Where Fashion Takes Off
Outdoor shopping malls began gaining popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s as a response to the decline of traditional enclosed malls. Developers recognized that shoppers were looking for more than convenience; they wanted an experience that felt social, walkable, and connected to the surrounding community. By combining retail with restaurants, entertainment, and open-air streetscapes, these centers evoked the feel of small-town main streets while offering modern amenities. Their appeal especially grew in regions with mild climates although several, like this outlet mall in Merrimack, NH where I grabbed these photos, began to appear in New England. I can tell you from experience that these northeast outdoor malls are fine in the summer months- when these photos were taken - but they present an entirely different shopping experience when the cold northeast winter wind whips in between the buildings.
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