371: Scenes From a Mall
Dec 26, 2008
This American Life spends several days in a mall in suburban Tennessee, to document life in the mall during the run-up to Christmas. Also, a rift in a national association of professional Santas—the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas (yes, there is such a group).
Note: this is the 2010 version of an episode that originally aired in 2008. A few stories have been re-arranged and some content updated.
- Yes, some stores are going out of business in the Cool Springs Galleria, but it's just two stores. We talk to staff at one store that’s closing down, and at another, in the food court, where business is great. That’s maybe the most surprising thing about how this recession is playing out - that some stores are doing just fine. (10 minutes)
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In-depth interview with . . . the Galleria.
