A recent trip to the local mall with my daughter and her friend whisked me back to my teenage years. Watching them dart in and out of shops reminded me just how pivotal the mall was back then. For us ’80s teens, it was the epicenter of our social lives—where we shopped, gossiped, worked, dined, and of course, chased after boys.
Our mothers would drop us off at the entrance, their voices trailing behind us as they shouted, “Love you! Meet back here at four!” To us, the mall was pure freedom—a sanctuary we knew like the back of our hands.
We’d rendezvous with friends in the food court, a dazzling display of neon lights and tantalizing options. Whether we grabbed burgers at Mickey D’s, pizza from Sbarro, or a slice from the local pizzeria—where the jukebox played everything from Donna Summer to our beloved hair bands—it was a feast for the senses. Post-lunch, we’d swing by Mrs. Fields for warm cookies or visit Orange Julius or TCBY, where we were likely to run into familiar faces from school.
And then there was the shopping. The mall was a treasure trove! First stop: Waldenbooks, where we’d head straight for the magazine aisle to devour the latest gossip about the two Coreys. For the brainy ones, the teen section beckoned with Christopher Pike mysteries, the latest Sweet Valley High book, or perhaps a titillating V.C. Andrews novel—those had to be kept hidden from our moms, of course!
Next, a trip to CVS was essential. We’d sift through nail polish, pick up a bottle of Sun-In, and most importantly, stock up on lip gloss—Kissing Potion, Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, and those delightful Village Lip Lickers. And before we left, we had to snag some gum, either Freshen-up or Fruit Stripe, because you never knew when a cute guy might appear.
Speaking of cute guys, they were everywhere! Most could be found in Spencer’s Gifts, checking out everything from quirky pins for our jean jackets to hilarious posters. The back of the store was a treasure trove of “adult” items that left us giggling and asking our older sisters for advice. If they weren’t at Spencer’s, they’d be at Chess King, eyeing the latest Z Cavs or SKIDZ.
Clothing shopping was a must. Ripped jeans for the school dance or a vibrant Benetton shirt for Friday night fun. If we’d saved enough from babysitting or working at the mall, we might treat ourselves to Contempo Casuals or 579. We could find outfits that matched our scrunchies before “matchy-matchy” was even a thing!
If our hunt didn’t yield the perfect outfit, The Gap, Lerner, or—if we were lucky enough to have birthday cash or a signed note from our parents—The Limited had our backs. For semi-formal dances, Deb was our go-to for inexpensive dresses and dyeable shoes, ensuring our dates matched our color schemes.
After scoring new threads, it was off to either Perfumania or the department store fragrance counter. We’d eagerly choose between Love’s Baby Soft, Navy, or Liz Claiborne, with our friends helping us decide on the perfect color triangle bottle. A quick check of the time—was it really 3:00 already? We still needed a photo booth pic with our BFFs!
After sprucing up in the bathroom with Aqua Net and reapplying that luscious lip gloss, we’d wait impatiently for our photos to develop. A quick stop at RadioShack to grab headphones for our Walkman was non-negotiable.
Finally, a visit to the record store, maybe Sam Goody or Tower Records, where we’d search for the latest cassette or a cassingle if we weren’t ready to commit to an entire album. And who could resist recording our own tracks over the hits of the day? We dreamt of becoming pop stars and maybe even handing a tape to Tiffany if we spotted her in the mall.
As our funds dwindled, we’d scrape together change from our shoes to call our parents for a ride home or meet them at York Steak House for a well-deserved dinner. Those mall escapades left us exhilarated but exhausted. Little did we know, those days would forever spark nostalgia in our hearts.
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In summary, visiting the mall in the ’80s was more than just shopping; it was a rite of passage filled with friendship, fun, and unforgettable memories.