Ten years ago, anybody who was anyone was going to the Hanover Mall to get their ears pierced at Claire’s, but now everyone is going to the Hanover Mall to get a tattoo? It’s true, over the years the Hanover Mall has changed drastically. Shopping at the latest and greatest stores like American Eagle, Aeropostale, KB Toys, are far over and the Hanover Mall has filled up with a variety of stores that do not appeal to many types of people.

All of our favorite stores have vanished into stores that make you think, “How is this place still in business? “You are bound to walk through the mall and see another store that you have no heard of before. Once a store that nobody goes to, goes out of business, it is replaced with an equally horrible store. These stores include: Oriental Wonders: Gifts and Specialty Imports, Native Spirit, The Novel Tee Shop, and Buffy’s One Stop Girly Shop. When passing these stores in the mall, you are bound to see little to no customers inside, employees frowning, and questioning what they majored in college. “Some of the stores there are a joke. Everyone goes to the Hanover Mall after the movies, or to hang out. Nobody goes there to shop.” said junior Niki Lazaris

The Hanover Mall has gone downhill so much, that it even has its own tattoo parlor, conveniently located close to the Kid’s Play Area.  Stores are not the only things that seem to amaze its customers. The Hanover Mall is filled with an abundance of unnecessary kiosks, Art of Eyebrows Threading, Scentsational Perfume, and True Power Energy Bands.

While it’s obvious that the Hanover Mall has gone downhill, it’s apparent that competing store complexes are booming. The parking lots at the Derby Street Shoppes and the South Shore Plaza are always jam-packed. Filled with awesome stores, and great eating facilities, the Hanover Mall does not stand a chance against the South Shore’s favorite shopping areas. Junior Sarah Finnegan said, “I would rather go to the South Shore Plaza than the Hanover Mall because there are so many more stores to shop at, and it is not sketchy.”

The Hanover Mall may be a quick fifteen minute drive, but the great stores that await in Hingham and Braintree are definitely worth the extra twenty minute hike.  The mystery behind the Hanover Mall is the stores are not worth going to, and with so many other great shopping outlets conveniently located in neighboring towns, the Hanover Mall is now just a large white box you look at when you’re eating at Panera Bread.