Since the construction of the first fully enclosed shopping center in 1952, the shopping mall has evolved into the heart of many suburban areas across the country. More than simply a place to purchase goods, this veritable temple of consumerism has become a primary place for community and social interaction and an essential element in many citizens' day-to-day lives. This study explores the spiritual, emotional and physical effects of the enclosed shopping mall on the public, chronicling the growth of the mall as a popular development model, its role in shaping urban and suburban life in the United States, its positive and negative aspects on society and the environment and its future viability given economic conditions. As this work shows, the mall remains rich in symbolic influence, and in many ways mirrors the American condition.