Your step count went up, but only because you were dodging tumbleweeds and abandoned kiosks.
This list isn’t for the faint of wallet or weak of patience.
Prepare to see more empty benches than at Thanksgiving dinner right after “The Big Game.”
At least window shopping here means never being bothered by a salesperson.
1. Northlake Mall
Northlake Mall has become notorious for violent crime incidents in recent years.
The property has experienced 11 reported shootings since 2019, with three occurring in just three months.
Major retailers like Apple, American Eagle, Michael Kors, and Chico’s have all exited the mall.
The shopping center struggles with tenant retention as violence continues to plague the property.
Empty storefronts now dominate the hallways where thriving businesses once operated.
Local shoppers have largely abandoned the location in favor of safer alternatives.
Why It’s On This List: American Eagle filed a counterclaim against the mall’s owner, alleging the property is unsafe for operation due to “rampant violence.”
2. Carolina Place Mall, Pineville
This mall defaulted on a $149 million loan after missing its mortgage payoff deadline.
Brookfield Properties owns the struggling property, which has seen its value plummet significantly.
Staff shortages have become so severe that J.C. Penney’s upper-level entrance had to be permanently closed.
The financial troubles reflect broader challenges facing traditional retail centers.
Shoppers now avoid the location due to safety concerns and limited store options.
The mall’s future remains uncertain as lenders evaluate their options.
Why It’s On This List: The mall joins Northlake as another local shopping center in financial default, with increasing crime playing a role in customer loss.
3. Pennrose Mall, Reidsville
Pennrose Mall sits in an active state of decomposition with hornet and rodent infestations throughout.
The abandoned J.C. Penney wing is blocked off by only a yellow caution tape strip.
Only four stores remain open including Belk, Rose’s, a florist, and a shoe store.
Walking through the property feels like exploring an abandoned film set.
The few remaining businesses operate in isolation surrounded by decay.
Roof leaks and broken fixtures create hazardous conditions throughout the building.
Why It’s On This List: The mall’s owner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with nearly $3 billion in assets and liabilities but only $250 million in sales.
4. Eastridge Mall, Gastonia
Opened in 1976, this aging mall struggles to compete with newer Charlotte-area shopping centers.
The property is located 19 miles west of uptown Charlotte on Interstate 85.
Eastridge ranks as a C-level mall, meaning it sits in the lower tier of regional shopping centers.
Outdated facilities and limited store selection keep shoppers away.
The mall’s location disadvantage becomes more apparent as nearby Charlotte continues expanding.
Foot traffic during weekdays resembles a ghost town atmosphere.
Why It’s On This List: Traffic data shows this mall performing poorly compared to other regional shopping destinations, with limited foot traffic during weekdays.
5. Rock Hill Galleria, Rock Hill
This South Carolina mall near the North Carolina border operates like a ghost town with most stores leaving.
The roof leaks when it rains, and management shows little desire to fill empty storefronts.
The air conditioning has been broken for extended periods, making shoppers sweat even while sitting.
Basic maintenance issues drive away the few customers who still venture inside.
The property represents a textbook case of deferred maintenance destroying a retail center.
Competition from Charlotte shopping destinations proves too strong to overcome.
Why It’s On This List: Built too close to superior competition in Charlotte, the mall was plagued with problems before it even opened and killed the older, more viable Rock Hill Mall.
6. Wilson Mall, Wilson
This abandoned mall has been virtually empty for years with only a single store remaining open.
The lone operating store is sealed off from the rest of the mall’s decaying interior.
Walking through the property feels surreal due to its complete abandonment.
The small-town location couldn’t sustain the large retail space required for a traditional mall.
Interstate travelers pass by without stopping at this forgotten retail relic.
Weeds grow through cracks in the parking lot pavement.
Why It’s On This List: The small town location along I-95 doesn’t have enough population to support a traditional mall, making revitalization nearly impossible.
7. Innsbruck Mall, Asheville
Built in 1966, this 213,000-square-foot mall has fallen into serious disrepair.
Despite once maintaining 100% occupancy, the property now sits largely vacant.
The aging facility hasn’t kept pace with modern retail trends over its nearly 60-year history.
Dated architecture and layout make the mall feel stuck in a different era.
The property’s age shows in every cracked tile and faded storefront.
Younger shoppers prefer newer outdoor lifestyle centers with modern amenities.
Why It’s On This List: Like many malls built in the 1960s, Innsbruck failed to adapt to changing consumer preferences and the rise of e-commerce shopping.
8. Cary Towne Center, Cary
This nearly 1-million-square-foot mall sat mostly vacant before Epic Games purchased it.
The property looked like a set from a post-apocalyptic movie with boarded-up stores everywhere.
Besides a few remaining stores, the 87-acre site was slated for demolition.
The massive empty space demonstrated how quickly retail fortunes can change.
Years of decline left the property beyond saving for traditional retail purposes.
Epic Games saw value only in the land, not the existing structure.
Why It’s On This List: Physical retailers failed to keep up with online shopping, causing the mall to suffer the same fate as countless others across America.
9. Eastland Mall, Charlotte
Eastland Mall was demolished in 2013 after years of declining performance.
City Council approved a redevelopment plan for an indoor sports complex on the site in 2023.
The property represented the first major Charlotte mall to completely disappear.
Complete demolition became the only viable option after renovation proved too costly.
The site stood vacant for years before any redevelopment plans materialized.
Crime and deterioration made the abandoned building a neighborhood liability.
Why It’s On This List: The mall’s downward spiral began decades ago, eventually leading to complete demolition rather than renovation or adaptive reuse.
10. Signal Hill Mall, Statesville
Signal Hill Mall has been for sale since 2022 with no buyers stepping forward.
The mall closed its doors to the public in early 2024 after years of struggles.
The future of the property remains completely uncertain.
Potential buyers have shown little interest in taking on the struggling property.
The closure marks another casualty in North Carolina’s changing retail landscape.
Statesville’s retail needs have shifted to other formats and locations.
Why It’s On This List: The mall couldn’t find a viable path forward, forcing complete closure rather than continuing to operate at a loss.
11. Four Seasons Town Centre, Greensboro
This three-level mall has become a hangout for troublemakers rather than shoppers.
Vacant storefronts throughout the property take away from the shopping experience.
One visitor reported seeing “the biggest roach in the world” and described the mall as very dirty.
Cleanliness issues compound the security problems driving legitimate shoppers away.
The three-level design creates additional maintenance challenges for the understaffed property.
Families with children particularly avoid this location due to safety concerns.
Why It’s On This List: Security reportedly questions legitimate customers on the sidewalk while ignoring real problems inside the mall, driving away paying shoppers.
12. Northgate Mall, Durham
Northgate became the first regional mall to permanently shut down during COVID-19.
The mall’s owner cited “extreme economic difficulties experienced by the majority of tenants.”
Most retailers were already struggling before the pandemic delivered the final blow.
The closure came suddenly after years of gradual decline accelerated by the pandemic.
Durham lost a longtime shopping destination that served the community for decades.
No serious redevelopment plans have emerged since the closure.
Why It’s On This List: The severe impact of COVID-19, which changed the way people live and shop, resulted in insurmountable financial challenges for both tenants and the property itself.
13. Concord Mills, Concord
This outlet mall experienced multiple shooting incidents including one involving police officers.
A 23-year-old suspect fired several shots at police during a chase through the mall property.
The mall had to close temporarily after the officer-involved shooting.
Violence at the outlet center has become increasingly common in recent years.
Security measures have increased but incidents continue to occur with regularity.
Parents worry about bringing their families to shop at this location.
Why It’s On This List: The string of violent incidents has created safety concerns that discourage families from shopping there, particularly those seeking a peaceful retail experience.
14. Eastland Mall Site, Charlotte
After sitting abandoned for years, the mall was finally demolished in 2013.
The city approved plans to build an indoor sports complex on the former mall site.
But here’s the catch – redevelopment has taken over a decade since demolition.
The empty lot serves as a reminder of how difficult redevelopment can be.
Bureaucratic hurdles and funding challenges have delayed meaningful progress.
Neighbors continue waiting for something positive to replace the demolished mall.
Why It’s On This List: Even after a complete teardown, the property remains underutilized, showing how difficult it is to revitalize failed mall locations.
15. Friendly Center, Greensboro
Many North Carolina strip malls and shopping centers struggle to maintain full occupancy.
Charlotte designated 56 business corridors for potential redevelopment due to retail struggles.
That’s why converting old retail spaces into new uses has become essential.
Strip malls face unique challenges compared to enclosed traditional malls.
The outdoor format doesn’t shield them from weather or provide the experience shoppers once sought.
Landlords struggle to attract quality tenants willing to sign long-term leases.
Why It’s On This List: The property represents the broader challenge facing aging retail centers across the state that need extensive reimagining to survive.
16. Regional Mall Struggles Statewide
Department stores like Macy’s and J.C. Penney occupy the most mall space but continue closing locations.
J.C. Penney closed nearly 30% of its 846 stores after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
These anchor store closures leave massive empty spaces that mall owners struggle to fill.
When anchor stores close, entire mall ecosystems collapse around them.
Smaller retailers depend on foot traffic generated by these large department stores.
Mall owners face impossible decisions about filling spaces designed for department stores.
Why It’s On This List: When department stores leave, they take huge chunks of foot traffic with them, making it nearly impossible for remaining small retailers to survive.
17. Carolina Circle Mall Site, Greensboro
This demolished mall was eventually replaced by a Super Walmart.
The complete transformation shows how traditional malls can’t compete with big-box retailers.
You’re better off accepting that some malls simply can’t be saved or renovated.
The shift from enclosed mall to big-box store represents changing consumer preferences.
Convenience and value now trump the traditional mall shopping experience.
Modern shoppers prioritize efficiency over the leisure browsing that malls once offered.
Why It’s On This List: The property’s conversion to a different retail format proves the traditional enclosed mall model no longer works in many locations.