A while back ago, there was an abandoned mall, a company bought it and allowed anybody to rent a small space in the open mall as a small business shop. People would put up curtains as walls and rent was very cheap.
The place was full of small vendors, more classy than a flea market, especially with the AC, but many artists selling all forms, and many odd widgets being sold. There was even a place that did custom glass blowing, etc etc. it was a real pleasure to be in and a community thrived there.
Importantly it was open consistently each day, so you could just randomly pop in and see what’s up.
From what I understand, the place was even making a profit, but apparently not enough. It was eventually sold and now it warehouses antique cars.
I think all those artists and small vendors vanished or moved online.
I miss it.
It was good.
I’d like more of those back, and to experience what community could develop from that.
A while back ago, there was an abandoned mall, a company bought it and allowed anybody to rent a small space in the open mall as a small business shop. People would put up curtains as walls and rent was very cheap.
The place was full of small vendors, more classy than a flea market, especially with the AC, but many artists selling all forms, and many odd widgets being sold. There was even a place that did custom glass blowing, etc etc. it was a real pleasure to be in and a community thrived there.
Importantly it was open consistently each day, so you could just randomly pop in and see what’s up.
From what I understand, the place was even making a profit, but apparently not enough. It was eventually sold and now it warehouses antique cars.
I think all those artists and small vendors vanished or moved online.
I miss it.
It was good.
I’d like more of those back, and to experience what community could develop from that.
So they could essentially make the mall business model work by not charging ridiculous rents? Maybe it’s just greed that killed malls to begin with.