Commodity To Novelty

It is almost unbelievable how much study and science goes into designing the site and layout of a shopping center or “strip mall”. These nominally valued structures that are taken for granted play large roles in suburban daily routines. Though it is assumed that site would be chosen based on the suburban population of the area, it is incredible how such architecture has a typical plan and layout based on a specific mercantile breakdown; a large retail anchor, a supporting lesser anchor, and finally the smaller scale retailers. Although one could compare this to a mall, where laid out, has anchors at the ends, a food court at the centre or a middle side, and smaller retailers meshed in the middle, so one could say a shopping center is a “strip of a mall” taken and placed in a suburban setting.

It’s disheartening in a sense to have lost the “main street” atmosphere to commodity, but then does that also mean that the “main street” intern became a glorified novelty? For example, Disney’s Main Street USA is the first area you experience in the parks and as well with most other theme parks upon entry you are put in a small town “main street” type of experience filled with an abundance of retailers. What does this say about the future of shopping centers? Will they become the next “Main Street USA” and average mall take their place?