Join me as I walkthrough the Westminster Mall. The shining jewel of O.C has come to its final end.

[@lohphat]

I remember opening day. I was 9yo. Earlier this week (Aug 7th, 2024) was its 50 birthday. Earlier this year Spencer's Gifts closed -- it was the last of the original stores. For me I remember the red carpets, the dot-matrix displays, and the huge wooden beam suspended in the center of the mall with the red and blue chords suspending it. After the food court was moved and the hanging sculpture removed, that was the beginning of the end. I moved away in 1994 to SF, and now I'm in NYC. All those memories of the end of rural OC.

[@Spikenector]

Remember how great the Mall was back in the late 80's and 90s :)

[@briantran3791]

Cool! I can’t remember . Did the place have an arcade?

[@rusty-eyewitness]

Hi Brian. I can't remember. It's been so long. Lol

[@kennethelliott9248]

This entire situation is frustrating. I never understood how online shopping (especially for clothing which you can’t even TRY ON online,) would ever become the norm. How in the heck could going into an air conditioned mall NOT be popular, especially during summer when people want to be indoors to cool off ? And Westminster Mall is located at the perfect spot (near the 405).

[@rusty-eyewitness]

I hear you Kenneth. I think eventually it will turn around one day. I do not know when. We humans, are social creatures, we need each other to interact. This online buying phase will fade out in the future, and once again these malls will start to blossom. That is what I am wishing for :)

[@timracine6630]

I find that many retailers have closed their dressing rooms due to theft so can't even try on clothes in store any longer.

[@rachelpena5619]

I live close by and havent been there in awhile. I heard they are going to build apartments there

[@robertmartinez4174]

first came the Internet. & the final blow was COVID 19.

[@karimedinburgh]

Hello

[@rusty-eyewitness]

Hi Karimedinburgh