17 Worst Malls in Kentucky

The decor is straight out of a sitcom rerun.

Background music jumps from 80s ballads to 90s boy bands without irony.

You half expect to see your old hair style in a reflection you do not recognize.

Storefronts sit vacant like missing teeth in a tired smile.

This is what happens when retail trends move on and the building stays stuck in time.

1. Kentucky Oaks Mall, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Kentucky Oaks Mall was once a busy regional stop for south central Kentucky shoppers.

Over time, national retailers left and many spaces sat dark or underused, leaving long, quiet hallways that feel a bit sad for folks who remember busier days.

For older visitors, fewer stores and limited dining options can make the trip feel like more trouble than it is worth.

The anchor stores that once drew crowds have moved or closed entirely.

Empty storefronts now outnumber the active shops in some sections.

That creates an eerie, abandoned feeling that is hard to shake off.

2. Mall St. Matthews, Louisville, Kentucky

Mall St. Matthews is one of the largest malls in Kentucky, with more than 100 stores and restaurants.

But here’s the catch: large crowds, traffic, and past safety concerns during busy seasons can make it feel stressful, not relaxing, for many older shoppers.

Parking can also be a headache, especially during holidays, which is not ideal if walking long distances is hard on your knees or back.

The sheer size means you may walk a quarter mile just to reach your favorite store.

Noise levels can be high when school groups or teens gather on weekends.

Finding a quiet spot to rest can feel like a challenge in itself.

3. Fayette Mall, Lexington, Kentucky

Fayette Mall is still the main indoor mall for the Lexington area, but it has its pain points.

Heavy traffic on nearby roads and crowded parking lots can turn a simple errand into a long, tiring outing, especially at peak times.

Inside, long walks between anchors and noisy weekend crowds can be tough for visitors who prefer a quieter, easier shopping trip.

The layout forces you to backtrack if you miss a store along the way.

Seating areas can fill up fast, leaving few places to catch your breath.

You are better off going on weekday mornings if you want any peace at all.

4. Turfland (former Turfland Mall site), Lexington, Kentucky

Turfland Mall opened in 1967 as Lexington’s first enclosed shopping mall and later fell into steep decline, closing to the public in 2008.

Most of the old mall was demolished in the mid‑2010s and replaced with medical offices and outparcel businesses, so the classic mall experience is gone.

For anyone over 50 who remembers the carpeted corridors and big anchors, the current site can feel like a hollow reminder of what used to be a major shopping destination.

The demolition erased nearly all traces of the original building.

Only a few businesses on the outer edges still operate today.

It feels more like a medical park than a place to shop and stroll.

5. Florence Mall, Florence, Kentucky

Florence Mall has been a long‑time regional center for northern Kentucky, but it has faced the same struggles as many mid‑sized malls.

Store turnover, more empty spaces, and competition from newer shopping areas and online retail have weakened its pull.

Older shoppers may still stop in for a few key stores, yet the overall visit can feel less lively and less rewarding than it did in past decades.

National chains that used to fill the corridors have scaled back or disappeared.

The food court options have shrunk to just a handful of counters.

Even the lighting seems dimmer than it used to be.

6. Richmond Mall, Richmond, Kentucky

Richmond Mall serves a college town, but its tenant mix has shifted toward smaller, lower‑traffic stores.

Empty or low‑use sections can make the interior feel dull and underused, especially on weekdays.

For older adults, fewer national brands and limited dining or seating areas can mean there is simply not much reason to stay and browse.

The college crowd tends to shop online or at big‑box stores outside town.

That leaves the mall feeling like a relic from another era.

Maintenance seems spotty, with worn flooring and chipped paint in places.

7. Greenwood Mall, Bowling Green, Kentucky

Greenwood Mall once felt like a full‑service community hub, but the retail landscape around Bowling Green has shifted.

Newer big‑box centers and online shopping have drawn business away, and some long‑time anchors and national chains have scaled back or left.

You are better off checking which stores are still open before making a long drive, because the experience may not match memories from the 1980s or 1990s.

The directories inside are often outdated or missing updated listings.

Some wings feel almost deserted, even on Saturday afternoons.

It is hard to shake the feeling that time passed this place by.

8. Towne Square Mall, Owensboro, Kentucky

Towne Square Mall has struggled for years with rising vacancies and fading foot traffic.

Many national brands have departed, leaving smaller shops and empty storefronts that send a clear signal of decline.

For 50+ shoppers who value safety, choice, and well‑kept common areas, the mall can feel more like a relic than a solid place to spend an afternoon.

Security presence seems lighter than it once was.

The restrooms and common areas show signs of deferred maintenance.

Even longtime locals now admit they shop elsewhere most of the time.

9. Ashland Town Center, Ashland, Kentucky

Ashland Town Center remains open, but like many smaller regional malls, it has had to work through changing tenants and modest crowds.

Some visitors report a limited variety of stores and a sense that the center is past its peak.

That is why many locals now split their shopping between this mall, strip centers, and online orders instead of relying on one strong indoor hub.

The anchor spaces have seen turnover, with some sitting empty for months.

Foot traffic is low enough that you can walk the whole mall without seeing more than a handful of people.

The lack of energy makes it hard to feel excited about shopping here.

10. Village Square Shopping Center, Bardstown, Kentucky

Village Square is a small, older shopping center that does not offer the full indoor mall experience many people over 50 remember.

Store choices can be limited, and the property can look worn compared with newer developments nearby.

For seniors looking for safe walking, climate control, and a wide mix of shops, it often falls short and feels like a stop of last resort.

The parking lot has cracks and uneven pavement that can be tricky to navigate.

There is no central gathering space or food court to speak of.

Most people only stop here if they absolutely have to.

11. Towne Mall, Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Towne Mall was purchased in December 2023 for $9.5 million after years of decline and was only 69 percent occupied at that time.

The new owner plans a major renovation to convert it to an open air center called City Center, but construction will take until December 2026.

For older shoppers who visit now, it can feel like a work zone with stores moving around, uncertain layouts, and long term disruption instead of a relaxing place to browse.

Sections are cordoned off, and temporary barriers make navigation confusing.

Dust and construction noise fill the air during business hours.

It is nearly impossible to enjoy a calm shopping trip amid all the upheaval.

12. Danville Manor Shopping Center, Danville, Kentucky

Danville Manor is a smaller center that has seen national chains close over the years, including a rue21 location that shut down in 2017.

Limited store options and older buildings can make the experience feel dated and not worth the trip for seniors used to bigger, better kept centers.

Most folks drive to Lexington or other nearby towns for a wider selection and more modern facilities.

The signage is faded, and some storefronts look like they have not been updated in decades.

Parking is easy to find, but only because so few people shop there anymore.

The whole place feels stuck in time, and not in a charming way.

13. Highlands Shopping Center, Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Highlands Shopping Center is a small strip center that serves a local neighborhood but does not offer the full indoor mall experience many older adults prefer.

Store choices are limited, and there is no climate-controlled walking space or central food court.

For seniors looking for comfort, variety, and easy browsing, it does not come close to what a traditional enclosed mall used to provide.

You have to walk outside between stores, which is rough in bad weather.

There are no benches or covered areas to rest along the way.

The lack of amenities makes it feel more like a quick errand stop than a real shopping destination.

14. Somerset Mall, Somerset, Kentucky

Somerset Mall is a smaller regional center that has faced tenant turnover and limited foot traffic over the years.

Store closures and empty spaces can make it feel quiet and underpopulated, especially on weekdays.

That is why many older shoppers now skip it altogether and head to bigger centers in Lexington or farther south.

The few stores that remain cater to narrow niches, not general shoppers.

You may walk the entire mall and find only two or three places worth entering.

The emptiness creates an uncomfortable, lonely vibe.

15. Hopkinsville Riverwalk Shopping Center, Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Hopkinsville Riverwalk is more of a strip center than a traditional enclosed mall, which can be a problem in hot summers and cold winters.

Older visitors may struggle with outdoor walking between stores, especially if mobility or weather is a concern.

Limited seating and no central gathering space also make it harder to rest or meet up with family.

The layout spreads stores far apart with no covered walkways in between.

Rain or snow can make the trip downright miserable.

There is no place to warm up or cool down except inside individual shops.

16. Mayfield Plaza, Mayfield, Kentucky

Mayfield Plaza is a small, aging shopping center that has struggled to keep national tenants.

The town itself is small, and the plaza reflects that with limited store options and a dated look.

For older adults seeking a full day of shopping or dining, it simply does not have enough to offer.

Most storefronts are local or discount shops with narrow selections.

The building exteriors look worn, with peeling paint and faded awnings.

It feels more like a last resort than a planned shopping trip.

17. Prestonsburg Plaza, Prestonsburg, Kentucky

Prestonsburg Plaza is another small eastern Kentucky center that has seen better days.

Store closures and limited investment have left it looking worn and underused.

For 50+ shoppers who remember when small town malls were bustling and well maintained, this one feels like a shadow of what shopping centers used to be.

The parking lot is cracked and potholed in several spots.

Inside, the few remaining stores struggle to draw any real traffic.

It is a sad reminder that not every mall gets a second chance.