In the mid-1980s, the shopping mall was the primary social hub for suburban communities. Between 1984 and 1987, photographer Stephen DiRado documented this world at a busy mall near Clark University. He became a familiar face to both the shoppers and the security guards who patrolled the hallways. His collection of thousands of images shows that the mall served as much more than a place to buy goods. It was a climate-controlled town square where people of all ages spent their entire day.
Teenagers were the most visible group at the mall, earning them the nickname “Mall Rats.” They dressed in their finest clothes, often featuring big hair, denim jackets, and bright neon colors. For these young people, the mall was a safe place to meet friends away from the eyes of their parents. They gathered in the food court or stood near the entrance of record stores to talk and watch others pass by. Security personnel often watched these rowdy groups closely but allowed them to socialize as long as they followed the rules.
The mall also provided a quiet space for older generations. Photographs from the era show elderly women sitting on wooden benches for hours, resting their walking sticks against their knees. These shoppers often arrived early in the morning for “mall walking” exercises before the stores officially opened. They used the wide, flat hallways to stay active in a safe environment. Later in the day, they watched the crowds from their benches, making the mall a central part of their social lives.
Staff members were another essential part of the mall’s daily landscape. They worked in clothing boutiques, toy stores, and fast-food stalls, often becoming friends with the regular shoppers. These workers dealt with the constant noise of fountain water and pop music playing over the speakers. The food court was the heart of the building, offering a mix of pizza, pretzels, and soda. It was the one area where office workers, families, and teenagers all sat together at plastic tables.
