Most ghost malls like this one (though I think some of these 'pictures' are actually from a video game) were once in nice neighborhoods but as the area got 'urbanized', business dropped off, white people quit shopping there, and they eventually closed down.

One more thing that you can thank African-Americans for!!

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malls are taking a beating in any case in this age of superstores and online shopping. most will look like this soon enough.