The Texas Department of Agriculture and Westwood Mall formed an indoor Farmer’s Market, featuring fresh produce, flowers, and wines from local producers. The mall found that shoppers were willing to travel for the locally-grown goods.

The Galleria at South Bay sought to help the homeless get back on their feet, using a mobile sales cart. Homeless people are employed not only to make items for sale, but also to man the cart itself.

Bayfield Mall, having a record number of fast food outlets within a one-mile stretch and more than 40,000 vehicle movements per day, was a perfect location for United Way’s fundraising event.

Magic Valley Mall reached out to more than 25 school districts with its own back-to-school infomercial.

Tired of high prices and mediocre entertainment, Penn Square Mall created “The Penn Square Players”—a six-member theater troupe that performs for children. The Players produce about four shows a year, in parallel to the center’s seasonal themes and activities.

To help ease the frustration of waiting to see Santa, Hamilton Place integrated interactive toys into its Santa set.

Fox River Mall sought to alleviate some holiday stress that the 3,500 employees within experience with its “Stress-free Sweepstakes”. Employees were encouraged to fill out wish lists and enter them in a draw. Santa personally delivered five lucky employees everything they had wished for; and since the lists tore away to become post cards, more than 200 lists were mailed to the employees’ families to serve as gift hints (and to increase the likelihood of a visit to the mall).

Dadeland Mall invited more than 50 hearing-impaired students to visit a special “Signing Santa” and his elves.

People often don’t know what gift to get someone, or where to get it—so Meridian Mall hosted a 20-minute “Great Gift Ideas” show in center court. Gift suggestions were separated into price ranges of under $20, under $50, and over $50, and each viewer received a card that listed each item, its price, and its location in the mall.

The Mall at Sears annually sets up its “Hobbitland Children’s Shop”, catering to its youngest shoppers.