"The Lloyd Center promoted itself as a "mini city within a city" when it opened in 1960. It had groceries, a bank, a cobbler-even an ice rink. The mall was open-air, too, until it got a $200 million hat in 1991. Despite another multimillion-dollar zhuzh in 2016, the makeovers are continuing."
"But as the expected headache sets in while you're descending the escalator, the run of indie shops that took over during the pandemic materializes. Hot Topic, the cockroach of the retail apocalypse, is still open, but Vans, Lids, et al., bailed. In their place: Floating World Comics, an indie Lego store called Brickdiculous, an edgy vintage shop called Bauhaus Mode."
"In an Instagram post offering her services as "the unofficial Lloyd Mall real estate broker," Allie Furlotti, founder of the gallery and artist residency space ILY2 Too, signed off asking, "what is more comforting than knowing nothing lasts forever?""
Lloyd Center opened in 1960 as a comprehensive "mini city within a city" featuring diverse services and amenities. After becoming enclosed in 1991 and undergoing renovations in 2016, the mall now faces demolition to create a mixed-use neighborhood. During the pandemic, independent retailers replaced major chains, creating an organic community space with comic shops, vintage stores, and artist studios. While some advocated for preservation, ownership prioritized redevelopment. The shift reflects broader retail transformation, with temporary tenants embracing impermanence as the mall transitions from retail renaissance to cultural gathering space.
#retail-transformation #independent-businesses #urban-redevelopment #mall-culture #mixed-use-development
Read at Portland Monthly
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