https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-25/are-u-s-malls-dead-not-if-gen-z-keeps-shopping-the-way-they-do
Not sure if that is a good thing or not.
Way back in the day, in Columbus OH, there was an outdoor mall that took from European influences in architecture, design, and they had on the second floor, apartments to rent.
There were some chain shops, but most of the bars and restaurants were local.
Then they had a “market” place where they rented out spaces for specific food and bev. One space a bakery. Another a deli. Another coffee and tea. None of it was big box store.
Outdoor green spaces, with benches and fountains.
A local radio station broadcasted from there.
Unfortuantely, during a economic downturn, a number of shops closed, gangs moved in.