When did malls become popular?

Malls became popular in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, as suburbanization increased and shopping habits shifted. The first modern shopping mall, the Southdale Center, opened in Edina, Minnesota, in 1956, featuring climate control and a variety of retail outlets under one roof. This concept quickly spread, leading to the development of large regional malls across the country, which became social and commercial hubs for communities. By the 1980s, malls were a dominant retail format, shaping consumer culture.