Recently, I took my daughter and her friend to the neighborhood mall, and as I watched them navigate through stores, I was flooded with memories of my own teenage years. Back in the ’80s, the mall was a central hub of our social lives. It was the place where we shopped, shared gossip, worked part-time jobs, grabbed snacks, and pursued crushes.
Our moms would drop us off at the entrance, and we pretended not to hear their affectionate calls of “I love you!” and “Be back by 4!” The mall represented freedom for us, a sanctuary where we could truly express ourselves.
We often gathered in the vibrant food court, a neon-lit paradise full of options. From McDonald’s to Sbarro, we indulged in our favorite foods while reminiscing about the latest hits on the radio. After lunch, a stop at Mrs. Fields for a cookie was mandatory, or we’d opt for an Orange Julius or TCBY, where we were bound to see someone from school.
Shopping was, of course, a major highlight. Our first stop was always Waldenbooks, where we’d race to the magazine section to grab issues of Tiger Beat or Bop to catch up on the latest antics of our favorite teen idols. The more studious among us would browse the teen novels, perhaps picking up a Christopher Pike thriller or the latest from Sweet Valley High—though we had to keep those hidden from our moms, who were likely reading them too.
Next, we’d swing by CVS to peruse the nail polish, pick up a bottle of Sun-In, or grab the essential lip glosses—Kissing Potion, Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, or Village Lip Lickers. A quick stop at the checkout for some gum, either Freshen-up or Fruit Stripe, was a must in case we ran into a cute boy.
And boys were always around, often congregating at Spencer’s Gifts, where we could find everything from quirky pins for our jackets to posters and even novelty items. If they weren’t at Spencer’s, they were usually checking out the latest styles at Chess King.
A mall outing wouldn’t be complete without a shopping spree. We’d hunt for ripped jeans for the next school dance or a trendy shirt from Benetton for Friday night fun. If we had saved enough babysitting money, we might splurge at Contempo Casuals, or if we felt particularly adventurous, we’d hit The Limited with a parent’s credit card in hand—after securing a signed note, of course.
After stocking up on clothes, we’d visit Perfumania or the department store fragrance counter to pick our favorite scents: Love’s Baby Soft, Navy, or Liz Claiborne. Which triangle bottle should we choose—red, blue, or yellow? Our friends were always there to help us decide. A glance at the Swatch on my wrist would remind me that time was flying; we still needed to snap a photo in the booth by the food court.
We’d make a quick detour to the restroom to freshen our hair with Aqua Net and reapply our Kissing Koolers lip gloss before rushing to pick up our pictures. Our last stop was RadioShack for some new headphones for our Walkman.
Finally, we’d head to the record store, maybe Sam Goody or Tower Records, to grab the latest cassette or even a cassingle—perfect for those who were hesitant to invest in a full album. We’d record ourselves singing along to our favorite tracks, dreaming of stardom and hoping to encounter our idols, like Tiffany, in the mall.
As our day came to an end, we’d scrounge for a dime from our shoes to call our parents from the payphones, or we’d meet them at York Steak House for a well-deserved meal after an exhausting yet exhilarating day. Little did we realize that years later, those mall adventures would evoke such strong feelings of nostalgia for us ’80s kids.
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In summary, a trip to the mall in the ’80s was a rite of passage filled with laughter, friendships, and unforgettable experiences, shaping us into who we are today.