Walmart Just Bought a Shopping Mall + People Are Baffled

We all know Walmart as one of the largest employers in America, and also one of the most profitable retail chains. But many people are baffled by what the company just did.

Walmart just purchased an entire shopping mall in Pittsburgh, Pa. They paid $34 million for the mall, which is pocket change for Walmart.

Here is one of the weird things: It's not a shopping mall that is abandoned or shut down. This mall is still operating, with more than 100 stores inside of it.

Jonathan Zhang, a professor at Colorado State University’s College of Business, tells Retaildive.com, "Walmart could see this as an opportunity to repurpose underperforming malls into mixed-use spaces with a strong retail anchor — whether that’s a supercenter, a fulfillment hub or a combination of both."

Some also see this as a way for Walmart to control what stores can and will operate inside of the mall, thus eliminating some possible competition in the area.

Other experts think that the company could just be taking advantage of a good real estate deal.

Walmart offered few details about its plans, saying only that the company "is very interested in being part of any future redevelopment of this site."

Will we see Walmart entering the mall as an anchor store? Will they demolish the mall and build a Walmart? Or, could we be in for some sort of out-of-this-world Walmart mall of the future, that we don't know about yet?

The 25 Best Country Songs of the Last 25 Years (2000-2024)

The best country songs of the last 25 years were felt and heard. Commercial impact was a factor, but emotional impact is what separates these songs from others released in the 2000s.

Technically the century began in 2001, but we reached back to 2000 to summarize this list of top songs. Alan Jackson is the only artist with two songs, but you'll find 11 Entertainer of the Year winners scattered across a playlist the required several stunning exclusions.

Curious as to why your favorite song missed the cut? Well, there are only 25 spots for the best of 25,000 country song releases. Hard decisions needed to be made!

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

24 Country Stars With Their Own Bars + Restaurants

Of all of the side hustles country artists could partake in, opening a bar or restaurant is the most fitting — and very common. After all, many of these stars got their start on a barstool, tip jar nearby, playing their music for anyone who would listen.

These places feel like home for many of these singers. Over the years, several artists have gotten into the bar or restaurant game, and for a select few, brands have turned into franchises with several locations and/or concepts — we're looking at you, Jimmy Buffett!

Let's take a look at the country star food and entertainment venues that have opened over the years.

Gallery Credit: Jess

Filed Under: Retail Stores