A mall is a large indoor building or complex where many different stores are gathered together under one roof. Instead of walking down a street to visit separate shops, you can stroll through air-conditioned hallways past clothing stores, bookshops, electronics retailers, and restaurants all in one place.

Malls became popular in America during the 1950s and 1960s, transforming how people shopped. Before malls, most shopping happened in downtown areas or in individual stores spread across town. The mall brought everything together: you could buy school supplies, grab lunch, watch a movie, and meet friends all in the same location. Many malls include a large department store at each end, called anchor stores, with smaller shops filling the space between them.

Today, many traditional malls face challenges as people increasingly shop online, but they remain popular gathering spots in many communities, especially during hot summers or cold winters when the weather outside is uncomfortable.