Mall Ratz
According to Alan Erhenhaldt's 2024 governing.com piece "The Once & Future Shopping Mall," the pinnacle of the traditional mall was in the 1980s and '90s, with the height of construction being in 1982.
After several economic crises, the development and rise of online shopping, and the global pandemic, what was once an American, ideal "Third Space"—a space that is neither home nor work, according to sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book The Great Good Place—has devolved into unoccupied and empty spaces.
From ski slopes in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates—that trend is now in effect in New Jersey at American Dream, the second largest mall in the country—and Germany's merger of retail, entertainment, and transportation, with malls and train stations merging, "the mall" is an entity that is continuously adapting in this world of digital retail.
New Orleanians are a literal bunch. From the "Daiquiri Shoppe" to the "Nail Place," we use monikers that succinctly summarize places and things. With that in mind, we shall delve into the history, and futures, of the Riverwalk, Canal Place, Lakeside, Esplanade, and Oakwood malls.
Walking Dat Walk
For people of a certain age group, the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk has a certain place in the NOLA psyche. As the site of a traumatizing riverboat run-in in 1992, going to Riverwalk was an experience. With massive construction planned for the Riverfront District, including connecting Governor Nichols Wharf through Waldenberg Park to the Riverwalk and Convention Center, the Riverfront District should become the longest consecutive "river walk" in the United States.
Further cementing the proliferation of multi-use development, the new District is also planning a new Omni Hotel, as well as an amphitheater. This will be similar to the Grove in Los Angeles, another multi-use, multi-space venue. Entertainment Tonight frequently broadcasts from there, so someone alert Sheba Turk.
Fancy Meeting You Here
Typically billed as New Orleans' "highest-end shopping center," located at 333 Canal St., Canal Place has the highest percentage of luxury stores, including Saks 5th Avenue and Louis Vuitton. Crystal brand Swarovski also recently opened, with General Manager Matt Brown saying, "Swarovski's arrival further enhances Canal Place's commitment to an unparalleled luxury shopping experience, complementing our existing roster of prestigious brands."
Happy Birthday, Anniversary, and All Dat
Having turned 65-years-old in 2025, Lakeside Mall is New Orleans' quintessential shopping experience with over 100 stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Sephora, and Macy's.
Another offering of Lakeside's is a restaurant famous for its ample menu—the Cheesecake Factory. Dubbed the "the Cheesecake Effect," almost any mall that still makes a profit now has a Cheesecake Factory. A 2023 Moody's Analytics report found that about 93% of loans backed by malls with a Cheesecake Factory were current, compared to only 72% for malls without one.
Lakeside is a lynchpin of Metairie's retail economy, which also includes Clearview Mall and which has a larger footprint than Lakeside—although Lakeside is the largest "indoor" mall in town. With Jefferson Parish having turned 200 this year, it continues to have a large economic impact, with FOX 8 citing Lakeside as "the number one sales tax driver for Jefferson Parish."
"What Do You Want to be When You Reopen?"
Another suburban-based #SprawlMall is Esplanade Mall in Kenner, off of the Williams Boulevard exit. Having been shuttered since August 2021, the rumor mill surrounding a reopening has been in full-effect, with a story by reporter Thanh Truong pondering if the site would become an IKEA.
"We have been in discussions with IKEA, on and off for a series of a couple of years now, with interest in the Esplanade Mall. I think they are realistically looking at this market," said Jerry Bologna, executive director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission.
With the announced move of Nordstrom Rack from the Riverwalk, it seems that the IKEA idea was prothesizing, but the Swedish brand still expresses interest. As of now, no reopening date has been announced. However, with Louis Armstrong Airport's (MSY) positioning as a retail/restaurant mecca, as well as the announcement of a second terminal by 2030, the impact of The Esplanade will definitely be something shoppers will be watching.
West (Bank) We Go
While analyzing the trends surrounding this "mall renaissance," there seems to be a recurring theme of the "Rs"—restaurants, retail, and renovation. It is Oakwood Center, located at the intersection of Terry Parkway and the Westbank Expressway, that's focusing on the "renovation" trend.
Having renovated with an entire new look after a string of violence after Hurricane Katrina, Oakwood has taken some financial hits with the closing of several stores, some of which suffered with locations across the country including Mervin's and JC Penny, and restaurants including Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane's. The mall might once again be getting a facelift.
From tariffs and disasters to technological revolutions and global upheaval, the American retail sector is in a state of flux, but, like all American ingenuity, continued evolution and development will prevail. Things might just not look the same as they once did.
