Arcades also had a social pecking order: who was best at Street Fighter, who could win the most tickets, who “owned” a machine. It wasn’t just gaming; it was performance. You’d gather to watch someone beat a hard level or set a new high score. With home consoles and mobile games now so accessible, arcades lost their communal thrill.
2. The Food Court Free-for-All
Back in the ’80s and ’90s, food courts were where teenage independence came alive. You didn’t need a reservation—just a tray, a few crumpled bills, and maybe some tokens for the arcade afterward. Whether it was Panda Express orange chicken or a giant slice of Sbarro pizza, every group of friends had their go-to spots. It was also the perfect place to “accidentally” bump into your crush while pretending not to see them.
Before mobile ordering and food delivery apps existed, this was the only place you could try five different cultures’ cuisines in one meal—without needing a passport. The layout made it ideal for people-watching, too, which became its own unspoken activity. Plus, it was one of the few public spaces where you could linger for hours without buying much. Now, food courts still exist, but they’re quieter, more sterile, and far less central to teen life.
3. Hanging Out at Spencer’s Gifts
If you were a teen in the pre-smartphone era, Spencer’s was the place to giggle awkwardly at lava lamps, gag gifts, and risqué merchandise you pretended to understand. No one actually bought much, but walking into that chaotic black-lit wonderland felt rebellious in the most suburban way. It walked the line between funny and edgy, which made it the ideal stop when trying to impress your friends—or sneak a peek at something you weren’t supposed to. The store dates back to 1947, but it really flourished in the mall-heavy decades.
Spencer’s thrived on foot traffic and curiosity—two things that are hard to monetize in an era where “weird stuff” is just a TikTok scroll away. Without the mystery, its appeal dulled. Now that you can order a fart machine or body glitter with one click, fewer teens make the pilgrimage to see it in person. Still, it was once a mall rite of passage.
4. Getting Your Glamour Shots Taken
Glamour Shots wasn’t just a photo booth—it was an event. You’d sit for hair, makeup, and lighting that transformed a normal day into your modeling debut. They encouraged you to wear feather boas, denim jackets, and that famous soft-focus sparkle. At its peak in the early ’90s, over 300 Glamour Shots studios operated, often inside malls.
This was long before selfies or ring lights, so a professional-looking photo shoot felt downright magical. Girls booked sessions for birthdays or “just because,” and they often turned into full-on friend-group outings. The prints were proudly displayed in lockers and family rooms alike. It was all about feeling beautiful—if only for a day.
5. Browsing for Hours at Waldenbooks or B. Dalton
Long before e-books and Amazon, malls had their own cozy literary sanctuaries: Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. These weren’t massive like Barnes & Noble, but that was the charm—they were compact, quiet, and filled with possibilities. You could sit on the floor flipping through Goosebumps or Sweet Valley High without anyone rushing you. It was especially great for kids whose parents wanted to “just run into one store real quick.”
These stores encouraged casual reading and spontaneous discovery in a way algorithms never will. The bestseller wall always sparked curiosity, and the holiday-themed displays made every season feel special. You didn’t always leave with a book—but you always left with a new title to remember. Today, these chains are gone, and mall-based bookstores are increasingly rare.
6. Meeting Friends at the Mall Entrance (Without Texting)
Making plans in the mall era required actual commitment. You had to agree on a time and place ahead of time—no texting “Here” or ghosting last-minute. If someone said, “Meet by the fountain at 2,” that was the plan, and everyone stuck to it. It taught a kind of social reliability that phones eventually dissolved.
The act of showing up was part of the thrill: would your crush be there? Would the whole group come? Would someone bring a friend you didn’t know? These moments felt electric in a way group chats never will. The anticipation, awkward pauses, and inside jokes all happened in real time.
7. Spending Your Allowance at Claire’s
For generations of tweens, Claire’s was where fashion independence began. A $10 bill could get you mood rings, glitter nail polish, or a pair of plastic hoop earrings that screamed personality. The walls were covered in accessories you didn’t know you needed—organized by color, trend, or glitter level. And of course, you either got your ears pierced there or knew someone who did.
Claire’s had the kind of retail magic that thrived on impulse buys and peer pressure. Groups of girls would compare hauls and try on accessories in front of tiny mirrors. Without phones to distract, the whole experience felt like a shared ritual. Even now, Claire’s still exists, but the social buzz around it has largely faded.
8. Waiting in Line for the Latest CD at Sam Goody
Before Spotify and Apple Music, you had to physically go somewhere to get the music you wanted—usually Sam Goody, FYE, or Tower Records. The best part was not knowing exactly what you’d find; you’d flip through alphabetical bins like a DJ in training. A hot new album release often meant long lines and midnight sales, especially for megastars like *NSYNC or Eminem. These stores made music feel tangible, with liner notes, album art, and shrink wrap to peel.
Mall record stores weren’t just about buying music; they were hubs of discovery and identity. Staff would recommend albums, and you’d trade opinions with other fans in line. If you wore a band tee, you might get nods of approval or start a conversation. That community is hard to replicate when everything’s streamed in solitude.
9. Spraying Every Perfume at Bath & Body Works
Walking into Bath & Body Works was like entering a candy store for your nose. You’d sample every scent—Cucumber Melon, Sweet Pea, Warm Vanilla Sugar—until you left in a fragrant cloud. It was less about buying and more about the experience: testing lotions, comparing scents, and leaving with a blue-and-white bag that smelled like a middle school dream. It became a key part of any mall visit, especially for girls looking to define their “signature scent.”
The store capitalized on seasonal drops and gift sets, making it a hit around birthdays and holidays. Everyone knew the thrill of getting a mini hand sanitizer or lip gloss in your stocking. Today, the store still exists, but it’s rarely the social event it once was. Online shopping just doesn’t hit the same olfactory highs.
10. Trying to Get Noticed at Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie wasn’t just a clothing store—it was a whole aesthetic, and it wanted to be exclusive. With blaring music, shirtless male models, and a moody interior that looked like a beach house-meets-nightclub, it drew teens like a moth to flame. The smell of Fierce cologne hit you before you even entered, and that was part of the branding. Buying a T-shirt there wasn’t just about the fabric—it was about status.
People didn’t just shop at Abercrombie; they loitered in it. They flirted with employees, tried on clothes they couldn’t afford, and basked in the brand’s aspirational vibe. The store made shopping feel aspirational and elite, which made it a major mall attraction. Now, it’s been rebranded and toned down—but it was once the epicenter of cool.
11. Getting Your Portrait Drawn by a Sketch Artist
You’d be walking through the mall and spot them—usually near a kiosk or main atrium—pencil in hand, surrounded by exaggerated sketches of smiling couples and cartoon-eyed kids. Getting your caricature drawn was a mix of vulnerability and fun. Would they make your nose too big? Would your crush think it was funny or weird?
These artists turned the mall into a mini street fair, offering something personal in a world of mass-produced goods. The sketch became a keepsake, folded up and taken home like a prize. People lined up for the novelty of it, for the attention, and for something handmade. It’s a rare sight now, but it once added a whimsical touch to any mall day.
This post 11 Things That Were a Big Deal in American Malls Before Phones Killed Them was first published on American Charm.
