The Village of Schaumburg, Illinois began its life as a rural farming community, with the majority of residents being of German decent. Since then, the suburb has transformed itself into a bustling entrepreneurial center and holds the title as the second-largest retail center in Illinois. The shift away from a rural community and into a large economic pull for Cook County began with the development of Woodfield Mall in 1971 by Taubman Centers. During this period, hundreds of malls were built around the United States, serving as tax shelters for developers (American Historical Review: Oct. 1996, Adam Ruins Everything). Many of these developments eventually fell into ruin, however since its development Woodfield and the suburb that houses it
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Indeed, Woodfield Mall, with nearly 300 stores and the title as the largest mall in the state, attracts an estimated 20 million visitors each year (Sweeney: “Why is Woodfield Mall Still so Popular?”). It is hard to deny that 2.2 million-square-foot mall is the epicenter for Schaumburg’s economy and commodity-based tourism. Asking another Schaumburg-area native what the success is owed to, she replied:
“Due to rapidly changing and unpredictable weather, Woodfield serves as a good meeting point for young and old, anchored by well-recognized department stores and mid-priced restaurants as well as the cheaper stores and restaurants and areas which are geared towards the younger generation.” (Sara, late 20s: journalist and former part-time worker during high …show more content…
As people approached the scene set for meeting Santa Clause, they walked more quickly and with smiles slowly widening over their faces. I overheard a young Korean couple talking to a group about taking their parents there for the first time, as they were visiting them in the States. The elderly parents, the woman described, were taken aback at the degree of the decorations and her that they were beginning to “feel the Christmas cheer.” With the overwhelming reminders of the holiday season, even the more cynical teenagers suspend their pessimistic attitudes towards the mall until
Indeed, Woodfield Mall, with nearly 300 stores and the title as the largest mall in the state, attracts an estimated 20 million visitors each year (Sweeney: “Why is Woodfield Mall Still so Popular?”). It is hard to deny that 2.2 million-square-foot mall is the epicenter for Schaumburg’s economy and commodity-based tourism. Asking another Schaumburg-area native what the success is owed to, she replied:
“Due to rapidly changing and unpredictable weather, Woodfield serves as a good meeting point for young and old, anchored by well-recognized department stores and mid-priced restaurants as well as the cheaper stores and restaurants and areas which are geared towards the younger generation.” (Sara, late 20s: journalist and former part-time worker during high …show more content…
As people approached the scene set for meeting Santa Clause, they walked more quickly and with smiles slowly widening over their faces. I overheard a young Korean couple talking to a group about taking their parents there for the first time, as they were visiting them in the States. The elderly parents, the woman described, were taken aback at the degree of the decorations and her that they were beginning to “feel the Christmas cheer.” With the overwhelming reminders of the holiday season, even the more cynical teenagers suspend their pessimistic attitudes towards the mall until