Haunted Malls and Shopping Centers: The Frightening Facts Behind the World’s Most Haunted Retail Spaces
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For decades, shopping malls and shopping centers have been at the heart of many communities, providing a space for people to socialize, shop, and enjoy entertainment. However, behind the convenience and excitement lies a dark side. Many of these retail spaces are said to be haunted by restless spirits, leaving shoppers with a chilling experience. In this article, we’ll explore the most haunted malls and shopping centers around the world, examining the terrifying tales behind these establishments and the eerie feelings that linger within their walls.
The Seattle Mall
A Groundbreaking Haunting
The Seattle Mall in Washington state, USA, is said to be one of the most haunted malls in the world. This eerie phenomenon began in the 1980s when the mall was still under construction. Strange noises, unexplained movements, and ghostly apparitions were reported by construction workers and local residents. Many believed that a former resident, a young woman who had committed suicide in the mall’s parking lot, was to blame for these occurrences. Her spirit, it is said, became trapped in the mall, energetic and restless, forever stuck in the location she once called home.
As the mall grew in popularity, the sightings continued. In the 1990s, a popular clothing store reported strange occurrences, including missing and reappearing stock, shifting shelves, and unexplained noises. Many believed a former employee, who had passed away under mysterious circumstances, was the culprit behind these hidden hauntings. Local workers and shoppers even claim to have seen moving objects, unexplained lights, and disembodied voices.
Despite the mall’s busy atmosphere, it is not uncommon for people to feel a chilling, eerie atmosphere settling over them, often accompanied by an intense feeling of restlessness. Some shoppers have even reported experiencing vivid, disturbing visions after spending time in the mall. Many believe that the energy of these trapped spirits continues to permeate the mall, immerse in sorrow, and is the source of the long-standing haunting.
The Columbus Mall
The Birthplace of Haunted Retail
Located in Ohio, USA, the Columbus Mall, also known as Eastland Mall, has been in operation since the 1950s. A significant number of hauntings, witnessed by both workers and visitors, have taken place in this mall. These breaches often begin with strange noises, such as doors opening and closing, objects disappearing, or seemingly disembodied voices. Many believe these disruptions are caused by restless spirits trapped in the mall.
After numerous reports of vandalism and strange occurrences, further investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of hauntings. Many believe that the source of these hauntings can be attributed to the mall’s tragic past. Langan’s Emporium, a business located in the mall, was the site of a gruesome child’s death in the 1960s. According to reports, the child, who had wandered away from his mother, was hit and killed by a stationary escalator.
The mall has undergone numerous renovations and expansions, but the haunting persists. Some claim to have seen shadowy figures moving around the mall at night, while others have experienced increasingly frightening and vivid dreams after spending time in the area. Experts believe the energy of these past events continues to permeate the mall, spreading the hauntings even further. Visitors and workers who have experienced these events believe that the trapped spirits continue to search for justice, pushing forward in endless attempts to find it.
The Hometown Shopping Center
Shopping Center Horror
Located in Kettering, Ohio, USA, the Hometown Shopping Center, although relatively small compared to other shopping centers, has a corresponding large amount of hauntings. Many claim that a former employee, known as “Melissa,” is responsible for these restlessly occurring hauntings. Melissa supposedly died in the construction of the shopping center, experiencing the trauma and fear, remaining forever lodged in the place.
One of the most harrowing tales is that of a security guard who reported seeing Melissa’s spirit as clear as day, face-to-face with a discernible, albeit eerie, glow. Many visitors and employees report experiencing strange creaking, spotty lights and interruptions, and even hitchhikers in their clothes after attending the mall. Some believe that these haunting occurrences are due to the high level of emotional energy development, most likely through struggles and tragedies that occurred in the building’s early construction.
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