Surreal photos of abandoned malls

Remember the good old days when people used to hang out at shopping malls instead of on Twitter? Yes, it was a simpler time back then. As a proud child of the ’80s, I was obsessed with malls growing up. We’d be on vacation, and the first thing I’d do when we got to the hotel was check the mall listings in the phone book. If there was one nearby, I just had to go. Maybe that’s why Seph Lawless’ new coffee table book about abandoned malls tugged at my nostalgic heartstrings this morning. In Black Friday: The Collapse of the Modern Mall, Lawless takes an up-close-and-personal look at the ancient relic, one of which, Ohio’s Randall Park Mall, was one of the largest malls in America during its heyday.

Armed with a camera and curiosity, Lawless has explored abandoned malls throughout the Midwest, in suburbs in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

“There’s nothing more profound and sobering than being inside an abandoned mall,” said Lawless. “It’s a powerful symbol of America’s economic decline. I used to visit these malls often growing up. I remember eating cotton candy underneath the escalator and the sounds of people laughing and feet shuffling as the gentle sounds of falling water from one of the many fountains surrounded me. This was America.”

Indeed, these malls were America. There’s almost an eerie quality to the abandoned buildings, don’t you think, friends? They represent a culture that once was. Were you a mall rat growing up? Did you spend your weekends hanging out at the food court with friends? Any funny mall stories to share? I’d love to hear them! xoxo

P.S. Check out more abandoned malls on Lawless’ Instagram.

P.P.S. Dead Malls is another awesome site full of great personal stories! 🙂

[Via The Weather Channel]