For decades, the mall served as a central place for shopping and socializing, but its role in everyday life has since changed. Many stores now sit quiet, and the steady flow of visitors that once defined the space has slowed to a trickle. This shift raises an important question about whether the mall still holds relevance in a world that increasingly turns to digital convenience.
“I feel like technology has really had an impact on the mall, because people would rather not wait in lines and there are more options online, but I think an upside of the mall is getting to try clothes on before buying them,” sophomore Alyssa Santana said.
Santana’s point shows how many shoppers now balance convenience with the few advantages the mall still offers. Even so, it is clear that convenience alone is not the only issue. Many people feel the mall needs more than fitting rooms to stay relevant, which leads to a bigger question about what changes could actually bring shoppers back.
“For the mall to stay relevant, I think it needs a whole different appearance, style and atmosphere, as well as more luxury-like stores, or even basic stores such as Lululemon or Hollister,” junior Hannah Sareini said. The Governor’s Square Mall does not have the variety of stores that most teenagers or even adults are drawn to.
The mall might not attract as many shoppers as it once did, but it still plays an important role in our community by providing jobs for teenagers and adults who are looking for work and experience. It remains a place where people can earn money close to home and build useful skills.
“A lot of people with small businesses or kiosks at the mall will definitely start to struggle. Many people would lose jobs, and finding jobs in Tallahassee isn’t necessarily easy,” Sareini said.
Concerns about job loss highlight just how much the mall’s decline reaches beyond empty storefronts. Its future now reflects a larger challenge for Tallahassee: finding ways to preserve the opportunities and community spaces that once made the mall a local staple. Whether it is through new stores, a refreshed atmosphere or a complete reimagining of its purpose, the path forward will determine not only the mall’s relevance but also the stability of the people who rely on it.
