Once-booming hubs of suburban life, American malls are now silently fading away, either disappearing entirely or transforming into conglomerates or new uses, far removed from what they once were.

Many storefronts still remain empty, escalators sit still and unrepaired, and the once familiar echo of shoppers’ footsteps grows incredibly rare. Another underlying issue many malls face is the lack of upkeep, leaving spaces unused and appliances broken.

Previous Tanforan shopper Isaiah Sanchez ’26 commented, “I used to enjoy all the fun features Tanforan used to offer, but, over the years, it has become a tranquil ghost town. I used to love strolling around with my family, watching movies, and shopping, but all good things must come to an end.”

In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic played a huge role in this massive retail decay as it forced consumer habits to online, forcing temporary shutdowns, and exacerbating financial struggles for retailers.

Dabid Tran, manager at Da Vi Nails located inside Tanforan mall, said, “I felt very sad when they reported that the mall is closing. I have worked here for almost 19 years. The mall is very slow now.”

These vast spaces, which were once societal symbols of “shopping sprees,” are now evolving into something entirely new and unfamiliar.

At once-popular malls like Tanforan in San Bruno and Westfield in San Francisco, formerly lively destinations, the signs of decay are hard to miss.

Vacant corridors tell a story of the larger retail crisis, as consumer habits shift toward online shopping.

Leah, a current Barnes and Noble employee at Tanforan mall, commented, “I have been working in this mall on and off for the past four years. When the mall was originally bought by the tech company a lot of us thought this has been a long time coming. Even before Covid this mall was slowing down. You see malls like Serramonte, they are newly refurbished and brand new. This mall hasn’t changed since I was a kid and I am 25 now.”

As a result, the number of “dead malls” continues to rise across the country, where the ghosts of past shoppers far outnumber the real ones.

Today, malls are closing altogether or being redeveloped into mixed-use spaces that combine housing, retail, dining, entertainment, arcades, and gyms. This transformation is evident at the iconic Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco.

Large department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s have been replaced by a Whole Foods, and Round 1 Arcade. The classic “American mall” as it was once known, is fading away, replaced by a new kind of space that reflects changing times in American society.

Overall, mall closures significantly impacted businesses by reducing customer traffic, disrupting supply chains, and forcing adaptations to digital platforms.

Leah continued, “Online shopping definitely had a role, and I think if we had adapted more quickly to it we would have quite in such a decline as we are now.”

However, online shopping is not the sole factor behind this decline. Rising crime rates, particularly in cities like San Francisco, are also playing a significant role. Multiple retail businesses have announced full and partial closures due to ongoing issues including theft, fights, and vandalism.

According to the FBI crime reporting, San Francisco saw 304 shoplifting reports per 100,000 residents in 2021.

The cost of maintaining sites and safeguarding products has outweighed the benefits of staying open for many businesses.

Jayden Tambory ’26, a frequent shopper at Stonestown Galleria, said, “The Target retail store is a prime example of theft on a daily basis at the mall. I see many people, especially teenagers, steal products from the stores and security lets them walk right out without any consequences.”

As malls continue to close or transform, they leave behind a prominent reminder of how swiftly societal norms and consumer habits can reshape the spaces society once considered timeless.