Malls, once symbols of American consumer culture, are splitting. Some are dying as others thrive

A nostalgic stroll: the writer recalls 1970s mall memories — mom-approved "classic" clothes and a closet full of straight-leg corduroy pants.
Livingston Mall is now a "zombie" mall — anchors like Macy's, Sears and Lord & Taylor have left, Barnes & Noble is relocating, and the complex shows visible decay.
Bigger picture: U.S. malls have fallen from about 1,100 to 900 since 2008 as online shopping, store closures and the pandemic hit — yet high-end centers (e.g., Short Hills) are thriving, with teens helping make some malls cool again.