For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 16, 2024

You don’t see teenagers at the mall anymore. Malls are going out of style thanks to gang takeovers and shootings. At least in Arizona. In Phoenix there used to be 7-10 malls and now there’s only about 4. These are the newer ones. People don’t want to walk store to store anymore. They rather go to one store for something specific. Or just order from Amazon. I’m an Amazon shopper.

I am a life long Vancouverite. Thinking about where they could be shopping (aside from malls, Robson Street is a good possibility).

Grandma Marion understands teenaged girls.

Surprising that April isn’t whining to ride on Grandma’s lap!

Luccia’s Cafe is almost assuredly a reference to Lynn Johnston’s childhood friend Luccia Messina, whom Lynn has mentioned on many occasions in her biographies.

Elizabeth is finally enjoying the trip…

It certainly appears that gramma knows it’s important to talk to Elizabeth and ask her opinion on what she’d like to do. Lizzy had spent hours in a car watching the scenery go by and it had gotten boring. Besides, back in the day, the scenery at the mall had what Elizabeth was interested in…Boys!

Although that venue has stopped being the “in” spot for teens to go to as many malls have shut down. Oddly enough, when I was in Michigan visiting it appeared the local 7-11’s have become the hot spot for teen interaction. I went there to get a froze coke and nearly needed valet parking! There wasn’t a parking spot to be found and cars were idling in the lot just waiting for a car to pull out of their parking spot.

Ride the chairlift? Could she be referring to the old chairlift that went across the old PNE/Playland grounds? That’s the only one I can think of besides ski hills…

Like many teenagers, she’s a mall-lingerer.

What a great grandma!

Grandma needs a power chair…

Shopping for Elizabeth.

The only permanent thing in life is CHANGE!

I just saw one of the Superman films where his parents died and a real estate developer is looking to buy the land that was bequeathed to him. The response was simple:

Clark Kent: I am not interested in selling unless the buyer wants to use the land for agriculture. We do not need any more shopping malls.

Why isn’t Elizabeth the beach?

A teenager was mall’d by her grandmother – film at 11

Go to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, the paths and bridges are quite smooth, the Cliff Walk is exciting and the scenery is fabulous. There is so much to do and see there. Grandma will still have plenty to do and see while you check out the suspended bridges and Cliff Walk. After you are done go to Bufala Edgemont or Joe Fortes for some good food. While expensive, Top of Vancouver is a wonderful place to dine while getting a lovely view of Vancouver. It is a revolving restaurant on the top of Harbour Centre and would be a wonderful, last night before we say good by, place to eat.

At least Grandma knows what’s going on. Funny how that works!

One minute of soft soap and Liz is suddenly bright eyed and bushy tailed. Oldsters rule.

I was in a mall not that long ago that had maybe 8 stores open. The rest was vacant or had local government offices. It was weird and depressing. I have no idea how those stores made any money. It was a weird atmosphere and I couldn’t wait to leave.

Ride the chairlift? What kind of thrill is that for a girl of Elizabeth’s age, who can clearly walk up the stairs just fine?

The last two days John has been craving alcohol. Now today he doesn’t appear in the strip at all. Think he’s passed out drunk somewhere?

Malls are going out of style because they kicked kids out – they had mall security tell them to “move on and stop loitering” and kids had purchasing power – they let their food courts deteriorate, their rest rooms were dirty, and their rents were high so prices were high. Meanwhile, the anchor stores cut customer service, rolled back departments as places like IKEA, the Apple Store, and specialty shops offered better selection. Even Whole Foods took away their specialty food shops. Changing tastes closed their gift and china departments, They failed to keep up with changes in consumer tastes. Shootings at malls are rarer than shootings at schools…

The Pacific Centre mall. A nightmare for anyone who just wants to buy something and go home.

Took me awhile to figure out who Stanley was, and why watching him park the car would be interesting.

I have never been into shopping. I really don’t get it.

Buy local.

Shop/Buy Local. Shop/Buy American. Don’t support US’ enemies (amazon, which is Chinese owned).

When our mall here in rural North Central PA was at full capacity it had about a dozen stores, now all that is in there is an Ollies, Good Will Store, DMV and a think a wine store, I only go in there for the DMV every 4 years when I need to renew my drivers license and there is a door right by it. They don’t even call it a mall anymore, it is now called " (town I live in) Square". On the other side of the parking lot is a PIzza Hut, Long John Silver’s and Auto Zone and a rent- a place- can’t remember the name but it is one of those places that you can rent furnture and appliances for a monthly fee if you don’t want to buy the item.

Shopping seem to be interesting to all ladies irrespective of their age. Men can only wonder what the purpose is.

Ooo. Stanley Park and the bridge over Capilano Canyon. I’m in; after a bit of shopping, of course (and breakfast at De Dutch Restaurant).

Grandma Knows Best.

Why is the grandma in a wheelchair?