For most of the past decade-plus, it seemed like SHOPPING MALLS could become a thing of the past. And plenty did turn into ghost towns.
Now, malls are making a comeback thanks to today’s teenagers. And malls are returning the favor by, BANNING THEM.
According to “The Wall Street Journal”, teenagers have been staging “takeovers” and other chaos, a lot of it filmed for social media. Not to mention the same-old punkish mallrat debauchery that has ALWAYS fostered a LOVE-HATE relationship between malls and teens.
Some malls and the stores inside have been banning shoppers under 18 without an adult chaperone. In some cases, you need to be 21.
These policies aren’t all brand new, but it IS a tricky strategy, because mall owners NEED young shoppers to breathe life into malls that are hanging on by a thread.
But they also want to keep people safe, and businesses from being looted by teens who steal or damage merchandise. One boss said, “We just want them shopping and not being disruptive.”
The adult chaperone thing has “reduced mischief, mayhem, and stealing,” but many parents don’t have the time or the desire to babysit teenagers for hours. So, it’s not a perfect solution.
How about we EMPLOY some of the Boomers who are only going to malls to people-watch and “walk the mall”, to narc on these disorderly kids. You’re less likely to be a TikTok troublemaker if there’s a real threat of grandpa dragging you to security by your ears.
(Wall Street Journal / Archive)
