Imagine apartments built into what used to be department stores, (Oh, you’re JC Penny 203? I’m at Sears 106). Get those old arcades up and running. Set up meal stations at the food court. Once people actually live there, stores will start to move back in.
If I’m unable to finish my life in my own home, that doesn’t sound like a terrible option.
Imagine how much money you could make by ripping off retired people who cannot leave the mall anymore due to old age.
Not that I would endorse this. Combining retirement homes with retail sounds dangerous for the retired.