Mega malls figure prominently in our cities. Featuring large department stores, food courts and entertainment venues, they are the ultimate answer to our desire for a one-stop-shop. Yet, they are so big that they seem sterile and impersonal. From their crowded car parks to long checkout queues, they can make shopping a stressful experience.
But they have become ubiquitous and they tend to eclipse the smaller malls that serve residential communities by virtue of being more accessible and less crowded. More importantly, these small malls help support local entrepreneurs.
As The National reported yesterday, Fotouh Al Khair Mall in Abu Dhabi encourages Emiratis without experience of running a business to set up shop. Because the tenants are paying less in rent, they have the opportunity to experiment and get their business right. Hopefully, some of these shops will one day take their place alongside the multinational franchises at the mega malls.
