Alexandra Lange’s new book, Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall, reveals the role Plymouth Meeting Mall played in the creation of mall food courts. Victorino Matus reported the distinction for The Washington Free Beacon.

According to the book, the first-ever indoor, multibrand, quick-serve food location amid rows of retail stores appeared at the Plymouth Meeting Mall in 1971.

Its genesis was meant to deepen the human urge to connect with others. The thinking was that a shared shopping experience could be lengthened by a place of community food service.

“People love to be in public with other people,” wrote Lange. “Seeing happy families is the core of the mall’s strength and the essence of its ongoing utility.”

The food court at the Montgomery County site did not initially fare well.

It was too small and offered little variety, which caused it to flop soon after.

Other malls learned from the example, however, and started opening food courts that were bigger and that offered better selections.

Their interior designers also moved food courts to the second floors of their structures, forcing hungry patrons to go the extra distance and perhaps purchase something along the way.

Read more about the creation of mall food courts in The Washington Free Beacon.

_____

Mall food courts are now taking a step up in culinary outlook, as noted in this CBC News item.