Shopping Before Malls
People didn't always go to malls to shop. In ancient Greece, merchants sold their products in a building specifically made for buying and selling items called the Stoa. In medieval times, the city market square was not only the commercial but also the social, religious and cultural center of the city. During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci designed an underground passageway for horse-cart traffic in the center of the city to keep wheeled vehicles off the streets and avoid accidents. Many New England and Midwest towns are based on the town square concept, which is where people did most of their shopping.
After World War II there was a major population boom in the United States and this affected where people lived. Because of the increase in population, many new houses were needed and that caused the suburbs to grow. Suburbs grew 7 times as fast as central cities in the years 1950-1954. With all of the new population growth in the suburbs, the mall industry would be ready for something new.
After World War II there was a major population boom in the United States and this affected where people lived. Because of the increase in population, many new houses were needed and that caused the suburbs to grow. Suburbs grew 7 times as fast as central cities in the years 1950-1954. With all of the new population growth in the suburbs, the mall industry would be ready for something new.