Retail used to be about friendly clerks and free gift wrap; now it is about survival and self-checkout. You used to chat about grandkids while someone bagged your items. Now you argue with a blinking machine that thinks your bread is “an unexpected item in the bagging area.” You are better off negotiating a car … Read more17 Most Disappointing Retail Chains in Arkansas
California shoppers have mastered the art of dodging retail disasters like they dodge potholes on the 405. Some stores make you wonder if bankruptcy is contagious. Between safety violations that would make OSHA inspectors weep and customer service so bad it feels personal, the Golden State has become a graveyard for retail chains. These 17 … Read more17 Most Disappointing Retail Chains in California
Whoever said money can’t buy happiness clearly never went mall shopping in Texas with comfortable shoes. The Lone Star State treats shopping like a competitive sport. These malls come equipped with hotels because you’ll need somewhere to sleep between shopping marathons. Some locations offer valet parking, concierge services, and art collections worth millions. Your fitness … Read more15 Best Malls in Texas
Idaho’s relationship with shopping malls is practical, not passionate. When winter temperatures drop and summer heat climbs, a climate-controlled building with ample parking becomes genuinely appealing. The state’s malls survived the retail apocalypse that gutted centers elsewhere, mainly because they never aimed for the stars in the first place. You’re better off thinking of them … Read more15 Best Malls in Idaho
Some people collect stamps, others collect national parks; at a certain age, you start collecting dead malls. You remember when every fountain had coins, every anchor had crowds, and every trip had a pretzel. Now the biggest attraction is the climate controlled walking loop. You spot one store that has outlived three different department chains … Read more17 Worst Malls in Idaho
If you ever want to feel young again, visit a mall that clearly has not updated anything since your 20s. 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 … Read more17 Worst Malls in Kentucky
You know you are over 50 when you recognize more former mall names than current pop stars. The directory in your head still lists anchors that vanished years ago. You remember when a new mall meant progress, not a future demolition project. Once the parking lots are filled by noon on Saturdays. Now the biggest … Read more17 Worst Malls in Ohio
Forget everything you think you know about Iowa being historically insignificant. This state has been collecting amazing stories for centuries while everyone else was looking the other way. From the only U.S. president born here to covered bridges that launched a thousand romance novels, Iowa’s historical sites pack more punch than expected. Most people drive … Read more10 Most Fascinating Historical Sites in Iowa
If you remember paying for Slim Jims at a place called Jiffy with actual paper money, congratulations—you’re officially vintage. The 1970s spawned convenience store chains faster than they could think of sensible names. America went absolutely feral with brands like Speedee Mart and Mr. Quik. But here’s the deal: being quick didn’t mean being immortal. … Read more17 Convenience Stores That Disappeared in the 70s
Want to know Iowa’s best-kept secret? It’s not the world’s largest strawberry or some quirky roadside attraction. It’s the fact that this supposed “boring” farm state contains geological wonders that took millions of years to create. Ancient seas, glacial floods, and wind storms all conspired to sculpt Iowa into something extraordinary. Mother Nature clearly had … Read more12 Beautiful Natural Wonders in Iowa