Your Convenience

The word 'shopping mall' is known by virtually everyone in the nation and internationally. Every major city has more than one and most small cities have at least one, even if you are in a small town off the beaten path of civilization. Malls cater to our culture's innate desire for convenience. Most vary from one to four levels depending on the size of the city, and house some of the most popular merchandisers around. Traditional marketplaces were set up in a very similar pattern. You could walk the streets and purchase known goods from known vendors. Malls are the same, only they have put them inside so you are shielded from the weather, and offer a convenient parking place. It is not often that you will find a mom and pop style boutique in a mall. Usually malls consist of chain stores that can be located in any city you travel to. This is a nice feature for people who move often. There is a sense of comfort knowing you can find the things you are used to no matter where you go. It gives a feeling of belonging.

As our society relies more and more on convenience, we see malls shift slightly. They attach a place for groceries, online games,  restaurants, car service centers, and more popping up everyday. These days you don't have to drive very far to get everything you need. Before now, people used to have to travel an entire day, maybe more, to get what they needed to survive. Now, in our time, we complain if we have to drive 15 minutes to the store. Instant gratification we all know too well. Malls offer a great opportunity for our need to get everything we need right now without having to drive all over town to find it.